Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-06277/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-06277-6/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Michael Corbett
Defendant
United States of America
Plaintiff

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JOSEPH P. RUSSONIELLO (CSBN 44332)

United States Attorney

Northern District of California

JOANN M. SWANSON (CSBN 88143) 

Chief, Civil Division

CHARLES M. O’CONNOR (CSBN 56320)

Assistant United States Attorney

450 Golden Gate Avenue, 9 Floor th

P.O. Box 36055

San Francisco, CA 94102-3495

Telephone: (415) 436-7200

Facsimile: (415) 436-6748

Attorneys for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION

__________________________________

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

MICHAEL CORBETT,

 

 Defendant.

__________________________________

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 CIVIL NO: C 06-6277 MHP

 CONSENT DECREE

WHEREAS, Plaintiff, United States of America (“Plaintiff” or “the United States”), through

its undersigned attorneys, filed a Complaint for Ejectment, Trespass, Injunctive Relief and

Damages (“Complaint”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of

California, alleging that the Defendant Michael Corbett (“Defendant” or “Corbett”) is unlawfully

occupying real property of the United States within the Oakland Inner Harbor Tidal Canal

(“OIHTC”); and,

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Case 3:06-cv-06277-MHP Document 50 Filed 03/26/08 Page 1 of 8
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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -2-

WHEREAS, Plaintiff and Defendant have agreed that settlement of this action is in the public

interest and that the entry of this Consent Decree (hereafter also referred to as "Decree") without

further litigation is the most appropriate means of resolving this action, it is hereby ORDERED,

ADJUDGED, AND DECREED as follows:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 1) This civil action was instituted to eject the Defendant from public land held by the 

Department of the Army, and to require the Defendant to vacate and remove his personal

property, structures and their appurtenances within the OIHTC.

2) This court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§

1331 and 1345. Venue is appropriate pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because the subject real

property is situated in the County of Alameda, within this judicial district, and the Defendant also

resides in this district.

3) The Complaint states claims upon which relief can be granted.

4) The structures and real property which are the subject of this Decree are located at 3223

and 3225 Alameda Avenue, Oakland, California (herein also referred to as “the Premises”),

within the OIHTC. The Defendant represents that he is sole and only owner of both structures on

the Premises and agrees not to hereafter contest the ownership of the said structures in this

proceeding.

5) The Defendant is responsible for his spouse, agents, employees, successors, heirs, and

assigns, and any person, firm, or corporation acting in concert or participation with the Defendant

with regard to the full compliance with the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree.

6) The Defendant shall not be relieved of his compliance with the terms and conditions of

this Consent Decree on the grounds that his spouse, agents, employees, successors, heirs, and

assigns, and any person, firm, or corporation acting in concert or participation with the Defendant

have failed to comply with the said terms and conditions.

7) This Court shall retain jurisdiction over this case to modify and/or enforce the terms and

conditions of this Decree and to resolve such disputes arising hereunder as may be necessary or

appropriate for the construction or execution of this Decree.

Case 3:06-cv-06277-MHP Document 50 Filed 03/26/08 Page 2 of 8
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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -3-

8) If either party fails to perform under the terms of this Decree, the prevailing party shall be

entitled to reasonable expenses incurred in enforcing the requirements of this Decree, including,

but not limited to, attorney's fees. 

SCOPE OF CONSENT DECREE

9) This Decree shall constitute a complete and final settlement of all civil claims for 

relief and/or penalties related to the Premises. Specifically, the United States agrees that this

settlement encompasses all current claims against Defendant by the Army Corps of Engineers

with regard to the Premises. 

10) This Decree is not and shall not be interpreted to be a permit or modification of any

existing permit.

11) This Decree in no way affects or relieves the Defendant of his responsibility to comply

with any applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or permit.

12) This Decree in no way affects the rights of the United States against any person not a

party to this Decree.

13) Both parties reserve any and all legal and equitable remedies available to enforce the

provisions of this Decree and applicable law. 

14) Nothing in this Decree shall constitute an admission of fact or law by any party.

15) Upon approval of this Court, this Decree shall have the force and effect of a final

judgment. 

NOTICE

16) All notices, reports, and submissions and other communications required by this Decree

shall be in writing and shall be sent by U.S. mail, addressed as follows:

For the Corps of Engineers:

 MERRY GOODENOUGH

 District Counsel

 United States Army Corps of Engineers

 1455 Market Street, Suite 1660

 San Francisco, California, 94103-1398

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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -4-

For the United States Attorney's Office:

 CHARLES M. O’CONNOR

 Assistant United States Attorney

 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 9 Floor th

 P.O. BOX 36055

 San Francisco, California, 94102

For the Defendant: 

 MATTHEW J. WEBB

LAW OFFICES OF MATTHEW J. WEBB

409 13 Street, 17 Floor th th

Oakland, California 94612

PROVISIONS FOR REMOVAL

17) Not later than 30 calendar days after the Court signs this Decree, the Defendant shall, at

his own expense and subject to the reasonable approval of the Corps of Engineers, prepare and

submit a plan for removal (entitled “Removal Plan”) of the structures on the Premises, including

but not limited to all parts of the structure currently supported by pilings, except pilings to which

they are attached. 

18) The Defendant shall, at his own expense, prepare and submit to the Corps for approval a

schedule for implementation of the Removal Plan (“Schedule for Removal”) not later than 15

calendar days after notice to Defendant’s counsel of the Corps’ approval of the Removal Plan. 

The Schedule for Removal must provide for completion of all parts of the Removal Plan not later

than 365 calendar days after Defendant’s counsel is notified of the Corps’ approval of the

Schedule for Removal (also referred to herein as the “Schedule”), which approval shall not be

unreasonably withheld. 

19) The Defendant shall, at his own expense, obtain any and all other necessary approvals or

permits for all parts of the Removal Plan in conformance with the Schedule, from any and all

other federal, state and/or local authorities. The Defendant shall exercise good faith and due

diligence in making timely application for such approvals and permits and timely comply with all

requirements of the responsible authorities. The Corps’ will not require permits for the removal

of the structure, and the Defendant will not conduct operations under this Decree in a manner that

would invoke Section 10 and/or 13 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 or the Clean Water

Case 3:06-cv-06277-MHP Document 50 Filed 03/26/08 Page 4 of 8
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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -5-

Act. The Corps will document to other governmental agencies, if required, that U.S. District

Court has ordered the removal of this structure pursuant to this Decree. 

20) The Corps’ agrees that unforseen permitting from various governmental agencies may

preclude the Defendant from completing the scheduled project. In the event of delays caused by

other governmental agencies, the Corps’ will grant reasonable extensions of time for completion

of the project so long as Defendant proceeds diligently and in good faith.

JUDGMENT

21) The entry of a judgment in the sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND and

NO/100s DOLLARS ($250,000.00) may be requested by the United States, pursuant to an ex

parte application to the Court, upon any failure of the Defendant to comply with any and all

terms and conditions of this Decree, including but not limited to 

a) the respective deadlines and terms provided in paragraphs 17) through 20), above; and, 

b) fully completes the Removal Plan in accordance with the approved Schedule for Removal,

including all deadlines for completion within the Schedule for Removal. 

The only defense to entry of said judgment is the Defendant’s full and complete compliance

with all terms and conditions of this Decree.

SAFEGUARDS

 22) If the Defendant:

 a) fails to comply with all terms and conditions of this Decree, including the satisfaction of

all deadlines and fully complete the Removal Plan, in accordance with the approved Schedule for

Removal; or,

 b) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or

is/are adjudicated bankrupt under such Code; or, 

 c) is the subject of a petition filed in Federal or State Court for the appointment of a trustee or

receiver in bankruptcy or insolvency; or,

 d) transfers funds or other assets to avoid satisfaction of this Consent Decree and/or the

monetary judgment provided in paragraph 21, above; or, 

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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -6-

 e) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors,

it is hereby ordered that Corbett, his spouse, tenants, and any other person occupying the

Premises must vacate the Premises within 60 days of the date the Plaintiff files a declaration

under oath describing the occurrence of any of the events described in a) through d) of this

paragraph. Further, upon the filing of such declaration, the United States may take all steps

necessary to arrange for completion of the Removal Plan by a qualified contractor of its choice,

at its sole discretion. The Defendant shall also be liable for attorney's fees and costs incurred by

the United States as a result of any of the actions of the Defendant, as set forth at a. through d.,

above. Further, upon the occurrence of any of the events or conditions described in a) through e)

of this paragraph, the Defendant shall give immediate notice to the United States Attorney's

Office and the Corps of Engineers, pursuant to the Notice section, Paragraph 16, above.

23) The United States shall be deemed a judgment creditor for the purposes of collecting the

judgment described in Paragraph 21, above, and any attorneys’ fees or costs. 

 24) This Decree does not grant any property rights or exclusive privileges.

 25) This Decree does not authorize any injury to the property rights of others.

 26) This Decree does not impose any liability on the United States government nor does the

United States government assume any liability for the following:

 a) Damages to persons, or the property of others caused by implementation of the Removal

Plan.

 b) Design or construction deficiencies associated with the Removal Plan.

27) This Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter until all obligations have been

satisfied and all terms are carried out, as certified by the United States.

FORCE MAJEURE

28) If the Defendant has not complied with any requirement of this Consent Decree,

Defendant shall, within fifteen (15) days of the date of his having a reasonable basis to believe

that he may be in noncompliance, notify the Corps and the United States Attorney in writing, at

the addresses set forth in paragraph 16 of this Consent Decree, of any event or events which have

caused the non-compliance. The notice shall specifically refer to this section of the Consent

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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -7-

Decree and shall describe the anticipated length of time the noncompliance may persist; the cause

or causes of the noncompliance; the measures, if any, taken or to be taken by the Defendant to

prevent or minimize the noncompliance; and the timetable, if any, by which those measures will

be implemented. Defendant shall adopt all reasonable measures to avoid or minimize any such

noncompliance. Failure by the Defendant to comply with the notice requirements of this

paragraph shall render shall constitute a waiver of the Defendant’s right to obtain an extension of

time for his obligations under this Consent Decree.

29) The Defendant shall bear the burden of demonstrating (1) that the noncompliance was

caused by circumstances beyond the control of the Defendant and/or any entity controlled by the

Defendant, including his contractors or consultants; (2) that neither the Defendant nor any entity

controlled by the Defendant, including its contractors and consultants, could have reasonably

foreseen and prevented such noncompliance; and, (3) the number of days of noncompliance that

were caused by such circumstances.

RELEASE

30) The Defendant hereby releases and holds harmless the United States and its agents and

employees from any liability for damages or any loses resulting from the initiation and

prosecution of this action.

31) The Defendant specifically waives any and all rights to seek compensation for a taking

under the 5 Amendment, United States Constitution. th

32) Except for claims arising out of a breach of this agreement, as set forth above, the

Plaintiff and Defendant each agree to bear their own costs of suit, including attorneys fees, and

release and mutually discharge any other claims relating to the Premises and the removal of the

structures.

33) Upon full compliance and completion of the terms and conditions of this Consent

Decree, the Plaintiff will submit a satisfaction of Consent Decree to the Court.

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CONSENT DECREE

U.S. v. MICHAEL CORBETT, C 06-6277 MHP -8-

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

34) The Defendant acknowledges receipt of copies of the Complaint it the above-captioned

case and this Consent Decree, acknowledges that he is familiar with their terms, and waives

service of process for these documents. By his signature the Defendant certifies that he is

competent to enter into terms and conditions of this Consent Decree and to execute and legally

bind himself to this document and the terms and conditions herein.

Dated: March 24, 2008 

 /s/

 

MICHAEL CORBETT

Defendant 

Dated: March 24, 2008 LAW OFFICES OF MATTHEW J. WEBB

 /s/

 

MATTHEW J. WEBB

Attorneys for Defendant

Dated: March 24, 2008 JOSEPH P. RUSSONIELLO

United States Attorney

 /s/

_______________________________

CHARLES M. O’CONNOR

Assistant United States Attorney

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Of Counsel:

MERRY GOODENOUGH

District Counsel

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

ORDER

 The above Consent Decree is approved AND SO ORDERED.

Dated: March__, 2008

 

MARILYN HALL PATEL

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 

26

U

NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN D

T OF CALIFORNIA

IT IS SO ORDERED

Judge Marilyn H. Patel

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