Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-02091/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-02091-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
A.C.E.
Defendant
A.L.E.
Defendant
Scott A. Eastman
Defendant
Rebecca J. Eastman
Defendant
Aurora L. Eastman
Defendant
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Plaintiff
Kathleen M. Rogneby
Defendant

Document Text:

STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

AS TO PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

Case No. 3:18-cv-02091-JD 

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HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP 

633 West 5th Street 

47th Floor 

Los Angeles, CA 90071-2043 

213-680-2800 

MISTY A. MURRAY (SBN 196870)

mmurray@hinshawlaw.com 

DAYNA L. BERKOWITZ (SBN 316528) 

dberkowitz@hinshawlaw.com 

HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP 

633 West 5th Street 

47th Floor 

Los Angeles, CA 90071-2043 

Telephone: 213-680-2800 

Facsimile: 213-614-7399 

PETER J. FELSENFELD (SBN 260433) 

pfelsenfeld@hinshawlaw.com 

HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP 

One California Street, 18th Floor 

San Francisco, CA 94111 

Telephone: 415-362-6000 

Facsimile: 415-834-9070 

Attorneys for Plaintiff-in-Interpleader 

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE 

COMPANY, 

Plaintiff-in-Interpleader, 

vs. 

AURORA L. EASTMAN, an individual; 

SCOTT A. EASTMAN, an individual; 

REBECCA J. EASTMAN, an individual; 

KATHLEEN M. ROGNEBY, an individual; 

A.C.E., a minor, by and through his Guardian 

Ad Litem, Jacob Rogneby; and A.L.E., a minor, 

by and through her Guardian Ad Litem, Jacob 

Rogneby, 

Defendants-in-Interpleader. 

Case No. 3:18-cv-02091-JD 

Honorable James Donato 

STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] 

ORDER FOR 

1. PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE 

COMPANY’S DISCHARGE AND 

DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE;

2. PERMANENT INJUNCTION;

AND

3. RECOVERY OF REASONABLE 

ATTORNEYS’ FEES 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

First Amended Complaint Filed: 5/2/18

Case 3:18-cv-02091-JD Document 67 Filed 03/08/19 Page 1 of 7
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STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

AS TO PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

Case No. 3:18-cv-02091-JD 

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HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP 

633 West 5th Street 

47th Floor 

Los Angeles, CA 90071-2043 

213-680-2800 

Plaintiff-in-Interpleader, on the one hand, and Defendants-in-Interpleader, on the other, have 

reached an agreement in this Interpleader action, as set forth below: 

RECITALS 

WHEREAS, Relis Carl Eastman (“Decedent”) was a former employee of AT&T Inc. 

(“AT&T”) and was a participant in the AT&T Group Life Insurance Program for Active Employees 

(the “Plan”), an ERISA-governed employee welfare benefit plan sponsored by AT&T. During the 

relevant period, the Plan was funded by a group insurance policy and group certificate of insurance 

(collectively, the “Group Policy”) issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”) to 

AT&T. As a Plan participant, Decedent had the following benefits: Effective August 22, 1999, 

Decedent had basic life insurance benefits in the amount of $81,000 as well as accidental death and 

dismemberment (“AD&D”) insurance benefits in the amount of $81,000. Effective December 31, 

2010, Decedent had supplemental life insurance benefits in the amount of $486,000 as well as 

supplemental AD&D insurance benefits in the amount of $486,000. The foregoing benefits are 

collectively referred to herein as the “Plan Benefits.” 

WHEREAS, Defendant-in-Interpleader Aurora L. Eastman (“Aurora”) is the daughter of 

Decedent. 

WHEREAS, Defendant-in-Interpleader Rebecca J. Eastman (“Rebecca”) is the daughter of 

Decedent. 

WHEREAS, Defendant-in-Interpleader A.C.E. (“A.C.E.”) is the minor son of Decedent. 

WHEREAS, Defendant-in-Interpleader A.L.E. (“A.L.E.”) is the minor daughter of 

Decedent. 

WHEREAS, Defendant-in-Interpleader Kathleen M. Rogneby (“Kathleen”) is the mother of 

Aurora, Rebecca, A.C.E., and A.L.E. 

WHEREAS, Defendant-in-Interpleader Scott A. Eastman (“Scott”) is the son of Decedent.

 WHEREAS, the group certificate of insurance, which is part of the Group Policy, and the 

Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) provide that a participant may designate a beneficiary to whom 

Case 3:18-cv-02091-JD Document 67 Filed 03/08/19 Page 2 of 7
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STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

AS TO PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

Case No. 3:18-cv-02091-JD 

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Los Angeles, CA 90071-2043 

213-680-2800 

MetLife will pay the Plan Benefits. Based upon information and belief, Decedent did not designate 

a beneficiary. In this regard, the SPD sets forth how the Plan Benefits will be paid if a participant 

does not designate a beneficiary. Specifically, the SPD provides that if the insured dies without a 

beneficiary, the Plan Benefits will be paid in accordance with the AT&T Rules for Employee 

Beneficiary Designations. The AT&T Rules for Employee Beneficiary Designations require that 

MetLife pay Decedent’s surviving spouse, if married, or legally recognized partner, if not married, 

and if Decedent is not survived by a spouse or legally recognized partner, then the Plan Benefits 

shall be paid to his surviving children in equal amounts. 

WHEREAS, Decedent died on or about June 30, 2016. Decedent’s Death Certificate listed 

the cause of death as a perforating gunshot wound to the head. The Death Certificate also indicated 

that Decedent’s death was a homicide. On or about July 12, 2016, Scott was formally charged with 

the murder of Decedent, which put his potential right to a portion of the Plan Benefits at issue. 

WHEREAS, on or about October 14, 2016, MetLife received the following claim forms for 

the Plan Benefits: Aurora submitted a claim form dated August 22, 2016, and Kathleen submitted 

claim forms on behalf of Rebecca, A.L.E., and A.C.E. dated September 27, 2016. The claim forms 

did not indicate the percentage of Plan Benefits that each claimant is seeking. 

WHEREAS, during its investigation of the claim, MetLife received conflicting information 

regarding whether Decedent was married at the time of his death. While Decedent’s Death 

Certificate lists Kathleen as Decedent’s wife, MetLife also received a copy of the Dissolution of 

Marriage and Marital Settlement Agreement between Decedent and Kathleen, which indicated that 

they were divorced on or about December 8, 2005. Additionally, Aurora’s Claimant Affidavit listed 

Kathleen as divorced from Decedent. 

WHEREAS, during its investigation, MetLife discovered the Marital Settlement Agreement 

contains Qualified Domestic Relations Order (“QDRO”) language that required Decedent to 

maintain life insurance in the amount of 4 times his base pay for his minor children as joint 

beneficiaries, with Kathleen acting as trustee of the account until the children reach the age of 21. 

The Marital Settlement Agreement lists the 3 minor children as Aurora, Rebecca, and A.L.E. 

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STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

AS TO PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

Case No. 3:18-cv-02091-JD 

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Los Angeles, CA 90071-2043 

213-680-2800 

According to Aurora’s claim form, Decedent had 5 surviving children, 4 of which were under the 

age of 21 at the time of his death. Scott was over the age of 21. 

WHEREAS, the Dissolution of Marriage and the Marital Settlement Agreement were 

executed in California. MetLife cannot determine whether ERISA’s QDRO requirement applies to 

life insurance under California law and, therefore, to the Plan Benefits at issue. Further, the QDRO 

language in the Marital Settlement Agreement only addresses proceeds equal to 4 times Decedent’s 

base pay, yet the total Plan Benefits at issue exceed that amount. Finally, the QDRO language does 

not include one of the minor children, A.C.E, who was born after the 2005 divorce. 

WHEREAS, MetLife contends that it could not conclusively determine the proper 

beneficiary or beneficiaries of the Plan Benefits without subjecting itself to the possibility of 

multiple liability due to the competing claims of the Defendants-in-Interpleader. 

WHEREAS, on April 5, 2018, MetLife filed this interpleader action in good faith against 

Aurora, Scott, Rebecca, Kathleen, A.C.E., and A.L.E. On May 2, 2018, MetLife filed its First 

Amended Complaint-in-Interpleader. 

WHEREAS, on June 1, 2018, MetLife deposited $1,143,118.60 with the Court. This amount 

represents the Plan Benefits, plus applicable accrued interest through the date of deposit. 

WHEREAS, all Defendants-in-Interpleader have been served with the Summons and First 

Amended Complaint-in-Interpleader. Per the Court’s Minute Entry dated January 17, 2019 

(Dkt#57), no answers from the Defendants-in-Interpleader are due as the case is stayed. 

WHEREAS, on or about September 27, 2018, Scott was found guilty of first degree murder 

of Decedent. Upon information and belief, Scott’s time for appealing that conviction has not yet 

run. 

WHEREAS, on or about June 14, 2018 (Dkt#31), Kathleen expressly stated that she 

disavows any claim to or interest in the Plan Benefits, which the Court confirmed by Order dated 

January 22, 2019 (Dkt#60). 

WHEREAS, by Order dated January 22, 2019 (Dkt#60), the Court appointed Jacob Rogneby 

as guardian ad litem for A.C.E. and A.L.E. in this action. 

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STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

AS TO PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

Case No. 3:18-cv-02091-JD 

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633 West 5th Street 

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Los Angeles, CA 90071-2043 

213-680-2800 

WHEREAS, MetLife is a mere disinterested stakeholder and claims no interest in the Plan 

Benefits at issue, which have been deposited with the Court. 

WHEREAS, all Defendants-in-Interpleader agree that MetLife shall be discharged of any 

and all liability with respect to the Plan Benefits and the underlying Group Policy and any and all 

claims that Defendants-in-Interpleader have or may have regarding the Plan Benefits and the 

underlying Group Policy. 

WHEREAS, all Defendants-in-Interpleader agree that MetLife will recover its attorneys’ 

fees and costs from the stake on deposit in the amount of $5,000.00. 

WHEREAS, all Defendants-in-Interpleader agree that each Defendant-in-Interpleader, 

including their respective agents, attorneys and/or assigns shall be enjoined and perpetually 

restrained from instituting any suit at law or equity, or action of any kind whatsoever, against 

MetLife and/or its parent companies, subsidiary companies, agents, affiliates, representatives or 

attorneys with respect to the Plan Benefits and the underlying Group Policy. 

WHEREAS, all Defendants-in-Interpleader further agree that MetLife shall be dismissed 

from this action entirely with prejudice. 

STIPULATION 

NOW THEREFORE, Plaintiff-in-Interpleader MetLife and Defendants-in-Interpleader 

Aurora, Scott, Rebecca, Kathleen, A.C.E., and A.L.E., by and through their attorneys of record, and 

in the case of Scott, in pro per, stipulate and agree as follows: 

1. That MetLife shall be discharged of any and all liability with respect to the Plan 

Benefits and the underlying Group Policy and any and all claims that Defendants-in-Interpleader 

Aurora, Scott, Rebecca, Kathleen, A.C.E., and A.L.E. may have regarding the Plan Benefits and 

any claims under the Group Policy; 

2. That Defendants-in-Interpleader Aurora, Scott, Rebecca, Kathleen, A.C.E., and 

A.L.E. and their respective agents, attorneys and/or assigns shall be enjoined and perpetually 

restrained from instituting any suit at law or equity, or action of any kind whatsoever, against 

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STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

AS TO PLAINTIFF-IN-INTERPLEADER 

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213-680-2800 

MetLife and/or its parent companies, subsidiary companies, agents, affiliates, representatives or 

attorneys with respect to the Plan Benefits and the Group Policy; 

3. That MetLife will recover its attorneys’ fees and costs from the stake on deposit in 

the amount of $5,000.00; and 

4. That MetLife is dismissed from this action entirely with prejudice. 

IT IS SO STIPULATED.

 

DATED: March 6, 2019 

By:

HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP

/s/ Misty A. Murray

 MISTY A. MURRAY 

PETER J. FELSENFELD 

DAYNA L. BERKOWITZ 

Attorneys for Plaintiff-in-Interpleader 

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company 

DATED: March 6, 2019 

By:

RIGGIO MORDAUNT & KELLY

/s/ Mike Mordaunt 

 MIKE MORDAUNT 

Attorney for Kathleen Rogneby, Aurora 

Eastman, Rebecca Eastman, and A.L.E. and 

A.C.E., by and through their guardian ad litem 

Jacob Rogneby 

 

By: /s/ 

 SCOTT A. EASTMAN 

Defendant in Pro Per 

 

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STIPULATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL, INJUNCTION AND AWARD OF FEES AND COSTS 

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213-680-2800 

[PROPOSED] ORDER 

Having reviewed the Stipulation of the parties, and for good cause appearing therefore, IT 

IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows: 

1. That Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”) is discharged of any and all 

liability with respect to the Plan Benefits and the underlying Group Policy and any and all claims 

that Defendants-in-Interpleader Aurora L. Eastman (“Aurora”), Scott A. Eastman (“Scott”), 

Rebecca J. Eastman (“Rebecca”), Kathleen M. Rogneby (“Kathleen”), A.C.E. (“A.C.E.”), and 

A.L.E (“A.L.E.”) may have regarding the Plan Benefits and any claims under the Group Policy; 

2. That Defendants-in-Interpleader Aurora, Scott, Rebecca, Kathleen, A.C.E., and 

A.L.E. and their respective agents, attorneys and/or assigns are enjoined and perpetually restrained 

from instituting any suit at law or equity, or action of any kind whatsoever, against MetLife and/or 

its parent companies, subsidiary companies, agents, affiliates, representatives or attorneys with 

respect to the Plan Benefits and the Group Policy; 

3. That MetLife will recover its attorneys’ fees and costs from the stake on deposit in 

the amount of $5,000.00. Said funds are to be payable to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company 

and sent to MetLife’s counsel of record Misty A. Murray, Esq., Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, 633 

West Fifth Street, 47th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071; and 

4. That MetLife is dismissed from this action entirely with prejudice. 

PURSUANT TO STIPULATION, IT IS SO ORDERED. 

 

DATED: 

 HONORABLE JAMES DONATO 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

March 8, 2019

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORN

I

A

IT IS SO ORDERED

Judge James Donato

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