Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-02569/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-02569-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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14cv2569 JM(JLB) 

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

GARY HOFMANN, 

Plaintiff,

v. 

FIFTH GENERATION, INC., a Texas 

corporation; and DOES 1 through 100, 

inclusive, 

Defendant.

 Case No.: 14cv2569 JM(JLB) 

Related Case No: 14cv2990 JM(JLB) 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF 

GARY HOFMANN’S MOTION TO 

CONSOLIDATE RELATED CASES 

PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 42(a)

On April 22, 2015, Plaintiff Gary Hofmann (“Hofmann”) filed a motion to 

consolidate related cases, Hofmann v. Fifth Generation, Inc. and Does 1-100, No. 

14cv2569 (S.D. Cal.) (“the Hofmann action”) and Marc Cabrera v. Fifth Generation, Inc., 

No. 14cv2990 (S.D. Cal.) (“the Cabrera action”), and further moved the court for an 

order appointing interim lead class counsel and scheduling the filing of Plaintiffs’ 

consolidated complaint. (Doc. No. 21). On May 18, 2015, Plaintiff Marc Cabrera filed 

an opposition to Hofmann’s motion to appoint interim class counsel and a countermotion 

to appoint interim co-lead counsel. (Doc. No. 28). On the same day, Defendant Fifth 

Generation, Inc. filed a response to Hofmann’s motions, taking no position on whether 

consolidation should be granted or as to the other relief sought, but addressing the alleged 

Case 3:14-cv-02569-JM-JLB Document 67 Filed 10/28/15 Page 1 of 2
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14cv2569 JM(JLB) 

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inaccuracies in Hofmann’s motion. (Doc. No. 26). 

The Hofmann action was filed on September 15, 2014, in Superior Court in San 

Diego County. It was then removed by Defendant to this court on October 28, 2014. 

(Doc. No. 1). On December 18, 2014, Defendant filed a motion to dismiss the class 

action complaint, or, in the alternative, for a more definite statement. (Doc. No. 8). On 

March 18, 2015, this Court denied that motion in part and granted it in part, and granted 

Plaintiff leave to amend. (Doc. No. 15). On April 10, 2015, after Plaintiff amended the 

operative complaint, Defendant answered. (Doc. No. 18). 

The Cabrera action was filed on December 22, 2014. (Doc. No. 1). On March 25, 

2015, the Cabrera action was deemed related to the Hofmann action, and was transferred 

to this court pursuant to the low number rule of Local Rule 40.1. (Doc. No. 18). On 

April 1, 2015, Defendant filed an answer in the Cabrera action. (Doc. No. 20). 

On August 28, 2015, Defendant filed motions for summary judgment in both 

actions. On October 5, 2015, both Hofmann and Cabrera filed oppositions to 

Defendant’s motions. On October 9, 2015, Defendant filed replies in support of its 

motions in both cases. 

At this juncture of the case, the court denies Plaintiff’s motion to consolidate the 

Hofmann and Cabrera actions without prejudice. The two actions have been deemed 

related pursuant to the low number rule of Local Rule 40.1 (Doc. No. 18), and 

coordination has been ongoing. Additionally, given that this case is in its early stages of 

litigation, there is currently no agreement with respect to the appointment of interim class 

counsel, and in light of the court’s denial of Plaintiff’s motion to consolidate, the court 

defers ruling on Plaintiff’s motion to appoint interim class counsel until a later and more 

appropriate point in this litigation. 

 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: October 28, 2015 JEFFREY T. MILLER 

 United States District Judge 

Case 3:14-cv-02569-JM-JLB Document 67 Filed 10/28/15 Page 2 of 2