Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_12-cv-00644/USCOURTS-ared-4_12-cv-00644-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Breach of Contract

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

WESTERN DIVISION 

GENE GRAHAM 

v. No. 4:12-cv-644-DPM 

PLAINTIFF 

TAX GROUP CENTER, INC. 

and TONY GAGLIARDO DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

Graham's motion to dis:r;niss TGC's counterclaim, NQ 21, is denied. 

Graham is correct: the Court's Final Scheduling Order required parties to ask 

leave to amend a pleading by 2 December 2013; the Order did not grant 

permission to make amendments until that date. A compulsory counterclaim, 

as this one is, must be part of a pleading. FED. R. CN. P. 13(a). TGC has 

explained why the counterclaim was so late in coming, NQ 24; and the Federal 

Rules encourage amendment of pleadings to join the issues. FED. R. CIV. P. 

15(a)(2). No prejudice appears-discovery is open for three months. The 

Court construes TGC' s counterclaim as a motion for permission to amend its 

answer and belatedly assert the compulsory counterclaim alleging fraud by 

Graham. The Clerk shall amend the docket sheet. Motion, NQ 20, granted. 

TGC'samendedanswerincludingthecounterclaimisduebyl4January2014. 

Case 4:12-cv-00644-DPM Document 26 Filed 01/07/14 Page 1 of 2
So Ordered. 

D.P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

7 January 2014 

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Case 4:12-cv-00644-DPM Document 26 Filed 01/07/14 Page 2 of 2