United States of America v. Lopez

Filing 7

ORDER RE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT signed by District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on 3/1/2013. (Sant Agata, S)

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER
United States Attorney
KURT A. DIDIER
Assistant United States Attorney
501 I Street, Suite 10-100
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: [phone]
Attorneys for the Plaintiff
United States of America

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

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Plaintiff,
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v.
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AMY LOPEZ,
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Defendant.
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____________________________________)

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SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
AND PROPOSED ORDER

I. PARTIES
1. Plaintiff, United States of America, and Defendant Amy Lopez (collectively, the
Parties), hereby agree to resolve the United States’ civil action to recover money for Defendant’s
breach of her student loan contract as set forth below (the Agreement). The Agreement is based
upon the following facts:

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Case No. 1:13-CV-00112-LJO-SMS

II. BACKGROUND
2. Defendant resides in and maintains a law practice in this District.
3. The complaint alleges that on April 1, 2005, Defendant signed a promissory note to
consolidate her student loans through the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Direct
Consolidation Loan Program pursuant to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20
U.S.C. § 1087a et seq. On April 18, 2005, the United States disbursed $120,204.24 to Defendant
with interest thereon at 8.25 per cent per annum.
4. Defendant defaulted on the loan on September 23, 2008.

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Settlement Agreement and Proposed Order

5. The Department of Education has credited a total of $13,468.55 towards Defendant’s
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loan balance. Nonetheless, there remains a balance due representing unpaid principal, interest
and authorized attorneys’ fees and collection costs.
6. As of January 14, 2013, the total debt owed on Defendant’s loan is $188,820.01 with
interest accruing at the rate of $29.97 per day.
7. Defendant admits the complaint’s allegations.

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III. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
8. In consideration of their mutual promises and covenants, the Parties agree to settle this
litigation upon the following terms:

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A. Entry of Judgment. Defendant consents to entry of judgment in favor of the
United States in the amount of $150,000.00 (the Judgment Amount), representing unpaid
principal and interest. Defendant has reviewed and “approved for form and content” the
judgment lodged with the Court and shall satisfy the Judgment Amount via the payment plan set
forth below.
B. The United States may perfect its judgment by filing abstracts of judgment in
the counties in which Defendant resides or may maintain real property interests. Except as
otherwise provided herein, the United States agrees that it will not otherwise seek to enforce its
judgment provided Defendant complies with this Agreement’s terms. Further, if Defendant pays
the Judgment Amount as set forth below, this amount shall be reduced to $135,000.00 from
$150,000.00. Upon Defendant’s fulfillment of the Agreement, the United States will file a
satisfaction of judgment with the Court.
C. Defendant’s payment plan. Beginning on January 1, 2013, and on or before
the dates stated below, Defendant shall pay the United States as follows:
i. January 1, 2013, $1,000.00;
ii. February 1, 2013, $5,000.00;
iii. March 1, 2013, $650.00;
iv. April 1, 2013, $650.00;
v. May 1, 2013, $5,000.00; and

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Settlement Agreement and Proposed Order

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vi. June 1, 2013, and continuing the first of each month thereafter until
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paid in full, $650.00, in U.S. legal tender, to satisfy the Judgment Amount. Post judgment
interest shall accrue at the rate of one percent (1%), compounded annually. Appendix “A” hereto
sets forth the amortization schedule for the reduced $135,000.00 payment plan, which shall
remain in effect provided Defendant does not default, or fails to timely cure a default, under these
payment provisions.

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D. Defendant agrees to be placed in the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), with any
and all tax refunds, federal stimulus funds or other federal monies subject to the TOP being
applied to the Judgment Amount. The United States will credit Defendant dollar-for-dollar for
any set-offs, but until the Judgment Amount is satisfied, Defendant remains obligated to perform
per the terms of this Agreement.

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E. Defendant’s monthly payments are due by the 1st day of each month until the
Judgment Amount is satisfied. Checks must be payable to the United States Department of
Justice. Until notified otherwise, Defendant’s payments are due at the United States Attorney’s
Office, Attention Financial Litigation Unit (FLU), 501 I Street, Suite 10-100, Sacramento, CA
95814.
F. During the period of the payment plan, Defendant may request a reduction in
the amount of her installment payments if she believes a deterioration of her financial condition
imperils her ability to comply with the Agreement. Defendant shall submit her request in writing
to the FLU at its address listed above and shall support her request with her signed and filed tax
returns and schedules and any other relevant financial documentation. Defendant shall provide
any additional documents and information sought by the FLU for its determination whether a
financial adjustment is justified. The FLU has the sole authority to determine the amount and
duration of any adjustment to Defendant’s payment plan obligations. Conversely, there is no
prepayment penalty and Defendant is encouraged to increase her payments as her financial
situation allows. Beginning on February 1, 2014, and at least annually thereafter, the United
States may review and evaluate whether Defendant’s financial condition warrants an increase in
the amount of her monthly payments. Defendant shall produce the financial documentation

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Settlement Agreement and Proposed Order

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requested by the United States for this evaluation.
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G. Default. Defendant shall be in default if she fails to make a timely payment
and thereafter fails to cure the default within fifteen (15) days from the date the United States
mails written notice of the deficiency to Defendant at the address stated in paragraph 8H, below.
If Defendant fails to cure her default, the United States may declare any unpaid balance
immediately due and owing and proceed with collection efforts against Defendant. If the United
States is required to enforce the judgment, Defendant agrees to a litigation surcharge of
$15,000.00 to compensate the United States for its collection costs. No further notice is required.
H. Written Notice. Except as provided elsewhere in this Agreement, whenever
written notice is required, the notice shall be addressed and mailed to the individuals identified
below, unless those individuals or their successors give notice of a change of address to the other
party in writing.
As to the United States:

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Kurt A. Didier
Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
501 I Street, Suite 10-100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone [phone]
Facsimile 916-554-2900

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As to Defendant:
Amy Lopez, Esq.
225 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 101
Fresno, CA 93704
Phone [phone]
Facsimile 559-221-6803

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The 15 day cure period provided by the default notices referenced in paragraph 8G, above,

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commences from the date the United States mails a default notice to Defendant. All other

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notices and shall be considered effective upon receipt.

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9. In consideration of Defendant’s undertakings, and subject to the exceptions stated

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below, the United States fully and finally releases Defendant, her officers, directors, agents and

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employees and agrees to settle and relinquish all claims it may have against Defendant arising

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Settlement Agreement and Proposed Order

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from the subject matter of this action.
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10. Defendant fully and finally releases the United States, its agencies, employees,
servants, contractors and agents from any claims (including attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses
of every kind and however denominated) which Defendant asserted, could have asserted, or may
assert in the future against the United States, its agencies, employees, servants, contractors and
agents arising from the subject matter of this action.
11. With respect to the Parties’ mutual releases, each understands and agrees that this
Agreement shall release all existing and future claims arising directly or indirectly from the acts
or omissions that gave rise to the above-captioned action, including claims that are unknown and
unforeseen, notwithstanding Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, which
provides as follows:
A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or
suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing [this] Release, which if
known by him or her, must have materially affected his or her settlement with the
debtor.
12. If Defendant’s obligations under this Agreement are avoided for any reason,
including, but not limited to the exercise of a trustee’s avoidance powers under the Bankruptcy
Code, the United States, at its sole option, may rescind the releases in this Agreement and bring
any civil and/or administrative claim, action or proceeding against Defendant for the claims that
would otherwise be covered by the releases provided herein, and Defendant agrees that she shall
not plead, argue or otherwise raise any defenses under the theories of statutes of limitations,
laches, estoppel or similar theories that relate to the timing of the filing of any such civil or
administrative claim, action or proceeding that are brought by the United States within ninety
(90) calendar days of written notification to the Defendant that the releases herein have been
rescinded pursuant to this paragraph, except to the extent such defenses were available on
January 1, 2013. If the United States rescinds the releases in this Agreement, Defendant shall be
relieved of all obligations under the Agreement.
13. This Agreement is for the Parties’ benefit only.

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Settlement Agreement and Proposed Order

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14. The Parties agree to execute and deliver such other and further documents as may be
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required to carry out the terms of this Agreement.
15. Each Party and signatory to this Agreement represents that he or she freely and
voluntarily enters into this Agreement without any degree of duress or compulsion. They hereby
declare that they have completely read, fully understand, and voluntarily accept the Agreement’s
terms following opportunity for review by legal counsel of their choice.
16. Each party further warrants and represents that no party or its representative has
made any promise, representation or warranty, express or implied, except as set forth in this
Agreement and that each party has not relied on any inducements, promises or representations
made by any party to this Agreement, or its representatives, or to any other person, except as
expressly set forth herein.
17. This Agreement was negotiated by the Parties, each of whom had the opportunity to
participate in the drafting hereof. It is therefore the intent of the Parties that words of this
Agreement shall be construed as a whole so as to effect their fair meaning and not for or against
any party in any subsequent dispute, the Parties having waived the benefit of California Civil
Code § 1654 and similar laws.
18. Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants that each person whose
signature appears in this Agreement has been duly authorized and has the full authority to
execute this Agreement on behalf of the person, persons or entity who is a party to this
Agreement.
19. The Agreement is binding on each party and on its successors in interest, transferees
and assigns.
20. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the United States; and, to the extent state
law applies, the Agreement is governed by California law.
21. This Agreement constitutes the complete agreement between the Parties. It may not
be amended except by the parties’ written consent.
22. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions shall

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remain in full force and effect.
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23. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, each party shall bear
its own legal and other costs incurred in connection with this action, including the preparation
and performance of this Agreement.
24. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and circulated for signatures by
facsimile or electronic transmission. All such counterparts, together, shall be deemed one
document. The Agreement is effective as of the date it is signed.

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FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER
United States Attorney

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Dated: March 1, 2013

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By: _/s/Kurt A. Didier
KURT A. DIDIER
Assistant United States Attorney

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FOR DEFENDANT AMY LOPEZ:

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Dated: January 30, 2013

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By: /s/Amy Lopez
AMY LOPEZ, ESQ., in pro per

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ORDER
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The Court, having reviewed the court files and parties’ settlement agreement (the
Agreement) and finding good cause therefor, hereby APPROVES the terms of the Agreement.
The stipulated entry of judgment as provided in the Agreement shall be entered as a separate
judgment.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

March 1, 2013

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/s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill
66h44d
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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Settlement Agreement and Proposed Order

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