Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-01233/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-01233-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1001 E.R.I.S.A.: Employee Retirement

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

P:\CLIENTS\OE3CL\JLV Equipment, Inc\Pleadings\Judgment Pursuant to Stipulation (revised per terms agreed upon at 1-19-16 ENE)FINAL.docx

Michele R. Stafford, Esq. (SBN 172509)

Erica J. Russell, Esq. (SBN 274494) 

SALTZMAN & JOHNSON LAW CORPORATION 

44 Montgomery Street, Suite 2110 

San Francisco, California 94104 

Telephone: (415) 882-7900 

Facsimile: (415) 882-9287 

Email: mstafford@sjlawcorp.com

Email: erussell@sjlawcorp.com 

Attorneys for Plaintiffs, Russell E. Burns, et al. 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

RUSSELL E. BURNS, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

JLV EQUIPMENT, INC., et al. 

Defendants. 

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO 

STIPULATION

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED and AGREED (the “Stipulation”) by and between the parties 

hereto that Judgment shall be entered in the within action in favor of Plaintiffs Russell E. Burns, et al. 

(“Plaintiffs” or “Trust Funds”) and against Defendant JLV Equipment, Inc., a California Corporation 

and Defendant Jeffrey Varnell, an individual (collectively “Defendants”), as follows: 

1. Defendant JLV Equipment, Inc. was signatory to and bound by the terms of a Collective 

Bargaining Agreement(s) (“Bargaining Agreement”) with the Plaintiff Union (“Union”) at all relevant 

times herein. 

2. Defendant Jeffrey Varnell confirms that he is authorized to enter into this Stipulation on 

behalf of Defendant JLV Equipment, Inc. 

3. Defendant Jeffrey Varnell confirms that he is personally guaranteeing the amounts due 

herein. 

4. Defendants specifically consent to the Court’s jurisdiction, as well as the use of a 

Case 3:15-cv-01233-MEJ Document 39 Filed 02/19/16 Page 1 of 10
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

P:\CLIENTS\OE3CL\JLV Equipment, Inc\Pleadings\Judgment Pursuant to Stipulation (revised per terms agreed upon at 1-19-16 ENE)FINAL.docx

Magistrate Judge for all proceedings, including entry of judgment herein. Defendants further confirm 

that all successors in interest, assignees, and affiliated entities (including, but not limited to, parent or 

other controlling companies), and any companies with which Defendants join or merge, if any, shall also 

be bound by the terms of this Stipulation as Guarantors. This shall include any additional entities in 

which Defendants are an officer, owner or possess any controlling ownership interest. All such entities 

shall specifically consent to the Court’s jurisdiction, the use of a Magistrate Judge for all proceedings, 

and all other terms herein, in writing, at the time of any assignment, affiliation or purchase. 

4. Defendants are currently indebted to the Trust Funds as follows: 

Work

Month 

Total 

Contributions 

Reported Due 

Unpaid

Contributions 

20% Liquidated

Damages1

10% Interest 

(thru 12/31/15) 

Subtotal 

Due 

7/14 $16,136.50 $16,136.50 $3,227.30 1,931.12 $21,294.92

8/14 $14,604.90 $14,604.90 $2,920.98 1,639.04 $19,164.92

9/14 $10,529.75 $10,529.75 $2,105.95 1,100.85 $13,736.55

10/14 $6,071.70 $6,071.70 $1,214.34 592.47 $7,878.51

Subtotals $47,342.85 $9,468.57 5,263.48 $62,074.90

Total due, as shown above, for 7/14-10/14 (through 12/31/15): $62,074.90

10% Liquidated Damages for 5/14-6/14 Late-Paid Contributions: $2,524.71

 5% Interest for 5/14-6/14 Late-Paid Contributions: $64.18

Contribution Underpayments Pursuant to Audit (4/16/14-10/26/14): $3,243.90

Inspection Costs for Audit (4/14-10/26/14): $1,247.25

Attorneys’ Fees (through 12/31/15): $10,073.50

Costs (through 12/31/15): $653.06

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: $79,881.50

 5. The parties have agreed to resolve this matter for the total sum of $65,000.00, plus 

conditionally waived liquidated damages of $11,993.28. 

REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS STIPULATION 

6. Notice requirements pursuant to the terms of this Stipulation are as follows: 

a) Notices to Defendants: JLV Equipment, Jeffrey Varnell, c/o Michael E. Adams, 

Law Offices of Michael E. Adams, 702 Marshall Street, Suite 300, Redwood 

City, CA 94063, email: michaeleadams@earthlink.net 

b) Notices to Plaintiffs: Michele R. Stafford, Saltzman & Johnson Law Corp., 44 

Montgomery Street, #2110, San Francisco, CA 94104; email: 

mstafford@sjlawcorp.com, copy to compliance@sjlawcorp.com 

/ / / 

 

1 Liquidated damages are calculated on the total reported due, per the terms of the Bargaining and Trust 

Agreements. 

Case 3:15-cv-01233-MEJ Document 39 Filed 02/19/16 Page 2 of 10
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

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7. The requirements pursuant to the terms of this Stipulation are as follows: 

a) Monthly Payments: Defendants shall pay the amount of $65,000. Should 

Defendants fail to timely comply with the terms of this Stipulation, Defendants may be required to pay 

conditionally waived liquidated damages of $11,993.28 should Plaintiffs deny Defendants’ request for a 

waiver of those liquidated damages. 

i) Lump sum payment of $35,000.00 shall be made on or before March 15, 

2016. 

ii) Payments in the amount of $2,638.00 per month shall begin on February 

15, 2016 and continue on or before April 15, 2016 and on or before the 15th day of each month thereafter

for a period of ten (10) months. Plaintiffs may require that Defendants pay electronically by ACH/wire 

transfer, or by cashier’s check. 

iii) Defendants shall have the right to increase the monthly payments at any 

time and there is no penalty for prepayment. 

iv) Payments shall be applied first to interest, at the rate of 10% per annum in 

accordance with the Bargaining Agreement(s) and Trust Agreements. Interest shall begin to accrue on 

January 1, 2016. 

b) Contributions: Should Defendants become signatory with the Plaintiff Union at 

any time during the term of this Stipulation, Defendants shall remain current in reporting and payment 

of contributions due to Plaintiffs under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement(s) from the 

time Defendants become signatory and every month thereafter until this Judgment is satisfied.. 

c) Job Report: Beginning with the month of January 2015, and for every month 

thereafter, Defendants shall fully disclose all jobs on which they are working by providing Plaintiffs 

with fully completed job reports on the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon request by Plaintiffs, 

Defendants shall also provide Plaintiffs with copies of Certified Payroll Reports. 

d) Audit: Should the Trust Funds request an audit of Defendants’ payroll records 

pursuant to the requirements of the Bargaining Agreement(s) and/or Trust Agreements, Defendants must 

contact the auditor within seven days of receiving notice, and must schedule the audit as requested. 

i) In the event that amounts are found due to Plaintiffs as a result of the 

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

P:\CLIENTS\OE3CL\JLV Equipment, Inc\Pleadings\Judgment Pursuant to Stipulation (revised per terms agreed upon at 1-19-16 ENE)FINAL.docx

audit, Plaintiffs shall send a copy of the audit report, and written demand for payment to Defendants. In 

the event that the audit findings are not contested, payment in full shall be delivered to Michele R. 

Stafford at the address provided above. 

ii) In the event that Defendants dispute the audit findings, Defendants must 

provide the dispute in writing, with all supporting documentation, within ten days of the date of the 

demand. Defendants shall be notified as to whether revisions will be made to the audit. If revisions are 

not made, payment will be immediately due. If revisions are made, payment in full of the revised 

amount shall be immediately due. 

iii) If Defendants are unable to make payment in full, Defendants may submit 

a request to add the amounts found due to this Stipulation. If the Stipulation is so revised, Defendants 

shall execute the Amended Judgment or Amendment to Judgment within ten days of receipt. Failure to 

execute the revised agreement shall constitute a default of the terms herein. 

iv) Failure by Defendants to submit either payment in full or a request to add 

the amounts due to this Judgment within ten days of receipt shall constitute a default of the obligations 

under this agreement. All amounts found due on audit shall immediately become part of this Judgment. 

e) Fees: Defendants shall pay all additional attorneys’ fees and costs incurred 

through Satisfaction of Judgment if Defendant defaults under the terms of this Stipulation, even if said 

default is cured. If no default occurs, the maximum amount of attorneys’ fees and costs to be paid by 

Defendants shall be $2,000.00. 

8. In summary, Defendants shall deliver the following payments and documents to 

Plaintiffs, at the following locations, on or before the following delivery deadlines, until this Stipulation 

has been fully satisfied: 

Required Submissions Delivery deadlines2

 Delivery locations 

Stipulated payments in the 

amount of $2,638.00 

payable to Operating Engineers 

Trust Funds 

15th day of each month

(2/15/16, 4/15/16-

2/15/17) 

Michele R. Stafford

Saltzman & Johnson Law Corp. 

44 Montgomery Street, #2110 

San Francisco, CA 94104

 

2

 If the Stipulation has not been fully satisfied by 12/15/16, all monthly submission requirements shall continue 

until all amounts have been paid and a Satisfaction of Judgment has been filed with the Court. 

Case 3:15-cv-01233-MEJ Document 39 Filed 02/19/16 Page 4 of 10
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

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Required Submissions Delivery deadlines2 Delivery locations 

Payment in the amount of 

$35,000.00 

payable to Operating Engineers 

Trust Funds 

March 15, 2016 Michele R. Stafford

Saltzman & Johnson Law Corp. 

44 Montgomery Street, #2110 

San Francisco, CA 94104 

Current contribution reports 

and payments 

payable to Operating Engineers 

Trust Funds 

(If Defendants become signatory 

with the Plaintiff Union at any 

time during the term of this 

Stipulation) 

15th day of each month

 (from the date 

Defendants become 

signatory and every 

month thereafter until 

this Judgment is 

satisfied) 

Michele R. Stafford

Saltzman & Johnson Law Corp. 

44 Montgomery Street, #2110 

San Francisco, CA 94104; 

Plus copies to: 

compliance@sjlawcorp.com 

(subject: “JLV Equipment”); 

Operating Engineers Trust Funds 

P.O. Box 3157 

Hayward, CA 94540-3157 

Completed job reports (form 

attached as Exhibit A to 

Stipulation) 

 

and Certified Payroll (if 

requested) 

15th day of each month

 (beginning 2/15/16, for 

1/16 work) 

compliance@sjlawcorp.com

(subject: “JLV Equipment”) 

or 

Michele R. Stafford 

Saltzman & Johnson Law Corp. 

44 Montgomery Street, #2110 

San Francisco, CA 94104 

9. Failure to comply with any of the above terms, including submitting a payment that does 

not clear the bank, shall constitute a default of the obligations under this Stipulation. 

DEFAULTS UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS STIPULATION 

10. If default occurs, Plaintiffs shall make a written demand to Defendants to cure said 

default within seven (7) days of the date of the notice from Plaintiffs. In the event default is not cured 

within the required time frame, all amounts remaining due hereunder (after application of principal 

payments made, if any) shall be due and payable on demand by Plaintiffs. These amounts shall include 

any conditionally waived liquidated damages, additional (current) contributions/liquidated 

damages/interest, and additional attorney’s fees and costs incurred herein. 

11. Any unpaid or late-paid contributions, together with 20% liquidated damages and 10% 

Case 3:15-cv-01233-MEJ Document 39 Filed 02/19/16 Page 5 of 10
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

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per annum interest, shall become part of this Judgment. Plaintiffs reserve all rights available to collect 

any contributions and related amounts not included herein. This includes, but is not limited to, any 

amounts due pursuant to employee timecards or paystubs, by audit, or other means. Should Defendants 

fail to submit a report for any month, contributions shall be estimated pursuant to Trust Fund policy. 

Defendants specifically waive the defense of the doctrine res judicata as to any such additional amounts 

determined as due. 

12. A Writ of Execution may be obtained without further notice, in the amount of the unpaid 

balance plus any additional amounts due under the terms herein only if Defendants fail to cure a default 

within seven (7) days from the date of notice from Plaintiffs of said default. Such Writ of Execution may 

be obtained solely upon declaration by a duly authorized representative of Plaintiffs setting forth the 

balance due as of the date of default. 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 

13. The above requirements remains in full force and effect regardless of whether or not 

Defendants have ongoing work, whether Defendants’ account with the Trust Funds is active, or whether 

Defendants are signatory to a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Union. If, for any reason, 

Defendants have no work to report during a given month, Defendants shall submit the job report form 

(Exhibit A attached hereto) indicating that there are no current jobs. If Defendants have no contributions 

to report, Defendants shall submit the applicable contribution report stating “no employees.” 

14. Payments made by joint check shall be endorsed on behalf of Defendants prior to 

submission, and may be applied toward Defendants’ monthly stipulated payment, provided that the 

issuer of the joint check is not requesting a release in exchange for the payment. Joint checks for which a 

release is requested may not be applied toward Defendants’ monthly stipulated payment, but shall be 

deducted from the total balance owed under this Stipulation, provided the payment is for contributions 

included in this Stipulation. 

15. Prior to the last payment pursuant to this Stipulation, Plaintiffs shall advise Defendants as 

to the final amount due, including additional interest, any current contributions and related amounts and 

Case 3:15-cv-01233-MEJ Document 39 Filed 02/19/16 Page 6 of 10
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

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all additional attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by Plaintiffs, whether or not Defendants default herein. 

Any additional amounts due shall be paid in full with the final stipulated payment due on December 15, 

2016. 

16. The conditional waiver of liquidated damages shall be presented to the Collections 

Manager and Board of Trustees for consideration only after all amounts due under the terms of this 

Stipulation are paid in full, and Defendants’ account is otherwise current. If there was no default under 

the terms of the Stipulation, the waiver of liquidated damages shall be granted and a Satisfaction of 

Judgment will be filed with the Court once all payments have cleared the bank. If a default occurred 

under the terms of the Stipulation, Defendants must submit a written request for a waiver of the 

liquidated damages for consideration. If the waiver is granted, a Satisfaction of Judgment will be filed 

with the Court once all payments have cleared the bank. If the waiver is not granted, the liquidated 

damages will be immediately due. 

17. Defendants waive any notice of Entry of Judgment or of any Request for a Writ of 

Execution, and expressly waive all rights to stay of execution and appeal. 

18. Any failure on the part of Plaintiffs to take any action as provided herein in the event of 

any breach of the provisions of this Stipulation shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach. 

19. The parties agree that any payments made pursuant to the terms of this Judgment shall be 

deemed to have been made in the ordinary course of business as provided under 11 U.S.C. Section 

547(c)(2) and shall not be claimed by Defendants as a preference under 11 U.S.C. Section 547 or 

otherwise. 

20. Should any provisions of this Stipulation be declared or determined by any court of 

competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the legality, validity, and enforceability of 

the remaining parts, terms or provisions shall not be affected thereby and said illegal, unenforceable or 

invalid part, term, or provisions shall be deemed not to be part of this Stipulation. 

21. This Stipulation is limited to the agreement between the parties with respect to the unpaid 

and delinquent contributions and related sums enumerated herein, owed by Defendants to Plaintiffs. 

This Stipulation does not in any manner relate to withdrawal liability claims, if any. Defendants 

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

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acknowledges that Plaintiffs expressly reserve their right to pursue withdrawal liability claims, if any, 

against Defendants and control group members, as provided by Plaintiffs’ Plan documents, Trust 

Agreements incorporated into their Bargaining Agreements, and applicable laws and regulations. 

22. This Stipulation contains all of the terms agreed to by the parties and no other agreements 

have been made. Any changes to this Stipulation shall be effective only if made in writing and signed by 

all parties hereto. 

23. This Stipulation may be executed in any number of counterparts and by facsimile, each of 

which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. 

24. Defendants represent and warrant that they have had the opportunity to be or have been 

represented by counsel of their own choosing in connection with entering this Stipulation under the 

terms and conditions set forth herein, that they have read this Stipulation with care and are fully aware 

of and represent that they enter into this Stipulation voluntarily and without duress. 

/ / / 

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

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25. The parties agree that the Court shall retain jurisdiction of this matter until this Judgment 

is satisfied. 

DATED: February 12, 2016 

By:

JLV EQUIPMENT, INC., a California 

Corporation 

/S/

 Jeffrey Varnell, RMO/CEO/President of 

Defendant JLV Equipment, Inc. 

DATED: February 12, 2016 

 

By:

JEFFREY VARNELL

/S/

 Jeffrey Varnell, Individual Defendant and 

Guarantor 

DATED: February 17, 2016 

 

By:

SALTZMAN & JOHNSON LAW 

CORPORATION 

/S/

 Erica J. Russell, Attorneys for Plaintiffs Russell 

E. Burns, et al. 

DATED: February 16, 2016 

By:

OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 3 

TRUST FUNDS 

 /S/

 David E. Hayner, Collections Manager for 

Plaintiffs Russell E. Burns, et al. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the calendar in this matter is vacated, and that the Court shall retain 

jurisdiction over this matter. 

DATED: February __, 2016 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

19

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORN

I

A

IT IS SO ORDERED

Judge Maria-Elena James

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Exhibit A to JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION

Case No. C15-01233 MEJ 

P:\CLIENTS\OE3CL\JLV Equipment, Inc\Pleadings\Judgment Pursuant to Stipulation (revised per terms agreed upon at 1-19-16 ENE)FINAL.docx

Exhibit A: JOB REPORT FORM 

Completed Forms Due by the 15th day of each month 

by email to compliance@sjlawcorp.com (subject line: JLV Equipment, Inc.) , or 

delivered to Saltzman & Johnson, 44 Montgomery St., Ste. 2110, San Francisco, CA 94104 

Employer: JLV EQUIPMENT, INC. 

Report for the month of _______________, 20__ Submitted by: ______________________ 

Project Name: Public or Private? 

(Circle one) 

Project Address: 

General Contractor: 

General Contractor 

Address: 

General Contractor 

Phone #: 

Project Manager 

Name: 

Project Manager 

Phone #: 

Project Manager 

email address: 

Contract #: Contract Date: 

Total Contract Value: 

Work Start Date: Work Completion 

Date: 

Project Bond #: Surety: 

Project Name: Public or Private? 

(Circle one) 

Project Address: 

General Contractor: 

General Contractor 

Address: 

General Contractor 

Phone #: 

Project Manager 

Name: 

Project Manager 

Phone #: 

Project Manager 

email address: 

Contract #: Contract Date: 

Total Contract Value: 

Work Start Date: Work Completion 

Date: 

Project Bond #: Surety: 

***Attach additional sheets as necessary***

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