Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00081/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00081-20/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 470
Nature of Suit: Civil (Rico)
Cause of Action: 15:1692 Fair Debt Collection Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DELORES JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., LAKE

VALLEY RETRIEVALS, INC., LAKE

VALLEY INVESTMENTS, UNIFUND

CCR PARTNERS, VIP ADJUSTMENT

BUREAU, INC., BAG FUND LLC,

JAY BERNSTEIN,

Defendants.

_____________________________________ 

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1:08-cv-00081 GSA 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

RE: ATTORNEY HAROLD

HEWELL’S NON-APPEARANCE

Hearing Date : April 13, 2010

Time: 1:30 pm

Courtroom : 10 (GSA)

On February 2, 2010, a pretrial conference in this matter was set for March 23, 2010 at

1:30 pm in Courtroom 10. (Doc. 166). On March 17, 2010, the Court issued a minute order

stating as follows : “The Court requires the personal appearance of counsel and the principals

with settlement authority at the Pretrial Conference set for March 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm before the

Honorable Gary S. Austin.” (Doc. 169). On March 19, 2009, the Court excused the personal

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appearance of Defendant Jay Bernstein and the principal of VIP Adjustment Bureau, Inc. (“VIP”)

on the condition that the attorneys were personally present and all principals were available by

telephone to conduct settlement negotiations. The pretrial conference was held on March 23,

2010, however, Harold Hewell, counsel for Defendants Jay Bernstein and VIP did not attend the

hearing. Instead Marshall Moushigian, Esq., made a special appearance on Mr. Hewell’s behalf.

Mr. Moushigian had very limited knowledge about this case. 

Rule 16(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that the pretrial conference be

attended by at least one attorney who will conduct the trial for each party. Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(e). 

Therefore, the Court orders Mr. Hewell to show cause why the Court should not impose

monetary or other sanctions for a flagrant violation of this court’s orders, as well as a violation of

the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The hearing on the order to show cause will be held on

April 12, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 10. The personal appearance of Mr. Hewell at the

hearing is required. A written response to this order to show cause shall also be filed no later

than 12:00 pm on Monday, April 5, 2010. Failure to respond to this order to show cause as

required may result in monetary or other sanctions against Mr. Hewell and Defendants Jay

Bernstein and VIP.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: March 26, 2010 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

6i0kij UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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