Court Opinion

ID: 2673156
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-05-10 00:02:18.60627+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:37:44.442778
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
                           FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                      :
                                               :
       Plaintiff,                              :       Civil Action No.:     11-01874 (RC)
                                               :
       v.                                      :       Re Document No.:      42
                                               :
ONE GULFSTREAM G-V JET AIRCRAFT                :
DISPLAYING TAIL NUMBER VPCES, ITS              :
TOOLS AND APPURTENANCES,                       :
                                               :
       Defendant.                              :

                                MEMORANDUM OPINION

                    GRANTING CLAIMANT’S MOTION FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER

                    I. INTRODUCTION AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

       The United States (the “Government”) has brought a civil action in rem seeking the

forfeiture of one Gulfstream G-V Aircraft Displaying Tail Number VPCES, its tools and

appurtenances (the “Aircraft”). According to the Government, the Aircraft was purchased by

Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (“Nguema,” or “Claimant”) — the Republic of Equatorial

Guinea’s Second Vice President and the son of President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo —

with funds derived from extortion, public corruption, embezzlement, and theft. First Am.

Compl., June 17, 2013, ECF No. 24, at ¶¶1-3, 19. Nguema submitted a Verified Claim for the

Aircraft, and on March 4, 2014, the Court granted the Government’s request for limited

expedited discovery to ascertain Nguema’s purported interest in the Aircraft, which would

determine whether he has standing to contest the Government’s forfeiture action. Verified Claim

of Nguema, Dec. 1, 2011, ECF No. 5; Order, ECF No. 41.
       As part of its expedited discovery, the Government noticed the deposition of Nguema on

March 7, 2014, with the deposition scheduled to occur on April 23, 2014, in Washington, DC.

Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., Apr. 21, 2014, ECF No. 42, at 11-12. On April 21, 2014, Nguema

filed a Motion for a Protective Order (the “Motion”) seeking to prevent the deposition in

Washington, DC and require the Government to notice the deposition through either written

interrogatories, remotely by telephone or videoconference, or in person in Equatorial Guinea. Id.

at 1. Nguema did not attend the deposition as scheduled on April 23, 2014.

       Upon consideration of Nguema’s arguments and the Government’s opposition, the Court

grants the Motion, and Nguema is not required to appear in Washington, DC for a deposition

regarding the limited discovery topics at issue. The Court further concludes that the Government

may notice the deposition of Nguema in Equatorial Guinea through written interrogatories,

telephone, videoconference, or in person, with videoconference likely being the most efficient

method for all parties.

                                         II. ANALYSIS

                                       A. Legal Standard

       The Court has authority, for good cause, to “issue an order to protect a party or person

from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense” in responding to a

discovery request. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1). Among other things, Rule 26 permits the Court to

“forbid[] the disclosure or discovery”; “specify[] terms, including time and place, for the

disclosure or discovery”; and “prescrib[e] a discovery method other than the one selected by the

party seeking discovery.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1)(A-C). “[T]he party seeking a protective order

[] bears the burden of proving its necessity” and “must articulate specific facts showing clearly

                                                 2
defined and serious injury resulting from the discovery sought.” Avirgan v. Hull, 118 F.R.D.
252, 254 (D.D.C. 1987) (internal citation and quotation omitted).

       The general rule for the situs of a deposition is that the “party noticing the deposition

usually has the right to choose the location.” Buzzeo v. Bd. of Educ., Hempstead, 178 F.R.D.
390, 392 (E.D.N.Y. 1998) (citations omitted). There exists, however, a conflicting presumption

that “in the absence of special circumstances, a party seeking discovery must go where the

desired witnesses are normally located.” Farquhar v. Shelden, 116 F.R.D. 70, 72 (E.D. Mich.

1987) (citation omitted); see also Estate of Gerasimenko v. Cape Wind Trading Co., 272 F.R.D.
385, 390 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (“The usual rule … in federal litigation, is that in the absence of

special circumstances, a party seeking discovery must go where the desired witnesses are

normally located.” (citation and quotation omitted; alteration in original)). At least one federal

court also has suggested that “insofar as a foreign defendant may be more inconvenienced by

having to travel to the United States than a defendant who merely resides in another state or in

another judicial district, the presumption that the deposition should occur at a foreign defendant’s

place of residence may be even stronger.” In re Outsidewall Tire Litig., 267 F.R.D. 466, 471

(E.D. Va. 2010).

       Ultimately, when a dispute arises about the location of a deposition, the final

determination is within the discretion of the Court. See Paleteria La Michoacana, Inc. v.

Productos Lacteos Tocumbo S.A. de C.V., 292 F.R.D. 19, 22 (D.D.C. 2013) (citing Fin. Gen.

Bankshares, Inc. v. Lance, 80 F.R.D. 22, 23 (D.D.C. 1978)). In addition, if a disagreement arises

about the method by which a deposition is taken, Rule 30 states that a “court may on motion

order [] that a deposition be taken by telephone or other remote means,” Fed R. Civ. P. 30(b)(4),

or through written questions. Fed R. Civ. P. 30(c)(3). Rule 30 also includes the power to order a

                                                 3
deposition by videoconference. See Shockey v. Huhtamaki, Inc., 280 F.R.D. 598, 601 (D. Kan.

2012) (construing Rule 30(b)(4) to include the power to order depositions by videoconference).

               B. Whether Claimant Should Be Deposed In Washington, DC

       The Government noticed Nguema’s deposition in Washington, DC, rather than in his

home country of Equatorial Guinea. Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 11-12. Nguema

refused to attend the deposition on the scheduled date of April 23, 2014, and he now seeks

through the Motion protection against being required to attend a deposition in Washington, DC

at a later date. Id. at 2 n.1. Nguema raises several arguments in favor of granting the Motion,

including foreign sovereignty concerns, the limited scope of discovery involved, and the

availability of alternative methods for deposing him in Equatorial Guinea. The Government

rejects these arguments and raises its own reasons for why the Court should order Nguema to

appear in Washington, DC for the deposition. After considering both parties’ arguments and for

the reasons discussed below, the Court finds that Nguema has met his burden of demonstrating

good cause for the protective order. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1); Avirgan, 118 F.R.D. at 254.

             1. Presumption Of Holding The Deposition At The Witness’s Location

       Nguema argues that there are no “special circumstances” to overcome the presumption of

holding the deposition at his home location of Equatorial Guinea, rather than Washington, DC.

Farquhar, 116 F.R.D. at 72. In particular, Nguema asserts that “the District holds no special or

compelling factual significance justifying departure from the strong presumption that the

deposition take place in E.G. [Equatorial Guinea],” and “[t]o the extent Claimant chose to file a

claim, that choice was only out of necessity to prevent default judgment of forfeiture against his

valuable property because of the government’s choice to file an in rem forfeiture action in this

District.” Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 19. In response, the Government argues

                                                 4
that because Nguema purchased the Aircraft in the United States, filed his Verified Claim to

participate in this forum, and has the burden of proof for establishing standing, he cannot now

complain about attending a deposition in Washington, DC to adjudicate the claim. Pl.’s Mem. in

Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 14. The Government also asserts that Washington, DC is a proper

location for the deposition because Nguema’s counsel is in the district, as are the Government’s

attorneys and other persons necessary for the deposition, such as a stenographer, videographer,

and translator. Id. at 17-18.

       In addition, the Government cites United States v. Kokko to support the proposition that

“[a]bsent a showing of good cause under Rule 26(c), a foreign claimant in a federal forfeiture

proceeding … can be required to be deposed in the district where the action is pending.” No. 06-

20065, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54885, at *18 (S.D. Fla. July 30, 2007); Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n,

ECF No. 43, at 15. The operative word in Kokko, however, is “can”; although it is of course

within this Court’s discretion to order the deposition in the forum district, doing so is far from

obligatory — even when the claimant availed himself to the forum by filing a claim. Forfeiture

proceedings do not compel departure from the rule that “[t]he matter of the location of

depositions of defendants ultimately is within the discretion of the Court.” 1 Paleteria La

Michoacana, Inc., 292 F.R.D. at 22 (citation and quotation omitted). As such, “each application

must be considered on its own facts and equities.” Farquhar, 116 F.R.D. at 72 (citation

omitted).

       Furthermore, the Government’s argument that Nguema should appear in this forum

because he filed a claim here directly conflicts with the presumption “that depositions of

       1
                 Although this is an in rem proceeding brought against the Aircraft, Nguema is, for
all intents and purposes, the defendant-party here because “[c]ourts have departed from the
fiction that the property itself is the party in an in rem action.” United States v. Banco
Intrenacional/Bital S.A., 110 F. Supp. 2d 1272, 1279 (C.D. Cal. 2000).

                                                  5
defendants and corporate officers will take place in the district where the deponent resides or has

a principal place of business.” Trs. of the Local 813 Ins. Trust Fund v. Indus. Recycling Sys., No.

12-CV-1522, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 167566, at *5 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 25, 2013) (citation and

quotation omitted). Indeed, because “defendants … are not before the court by choice[,] courts

have held that plaintiffs normally cannot complain if they are required to take discovery at great

distances from the forum.” Farquhar, 116 F.R.D. at 72 (citing Work v. Bier, 107 F.R.D. 789,

792 (D.D.C. 1985)).

       The Court recognizes that both parties face significant inconvenience and expense for

conducting this deposition in person, no matter the location. The Court, however, is not

persuaded that Nguema should be deposed in Washington, DC simply because he filed a claim

for the Aircraft in the forum the Government selected, or because he hired Washington, DC

counsel. Nonetheless, given the conflicting presumptions at issue, the Court must consider

Nguema’s additional arguments to determine whether he has demonstrated good cause for

granting the Motion.

                               2. Principles Of Foreign Sovereignty

       Nguema argues that foreign sovereignty principles caution a federal court against

ordering another nation’s sitting vice president to attend a deposition in the United States.

Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 16-17. In response, the Government asserts that the

opposite is true: deposing Nguema in Washington, DC avoids the foreign sovereignty concern

that may arise were the deposition to occur in Equatorial Guinea. Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No.

43, at 12. The basis for the Government’s argument is the worry that when “a federal court

compels discovery on foreign soil, foreign judicial sovereignty may be infringed.” In re Honda

Am. Motor Co., Inc. Dealership Relations Litig., 168 F.R.D. 535, 538 (D. Md. 1996). The

                                                 6
companion to this argument is that “when depositions of foreign nationals are taken on American

or neutral soil, courts have concluded that comity concerns are not implicated.” Id.; see also

Work v. Bier, 106 F.R.D. 45, 52 (D.D.C. 1985) (“[V]iolation of the other country’s judicial

sovereignty is avoided by ordering that the deposition take place outside the country.” (quoting

Graco, Inc. v. Kremlin, Inc., 101 F.R.D. 503, 521 (N.D. Ill. 1984))).

       First, the Government’s foreign sovereignty justification is weakened considerably by the

fact that Nguema, himself a high-ranking representative within the Equatorial Guinean

government, has proposed holding the deposition on his own soil. Claimant’s Mem. in Supp.,

ECF No. 42, at 12. Second, given Nguema’s government position, the Court must be especially

vigilant about protecting him from the risk of “annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, [] undue

burden [and] expense” if he was ordered to attend a deposition in the United States. Fed. R. Civ.

P. 26(c)(1); see also Alliance for Global Justice v. Dist. of Columbia, No. CIV.A.01-00811, 2005
WL 1799553, at *1 (D.D.C. July 29, 2005) (“[C]ourts have offered special protections to high-

ranking government officials.”); Marisol A. v. Giuliani, No. 95 CIV. 10533, 1998 WL 132810, at

*2 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 23, 1998) (“While granting a protective order and quashing a deposition is the

exception rather than the rule, the burden a deposition would place on a high ranking government

official must be given special scrutiny.”).

       The uniqueness of Nguema’s top-level government position distinguishes this matter

from most other discovery disputes involving foreign litigants, and “special protections” must be

afforded to him. Alliance for Global Justice, 2005 WL 1799553, at *1. Accordingly, the Court

is not persuaded that foreign sovereignty principles necessitate holding the deposition in

Washington, DC; rather, any such concern is significantly outweighed by the imposition on

Equatorial Guinea’s sovereignty that might occur if a federal court were to order one of its high-

                                                 7
ranking government officials to attend a deposition in the United States — particularly when

acceptable alternatives for conducting the deposition exist, as is discussed in more detail below.

As such, foreign sovereignty principles compel in favor of granting the Motion.

                                  3. Need For Court Supervision

       In further support of the Motion, Nguema argues that the Court’s ability to supervise his

deposition is the same in Equatorial Guinea as in Washington, DC, but even if that was not the

case, the mere possibility of discovery disputes is insufficient to require a deposition in the forum

district. Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 20. The Government counters that holding

the deposition in Washington, DC better allows the Court to supervise the proceeding, as

compared to a deposition conducted remotely or in person in Equatorial Guinea. Pl.’s Mem. in

Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 9. The Government also argues that the need for Court supervision is

particularly acute in this matter because Nguema allegedly has not complied fully with the

Government’s prior discovery requests, as well as the fact that Nguema, as the Second Vice

President of Equatorial Guinea, may be unwilling to answer questions from the Government

attorneys. Id. at 9-10.

       The Court finds that the possibility of disputes arising during the deposition is inadequate

to require Nguema to travel to Washington, DC for this proceeding. As the Southern District of

New York has explained, “[T]hat discovery disputes may arise does not justify … requiring

depositions to be taken in the forum; such a conclusion would collapse the presumption in favor

of deposing corporate defendants in their place of business and amounts to overprotection of a

court’s interest.” Snow Becker Krauss P.C. v. Proyectos E Instalaciones De Desalacion, S.A.,

No. 92 CIV. 2644, 1992 WL 395598, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 11, 1992). This Court is capable of

handling discovery disputes — if they should arise at all — during or after the deposition,

                                                 8
regardless of the deposition’s location or method. Accordingly, “the Court will not anticipate

disputes by requiring the parties to appear in the forum for [a] deposition.” Id.

                 4. Limited Scope Of Expedited Discovery: Claimant’s Standing

       Nguema next argues that he should not be put through the “enormous burden and

inconvenience of traveling to the United States for the limited deposition on the narrow issue of

standing,” particularly given the low burden of demonstrating standing at this stage. Claimant’s

Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 27-29. The Government counters that determining Nguema’s

standing is not so straightforward following evidence that Nguema, through his company Ebony

Shine International LTD, transferred ownership of the Aircraft to the government or presidency

of Equatorial Guinea. Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 22. As such, the Government argues

that the deposition will require multiple exhibits and follow-up questions, which make the

standing issue more complicated than Nguema suggests. Id. at 22-23.

       The Court granted the Government’s request for limited expedited discovery on the sole

issue of verifying Nguema’s interest in the Aircraft, which dictates his standing to oppose the

Government’s forfeiture claim. Order, ECF No. 41. Although determining Nguema’s interest in

the Aircraft may have become more complicated than it should be, it remains a relatively narrow

issue, and the limited scope of discovery at this time gestures against holding the deposition in

Washington, DC. Ordering Nguema, a vice president of a foreign nation, to travel to

Washington, DC for a limited scope of questioning would be expensive, inconvenient, and

inefficient. See Koch v. Pechota, No. 10 CIV. 9152, 2012 WL 2402577, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. June

26, 2012) (“A motion ‘not to have a deposition at a particular site, or to compel deposition in a

particular location, is considered by reviewing three factors of the cost, convenience, and

litigation efficiency of the designated location.’” (quoting Sloniger v. Deja, No. 09-CV-858S,

                                                 9
2010 WL 5343184, at *5 (W.D.N.Y. Dec. 20, 2010))). These costs are particularly acute when

alternative means for conducting the deposition exist. Accordingly, the limited scope of

discovery, in conjunction with Nguema’s location in Equatorial Guinea, compels against holding

the deposition in Washington, DC and in favor of granting the Motion.

              5. Practicability Of Conducting The Deposition In Equatorial Guinea

        Nguema argues that the Court should grant the Motion because legitimate alternatives

exist for deposing him in Equatorial Guinea. Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 23-24.

The Government rejects the possibility of holding the deposition remotely or in person in

Equatorial Guinea and instead argues that only a deposition in the United States is appropriate.

Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 20. For the reasons discussed below, the Court finds that

there are reasonable methods available to the Government for deposing Nguema without

requiring him to travel to the United States. The availability of these options further suggests

that good cause exists for granting the Motion.

                      a. Intervention From Equatorial Guinea’s Government

        As an initial matter, the Government argues that Nguema should not be deposed in

Equatorial Guinea because the government may not permit the deposition on its soil. Id. at 4, 17

n.8. In support, the Government cites a statement from the Equatorial Guinean government

asserting that it will not comply with a judicial order to forfeit or seize the Aircraft. Id. at 13

(citing Decl. of Francisco Javier Ngomo Mbengono, ECF No. 12-3, at ¶8). The Government,

however, has not provided specific facts showing that the Equatorial Guinean government

actually intends to prevent this deposition from occurring there. Instead, Nguema informs the

Court on multiple occasions through his Motion that he is ready, willing, and able to be deposed

in Equatorial Guinea. Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 12 n.2 (“Claimant would agree

                                                  10
that a deposition in E.G. [Equatorial Guinea], whether through written questions, by remote

means, or in-person, would be governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.”); id. at 19-20

(“[T]he government will get access to the same discovery from Claimant regardless of the

location of the deposition, or if it is by remote means. Indeed, Claimant will be examined on the

same documents, and is willing to agree that the same rules of procedure will govern the

deposition regardless of location.”); id. at 25 (“[T]he deposition of Claimant, if any, should

commence in E.G. [Equatorial Guinea] via telephonic or videoconference at the government’s

cost.”).

           Given that Nguema, the Second Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, tells this Court that

the deposition may occur in his country — whether written, remotely, or in person — the Court

is not persuaded at this time by the Government’s apprehension about the political infeasibility

of conducting the deposition there. If Nguema’s position about being deposed in Equatorial

Guinea changes, or if the Equatorial Guinean government intervenes to prevent the deposition,

the Government is free to return to this Court for reconsideration at that time. 2

           2
                If Nguema’s position changes regarding his ability to be deposed in his home
country, the Government may ask the Court to consider an order compelling him to appear for a
deposition in Washington, DC. The Court notes that Nguema bears the burden of establishing
his standing in this matter, and the failure to cooperate with discovery may impact negatively his
ability to meet that burden. See United States v. All Assets Held at Bank Julius Baer & Co., Ltd.,
959 F. Supp. 2d 81, 94-95 (D.D.C. 2013) (explaining that the claimant bears the burden of
establishing standing in a civil forfeiture action). In addition, Nguema’s failure to comply with a
deposition in Equatorial Guinea, particularly after pledging to this Court his willingness to
cooperate, could result in other repercussions against him, including the inability to pursue
further his claim for the Aircraft. See United States v. $22,555.00 in U.S. Currency, No. 1:11-
CV-1079, 2012 WL 2906835, at *2-4 (N.D.N.Y. July 16, 2012) (explaining that “although Fed.
R. Civ. P. 37(b) limits sanctions to parties, courts have consistently held that an in rem claimant
is a party to an action,” and dismissing claimant’s claim and answer due to his failure to
participate in the discovery process and failure to comply with an order compelling discovery).

                                                  11
                   b. Compliance With The Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure

       The Government also expresses concern about conducting a deposition under the Federal

Rules of Civil Procedure if Nguema is located in Equatorial Guinea, particularly whether the

deposition would meet the requirements of Rule 28(b). 3 Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at

11, 17 n.8. The Court appreciates this concern but believes Nguema has satisfied the issue based

on his Motion. Nguema tells the Court that he “would agree that a deposition in E.G. [Equatorial

Guinea], whether through written questions, by remote means, or in-person, would be governed

by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.” Claimant’s Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 12 n.2; see

also id. at 19-20. The Court is confident that given Nguema’s statement of cooperation, the

parties can work out how to conduct the deposition in compliance with the Federal Rules. If

Nguema changes his position on this point, the Government is free to return to this Court for

redress.

               c. Methods For Conducting The Deposition In Equatorial Guinea

       Nguema argues that he need not appear for a deposition in Washington, DC in large part

because legitimate alternatives exist for deposing him in Equatorial Guinea. These alternatives

include deposing him through written questions, remotely by telephone or videoconference, or in

person at his hometown of Malabo, Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. Id. at 1. As was explained above,

the Government maintains that deposing Nguema while he is in Equatorial Guinea is not a

practical option for obtaining the necessary discovery. Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 20.

The Court disagrees with the Government and finds that several reasonable alternatives exist.

       3
                Fed. R. Civ. P. 28(b)(1) states that a deposition may be taken in a foreign country
in one of four ways: “(A) under an applicable treaty or convention; (B) under a letter of request,
whether or not captioned a ‘letter rogatory’; (C) on notice, before a person authorized to
administer oaths either by federal law or by the law in the place of examination; or (D) before a
person commissioned by the court to administer any necessary oath and take testimony.”

                                                12
                         i. Written Interrogatories Or Remote Deposition

       The Government is entitled under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to conduct

Nguema’s deposition through written interrogatories or telephonically, although these likely are

not the most preferable methods available. 4 See Fed R. Civ. P. 30(b)(4); (c)(3). Alternatively,

the Government may depose Nguema through videoconference. In his Motion, Nguema

indicates that he is amicable to being deposed through videoconference from Equatorial Guinea.

The Government argues that conducting the deposition by videoconference is unfair and

impractical given its discovery needs. Pl.’s Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 20. Specifically, the

Government questions whether Malabo, Bioko, Equatorial Guinea, possesses adequate facilities

for a videoconference deposition, id. at 23, and argues that a remote deposition “lends itself to

the creation of a murky record, potential technical difficulties, obstruction, further delay, and

more discovery disputes.” Id. at 20. Nguema counters that the Government’s concerns are

unfounded, and Malabo possesses “satisfactory technology infrastructure … to conduct a

       4
                The Court recognizes that telephonic depositions are disfavored because it is
impossible to see the witness’s demeanor, watch what documents the witness is reviewing, or
monitor who else the witness is talking with. See United States v. Real Prop. Located at 700 N.
14th St., Springfield, Ill., No. 12-cv-3052, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 147282, at *5 (C.D. Ill. Oct.
11, 2013) (“A telephonic deposition is not as effective [for obtaining controversial testimony]
because the examiner cannot observe the demeanor of the deponent over the telephone and so
may not be able to ask follow up questions that will secure the needed discovery. The examiner
also cannot know whether anyone is listening in or helping the witness.” (citation omitted)). The
Court also understands that written depositions likely are an inferior alternative to the other
available remote options. As the Southern District of California has explained, “[A] written
question deposition would be inadequate for the same reasons telephonic depositions are not a
reasonable substitute for in-person proceedings. Moreover, the type of testimony to be elicited
from claimants in a forfeiture action does not appear to lend itself to advance formulation of
follow-up questions.” United States v. $160,066.98 from Bank of Am., 202 F.R.D. 624, 631
(S.D. Cal. 2001); see also Mill-Run Tours, Inc. v. Khashoggi, 124 F.R.D. 547, 549 (S.D.N.Y.
1989) (explaining that written depositions do “not permit the probing follow-up questions
necessary in all but the simplest litigation” and “counsel are unable to observe the demeanor of
the witness and evaluate his credibility in anticipation of trial”) (citation omitted)). Nevertheless,
the Government may depose Nguema by written questions or telephonically if it so chooses.

                                                 13
deposition by remote means such as … by videoconference.” Claimant’s Reply, Apr. 23, 2014,

ECF No. 44, at 10. Nguema also maintains that the omnipresent federal procedural factors of

cost, convenience, and efficiency weigh in favor of a videoconference deposition. Claimant’s

Mem. in Supp., ECF No. 42, at 25.

       Ample case law recognizes that a videoconference deposition can be an adequate

substitute for an in-person deposition, particularly when significant expenses are at issue or when

the deposition will cover a limited set of topics. See, e.g., Gee v. Suntrust Mortgage, Inc., No.

10-CV-01509, 2011 WL 5597124, at *3 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 15, 2011) (“[Defendant’s] argument

that conducting the depositions via videoconference would be detrimental to its ability to

question and observe the deponents is unconvincing. Parties routinely conduct depositions via

videoconference, and courts encourage the same, because doing so minimizes travel costs and

permits the jury to make credibility evaluations not available when a transcript is read by

another.” (citation and quotation omitted)); Ins. Distributors Int’l (Bermuda) Ltd. v. Edgewater

Consulting Grp. Ltd., No. A-08-CA-767, 2010 WL 567233, at *2 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 10, 2010)

(“The Court notes that, given the narrow focus of the testimony, and the location of the

witnesses, it may be most efficient to arrange the deposition via a video conference.”); Brasfield

v. Source Broadband Servs., LLC, 255 F.R.D. 447, 450 (W.D. Tenn. 2008) (“Defendants have

given no reason why the subject matter to be covered in the out-of-state [] plaintiffs’ depositions

is so significant that it requires an in-person oral deposition. The court sees no reason why the

relatively simple straightforward issues in this case would require a deposition that could not be

conducted by alternative means, such as phone or video conferencing.”).

       The Government, however, cites United States v. Approximately $57,378 in United States

Currency as support for its argument that only an in-person deposition is adequate. No. C08-

                                                14
5023, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 121022 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 27, 2010). In Approximately $57,378, the

court denied a motion for a protective order and ordered the claimant to travel from Atlanta to

San Francisco for an in-person deposition. Id. at *6-7. In doing so, the court rejected the

claimant’s argument for a videoconference deposition because “the Government needs an in-

person opportunity to observe [the claimant’s] demeanor, ask follow-up questions, and confront

[her] with prior inconsistent statements she has made.” Id. at *3 (citation omitted). The court

further explained that a videoconference deposition was disfavored because “[t]he Government

… requires [the claimant] to examine multiple exhibits, including tax returns and bank

statements, during the deposition.” Id.

       The Court finds the circumstances here distinguishable from Approximately $57,378 and

disagrees about the limitations of a videoconference deposition in this instance. First, and most

importantly, Approximately $57,378 did not involve a foreign deponent, let alone one who is the

sitting vice president of another country. See In re Outsidewall Tire Litig., 267 F.R.D. 466, 471

(E.D. Va. 2010) (“[I]nsofar as a foreign defendant may be more inconvenienced by having to

travel to the United States than a defendant who merely resides in another state or in another

judicial district, the presumption that the deposition should occur at a foreign defendant’s place

of residence may be even stronger.”); Alliance for Global Justice v. Dist. of Columbia, No.

CIV.A.01-00811, 2005 WL 1799553, at *1 (D.D.C. July 29, 2005) (“[C]ourts have offered

special protections to high-ranking government officials.”).

       Second, Nguema’s deposition will cover only a limited set of topics, which, combined

with the extensive travel and cost at issue, is exactly when videoconference depositions are most

useful. See Ins. Distributors Int’l (Bermuda) Ltd., 2010 WL 567233, at *2 (“The Court notes

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that, given the narrow focus of the testimony, and the location of the witnesses, it may be most

efficient to arrange the deposition via a video conference.”).

       Third, modern videoconference technology will allow the Government to observe

Nguema and ask follow up questions as is necessary to obtain the relevant testimony. See

WIHO, LLC v. Hubbauer, No. 12-CV-1386, 2013 WL 6044424, at *2 (D. Kan. Nov. 14, 2013)

(“Conducting the depositions by videoconference addresses the concerns associated with

telephonic depositions, such as depriving the opposing party of the opportunity for face-to-face

confrontation or the opportunity to evaluate the deponent’s nonverbal responses and demeanor.”

(citation omitted)).

       And fourth, the Court is not persuaded that the potential use of exhibits necessitates

requiring Nguema to travel to the United States for a deposition, as the Government can

overcome this challenge by organizing its exhibits ahead of time and supplementing the exhibits

as is needed during the deposition. See Catipovic v. Turley, No. C11-3074, 2013 WL 1718061,

at *10 (N.D. Iowa Apr. 19, 2013) (explaining that the purported “hurdle” of using exhibits at a

videoconference deposition in Hungary “is relatively easily overcome” because “the relevant

documents can be emailed, faxed, or sent to Hungary” in advance). In addition, the claimant in

Approximately $57,378 represented herself, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 121022, at *3, whereas

Nguema has obtained counsel from the United States who can assist with handing exhibits. Pl.’s

Mem. in Opp’n, ECF No. 43, at 18. For the above reasons, the Court finds that videoconference

is a reasonable alternative for deposing Nguema.

                                     ii. In-Person Deposition

       Lastly, if the Government still believes that these remote alternatives are inadequate, it is

entitled to conduct an in-person deposition of Nguema in Equatorial Guinea. The Government

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offers several reasons for why only an in-person deposition in Washington, DC is sufficient, such

as the need for an interpreter and the use of multiple exhibits, id. at 22, as well as concerns about

the expense and safety of traveling with attorneys and support personnel to Equatorial Guinea.

Id. at 16-18. Nonetheless, in the Motion Nguema proposes conducting an in-person deposition

in his home country, and the Government may take him up on that offer if it so chooses.

       In sum, the Court finds that satisfactory alternatives exist for deposing Nguema without

requiring him to travel to Washington, DC. The availability of these methods augments the risk

of “annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense” if Nguema was ordered

to appear unnecessarily in the United States for a deposition. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(1).

                                          *       *       *

       For the reasons discussed above, the Court finds that Nguema has met his burden of

demonstrating good cause for a protective order. The Government, moreover, has not

demonstrated special circumstances to overcome the presumption that a deposition should occur

where the witness is located — in this instance, Equatorial Guinea. Accordingly, the Court

grants the Motion, and Nguema is not required to appear in Washington, DC for the deposition.

The method of conducting the deposition in Equatorial Guinea remains within the Government’s

discretion. Nguema has indicated to this Court that he consents to these alternative methods,

including videoconference, so long as he is not required to travel to Washington, DC. In

granting the Motion, the Court expects Nguema will cooperate with whichever method the

Government selects when the deposition is rescheduled.

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                                    III. CONCLUSION

      For the foregoing reasons, Claimant’s Motion is granted. An order consistent with this

Memorandum Opinion is separately and contemporaneously issued.

Dated: May 9, 2014                                             RUDOLPH CONTRERAS
                                                               United States District Judge

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