Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01820/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01820-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 470
Nature of Suit: Civil (Rico)
Cause of Action: 18:1964 Racketeering (RICO) Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DEAN LANE, et.al., CASE NO. CV-F-07-1820 LJO DLB

Plaintiff, ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS’ 

vs. EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR RIGHT TO

ATTACH ORDER AND ORDER FOR

SMILING EARTH ENERGY, LLC, ISSUANCE OF WRIT OF ATTACHMENT

et al,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiffs Dean Lane, Deborah Lane, Jenni Braunberger and Rick Foy (“Plaintiff’s”) filed this

action on December 13, 2007, alleging that defendants Smiling Earth Energy, LLC, SMS Holding

Company, Clifford Cowles and Bernhard Mock (“Defendants”) breached the terms of certain promissory

notes entered into on July 16, 2007 by failing to make payments as required and by failing to secure the

notes by recording an interest against property commonly known as 19329 South Lake Road, Taft,

California 93268, Kern County Assessor’s Parcel Number 220-110-38 (“Taft Property”). On December

28, 2007, Plaintiffs filed the instant Ex Parte Application for Right to Attach Order and Order for

Issuance of Writs of Attachmentseeking to attach the Taft Property. Plaintiffs did not request a hearing.

After reviewing the papers submitted by Plaintiffs, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have failed to

establish “great or irreparable injury.” CCP 485.010(a). Because Plaintiffs seek the issuance of the right

to attach order on an ex parte basis, the evidence submitted must show that the property sought to be

attached would be concealed, substantially impaired in value, or to be made unavailable to levy if a

Case 1:07-cv-01820-DLB Document 8 Filed 01/23/08 Page 1 of 2
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noticed hearing were required. CCP 485.010(b)(1). 

In support of their application, Plaintiffs submit the Declaration of James D. Ciampa, wherein

Mr. Ciampa states that he performed a search of the Kern County Recorder’s internet website which

revealed that Defendants have not recorded a deed of trust against the Taft Property as agreed and further

that there was a deed of trust recorded against the Taft Property by another party on July 25, 2007

securing a loan in the principal amount of $740,000. Mr. Ciampa also states that his internet search

revealed a Lis Pendens against the Taft Property relating to litigation filed against defendant Smiling

Earth Energy, LLC in an unrelated action in the Kern County Superior Court. Mr. Ciampa represents

that Smiling Earth Energy, LLC is also the subject of additional litigation relating to the sum of

$100,000. Plaintiffs argue that under these circumstances, it is evident that defendant Smiling Earth is

generally not paying its debts as they become due and plaintiffs would suffer great or irreparable injury

if the issuance of the requested writ was delayed because additional creditors, or Smiling Earth Energy

itself, could take action to further encumber the Taft Property, which would leave Plaintiffs with no

valued security interest in the Taft Property. 

Mr. Ciampa’s conclusory statement that defendant Smiling Earth Energy is generally not paying

debts as they become due and that additional creditors “could” take action to further encumber the Taft

Property is not sufficient evidence to warrant the issuance of an ex parte writ of attachment. Plaintiffs

have not demonstrated that there is a danger that the Taft Property will become unavailable, only that

they may lose priority. This evidence is insufficient for the Court to conclude that Plaintiffs will suffer

great or irreparable injury without the issuance of the request writ of attachment. For these reasons,

Plaintiffs’ Ex Parte Application for Right to Attach Order and Order for Issuance of Writ of Attachment

is DENIED without prejudice to filing a regularly noticed motion.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 23, 2008 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:07-cv-01820-DLB Document 8 Filed 01/23/08 Page 2 of 2