Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01249/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01249-1/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DONALD E. BENSON, MARYLAN J. BENSON,

DONALD E. BENSON FAMILY LCC,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CREST ENERGY, INC., et al,

Defendants.

CIV S-04-1249 FCD PAN (JFM)

ORDER 

Defendants’ motion to compel plaintiffs to produce further initial disclosures

and for sanctions, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1) and 37(a), came on regularly for hearing

on March 30, 2006. Larry Rothman appeared on behalf of plaintiffs; Gregory Brod appeared for

defendants. Upon review of the motion and the documents in support and opposition, upon

hearing the arguments of counsel and good cause appearing therefor, THE COURT FINDS AS

FOLLOWS:

Plaintiffs timely made initial disclosures naming one witness, plaintiff

Marylan Benson; providing all “accountings, correspondence and agreements” within their

possession; and stating that their damages are “Unknown, but in excess of $350,000.00 plus

punitive damages. These include initial investments, and all funds owed plaintiffs that have not

been accounted for as well as punitive damages.” Plaintiffs’ counsel repeatedly stated at the

Case 2:04-cv-01249-FCD-EFB Document 44 Filed 04/03/06 Page 1 of 2
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hearing that, absent an accounting by defendants, which he is seeking, the only documents

plaintiffs possess or have access to regarding their damages in this action are plaintiffs’

investment check(s) in defendant companies. 

Rule 26(a)(1)(C) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires parties to

disclose “a computation of any category of damages claimed by the disclosing party, making

available for inspection and copying as under Rule 34 the documents or other evidentiary

material, not privileged or protected from disclosure, on which such computation is based,

including materials bearing on the nature and extent of injuries suffered.” (Id.) Further

disclosure is required, but plaintiffs’ counsel has represented that plaintiffs have very little

additional material to provide.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendants’ motion to compel

discovery and for sanctions, filed January 27, 2006, is granted in part. Plaintiffs shall produce to

defendants, within ten days from the date of service of this order, copies of all check(s) in their

possession, or which they can obtain with diligent effort, demonstrating plaintiffs’ investment in

defendant companies. Other than those documents, if produced, plaintiffs should be barred from

offering at trial, for the purpose of computing plaintiffs’ damages, any other documents currently

in the possession of plaintiffs, their attorneys, or accountants, or obtainable with diligent effort. 

All other motions for expenses and/or sanctions are denied. 

DATED: March 31, 2006. 

006:bens1249.ord

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