Opinion ID: 770391
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Cacevics' complaint and the taking of Chief Sadow's deposition

Text: 4 George and Deda Cacevic are the owners of Checkers Bar & Grill, Inc., doing business as Derby's Bar in Hazel Park, Michigan. On May 1, 1998, the Cacevics and Checkers (collectively, the Cacevics) brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the City of Hazel Park, the Hazel Park Police Department, Hazel Park Chief of Police Albert Sadow, and other unidentified Hazel Park police officers. In their complaint, the Cacevics allege a pattern of harassment by Chief Sadow and his officers. Specifically, they contend that the Hazel Park police performed an inordinate amount of bar checks, which the Cacevics assert were intended to intimidate and harass both the patrons and the owners of Derby's Bar. The Cacevics also maintain that Chief Sadow unduly delayed the renewal of their business license. In addition to the § 1983 claims, the Cacevics alleged violations of the Michigan Constitution.The defendants denied engaging in any acts of intimidation or harassment, and asserted that their actions were justified because of an increased level of criminal activity occurring in or around Derby's Bar. 5 On June 6, 1998, the district court issued a routine scheduling order, which provided that all discovery was to be completed by October 31, 1998. The Cacevics originally scheduled Chief Sadow's deposition for June 23, 1998, but were informed by defense counsel that he was out of state until late August of that year. They then rescheduled his deposition, first for September 10, 1998 and later for September 23, 1998. Both dates were subsequently cancelled by the Cacevics. Chief Sadow's deposition was finally taken in part on October 5, 1998 and completed on October 21, 1998.