Opinion ID: 2072945
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Review of Order Approving Attachment

Text: The Superior Court approved an attachment against Emerson's property, finding that there is a reasonable likelihood that in this action plaintiffs will recover judgment including the costs and expenses of a receiver ... in an amount equal to or greater than $20,000.... On appeal we review the attachment order only for clear abuse of discretion, see Precision Communications, Inc. v. Rodrigue, 451 A.2d 300, 301 (Me.1982), and Emerson has demonstrated no such abuse of discretion here. The State showed not just a reasonable likelihood of success in this casea relatively low hurdle, id. but a high likelihood of success, as discussed below. Moreover, with regard to the amount of the attachment, the State correctly points out that 38 M.R.S.A. § 349(2) (1989) provides for civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for any violation of the laws administered by DEP. There is also little doubt that the receiver will incur costs and expenses in overseeing operations at Emerson's facility, and the attachment secures those expenses as well. In these circumstances the Superior Court committed no error in approving an attachment for only $20,000.