Allied World National Assurance Co., et al. v. SK PM Corp. et al.

Filing 55

ORDER AFTER SCHEDULING CONFERENCE Signed by Judge Oliver W. Wanger on 4/13/2011. Further Scheduling Conference set for 7/15/2011 at 8:15 a.m. in Courtroom 3. (Arellano, S.)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ALLIED WORLD NATIONAL ASSURANCE COMPANY, a New Hampshire corporation, and ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY (U.S.) INC., a Delaware corporation, ) ) ) ) ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) ) SK PM CORP., a California ) corporation aka “S.K. Foods MP ) Corp.,” SK FOODS, L.P., a ) California limited partnership, ) FREDERICK SCOTT SALYER, an ) individual, BLACKSTONE RANCH, a ) California corporation aka ) “Blackstone Ranch Calif ‘S’ ) Corp.” LISA CRIST, an ) individual, MARK MCCORMICK, an ) individual, et al., ) ) Defendants. ) ) ) 1:10-cv-1262 OWW JLT ORDER AFTER SCHEDULING CONFERENCE Further Scheduling Conference: 7/15/11 8:15 Ctrm. 3 22 23 I. 24 25 26 27 28 Date of Scheduling Conference. April 13, 2011. II. Appearances Of Counsel. Troutman Sanders LLP by Kevin F. Kieffer, Esq., appeared on behalf of Plaintiffs. Law Offices of David C. Winton by David C. Winton, Esq., 1 1 appeared on behalf of Defendants Frederick Scott Salyer, SK PM 2 Corp. aka “S.K. Foods PM Corp.,” Blackstone Ranch aka “Blackstone 3 Ranch Calif ‘S’ Corp.,” Scott Salyer, individually and as 4 Trustee, Scott Salyer Revocable Trust, Robert Pruett, Trustee for 5 the Caroline Gazelle Salyer 1999 Irrevocable Trust, erroneously 6 sued as the Caroline Gazelle Salyer Irrevocable Trust, Robert 7 Pruett Trustee for the Caroline Gazelle Salyer 2007 Irrevocable 8 Trust, also erroneously sued as the Caroline Gazelle Salyer 9 Irrevocable Trust; Robert Pruett Trustee for the Stefanie Ann 10 Salyer 1999 Irrevocable Trust erroneously sued as the Stefanie 11 Ann Salyer Irrevocable Trust, Robert Pruett Trustee for the 12 Stefanie Ann Salyer 2007 Irrevocable Trust, erroneously sued as 13 the Stefanie Ann Salyer Irrevocable Trust; SS Farms, LLC, a 14 California limited liability company, SARS LLC, a California 15 limited liability company, CSSS LP, a California limited 16 partnership fictitiously doing business as Central Valley 17 Shippers; SK Foods LLC, a Nevada limited liability company; S.K. 18 Foods PM Corp., a legal entity of unknown legal capacity, SKF 19 Aviation, LLC, a California limited liability company, SSC 20 Farming, LLC, a California limited liability company, SSC Farms 21 I, LLC, a California limited liability company; SSC Farms II, 22 LLC, a California limited liability company; SSC Farms III, LLC, 23 a California limited liability company; SK Farm Services, LLC, a 24 California limited liability company; SK Frozen Foods, LLC, a 25 California limited liability company, Carmel Wine Merchants LLC, 26 a California limited liability company, Salyer American Fresh 27 Foods is in receivership and therefore Mr. Winton does not 28 represent that entity, nor does any other attorney represent that 2 1 entity in this lawsuit. 2 Defendant. 3 settlement with Plaintiffs and it is the expectation of the 4 parties that those entities will be dismissed from the lawsuit. 5 It is adverse though it is a named Four Salyer American Cooling entities have reached a Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP by Kathryn Richter, 6 Esq., appeared on behalf of Defendant Bradley D. Sharp, Chapter 7 11 Trustee for SK Foods LP and RHM Industrial/Specialty Foods, 8 Inc. dba Colusa County Canning Company (collectively referred to 9 as debtors). 10 11 III. Summary of Pleadings. A. 12 Plaintiffs’ Complaint. 1. Plaintiffs have filed this action to obtain a 13 judicial determination and declaration regarding the parties’ 14 rights and obligations with respect to two insurance policies. 15 Defendants are insureds under For Private Companies Policy No. 16 C011427/001 issued by Allied World to S.K. Foods PM Corp. for the 17 February 19, 2009 to August 17, 2009 Policy Period (the “Primary 18 Policy”). 19 certain specified coverage provisions of the Primary Policy due 20 to, among other things, misrepresentations and concealment of 21 material facts made by Defendants during the underwriting 22 process. 23 Through this action, Allied World seeks to rescind 2. Defendants also sought excess coverage from AWAC 24 under Excess Directors & Officers Liability Insurance Following 25 Form Policy No. C011818/001, which was to be issued to S.K. Foods 26 PM Corp. for the April 8, 2009 to February 19, 2010 Policy Period 27 (the “Excess Policy”). 28 never paid the requisite premium for the Excess Policy. Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants 3 AWAC 1 seeks a declaration that the Excess Policy was never effectively 2 issued or delivered as a result of the Defendants’ non-payment of 3 premium, and is inoperative. 4 certain specified coverage provisions of the Excess Policy due 5 to, among other things, the misrepresentations and concealment of 6 material facts made by Defendants during the underwriting 7 process. 8 9 3. AWAC alternatively seeks to rescind Plaintiffs allege that in connection with the underwriting of the Primary and Excess Policies, Defendants, 10 through their insurance broker, provided Plaintiffs with 11 financial statements for the group of related agricultural 12 entities that were to be insured under the policies (collectively 13 referred to as “SK Foods Group”). 14 representations, including that SK Foods Group was in good 15 financial health and had strong revenues and profits for the 16 periods subsequent to those for which they provided financial 17 statements, that certain credit agreements necessary to SK Foods 18 Group’s operations that were set to expire would be extended, and 19 that Defendants did not anticipate a reorganization or sale of 20 more than 10% of the assets of any SK Foods Group entities. 21 Plaintiffs allege that these representations were false, and that 22 the financial statements submitted to Plaintiffs were inaccurate 23 and unreliable. 24 4. Defendants also made certain At the time that negotiations concerning the 25 Primary and Excess Policies were ongoing, the entities comprising 26 SK Foods Group were experiencing significant financial 27 difficulties, and many were either insolvent or on the brink of 28 insolvency. Plaintiffs are informed and believe that Defendants 4 1 were aware that the joint credit facilities for two of SK Foods 2 Group’s major constituents, SK Foods, L.P. (“SK Foods”) and RHM 3 Industrial/Specialty Foods, Inc. (“RHM”), would not be extended. 4 Plaintiffs are also informed and believe that Defendants 5 anticipated that it would be necessary for Salyer American Fresh 6 Foods, Inc. (“SAFF”), SK Foods, and RHM to reorganize, through 7 bankruptcy or otherwise, and sell substantially all of their 8 assets in order to satisfy debts owed by these companies. 9 5. Had Plaintiffs known the truth regarding SK Foods 10 Group’s financial condition, they would not have issued the 11 Primary Policy, or agreed to issue the Excess Policy upon payment 12 of the requisite premium. 13 the policies, the California Insurance Code, including Insurance 14 Code Sections 331, 359, 447 and 650, and the California Civil 15 Code, including Civil Code Section 1691, Plaintiffs seek a 16 judgment of rescission declaring that certain coverage provisions 17 of the Primary and Excess Policies are void ab initio. 18 Primary and Excess Policies are not rescinded as requested, 19 Plaintiffs, in the alternative, seek to have the Primary and 20 Excess Policies reformed. 21 6. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms of If the Plaintiffs also seek a declaration that Defendants 22 are liable to Plaintiffs for any payments made by Plaintiffs, 23 including any future payments, to or on behalf of any Insureds, 24 pursuant to Plaintiffs’ obligations under any remaining coverage 25 provisions of the Primary or Excess Policies on the grounds that 26 Plaintiffs would not have issued the Primary Policy or agreed to 27 issue the Excess Policy but for Defendants’ misrepresentation or 28 concealment of material facts in connection with their 5 1 application for the Primary and Excess Policies, and that such 2 payments are therefore damages resulting from Defendants’ 3 misrepresentations. 4 B. 5 The Salyer Defendants’ Answer and Counterclaim. 1. The Salyer Defendants deny that any 6 misrepresentations were made during the underwriting process an 7 deny that Plaintiffs are entitled to the relief they seek. 8 9 2. The Salyer Defendants previously counterclaimed against Plaintiffs for breach of contract, breach of the covenant 10 of good faith and fair dealing, and declaratory relief. 11 about January 19, 2011, this Court ordered, pursuant to the 12 parties’ stipulation, that the counterclaim filed by the Salyer 13 Defendants was dismissed without prejudice. 14 parties’ stipulation and this Court’s Order, the Salyer 15 Defendants may refile their counterclaims up to 90 days prior to 16 the close of discovery. 17 18 C. On or Pursuant to the The Trustee’s Answer and Counterclaim. 1. The Trustee denies that any misrepresentations 19 were made during the underwriting process and denies that 20 Plaintiffs are entitled to the relief they seek. 21 2. The Trustee previously counterclaimed against 22 Plaintiffs for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good 23 faith and fair dealing, and declaratory relief. 24 January 24, 2011, this Court Ordered, pursuant to the parties’ 25 stipulation, that the counterclaim filed by the Trustee was 26 dismissed without prejudice. 27 stipulation and this Court’s order, the Trustee may refile its 28 counterclaim up to 90 days prior to the close of discovery. On or about Pursuant to the parties’ 6 1 IV. 2 Orders Re Amendments To Pleadings. 1. The parties do not anticipate amending the pleadings at 3 this time, except for corrections to specify the true names of 4 parties shall be made and IT IS SO ORDERED. 5 American Fresh Foods is in receivership. 6 Plaintiff intends to request the entry of default as to that 7 party. 8 days following the date of this hearing, on or before May 3, 9 2011. 10 V. The entity Salyer No party has appeared. The request for entry of default shall be filed within 20 Factual Summary. 11 A. Admitted Facts Which Are Deemed Proven Without Further 12 Proceedings. 13 1. Allied World issued For Private Companies Policy 14 No. C011427/001 to S.K. Foods PM Corp. for the February 19, 2009 15 to August 17, 2010 Policy Period (the “Primary Policy”). 16 2. The Primary Policy was initially issued with a 17 Policy Period of February 19, 2009 to February 19, 2010. 18 However, the Primary Policy was cancelled effective August 17, 19 2009 by First Insurance Funding Corp. (“First Insurance”), the 20 company that provided the Insureds with financing for the premium 21 of the Primary Policy. 22 3. 23 24 Whether that cancellation was effective is not “uncontested.” 4. SK Foods Group also sought an excess policy from 25 AWAC, specifically Excess Directors & Officers Liability 26 Insurance Following Form Policy No. C011818/001, which was to be 27 issued to S.K. Foods PM Corp. for the April 8, 2009 to February 28 19, 2010 Policy Period (the “Excess Policy”). 7 1 5. As part of the underwriting process for the 2 Primary and Excess Policies, SK Foods Group, through its broker, 3 provided Plaintiffs with an application and other materials, 4 including audited and unaudited financial statements for certain 5 SK Foods Group entities. 6 6. A representative of the broker, and SK Foods Group 7 executives also met with Plaintiffs’ underwriters at which the 8 financial health of SK Foods Group entities were the subject of 9 discussion. 10 B. Contested Facts. 11 1. 12 the Defendants contest: 13 2. 14 15 Plaintiffs also allege the following facts, which SK Foods Group failed to pay the requisite premium to obtain the Excess Policy. 3. At the time that negotiations concerning the 16 Primary and Excess Policies were ongoing, the entities comprising 17 SK Foods Group were experiencing significant financial 18 difficulties and many were either insolvent or on the brink of 19 insolvency. 20 facilities for two of SK Foods Group’s major constituents, SK 21 Foods, L.P. (“SK Foods”) and RHM Industrial/Specialty Foods, Inc. 22 (“RHM”), would not be renewed. 23 4. Defendants were also aware that the joint credit At the time that negotiations concerning the 24 Primary and Excess Policies were ongoing, Defendants anticipated 25 that it would be necessary for Salyer American Fresh Foods, Inc. 26 (“SAFF”), SK Foods, and RHM to reorganize, through bankruptcy or 27 otherwise, and sell substantially all of their assets in order to 28 satisfy debts owed by these companies. 8 1 5. That Defendants made other misrepresentations and 2 concealed facts from Plaintiffs during the underwriting process 3 as alleged in Plaintiffs’ Complaint. 4 6. The Salyer Defendants assert that: The Salyer 5 Entities contend that all material representations were made, the 6 Plaintiffs conducted a full and thorough investigation and 7 assumed a variety of risks which were thoroughly accounted for, 8 excluded, or for which premiums were charged and paid. 9 VI. 10 Legal Issues. A. 11 Uncontested. 1. This Court has jurisdiction over this action 12 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332. 13 between the parties, and the amount in controversy exceeds the 14 sum of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs. 15 2. There is complete diversity Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a)(2) since 16 a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the 17 claims at issue occurred in this District. 18 3. The parties agree that in this diversity action, 19 the substantive law of the State of California provides the rule 20 of decision. 21 B. 22 Contested. 23 1. Whether the Excess Policy was effectively issued and delivered. 24 2. Whether Plaintiffs are entitled to rescission or 25 reformation with respect to certain specified provisions in the 26 Primary and Excess Policies. 27 28 3. Whether the August, 2009 cancellation was effective. 9 1 2 4. Whether the “anti rescission” clauses contained in the policies preclude the relief sought. 3 5. Whether Plaintiffs are entitled to a declaration 4 that Defendants are liable to Plaintiffs for any payments made by 5 Plaintiffs, including any future payments, to or on behalf of any 6 Insureds, pursuant to Plaintiffs’ obligations under any remaining 7 coverage provisions of the Primary or Excess Policies. 8 VII. Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction. 9 1. The parties have not consented to transfer the 10 case to the Magistrate Judge for all purposes, including trial. 11 VIII. 12 1. Corporate Identification Statement. Any nongovernmental corporate party to any action in 13 this court shall file a statement identifying all its parent 14 corporations and listing any entity that owns 10% or more of the 15 party's equity securities. 16 its initial pleading filed in this court and shall supplement the 17 statement within a reasonable time of any change in the 18 information. 19 IX. 20 21 A party shall file the statement with Discovery Plan and Cut-Off Date. A. Plaintiffs’ Proposed Discovery Plan. 1. As set forth below, the Salyer Defendants maintain 22 that discovery in this matter are or will be subject to 23 restrictions based on order(s) issued in connection with Scott 24 Salyer’s criminal proceedings, In re SK Foods, L.P. E.D. Bankr. 25 Case no. 09-29162-D-11 (E.D. Cal. Bankr.), presently before the 26 Honorable Lawrence K. Karlton in this Court, and other 27 purportedly related adversary proceedings. 28 Defendants have failed to explain how such order(s) would 10 However, the Salyer 1 preclude Plaintiffs, who are not parties to any of the 2 proceedings, from seeking discovery from the Defendants in the 3 present action. 4 certain discovery in this action, which Plaintiffs dispute, the 5 Salyer Defendants have failed to explain why this would support a 6 stay of all party discovery in this action. 7 2. Furthermore, even if such order(s) did preclude In addition, to the extent that the Salyer 8 Defendants are claiming that the discovery in this action will be 9 the same as the discovery in the adversary proceedings, they are 10 incorrect. 11 following topics: 12 a. 13 SK Foods and RHM’s negotiations with their lender for the extension of their credit facilities in 2009; 14 15 Plaintiffs intend to take discovery regarding the b. The timing of SK Foods’ and RHM’s default on their credit facilities; 16 c. Defendants’ discovery of errors in the 17 financial statements they submitted to Allied World in connection 18 with the underwriting of the policies; 19 d. When SAFF, SK Foods and RHM first anticipated 20 a reorganization or arrangement with creditors under federal or 21 state law or the sale, distribution or divestiture of their 22 respective assets other than in the ordinary course of business; 23 24 e. The financial health of the Defendants during the underwriting process for the Primary and Excess Policies; 25 f. Defendants’ knowledge of circumstances that 26 could be expected to give rise to claims prior to the inception 27 of the Primary Policy and intended inception of the Excess 28 Policy. 11 1 3. These topics are relevant to misrepresentation 2 Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants made during the 3 underwriting of the policies issued by Plaintiffs to Defendants. 4 Plaintiffs do not intend to take discovery relevant to the claims 5 made by the Trustee against the Salyer Defendants in the 6 adversary proceedings. 7 4. It is Plaintiffs’ position that discovery should 8 proceed in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 9 and the Local Rules, including the limitations set forth therein, 10 subject to the right to seek relief from such limitations as may 11 be necessary and appropriate. 12 discovery request propounded by Plaintiffs or another party is 13 objectionable to the Salyer Defendants, they should make their 14 objection to that particular request. 15 dispute over the merit of any objection that the parties are 16 unable to resolve without the aid of the Court, the parties can 17 bring their dispute before the Court in an orderly fashion. 18 Salyer Defendants should not be permitted to obtain a blanket 19 prohibition on all party discovery. 20 5. In the event that any particular In the event there is a The In the event that any Defendants refile their 21 counterclaims, Plaintiffs will require discovery concerning the 22 bases for the Defendants’ claims for breach of contract and bad 23 faith, and the damages allegedly suffered by these Defendants. 24 It is Plaintiffs’ position that no discovery concerning the 25 Defendants’ dismissed claims is proper until such time as they 26 are refiled, if at all. 27 6. 28 Certain documents that may be produced or sought in discovery may contain confidential or proprietary information. 12 1 Accordingly, the parties may apply to the court for a protective 2 order to protect such information, if necessary. 3 7. Plaintiffs anticipate that electronic discovery 4 will be necessary in this matter. 5 produced in their native format. 6 7 8 8. Electronic documents should be Plaintiffs propose November 14, 2011 for the discovery end-date. B. 9 The Salyer Defendants’ Proposed Discovery Plan. 1. It is the Salyer Defendants’ position that this 10 case is related to at least 14 other matters pending in this 11 District (the “Related Matters”). 12 specifically discussed in Item 12 below. 13 actions, some are adversary proceedings pending in the Bankruptcy 14 Division, at least one is a criminal matter (US v. Salyer, E.D. 15 Case no. 10-0061-LKK) and there is a Chapter 11 proceeding as 16 well. 17 These cases are more Some of these are civil (In re SK Foods, L.P. E.D. Bankr. Case no. 09-29162-D-11.) 2. Several of these matters are subject to stays, of 18 either the entire action, or discovery, pending resolution of 19 Scott Salyer’s criminal proceedings. 20 Salyer Entities, Mr. Salyer is the only officer or director still 21 employed by the entity. 22 any corporate officer or director of a Salyer Entity is required 23 either to satisfy the entity’s discovery obligations, or to 24 testify at trial, Mr. Salyer will be subject to the same 25 restrictions. 26 3. With regard to most of the Thus, to the extent that testimony of In addition, apparently, much of the documentary 27 discovery is also not currently available to the Salyer Entities 28 due to ongoing and unresolved discovery disputes in the 13 1 bankruptcy adversary proceedings. 2 Salyer entities and the Trustee have been litigating since the 3 beginning of the Chapter 11 case, and which remains unresolved. 4 (The undersigned counsel for the Salyer Entities is not involved 5 in that litigation in any capacity and is not fully informed 6 about those proceedings.) 7 other commissioners in this District, and there are already 8 existing orders applicable to the very same discovery and 9 evidence which will be relevant to this case. 10 4. This is a subject which the These matters have also come before Thus, the Salyer Entities propose that third party 11 discovery go forward, but that the Court stay discovery against 12 the Salyer Entities and continue this Scheduling Conference until 13 June, 2011, so that the scope and applicability of the pending 14 discovery order in the criminal matter may be understood. 15 5. If required, the Salyer Entities intend to file a 16 Motion to Stay Discovery in this action to the extent that such 17 discovery efforts would conflict with any other orders in any 18 other action. 19 C. 20 The Trustee’s Proposed Discovery Plan. 1. The Trustee’s concern with regard to Plaintiffs’ 21 discovery plan and schedule is that the Trustee is currently 22 involved in numerous Adversary Proceedings and other contested 23 matters in the main bankruptcy action involving the Salyer 24 Defendants, in which there have been and are numerous pending 25 appeals currently before the Honorable Lawrence K. Karlton in 26 this Court, see Case nos. 2:10-cv-810; 2:10-cv-811; 2:10-cv-812, 27 2:10-cv-1492 [Docket No. 46], 2:10-cv-1493, 2:10-cv-1496, 2:10- 28 cv-1497, 2:10-cv-1498, 2:10-cv-1499, 2:10-cv-1500. 14 Several of 1 the appeals concern the Trustee’s ability to seek discovery from 2 Mr. Salyer. 3 but has indicated that he will not allow the Trustee to propound 4 discovery against Mr. Salyer personally. 5 prohibition on discovery is not yet known. 6 Judge Karlton to issue a ruling shortly. 7 2. Judge Karlton has taken the matters under submission The exact scope of the The Trustee expects Counsel for the Salyer Defendants has stated that 8 he intends to assert whatever ruling Judge Karlton issues will be 9 applicable in this case and will preclude the deposition of Scott 10 Salyer, who the Salyer Defendants assert is the person most 11 knowledgeable for each of the Salyer Defendant entities. 12 Salyer was also the owner and controlling manager of the debtors. 13 It should be noted that Judge Karlton recently rejected Scott 14 Salyer’s motion to stay discovery in a collateral matter, Bank of 15 the West v. Scott Salyer, et al., case no. M105340, pending in 16 the Superior Court for the State of California. 17 v. Salyer, 2:10-cr-0061-LKK, Docket no. 302]. 18 himself may not be produced for or subject to deposition, it does 19 not appear that his testimony is either sought or required in 20 this matter. 21 issues and the Salyer parties’ efforts to delay the process, 22 which are likely to cause delay in the discovery process in this 23 case. 24 cut-off in November, 2011 would be appropriate, while affording 25 the parties the opportunity to have the Trustee’s settlement 26 approved and the plaintiff’s intended Motion for Summary Judgment 27 heard. 28 /// Mr. [United States While Scott Salyer The Trustee foresees delays occasioned by these For that reason, the Trustee believes that a discovery 15 1 D. 2 Trial and Pre-Trial Dates. 1. Based on the parties’ inability to agree as to the 3 extent of scope and discovery, including privilege issues that 4 relate to Mr. Scott Salyer arising out of the pending criminal 5 proceedings against him, the parties will take three weeks, 6 through and including May 4, 2011 to see whether or not an 7 interim stipulation concerning the progress of some discovery not 8 requiring the testimony of Mr. Scott Salyer, can go forward. 9 2. In the event the parties are unable to agree, the 10 Salyer Defendants will file a motion for stay of discovery or 11 other limits on discovery. 12 before May 31, 2011. 13 3. That motion shall be filed on or A Further Scheduling Conference in this case shall 14 be held July 15, 2011 at 8:15 a.m. 15 X. 16 Motions - Hard Copy. 1. The parties shall submit one (1) courtesy paper copy to 17 the Court of any motions filed. Exhibits shall be marked with 18 protruding numbered or lettered tabs so that the Court can easily 19 identify such exhibits. 20 XI. Trial Date. 21 1. This will be a jury trial. 22 2. Counsels' Estimate Of Trial Time: 23 24 a. 3. Five to seven days. Counsels' attention is directed to Local Rules 25 of Practice for the Eastern District of California, Rule 285. 26 XII. Settlement Conference. 27 28 1. The Plaintiffs have reached a settlement agreement with Defendants Sawtooth Cooling, LLC, Salyer Western Cooling Company, 16 1 and Yuma American Cooling Corporation (the “Cooling Entities”). 2 The Plaintiffs anticipate filing a joint stipulation of dismissal 3 with the Cooling Entities shortly. 4 2. The Plaintiffs have reached a settlement in principle 5 with Defendant Lisa Crist. 6 settlement with Defendant Crist will be finalized in the next two 7 weeks, and that Plaintiffs will file a notice of dismissal of 8 Defendant Lisa Crist shortly thereafter. 9 3. Plaintiffs anticipate that the The Plaintiffs and the Trustee have also reached a 10 settlement in principle, and will report the settlement to the 11 Court once it is finalized. 12 4. Plaintiffs have been in discussions with Defendant Mark 13 McCormick regarding a potential resolution of this matter that 14 will not necessitate Plaintiffs serving Defendant McCormick. 15 this time, Plaintiffs do not believe that a mediation or 16 settlement conference will be necessary to resolve Plaintiffs’ 17 claims against Defendant McCormick. 18 5. At The Plaintiffs and Salyer Defendants agree that after 19 initial discovery has been conducted, a mediation or settlement 20 conference may be appropriate. 21 XIII. 22 23 A. Related Matters Pending. Salyer Defendants’ Statement Regarding Related Matters. 1. This case is related to at least 14 other cases 24 pending in one or another division of this Court, including the 25 Bankruptcy Division. 26 of Related Cases which will be filed prior to the Scheduling 27 Conference in the captioned matter. 28 as it was not entirely clear what the status of discovery in the The Salyer Entities are preparing a Notice 17 This was not done previously 1 other cases was, nor whether these cases were actually related. 2 It appears now that they undoubtedly are. 3 2. Most of these cases are subject to various forms 4 of orders limiting or completely staying discovery with regard to 5 F. Scott Salyer or any entity in which he would be compelled to 6 provide testimony in any representative capacity. 7 a defendant in a criminal matter pending before Judge Lawrence 8 Karlton in this District. 9 0061-LKK). Mr. Salyer is (United States v. Salyer, 2:10-cr- Most of the related cases are either already subject 10 to some form of stay on discovery (e.g., Brewer v. Scott Salyer, 11 06-cv-01324 AWI DLB (E.D. Cal.) (six month stay of discovery 12 entered on 4/16/10; current status unknown); the subject of 13 pending motions by parties and non-parties alike (e.g., Four In 14 One Company, Inc., et al. v. SK Foods, LP, Scott Salyer, et al., 15 078-cv-3017 MCE (Clayton Act/Sherman Act class action case in 16 which government intervened to stay discovery); or subject to 17 orders which have not been entered yet, but which are under 18 submission. 19 3. A more complete catalog will be provided to the 20 Court prior to the Scheduling Conference to the extent possible, 21 but the undersigned counsel for the Salyer Defendants does not 22 represent these entities in the other actions, and has not been 23 involved in these discovery matters. 24 4. Mr. Salyer is the only remaining officer or 25 director of most of the Salyer Entities. 26 will be necessary for these entities to conduct their defense. 27 Since he has invoked his Fifth Amendment privileges, he is 28 unavailable to testify. 18 Thus, his testimony 1 B. Plaintiffs’ Statement Regarding Related Matters. 2 1. Plaintiffs do not believe that any actions that it 3 is aware of are “related” as that term is used in Local Rule 4 123(a). 5 of Related Case filed by the Salyer Defendants. 6 XIV. Compliance With Federal Procedure. 7 Plaintiffs intend to respond appropriately to any Notice 1. The Court requires compliance with the Federal 8 Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of Practice for the 9 Eastern District of California. To aid the court in the 10 efficient administration of this case, all counsel are directed 11 to familiarize themselves with the Federal Rules of Civil 12 Procedure and the Local Rules of Practice of the Eastern District 13 of California, and keep abreast of any amendments thereto. 14 XV. 15 Effect Of This Order. 1. The foregoing order represents the best 16 estimate of the court and counsel as to the agenda most suitable 17 to bring this case to resolution. 18 specifically reserved for this case. 19 any time that the schedule outlined in this order cannot be met, 20 counsel are ordered to notify the court immediately of that fact 21 so that adjustments may be made, either by stipulation or by 22 subsequent scheduling conference. 23 2. The trial date reserved is If the parties determine at Stipulations extending the deadlines contained 24 herein will not be considered unless they are accompanied by 25 affidavits or declarations, and where appropriate attached 26 exhibits, which establish good cause for granting the relief 27 requested. 28 /// 19 1 2 3. Failure to comply with this order may result in the imposition of sanctions. 3 4 IT IS SO ORDERED. 5 Dated: April 13, 2011 emm0d6 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20

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