Opinion ID: 777147
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Documents Obtained in Discovery

Text: 43
44 Exhibit C purports to be a memo, dated and written on Nevada Department of Financial Institutions (NDFI) letterhead, from Bob Geerhart (Geerhart) to Scott Walshaw (Walshaw), both agents of the NDFI. In this memo, Geerhart discusses an FBI report identifying Orr as a suspect in a deposit theft at BOA. The memo identifies both the author and recipient and contains a signature next to their names. However, it lacks foundation because Orr has failed to submit an affidavit from Geerhart stating that he wrote the memo. 19 Mirch's affidavit does not lay a foundation for Exhibit C. Mirch neither wrote the memo nor witnessed Geerhart do so, and he is not familiar with Geerhart's signature. See Hal Roach Studios, 896 F.2d at 1550-51; Canada, 831 F.2d at 925. 45 Moreover, Exhibit C is not authenticated by having been produced in discovery in the Bourdeau action. Orr has not identified who produced it, and neither Geerhart nor the NDFI have admitted to producing the memo. 20 Further, neither Geerhart nor the NDFI is a party in Orr's action against BOA. Exhibit C is therefore inadmissible. 21 It matters not whether Exhibit C is hearsay. 46
47 Exhibit M purports to be a letter from Walshaw to Bourdeau, permitting Tahoe Bank to transact business preliminary to its organization. It is not authenticated because Orr has failed to submit an affidavit or deposition testimony from Walshaw stating that he wrote the letter. Because Orr attempted to introduce Exhibit M by attaching it to Mirch's affidavit, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(e) requires that Mirch have personal knowledge of the letter. Had Orr submitted the letter by attaching it to an exhibit list (rather than to Mirch's affidavit), the alternative means to authentication permitted by Federal Rule of Evidence 901(b) 22 and 902 23 would have to be considered. 24 Orr did not do so. The district court's exclusion of Exhibit M was therefore proper. 48
49 Exhibit Q purports to be a letter from the Regional Director of the FDIC to Bourdeau denying Tahoe Bank's application. It provides: [Y]our departure from... Bank of America under unfavorable circumstances reflect[s] poorly on your stability for positions as a director or senior officer. 50 The district court properly found that Exhibit Q was not authenticated because Orr introduced the letter by attaching it to Mirch's affidavit. Mirch lacks personal knowledge of the letter. 25 The district court's exclusion of Exhibit Q was therefore proper. 51