Opinion ID: 2982664
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Second Default Judgment

Text: Plaintiffs moved for summary judgment against D.G. and Rhodes on the remaining claims. D.G. took the position, through counsel, that the earlier default judgment had resolved all of the claims against him, and he moved for clarification to that effect. Counsel also preserved D.G.’s objection to the court’s exercise of personal jurisdiction over him. After further briefing, the district court found that the federal claims against D.G. had not been resolved and directed plaintiffs to either dismiss them or seek default. Plaintiffs chose to move for entry of default judgment. Default was entered against D.G. on November 18, 2013, and a hearing was scheduled for December 18, 2013. D.G. did not answer, seek to set aside the default, or oppose the entry of default judgment. Plaintiffs asked the district court to take judicial notice of their prior testimony, which the district court did. Finding that an evidentiary hearing was not necessary, the district court entered default judgment against D.G., concluded that compensatory damages would be duplicative, and awarded plaintiffs $5,000 in punitive damages plus reasonable attorney fees. Plaintiffs were subsequently awarded an additional $4,050 for attorney fees incurred with respect to the federal claims. A final judgment totaling $47,689.13 was entered in favor of plaintiffs on April 9, 2014. This appeal followed.