Opinion ID: 2982664
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: First Default Judgment

Text: Plaintiffs moved for entry of default judgment against Alisa Gandee after she failed to answer or file a responsive pleading. Default was entered against her on August 2, 2011, and the motion for default judgment was referred to a magistrate judge for a hearing on August 22, 2011. At that hearing, Alisa Gandee appeared without counsel and was accompanied by her husband Larry Gandee. D.G. was not present. Plaintiffs’ motion had not requested default judgment against Larry Gandee or D.G., and plaintiffs’ counsel later acknowledged having had difficulty serving them. 2 Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2307.70 any person who suffers an injury or loss to person or property as a result of certain acts—including setting a fire on the land of another with the purpose of interfering with its use or enjoyment because of race, color, religion or national origin—has a civil action for damages against the actor, as well as the parent of a minor who commits such acts. The parent, who is jointly and severally liable with the minor, may be liable for compensatory damages not to exceed $15,000, plus costs, expenses, and attorney fees. See OHIO REV. CODE § 2307.70(B)(1). Case No. 14-3159 4 Wells v. Rhodes The evidence presented at the hearing included the prior deposition testimony of Rhodes concerning D.G.’s actions and testimony from five of the plaintiffs concerning the emotional distress they suffered as a consequence of D.G.’s actions. Alisa Gandee also testified that D.G. resided with her. This appeal does not challenge the evidence offered; rather, the hearing is significant to this appeal because the district court found that Larry Gandee had submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the court by his participation in the hearing. The transcript of the hearing reflects that Larry Gandee appeared without counsel, addressed the court, crossexamined a witness, and made statements for the record concerning the merits of the suit. The magistrate judge issued a report and recommendation on September 22, 2011, which focused primarily on questions of liability and damages that are not at issue on appeal. It referred to the proof of service in the record for Larry Gandee and D.G., which had not been objected to, and recommended that default judgment be entered with respect to them as well. Lastly, it advised that failure to object would waive de novo review by the district court and the right to appeal the judgment. No objections were filed.3 On December 7, 2011, the district court adopted the report and recommendation and granted plaintiffs’ motions for default judgment against all three defendants. Plaintiffs were awarded compensatory damages totaling $12,500, plus reasonable costs and attorney fees under Ohio Rev. Code § 2307.70. Plaintiffs were later awarded $26,139.13 in costs and attorney fees in connection with those claims. An appearance was filed by counsel on behalf of all three defendants on February 28, 2012. Counsel moved for relief from judgment on behalf of Larry Gandee and D.G. on March 12, 2012, relying on the defective service and failure to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent 3 The report and recommendation was mailed to the home address provided by Alisa Gandee, and executed acknowledgements of receipt on behalf of both Larry Gandee and D.G. were filed in the district court. Case No. 14-3159 5 Wells v. Rhodes D.G. prior to entry of default. The district court denied the motion in an order entered June 8, 2012. Defendants filed an interlocutory appeal from that order, which this court dismissed without prejudice.