Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00149/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00149-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 690
Nature of Suit: Other Forfeiture and Penalty Suits
Cause of Action: 28:1345 Complaint for Forfeiture

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 1 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

M. Taylor Florence, SBN 159695 

BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY PC 

11335 Gold Express Drive, Suite 105 

Sacramento, California 95670-4491 

Telephone: 916.852.9100 

Facsimile: 916.852.5777 

Attorneys for Claimant 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

SACRAMENTO DIVISION 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

APPROXIMATELY $177,695.11 IN 

FUNDS CONNECTED TO A 

TRANSFER TO THE UNITED 

STATES OF AMERICA FROM 

BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY, 

Defendant. 

BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY, PC, 

JOHN W. HOLLIS, JUDITH L. 

HOLLIS, and ROBERT LEWIS 

BROWN, a.k.a. MATTHEW 

SCHACHTER, 

Claimants. 

Case No.: CIV-S-05-0149 WBS KJM 

STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] 

ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT 

REGARDING $22,304.89 IN 

EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES 

AND COSTS 

It is hereby stipulated by and between plaintiff United States of America 

and claimants Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, John W. Hollis and Judith L. Hollis, 

and Robert Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter (Mr. Brown), by and through 

their respective counsel of record, as follows: 

1. On or about October 12, 2004, the United States of America provided 

notice to the law firm of Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, that $200,000 held in the 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 1 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 2 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

law firm’s trust account on behalf of its then-client, Mr. Brown, was alleged to be 

the proceeds of illegal activity and subject to forfeiture pursuant to Title 18 U.S.C. 

§§ 981(a)(1)(A) and (C). 

2. On October 18, 2004, Bullivant Houser Bailey voluntarily delivered 

to the United States Attorney’s Office a check in the amount of $200,000, 

representing the entire trust balance held by Bullivant Houser Bailey on behalf of 

Mr. Brown. The $200,000 check was delivered to the United States Attorney’s 

Office in lieu of the United States taking formal action to seize such funds. 

3. On or about December 9, 2004, Bullivant Houser Bailey and the 

United States entered a stipulation extending the United States’ time to file a 

complaint for forfeiture regarding the $200,000 check that had been delivered by 

Bullivant Houser Bailey noting, among other things, that the parties, through their 

respective counsel, had been actively engaged in discussions in an attempt to 

resolve the issues surrounding the seizure of these funds. 

4. Claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey contends that $22,304.89 of the 

$200,000 it returned to the United States Attorney’s Office represented earned 

attorneys’ fees and expended costs representing Mr. Brown prior to receiving 

notification from the government that the funds it held in trust could be subject to 

forfeiture. Consistent with the representations of claimant Bullivant Houser 

Bailey, the United States of America filed a Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In 

Rem on January 24, 2005, against $177,695.11 in funds connected to a transfer to 

the United States of American from Bullivant Houser Bailey. This complaint 

sought forfeiture of the entire sum of money transferred from Bullivant Houser 

Bailey to the United States Attorney’s Office, less the amount of money claimed 

by Bullivant Houser Bailey as earned fees and costs in the matter prior to its 

receipt of notice that the funds it held in trust could be subject to forfeiture. 

5. To avoid the uncertainty and expense of further litigation, the United 

States and claimants Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, John W. Hollis and Judith L. 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 2 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 3 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

Hollis, and Robert Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter, desire to stipulate to 

the entry of a final judgment on the following terms: 

(a) Upon entry of this Stipulation for Final Judgment, but no later 

than thirty (30) days thereafter, $22,304.89, shall be returned to claimant Bullivant 

Houser Bailey, PC, through their attorney, M. Taylor Florence. The United States 

Department of Treasury shall issue a check in the amount of $22,304.89, made 

payable to Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, 11335 Gold Express Drive, Suite 105, 

Sacramento, California 95670-4491. 

(b) Claimants John W. Hollis, Judith L. Hollis, and Robert Lewis 

Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter, through their respective counsel, hereby waive 

any claim as to the $22,304.89 that shall be returned to Bullivant Houser Bailey, 

PC. 

(c) Claimants Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, John W. Hollis, Judith 

L. Hollis, Robert Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter, hereby release plaintiff 

United States of America, and its servants, agents, and employees and all other 

public entities, their servants, agents, and employees, from any and all liability 

arising out of or in any way connected with the $22,304.89 that is subject to this 

Stipulation. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and 

unanticipated injuries, and/or damages arising out of said transfer or forfeiture, as 

well as to those now known or disclosed. The parties to this agreement agree to 

waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542, which provides: "A general 

release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to 

exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must 

have materially affected his settlement with the debtor." 

(d) Claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey hereby waives any and all 

claim or right to interest that may have accrued on the $22,304.89 which the 

United States has agreed to return to claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey. 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 3 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 4 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

(e) Bullivant Houser Bailey waives any claim or right to any other 

assets identified in the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem in cause number 

Civ.S-05-0149 WBS KJM (E.D. Cal.) and consents to the entry of a forfeiture 

judgment against it in that cause with respect to such assets. 

(f) Bullivant Houser Bailey and the United States agree to bear 

their own costs and attorneys’ fees. 

DATED: 9/20 , 2005. McGREGOR W. SCOTT 

 United States Attorney 

 /s/ Courtney J. Linn

 COURTNEY J. LINN, 

 Assistant United States Attorney 

DATED: 4/22 , 2005. /s/ Matthew R. Jacobs

 MATTHEW R. JACOBS, Attorney for 

 Potential Claimants John W. Hollis and 

 Judith L. Hollis 

DATED: 6/28 , 2005. /s/ Matthew Bockmon

 MATTHEW BOCKMON, 

 Assistant Federal Public Defender 

 Attorney for Potential Claimant Robert 

 Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter 

DATED: 6/28 , 2005. /s/ Matthew Schachter

 Matthew Schachter 

DATED: 9/21 , 2005. /s/ M. Taylor Florence

 M. TAYLOR FLORENCE, Attorney for 

 Potential Claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey, 

 PC 

 

(original signatures retained by attorney) 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 4 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 5 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT 

The Court finding the facts as stipulated by the parties; 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Final Judgment be entered with respect to 

$22,304.89 that is the subject of the Stipulation of the parties. No later than thirty (30) days 

from the date of entry of this Order, that sum shall be returned to claimant Bullivant Houser 

Bailey, PC, through its attorney, M. Taylor Florence. The United States Department of 

Treasury shall issue a check in the amount of $22,304.89, made payable to Bullivant Houser 

Bailey, PC, 11335 Gold Express Drive, Suite 105, Sacramento, California 95670-4491. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Final Judgment be entered against Claimant 

Bullivant Houser Bailey with respect to all other assets identified in the Verified Complaint 

for Forfeiture In Rem in Cause Number Civ.S-05-0149 WBS KJM (E.D. Cal.). 

DONE this 21st day of September, 2005. 

Presented by: 

/s/ M. Taylor Florence

M. Taylor Florence 

Attorney for Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC 

 

 

 

 

3440615.1

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 5 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 1 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

M. Taylor Florence, SBN 159695 

BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY PC 

11335 Gold Express Drive, Suite 105 

Sacramento, California 95670-4491 

Telephone: 916.852.9100 

Facsimile: 916.852.5777 

Attorneys for Claimant 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

SACRAMENTO DIVISION 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

APPROXIMATELY $177,695.11 IN 

FUNDS CONNECTED TO A 

TRANSFER TO THE UNITED 

STATES OF AMERICA FROM 

BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY, 

Defendant. 

BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY, PC, 

JOHN W. HOLLIS, JUDITH L. 

HOLLIS, and ROBERT LEWIS 

BROWN, a.k.a. MATTHEW 

SCHACHTER, 

Claimants. 

Case No.: CIV-S-05-0149 WBS KJM 

STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] 

ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT 

REGARDING $22,304.89 IN 

EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES 

AND COSTS 

It is hereby stipulated by and between plaintiff United States of America 

and claimants Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, John W. Hollis and Judith L. Hollis, 

and Robert Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter (Mr. Brown), by and through 

their respective counsel of record, as follows: 

1. On or about October 12, 2004, the United States of America provided 

notice to the law firm of Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, that $200,000 held in the 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 6 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 2 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

law firm’s trust account on behalf of its then-client, Mr. Brown, was alleged to be 

the proceeds of illegal activity and subject to forfeiture pursuant to Title 18 U.S.C. 

§§ 981(a)(1)(A) and (C). 

2. On October 18, 2004, Bullivant Houser Bailey voluntarily delivered 

to the United States Attorney’s Office a check in the amount of $200,000, 

representing the entire trust balance held by Bullivant Houser Bailey on behalf of 

Mr. Brown. The $200,000 check was delivered to the United States Attorney’s 

Office in lieu of the United States taking formal action to seize such funds. 

3. On or about December 9, 2004, Bullivant Houser Bailey and the 

United States entered a stipulation extending the United States’ time to file a 

complaint for forfeiture regarding the $200,000 check that had been delivered by 

Bullivant Houser Bailey noting, among other things, that the parties, through their 

respective counsel, had been actively engaged in discussions in an attempt to 

resolve the issues surrounding the seizure of these funds. 

4. Claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey contends that $22,304.89 of the 

$200,000 it returned to the United States Attorney’s Office represented earned 

attorneys’ fees and expended costs representing Mr. Brown prior to receiving 

notification from the government that the funds it held in trust could be subject to 

forfeiture. Consistent with the representations of claimant Bullivant Houser 

Bailey, the United States of America filed a Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In 

Rem on January 24, 2005, against $177,695.11 in funds connected to a transfer to 

the United States of American from Bullivant Houser Bailey. This complaint 

sought forfeiture of the entire sum of money transferred from Bullivant Houser 

Bailey to the United States Attorney’s Office, less the amount of money claimed 

by Bullivant Houser Bailey as earned fees and costs in the matter prior to its 

receipt of notice that the funds it held in trust could be subject to forfeiture. 

5. To avoid the uncertainty and expense of further litigation, the United 

States and claimants Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, John W. Hollis and Judith L. 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 7 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 3 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

Hollis, and Robert Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter, desire to stipulate to 

the entry of a final judgment on the following terms: 

(a) Upon entry of this Stipulation for Final Judgment, but no later 

than thirty (30) days thereafter, $22,304.89, shall be returned to claimant Bullivant 

Houser Bailey, PC, through their attorney, M. Taylor Florence. The United States 

Department of Treasury shall issue a check in the amount of $22,304.89, made 

payable to Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, 11335 Gold Express Drive, Suite 105, 

Sacramento, California 95670-4491. 

(b) Claimants John W. Hollis, Judith L. Hollis, and Robert Lewis 

Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter, through their respective counsel, hereby waive 

any claim as to the $22,304.89 that shall be returned to Bullivant Houser Bailey, 

PC. 

(c) Claimants Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, John W. Hollis, Judith 

L. Hollis, Robert Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter, hereby release plaintiff 

United States of America, and its servants, agents, and employees and all other 

public entities, their servants, agents, and employees, from any and all liability 

arising out of or in any way connected with the $22,304.89 that is subject to this 

Stipulation. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and 

unanticipated injuries, and/or damages arising out of said transfer or forfeiture, as 

well as to those now known or disclosed. The parties to this agreement agree to 

waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542, which provides: "A general 

release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to 

exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must 

have materially affected his settlement with the debtor." 

(d) Claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey hereby waives any and all 

claim or right to interest that may have accrued on the $22,304.89 which the 

United States has agreed to return to claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey. 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 8 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 4 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

(e) Bullivant Houser Bailey waives any claim or right to any other 

assets identified in the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem in cause number 

Civ.S-05-0149 WBS KJM (E.D. Cal.) and consents to the entry of a forfeiture 

judgment against it in that cause with respect to such assets. 

(f) Bullivant Houser Bailey and the United States agree to bear 

their own costs and attorneys’ fees. 

DATED: 9/20 , 2005. McGREGOR W. SCOTT 

 United States Attorney 

 /s/ Courtney J. Linn

 COURTNEY J. LINN, 

 Assistant United States Attorney 

DATED: 4/22 , 2005. /s/ Matthew R. Jacobs

 MATTHEW R. JACOBS, Attorney for 

 Potential Claimants John W. Hollis and 

 Judith L. Hollis 

DATED: 6/28 , 2005. /s/ Matthew Bockmon

 MATTHEW BOCKMON, 

 Assistant Federal Public Defender 

 Attorney for Potential Claimant Robert 

 Lewis Brown a.k.a. Matthew Schachter 

DATED: 6/28 , 2005. /s/ Matthew Schachter

 Matthew Schachter 

DATED: 9/21 , 2005. /s/ M. Taylor Florence

 M. TAYLOR FLORENCE, Attorney for 

 Potential Claimant Bullivant Houser Bailey, 

 PC 

 

(original signatures retained by attorney) 

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 9 of 10
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

– 5 –

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT REGARDING $22,304.89 

IN EARNED ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS

ORDER FOR FINAL JUDGMENT 

The Court finding the facts as stipulated by the parties; 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Final Judgment be entered with respect to 

$22,304.89 that is the subject of the Stipulation of the parties. No later than thirty (30) days 

from the date of entry of this Order, that sum shall be returned to claimant Bullivant Houser 

Bailey, PC, through its attorney, M. Taylor Florence. The United States Department of 

Treasury shall issue a check in the amount of $22,304.89, made payable to Bullivant Houser 

Bailey, PC, 11335 Gold Express Drive, Suite 105, Sacramento, California 95670-4491. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Final Judgment be entered against Claimant 

Bullivant Houser Bailey with respect to all other assets identified in the Verified Complaint 

for Forfeiture In Rem in Cause Number Civ.S-05-0149 WBS KJM (E.D. Cal.). 

DONE this 21st day of September, 2005. 

Presented by: 

/s/ M. Taylor Florence

M. Taylor Florence 

Attorney for Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC 

 

 

 

 

3440615.1

Case 2:05-cv-00149-JAM-DAD Document 24 Filed 09/23/05 Page 10 of 10