Opinion ID: 3192719
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: We have acknowledged that “a district court has inherent power to recognize, encourage, and when necessary enforce settlement agreements reached by the parties.” Bell v. Schexnayder, 36 F.3d 447, 449 (5th Cir. 1994); see also Chambers v. NASCO, Inc., 501 U.S. 32, 44 (1991) (“[A] court has the power to conduct an independent investigation in order to determine whether 2 The court rejected ancillary arguments from Capt Jay and Zirlott that they had not signed the sworn statements, only their lawyers had, and that entities responsible for administering the Settlement Program were at fault for not discovering the misinformation in the claims. 3 On appeal, Special Master Louis J. Freeh defends the district court’s judgment. 5 Case: 15-30574 Document: 00513457669 Page: 6 Date Filed: 04/08/2016 No. 15-30574 it has been the victim of fraud.”). We review a district court’s exercise of this inherent power, absent any challenge to the underlying settlement, “for abuse of discretion.” In re DEEPWATER HORIZON, 786 F.3d 344, 354 (5th Cir. 2015). Similarly, “[w]e review the imposition of sanctions [under a court’s inherent power] for an abuse of discretion.” Chaves v. M/V Medina Star, 47 F.3d 153, 156 (5th Cir. 1995). “A district court abuses its discretion if it: (1) relies on clearly erroneous factual findings; (2) relies on erroneous conclusions of law; or (3) misapplies the law to the facts.” Harmon v. Journal Pub. Co., 476 F. App’x 756, 757 (5th Cir. 2012) (per curiam) (unpublished) (citation omitted). We review de novo any questions regarding the interpretation of a settlement agreement as questions of law. Waterfowl Ltd. Liab. Co. v. United States, 473 F.3d 135, 141 (5th Cir. 2006).