Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-00250/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-00250-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1981 Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

THOMAS JACKSON, ET AL., 

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

FARMERS INSURANCE EXCHANGE, 

ET AL., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:12-cv-01020-WBS-AC 

No. 2:14-cv-00250-WBS-AC 

ORDER 

 On October 22, 2014, the court held a hearing on defendants’ motion to hold plaintiffs’ 

counsel in civil contempt and enforce the Rule 37 sanctions order previously entered in Case No. 

2:12-cv-01020-WBS-AC (“Jackson I”). Jackson I, ECF No. 77.1 Russell Robinson appeared for 

plaintiffs and Monica Scott appeared for defendants. 

In Jackson I, plaintiffs’ counsel was ordered on March 25, 2013 to produce certain 

discovery documents and to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $3,268 within fourteen 

days. Jackson I, ECF No. 68. Defendants’ motion recounts their counsel’s unsuccessful efforts 

to collect the sanctions owed. Plaintiff’s counsel acknowledges that he has never submitted the 

required payment to defendants’ counsel. 

 

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 Defendants’ motion seeking enforcement of the Jackson I sanctions order was originally filed in 

Case No. 2:14-cv-00250-WBS-AC (“Jackson II”). See Jackson II, ECF No. 26. The court sua 

sponte re-docketed the motion in Jackson I. 

Case 2:14-cv-00250-WBS-AC Document 30 Filed 10/23/14 Page 1 of 2
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 Moreover, the undersigned notes sua sponte that on June 13, 2014 in Case No. 2:14-cv00250-WBS-AC (“Jackson II”), plaintiffs’ counsel was sanctioned $250 by the district judge for 

his failure to timely file a status report. Jackson II, ECF No. 10. This amount, which counsel was 

ordered to pay to the Clerk of the Court within fourteen days, has never been paid. Plaintiffs’ 

counsel acknowledges his failure to pay. 

 Mr. Robinson’s history of disregarding court orders and failing to pay sanctions as 

directed is indisputable. However, in light of his expressed willingness at the hearing to pay the 

outstanding sanctions forthwith, the undersigned will reserve ruling on the motion to hold counsel 

in civil contempt. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows: 

1. By close of business on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, plaintiff’s counsel Russell 

Robinson shall pay to defendants’ counsel the sanctions previously ordered in Case 

No. 2:12-cv-01020-WBS-AC, and file proof of same; 

2. By close of business on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, plaintiff’s counsel Russell 

Robinson shall pay to the Clerk Of Court the sanctions previously ordered in Case No. 

2:14-cv-00250-WBS-AC; 

3. By close of business on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, plaintiff’s counsel Russell 

Robinson shall file in both of these related cases an affidavit under penalty of perjury 

stating that both payments have been made and were not billed to plaintiffs. 

4. Failure to pay all outstanding sanctions by this deadline will result in the certification 

of facts regarding contempt to the district judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(e), and 

issuance of an order to show cause before the district judge why Mr. Robinson should 

not be held in contempt. 

DATED: October 22, 2014 

Case 2:14-cv-00250-WBS-AC Document 30 Filed 10/23/14 Page 2 of 2