Court Opinion

ID: 9365874
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-01-25 15:04:54.12128+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:15:47.819694
License: Public Domain

Cite as 2023 Ark. App. 25
           ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
                           No.   CV-22-515

ARKANSAS BLUE CROSS                  Opinion Delivered   January 25, 2023
AND BLUE SHIELD
                        APPELLANT APPEAL FROM THE PULASKI
                                   COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTH
V.                                 DIVISION
                                   [NO. 60CV-21-2725]
FREEWAY SURGERY CENTER; SCOTT
SCHLESINGER, M.D.; FAIR PARK       HONORABLE WENDELL GRIFFEN,
SURGERY CENTER; CENTERVIEW         JUDGE
SURGERY CENTER; SOUTH
ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER;           MOTION TO DEEM THE RECORD
ADVANCED AMBULATORY SURGERY COMPLETE IS GRANTED; BRIEFING
CENTER; EXECUTIVE PARK             SCHEDULE ORDERED; SHOW-CAUSE
SURGERY CENTER OF FORT SMITH;      ORDER ISSUED
GASTROENTEROLOGY AND
SURGERY CENTER OF ARKANSAS;
MOUNTAIN HOME SURGERY
CENTER; HARRISON SURGERY
CENTER; BOZMAN-HOF EYE
CENTER; PHYSICIANS DAY A/K/A
MCFARLAND EYE CENTER; SPRING
CREEK SURGERY CENTER; TAYLOR
PLASTIC SURGERY; SURGERY
CENTER OF NORTHEAST TEXAS;
ADVANCED INTERVENTIONAL PAIN
MANAGEMENT; PRECISION
SURGICAL OF NORTHWEST
ARKANSAS; EXECUTIVE SURGERY
CENTER OF LITTLE ROCK; CENTRAL
ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER A/K/A
ARKANSAS SPINE AND PAIN; AND
ARKANSAS CENTER FOR SURGICAL
EXCELLENCE
                         APPELLEES

AND

ALAN MCCLAIN, ARKANSAS
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
           INTERESTED PARTY
                                        PER CURIAM

       Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield moves this court to enforce a writ of certiorari

we issued to court reporter Neva Warford to complete the transcript of an oral argument

held before the circuit court—a command we first made four months ago. Alternatively,

the parties jointly move that we set a briefing schedule based on the “record pleadings”

already on file with this court’s clerk and deem the tardy transcript inessential to the appeal

under Ark. R. App. P.–Civ. 6(c). Because Warford’s failure to comply with the original

writ and subsequent extensions is good cause to accept the parties’ Rule 6 alternative, we

grant that request and direct the clerk to set a briefing schedule forthwith. And for the

reasons provided below, we order Neva Warford to appear before this court on 7 February

2023, at 9:30 a.m., in the courtroom of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

(Justice Building, 625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72201), and show cause why she

should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with the original writ of certiorari and

extensions.

        Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been trying to appeal an eight-page order

entered more than one year ago. On 16 August 2022, as the deadline to lodge the record

in this court approached after seven months of extensions by the circuit court, it

simultaneously filed in this court a partial record and petition for a writ of certiorari directing

court reporter Warford to complete the transcript portion of the record in this civil appeal.

We granted the petition on September 7 and ordered, by way of a writ of certiorari, that

the supplemental record be completed and filed within thirty days.

                                                2
       When the thirtieth day arrived, Warford had not completed her task, so Blue Cross

and Blue Shield moved, on October 7, to enforce the writ. We granted that motion on

October 25 and allowed Warford thirty days. 1 But no transcript was prepared. So Blue

Cross and Blue Shield returned on November 22 with another request that we enforce the

writ. In response, this court extended Warford’s deadline to 6 January 2023 and expressly

told her that it was a final extension. 2 Again, she failed to comply, which required Blue

Cross and Blue Shield to file another motion—and the parties to pivot to Ark. R. App. P.–

Civ. 6(c) as a last-ditch effort to “complete” the record and move this appeal forward.

       Despite Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s continued efforts and this court’s prior

commands, the designated transcript has remained unavailable for filing because Warford

has seemingly ignored this court’s orders.         Having received no communication from

       1
           The docket entry (26 October 2022) states:

              Appellant’s motion to enforce writ of certiorari and extend time is
       granted. Gruber, J., not participating.

              Electronic supplemental record is due in thirty days (November 25,
       2022). The clerk is directed to set a briefing schedule after the writ is returned
       and the electronic supplemental record is filed.

              This court has now granted the court reporter two extensions from the
       record’s original due date of August 18, 2022.
       2
           The docket entry (7 December 2022) states:

              Appellant’s second motion to enforce writ of certiorari and extend
       time. Granted final extension of thirty days (January 6, 2023). Barrett and
       Hixson, JJ., would issue a show-cause order to the court reporter. Gruber, J.,
       not participating.

              This court has now granted the court reporter three extensions from
       the record’s original due date of August 18, 2022.

                                               3
Warford to explain the repeated delay and perceived insubordination, good cause exists for

this show-cause order. See James Tree & Crane Serv., Inc. v. Fought, 2015 Ark. 6 (show-cause

order issued to court reporter); see also Woolford v. State, 2022 Ark. App. 463 (show-cause

order issued to court reporter Neva Warford).

       Given the recent history with a court reporter’s repeated inability to comply with

this court’s writs and orders, Woolford, 2022 Ark. App. 463, we point out, for example, that

the Regulations of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners provide for penalties

as severe as revoking a reporter’s certification for shirking his or her duties. Regs. Ark. Bd.

Certified Ct. Rep. Examiners § 19. 3 If that were not enough, the Arkansas Code of Judicial

Conduct requires judges to ensure their employees do not interfere with the timely

administration of justice. See, e.g., Ark. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.12(A) (Supervisory

Duties). To that end, this court’s clerk routinely sends our writs and related orders to the

       3
           Section 19 states in part:

       [T]he Board may issue an admonition or revoke or suspend any certificate
       issued after proper notice and hearing, on the following grounds:

       ....

              c. any intentional violation of, noncompliance with or gross negligence
       in complying with any rule or directive of the Supreme Court of Arkansas,
       any other court of record within this State, or this Board.

                 d. fraud, dishonesty, gross incompetence or habitual neglect of duty.

                 e. unprofessional conduct, which shall include, but not be limited to:

                   1. failing to deliver a transcript to a client or court in a timely
                 manner as determined by statute, court order, or agreement[.]

                                                4
court reporter to whom they are primarily directed and to the presiding circuit judge. Here,

the writ and orders that have been issued to Warford and the presiding judge since

September 2022 are attached to this order.

       NEVA WARFORD IS FURTHER NOTIFIED that her failure to appear on 7

February 2023, at 9:30 a.m., could result in the issuance of a bench warrant for her arrest,

with directions to the appropriate law enforcement authority to arrange for her delivery to

this court so a show-cause hearing can be conducted as soon as possible.

       Motion to deem the record complete is granted; briefing schedule ordered; show-

cause order issued.

       BROWN, J., dissents without opinion.

       GRUBER, J., not participating.

                                              5
                            OFFICE OF THE CLERK
                       ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
                          625 MARSHALL STREET
                           LITTLE ROCKs AR 72201

                              SEPTEMBER 7,2022

      RE:COURT OF APPEALS CASE NO.CV‑22‑515
         ARKANSAS BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD V.ALAN MCCLAIN,INSURANCE
         COMMISSIONER;FREEヽ VAY SURGERY CENTER;SCOTT SCHLESINGER,MD;
         FAIR PARK SURGERY CENTER;CENTERVIEヽ V SURGERY CENTER:SOUTH
         ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER;ADVANCED AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER;
         EXECUTIVE PARK SURGERY CENTER OF FORT SMITH;GASTROENTEROLOGY
         AND SURGERY CENTER OF ARKANSASI MOUNTAIN HOME SURGERY CENTER;
         HARRISON SURGERY CENTER;BOOZMAN― HOF EYE CENTER:PHYSICIAN'S DAY
         A/K/A MCFARLAND EYE CENTER;SPRING CREEK SURGERY CENTER;TAYLOR
         PLASTIC SURGERY;SURGERY CENTER OF NORTHEAST TEXAS:ADVANCED
         INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT;PRECISION SURGICAL OF
         NORTHWEST ARKANSAS;EXECUTIVE SURGERY CENTER OF LITTLE ROCK;
         CENTRAL ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER A/1CA ARKANSAS SPINE AND PAIN:
         AND ARKANSAS CENTER FOR SURGICAL EXCELLENCE

      THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALSISSUED THE FOLLOWING ORDERS TODAY IN
THE A30VE STYLED CASE:
      ̀̀APPELLANT'S PETITION FORヽ ′RIT OF CERTIORARITO COMPLETE THE RECORD
IS GRANTED.GRUBER,J.,NOT PARTICIPATING.''

      APPELLANT'S SUPPLEMENT TO PETIT10N FORヽ ′RIT OF CERT10RARI TO
COMPLETE THE RECORDIS MOOT.GRUBER,J、 NOT PARTICIPATING."

       RIT
      Ⅵ′   ISSUED:RETURNABLEIN THIRTY DAYS(OCTOBER 7,2022).THE CLERK IS
DIRECTED TO SET A BRIEFING SCHEDULE AFTER THE WRITIS RETURNED AND THE
ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTAL RECORD IS FILED.

                                         SINCERELY,

                                                         CLERK
CCi   STEVENヽ V.QUATTLEBAUM AND JOSEPH R.FALASCO
      BOOTH RAND
      DANIEL W.VAN HORN
      NEVA J.WARFORD,OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER(W/ORIGINAL WRIT)
      HONORABLE WENDELL GRIFFEN,JUDGE(W/COPY OF WRIT)
      PULASKI COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK(W/ORIGINALヽ /RIT)
      (60CV‑21‑2725)
              WRIT RETURNABLEIN 30 DAYS ON OCTOBER 7,2022
              CERT10RARIFOR COル IPLETE ELECTRONIC RECORD
STATE OF ARKANSAS   )
COURT OF APPEALS     )
60CV‑21‑2725          )
                    COURT OF APPEALS CASE NO.CV‑22‑515
                         THE STATE OF ARKANSAS

TO THE CLERK AND COURT REPORTER,GREETINGS:
      VHEREAS,IN A CASE PENDING IN SAID PULASKICOUNTY CIRCUIT COURT,
      ヽ
STATE OF ARKANSAS,WHEREIN
     ARKANSAS BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD,APPELLANT AND
     ALAN MCCLAIN,INSURANCE COMMISS10NER;FREEWAY SURGERY CENTER;
     SCOTT SCHLESINGER,M.D.:FAIR PARK SURGERY CENTER;CENTERVIEW
     SURGERY CENTER:SOUTH ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER;ADVANCED
     AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER;EXECUTIVE PARK SURGERY CENTER OF FORT
     SMITH;GASTROENTEROLOGY AND SURGERY CENTER OF ARKANSAS;MOUNTAIN
     HOME SURGERY CENTER;HARRISON SURGERY CENTERIBOOZMAN―      HOF EYE
     CENTER:PHYSICIAN'S DAY A/K/A MCFARLAND EYE CENTER;SPRING CREEK
     SURGERY CENTER;TAYLOR PLASTIC SURGERY;SURGERY CENTER OF
     NORTHEAST TEXAS:ADVANCED INTERVENT10NAL PAIN MANAGEMENT;
     PRECISION SURGICAL OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS;EXECUTIVE SURGERY CENTER
     OF LITTLE ROCK;CENTRAL ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER Aハ CA ARKANSAS
     SPINE AND PAIN:AND ARKANSAS CENTER FOR SURGICAL EXCELLENCE,
     APPELLEES
JUDGMENT WAS RENDERED,AND APPELLANT PRAYED AN APPEAL FROM SAID
JUDGMENT TO THE COURT OF APPEALS.YOU ARE,THEREFORE,HEREBY COMMANDED
THAT YOU CERTIFY T0 0UR COURT OF APPEALS,FORTHWITH,A FULL,TRUE AND
COMPLETE ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPT OF THE RECORD AND PROCEEDINGS OF SAID
COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT,THAT OUR COURT OF APPEALS,UPON
CONSIDERAT10N OF A COMPLETE RECORD,MAY CAUSE TO BE DONE THEREIN WHAT
SHOULD BE DONE.HEREOF FAIL NOT AND MAKE DUE RETURN OF THIS WRIT UNDER
YOUR OFFICIAL SEAL.
                IN TESTIⅣ 10NYヽ VHEREOF,I,STACEY PECTOL,CLERK OF THE
                SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS,HEREUNTO SET MY
                HAND AND AFFIX THE SEAL OF SAID COURT、 AT MY OFFICEIN THE
                CITY OF LITTLE ROCK,THIS      AY OF SEPTEMBER,2022.

                                                                   CLERK
ORIGINALS TO CLERK AND COURT REPORTER(W/COPY OF PETIT10N)

CCi STEVEN W QUATTLEBAUM AND JOSEPH R.FALASCO
   B00TH RAND
   DANIELヽ ′.VAN HORN
   HONORABLE WENDELL GRIFFEN,JUDGE(W/COPY OF PETITION)
CIRCUIT CLERK'S RETURN
STATE OF ARKANSAS,
COUNTY OF          ,1                       CLERK OF THE COURT OF PULASKI
COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.HEREBY CERTIFY THAT(PLEASE CHECK ONLY ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING TW0 0PT10NS):

1.□ I HAVE MADE AND CERTIFIED A FULL,TRUE AND COMPLETE RECORD OF
DIMINUTION WITHIN SUGGESTED,WHICH IS HERETO ATTACHED.

2.□ I HAVE NO DOCUMENTS RESPONSIVE TO THE WRIT:THEREFORE,I HAVE ATTACHED
NO DOCUMENTS TO THIS RETURN.

                 IN TESTIⅣ 10NY WHEREOF,IHERETO SET MY HAND AS CLERK,
                 AND AFFIX THE SEAL OF SAID COURT OF PULASKICOUNTY CIRCUIT
                 COURT、 THIS       DAY OF                     ,A.D.

                                                            CLERK

COURT REPORTER'S RETURN
STATE OF ARKANSAS,
COUNTY OF          ,I.                      OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER.
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT(PLEASE CHECK ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TW0 0PT10NS):

l・  IHAVE MADE AND CERTIFIED A FULL,TRUE AND COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF
     □
DIMINUTION WITHIN SUGGESTED,WHICH IS HERETO ATTACHED.

2.□ I HAVE NO DOCUMENTS RESPONSIVE TO THE WRIT;THEREFORE,IHAVE ATTACHED
NO DOCUMENTS TO THIS RETURN.

                 IN TESTIP10NY WHEREOF,I HERETO SET MY HAND AS COURT
                 REPORTER,AND AFFIX MY SEAL,THIS       DAY OF
                                    .AD.20

                                                    COURT REPORTER
                                  FORMAL ORDER

STATB   OIT ARKANSAS,     )

                          )      SCT
COURT OF APPEALS          )

      BÐ IT REMEMBERED, THAT A SESSION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS BEGUN
AND HELD IN THE CITY OF LIT'TLE ROCK, ON OC'TOBER 26, 2022, AMONGST OTHERS
V/ERE TI{Ë F'OLLOWING PROCEEDINGS, TO-WIT:

COURT OF APPEALS CASE NO, CV-22.515

ARKANSAS BLUECROSS AND BLUE      SHIELD                         APPELLANT

V. APPEAL, FROM PULASI(I COTJNTY CIRCUIT COIJRT, FIFTH DIVISION -
60cv-21-272s

ALAN MCCLAIN, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER; FREEWAY SURGERY CENTER; SCOTT
SCHLE,SINGER, M.D.; FAIR PARK SURGERY CENTER; CENTERVIEW SURGERY CENTE,R;
SOUTH ARI(ANSAS SURGERY CENTER;ADVANCED AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER;
EXECUTIVE PARI( SURGERY CENTER OF FORT SMITH; GASTROENTEROLOGY AND
SURGERY CENTER OF ARKANSAS; MOUNTAIN HOME SURGERY CENTER; HARRISON
SURGERY CENTER; BOOZMAN-HOF EYE CENTER; PHYSICIAN,S DAY A'IKIA MCFARLAND
EYE CEN1ER; SPRING CREEK SURGERY CENTER;TAYLOR PLASTIC SURGERY; SURGERY
CENTI]R OF NORTHEAST TEXAS; ADVANCE,D INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMEN.T;
PRE,CISION SURGICAL OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS; EXE,CUTIVE SURGERY CENTER OF
LITTLE, ROCI(;CENTRAL ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTE,R AIKIA ARKANSAS SPINE AND
PAIN;AND ARKANSAS CENTER FOR SURGICAL EXCELLENCE APPELLEES

     APPELLANT'S MOTION TO ENFORCE WRIT OF CER'|IORARI AND EXTEND'|IMFJ IS
GRANTED. GRUBER, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.

        ELECTRONIC SUPPI-EMENAL RECORD IS DUE IN THIRTY DAYS (NOVEMBER 25,
2022). '|I-IE CLERK IS DIRECTED TO SET A BRIE,FING SCHEDTJL,E AF'IER THE WRIT IS
RETUIìNED AND THE ELECTRONIC SUPPLE,MENTAL RECORD IS FILED.

       THIS COURT HAS NOW GRANTED THE COURT REPORTER TWO EXTENSIONS FROM
THE, RECORD'S ORIGINAL DUE DATE OF AUGUST 18,2022.

                     IN TESTIMONY, THAT TI'IE ABOVE IS A TRUE COPY OF TI{E
                     ORDEROF SAID COURT OF APPEALS, RE,N DERED IN THE
                     CASE HEREIN STATED, I, KYLEE.BURTON, CLERK
                     OF SAID COURTOFAPPEALS, HEREUNTO SET MY
                     HAND AND AFFIX THE SEAL OF SAID COURTOF
                     APPEALS, AT MY OFFICE IN TI{E CI'fY OF LITTLE
                     ROC K, TH I S 26TH DAY OF OCTOBE,R,2022.

                                                     ß,-æ-
                                                                         CLERK

ORIGINAI- TO CLERK

CC:     STEVEN W. QUATTLEBAUM AND JOSEPH R. FALASCO
BOOTII RAND
DANIEL W. VAN HORN
NEVA J, WARFORD, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER
HONORABLE, WENDELL GRIFFEN, JUDGE

                                           cv-22-51"5
                                FORMAL ORDER

STAT'A OF ARKANSAS,       )

                          )     SCT.
COURT OI.- APPEALS        )

     BE IT REMEMBERED, THAT A SESSION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS BEGUN
AND HELD IN THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ON DECEMBER 7, 2022, AMONGST OTHERS
WERE TI_IE FOLLOWINC PROCEEDINGS, TO-WIT:

COURT OF APPEALS CASE NO. CV-22-515

ARKANSAS BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD                        APPELLANT

V, APPEAL FROM PULASKI COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTH DIVISION -
60cv-2t-2725

ALAN MCCLAIN, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER; FREEWAY SURGERY CENTE& SCOTT
SCHLESINGER, M.D.; FAIR PARK SURGERY CENTER; CENTERVIEW SURGERY CENTER;
SOUTH ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER; ADVANCED AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER;
EXECUTIVE PARK SURGERY CENTER OF FORT SMITH;GASTROENTEROLOGY AND
SURGERY CENTER OF ARI(ANSAS; MOUNTAIN HOME SURGERY CENTER; HARRISON
SURGERY CENTER; BOOZMAN.HOF EYE CENTER;PHYSICIAN,S DAY A/IIA MCFARLAND
EYE CENTER; SPRING CREE,K SURGERY CENTER;TAYLOR PLASTIC SURGERY; SURGERY
CENTER OF NORTFIEAST TEXAS; ADVANCED INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT;
PRECISION SURGICAL OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS; E,XECUTIVE SURGERY CENTER OF
LITTLE ROCK; CENTRAL ARKANSAS SURGERY CENTER AIKIA ARKANSAS SPINE AND
PAIN;AND ARKANSAS CENTER FOR SURGICAL    EXCELLENCE      APPELLEES

       APPELLANT'S SECOND MOTION TO E,NFORCE WRIT OF CERTIORARI AND EXTEND
TIME. GRANTED FINAI- EXTENSION OF THIRTY DAYS (JANUARY 6,2023), BARRETT AND
HIXSON, JJ., WOULD ISSUE A SHOW-CAUSE ORDER TO TI{E COURT REPORTER. GRUBER,
J., NOT PARTICIPATING.

     THIS COURT HAS NOW GRANTE,D THE COURT REPORTER THREE EXTENSIONS
FROM THE RECORD'S ORIGINAL DUE DATE OF AUGTJST 18,2022.

                     IN TESTIMONY, THAT THE ABOVE IS A TRUE COPY OF THE
                     ORDEROF SAID COURT OF APPEALS, REN DERED IN THE
                     CASE HEREIN STATED, I, KYLEE.BURTON, CLERK
                     OF SAID COURTOFAPPEALS, HEREUNTO SET MY
                     HAND AND AFFIX THE SEAL OF SAID COURTOF
                     APPEALS, AT MY OFFICE IN THE CITY OF LITTLE
                     ROCK, THI S 7TH DAY OF DECEMBER,2OZ2.

                                                     ú,tfu
                                                                   CLERK

ORIGINAL TO CLE,RK

CC:   STEVEN W. QUATTLEBAUM AND JOSEPH R. FALASCO
      BOOTH RAND
      DANIEL V/. VAN HORN
      NEVA J, WARFORD, OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER
      FIONORABLE V/ENDELL GRIFFEN, JUDGE