Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_18-cv-03161/USCOURTS-caed-2_18-cv-03161-24/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 891
Nature of Suit: Agricultural Acts
Cause of Action: 07:499 Agricultural Commodities Act

---

ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

JUNE MONROE, State Bar No. 284763

R. JASON READ, State Bar No. 117561

RYNN & JANOWSKY, LLP

2603 Main Street, Suite 1250

Irvine, CA 92614

Telephone: (949) 752-2911

Attorneys for Intervening-Plaintiffs

SUNTERRA PRODUCE TRADERS, INC., 

1ST QUALITY PRODUCE, INC., 

PETERSON FARMS FRESH, INC., 

COASTAL PACIFIC SALES, LLC and 

FROERER FARMS, INC. d/b/a OWYHEE PRODUCE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

GREENGATE FRESH, LLLP, 

Plaintiff,

vs.

TRINITY FRESH PROCUREMENT, LLC, 

et al.

Defendants.

CASE NO: 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-EFB

ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND 

ORDER TO EXTEND THE 

DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION FOR 

RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO 

CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE 

AMENDED PRELIMINARY 

INJUNCTION ORDER, 

ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS 

PROCEDURE, AND ALLOWING 

EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

SUNTERRA PRODUCE TRADERS, INC., 

et al.

Intervening Plaintiffs,

vs.

TRINITY FRESH DISTRIBUTION, LLC, et 

al., 

Defendants.

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 1 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

FRESHPOINT DENVER, INC. and RUBY 

ROBINSON COMPANY, LLC,

 Consolidated Plaintiffs,

vs.

TRINITY FRESH DISTRIBUTION, LLC, et 

al.

 Consolidated Defendants.

PRODUCE PAY, INC.

 Intervenor Plaintiff,

vs.

TRINITY FRESH DISTRIBUTION, LLC, 

TRINITY FRESH MANAGEMENT, LLC, 

and TRINITY FRESH PROCUREMENT, 

LLC,

 Intervenor Defendants.

AND OTHER INTERVENING ACTIONS

Before this Court is the Eleventh Stipulation to Extend the Deadline to File 

Motion for Ruling on Objections to Claims as set forth in the Amended Preliminary 

Injunction Order, Establishing PACA Claims Procedure, and Allowing Expedited 

Discovery agreed to by and between Plaintiff GreenGate Fresh, LLLP, Intervening 

Plaintiffs Sunterra Produce Traders, Inc., 1st Quality Produce, Inc., Peterson Farms

Fresh, Inc., Coastal Pacific Sales, LLC; Froerer Farms, Inc. d/b/a Owyhee Produce (the 

“Sunterra Group”), Nor-Cal Produce, Inc., Ben E. Keith Company, and Fresh Innovations 

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 2 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

California, LLC (collectively “Intervening Plaintiffs”), Consolidated Plaintiffs 

FreshPoint Denver, Inc. and Ruby Robinson Co., LLC (the “FreshPoint Group” with 

GreenGate and Sunterra Group, and Intervening Plaintiffs are together “Plaintiffs”), and 

Intervenor Produce Pay, Inc. (“Produce Pay”) (Plaintiffs and Produce Pay are the 

“Parties”), by and through their respective undersigned attorneys. In support thereof, the 

Parties state as follows:

1. Plaintiffs filed and served Proof of Claims asserting statutory trust 

beneficiary status arising under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (“PACA”), 

7 U.S.C. § 499e(c)(2), against Trinity Fresh Procurement, LLC, Trinity Fresh 

Distribution, LLC, and Trinity Fresh Management, LLC (collectively “Trinity Fresh”), 

as required by paragraphs 30, 32 and 33 the Amended Preliminary Injunction Order, 

Establishing PACA Claims Procedure, and Allowing Expedited Discovery (“Claims 

Order”) [Doc. No. 47], as amended by further Stipulations and Orders [Doc. Nos. 48, 

93/94, 103/104, 116/118, 123/124, 125/126, 131/132, 134/135, 137/138, 139/140, and 

142/143]. [See, GreenGate Fresh, LLLP, Doc. No. 70; Sunterra Group, Doc. Nos. 61-

65; Nor-Cal Produce, Inc., Doc. No. 77; Ben E. Keith Company Doc. Nos. 72, 74; 

FreshPoint Group, Doc. Nos. 66-67]

2. Paul Abess was the sole shareholder of the Trinity Fresh entities. On April 

15, 2019, he filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of the United States 

Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. [Doc. No. 60]. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(a), 

all prosecution or continuation of the instant action, consolidated action and intervening 

actions has been stayed as to Mr. Abess [Doc. No. 60], and his discharge order was 

entered on August 6, 2019. GreenGate Fresh, LLLP and FreshPoint Group have pending 

adversary actions against Mr. Abess excepting to his discharge, and those plaintiffs who 

originally included him as a defendant but did not file adversary complaints excepting to 

his discharge have dismissed Mr. Abess from this action. 

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 3 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 4

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3. Intervenor Produce Pay filed its Objection to Plaintiffs’ claims and to any 

late filed claims on May 13, 2019 [Doc. No. 82]. 

4. The Parties agreed that the deadline to respond to Produce Pay’s Objection 

should be extended to June 10, 2019, which was approved by the Court [Doc. No. 86]. 

5. Plaintiffs filed their respective Responses to the Objections. [GreenGate 

Fresh, LLLP, Doc. No. 101; Sunterra Group, Doc. No. 100; Nor-Cal Produce, Inc., Doc. 

No. 84; Ben E. Keith Company Doc. No. 99; FreshPoint Group, Doc. No. 98]

6. As a consequence of the Court appointed Receiver’s death, certain plaintiffs 

filed the Joint Motion for Court Orders (1) Terminating the Receivership; (2) Enforcing 

the Liability Bond of Receiver; (3) Appointing a Referee to Complete Auction of 

Vehicles (“Receivership Termination Motion”) [Doc Nos. 87-91]. The Receivership 

Termination Motion, prompted the Parties to stipulate to extend other deadlines in the 

Claims Order [Doc. 93], which was approved by the Court [Doc. No. 94]. 

7. By Stipulation [Doc No. 102], the Parties sought an extension of time in 

which to file a motion for a ruling on Produce Pay’s Objections to Plaintiffs’ claims. The 

Court granted the Stipulation by extending the deadline through July 10, 2019 [Doc. 

No.103].

8. On or about July 10, 2019, Fresh Innovations California, LLC filed a late 

Complaint in Intervention and Proof of Claim [Doc. No. 107], alleging good cause for the 

belated intervention. On August 14, 2019, Fresh Innovations California, LLC filed a

response to the Produce Pay objections [Doc. No. 117]. 

9. Paragraph 39 of the Claims Order required that potential PACA Trust 

Beneficiaries and the objecting party exercise best efforts to resolve any objections. 

10. Under paragraph 7 of the Second Stipulation and Order to Extend the 

Deadline to file Motion for Ruling on Objections to Claims as set forth in the Amended 

Preliminary Injunction Order, Establishing PACA Claims Procedure, and Allowing 

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 4 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 5

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Expedited Discovery [Doc. No. 104], the parties agreed to provide the Court with a status 

report on their efforts. The joint status report was filed on July 31, 2019 [Doc. No. 114].

11. By Stipulation [Doc Nos. 116, 123, 125, 131, 134, 137, 139, and 142], the 

Parties sought further extensions of time in which to file a motion for a ruling on Produce 

Pay’s Objections to Plaintiffs’ claims and subsequent Claims Order deadlines. The Court 

granted the Stipulation by extending the relevant deadlines [Doc. Nos. 118, 124, 126, 

132, 135, 138, 140, and 143].

12. The Parties continue to meet and confer in an attempt to resolve Produce 

Pay’s Objections to Plaintiffs’ claims [Doc. No. 82] and Plaintiffs’ objections to Produce 

Pay’s intervening complaint [Doc. No. 76]. Produce Pay produced additional documents 

to Plaintiffs on January 2, 2020. Plaintiffs need additional time to review and analyze 

such documentation and work toward a global resolution. 

13. Thereafter, Plaintiffs anticipate submitting a stipulation and proposed order 

to validate PACA claims, approve a PACA Trust Chart with pro-rata distribution 

percentages and interim distribution amounts. Plaintiffs further anticipate subsequent 

distributions because resolution of the Produce Pay Objections to PACA Claims will 

allow for final collection of Trinity Fresh accounts receivables. 

14. Having reviewed the procedural posture of this case, and the steps needed 

to proceed with the PACA Claims Procedure set out in the Claims Order, and in light of

the time required to resolve Objections, the Parties agree that an extension of the deadline 

to file motion for a ruling on the Objections is necessary for the orderly administration of 

claims and assets in this matter. The below chart sets forth the current deadline, agreed 

new deadline, and unchanged deadlines for certain events set out in the Claims Order.

///

///

///

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 5 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 6

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Deadline Event Current Deadline as 

Set by Doc. No. 143 New Deadline

Deadline to File Motion for 

Ruling on Objections

January 3, 2020 January 17, 2020

Deadline to File and Serve PACA 

Trust Chart and Notice of First 

Interim Distribution

January 17, 2020 January 27, 2020

Deadline to File Objections to 

PACA Trust Chart and First 

Interim Distribution

January 27, 2020 February 6, 2020

Deadline to File Motion to 

Resolve Objections to PACA 

Trust Chart and to Approve 

First Interim Distribution

February 6, 2020 February 18, 2020

Anticipated Interim Distribution 

Deadline

February 18, 2020 February 28, 2020

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 1/3/2020 /s/ John A. Mendez______________

________________________________

JOHN A. MENDEZ

U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

[SIGNATURE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE]

par

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 6 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Respectfully submitted on January 3, 2020.

STIPULATED AND AGREED BY:

RYNN & JANOWSKY, LLP

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ June Monroe

June Monroe

RYNN & JANOWSKY, LLP

2603 Main Street, Suite 1250

Irvine, CA 92614

Tel. 949.752.2911

Fax.949.752.0953

Attorneys for Intervening Plaintiffs 

Sunterra Produce Traders, Inc., et al.

MEUERS LAW FIRM, P.L.

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ Lawrence H. Meuers

Lawrence H. Meuers

Meuers Law Firm, P.L.

5395 Park Central Court

Naples, FL 34109

Tel: 239.513.9191

Fax: 239.513.9677

Attorneys for Plaintiff Greengate Fresh, 

LLLP

McCARRON & DIESS

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ Kate Ellis

Kate Ellis

McCARRON & DIESS

4530 Wisconsin Avenue N.W., Suite 301

Washington, DC 20016

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 7 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Tel. 202.364.0400 

Fax 202.364-2731

kellis@mccarronlaw.com

Pro Hac Vice

Attorneys for Consolidated Plaintiffs 

FreshPoint Denver, Inc. et al. 

BAKER MANOCK & JENSEN PC 

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ Michael James Fletcher

Michael James Fletcher 

Baker Manock & Jensen PC 

5260 North Palm Ave. 

Suite 421 

Fresno, CA 93704 

559.432.5400 

559.432.5620 (fax) 

mfletcher@bakermanock.com

Attorneys for Intervenor Ben E. Keith 

Company 

BIRCH HORTON BITTNER & 

CHEROT, P.C.

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ George R. Pitts

George R. Pitts

Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot, P.C.

1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Ste. 825

Washington, D.C. 20036-4165

(202) 659-5800 – Phone

(202) 862-8349 – Direct Dial

(202) 659-1027 – Fax

gpitts@dc.bhb.com

Attorneys for Intervenor Nor-Cal 

Produce, Inc. 

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 8 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 9

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

WALLACE JORDAN RATLIFF

& BRANDT LLC

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ Jason R. Klinowski

WALLACE JORDAN RATLIFF

& BRANDT LLC

800 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 400

Birmingham, Alabama 35209

205.847.0371

jklinowski@wallacejordan.com

Pro Hac Vice 

Attorneys for Intervenor Produce Pay, 

Inc. 

NEUMILLER & BEARDSLEE

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ Ricardo Z. Aranda

NEUMILLER & BEARDSLEE

3121 W. March Lane, Suite 100

Stockton, CA 95219

Tel. 209-948-8200

raranda@neumiller.com

Attorneys for Intervenor Fresh 

Innovations California, LLC

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 9 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was served electronically to all 

parties on the above-captioned matter at the electronic address as disclosed with the 

Court, or by sending the same via U.S. Postal Service.

RYNN & JANOWSKY, LLP

DATED: January 3, 2020 /s/ June Monroe

June Monroe, Attorneys for Intervening 

Plaintiffs Sunterra Produce Traders, Inc., 

et al.

Notice has been electronically mailed to:

Alexander James Lewicki alewicki@diemerwei.com

C. Russell Georgeson crgdanelaw@sbcglobal.net

George R. Pitts gpitts@rubinrudman.com, cgrant@rubinrudman.com

Jason Ryan Klinowski , PHV jklinowski@wallacejordan.com, 

jvoight@wallacejordan.com

June T. Monroe june@rjlaw.com, shelly@rjlaw.com

Kate Ellis , PHV kellis@mccarronlaw.com

Kathryn Diemer kdiemer@diemerwei.com, dsopko@diemerwei.com, 

ecfnotice@diemerwei.com

Lawrence H. Meuers lmeuers@meuerslawfirm.com, lrogers@meuerslawfirm.com, 

sdefalco@meuerslawfirm.com

Michael James Fletcher mfletcher@bakermanock.com, vkearney@bakermanock.com

Ricardo Z Aranda raranda@neumiller.com

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 10 of 11
ELEVENTH STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE MOTION 

FOR RULING ON OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED 

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ORDER, ESTABLISHING PACA CLAIMS PROCEDURE,

AND ALLOWING EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 

PAGE 11

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Shashauna M.D. Szczechowicz sszczechowicz@wolkincurran.com, 

asdelgado@wolkincurran.com, vsimmons@wolkincurran.com

Walter R. Dahl wdahl@DahlLaw.net, choffman@dahllaw.net

Notice has been sent by U.S. Mail

Trinity Fresh Distribution, LLC

Trinity Fresh Procurement, LLC

Trinity Fresh Management, LLC

P. O. Box 619

Rancho Murrieta, CA 95683

Administrator for:

Patrick Bulmer

California Receivership Services

P. O. Box 5128

Oroville, CA 95966

Zeb Seidel

Bar None Auction

4751 Power Inn Road, Suite A

Sacramento, CA 95826

Ascentium Capital, LLC

23970 US Hwy 59 N

Kingwood, TX 77339

Case 2:18-cv-03161-JAM-JDP Document 148 Filed 01/06/20 Page 11 of 11