Johnson v. Mitchell et al
Filing
297
FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Gregory G. Hollows on 5/14/2013 RECOMMENDING that 245 judgment be awarded to defendants as provided in these recommendations, and that plaintiff's 258 counter-motion be denied; this rec ommendation, if adopted, resolves the entire case, and it should be closed; Matter referred to Judge Garland E. Burrell, Jr. Any party may file objections to F&R within 14 days after being served; parties are advised that failure to file objections timely may waive the right to appeal. (Waggoner, D)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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SHEPARD JOHNSON,
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Plaintiff,
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vs.
CHESTER MITCHELL, et al.,
Defendants.
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No. 2:10-cv-1968 GEB GGH PS
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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Introduction and Summary
Real estate law can be complex indeed even when applicable in familiar environs.
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Add to this complexity that the locus of the dispute herein originated with real estate on an
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“island paradise” development in Panama, and it is no wonder that the parties are at such
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loggerheads. Either defendants are persons who saw their island paradise home dreams
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disappear through the acts of what may be likened to a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by plaintiff
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Shepard Johnson, or plaintiff was victimized by impatient, unrealistic real estate investors who
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ultimately sought to have plaintiff criminally convicted for nothing more than reasonable delays
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in the completion of development infrastructure and conveyance of title to paid-for-properties.
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Although the court will not finally decide here which of the above two scenarios
is true, for the reasons given herein, defendants’ summary judgment motion on plaintiff’s
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malicious prosecution claim should be granted on the “favorable termination issue,” but should
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be denied on the “probable cause” issue. However, because judgment on one issue was all that
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was required for complete judgment, judgment should be entered on behalf of all defendants in
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this action. Plaintiff’s counter-motion for summary judgment should be denied.
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Factual Setting
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Plaintiff Johnson and corporate entities created by him (Groupo Islas Tropicales
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(GIT) and Groupo Cayo Nancy S.A. (GCN)) were able to acquire, for purposes of real estate
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development, a substantial real estate holding on the Island of Solarte within the country of
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Panama (Finca 302 and Finca 5409 within 3021). Johnson developed and activated a plan where
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investors would acquire lots within the larger development. While some of the actual investors
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(defendants herein) were to acquire lots within the to-be-developed real estate holdings in what
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we understand in this country as fee title, or close to it, others were only able to purchase “rights
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of possession,” (ROP) much like a long-term leasehold or license. The original contracts for the
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most part did provide that the appropriate title under Panamanian law would be conveyed to the
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purchasers upon complete payment of the lot purchase price. Also promised were infrastructure
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improvements, although the precise improvements and when they would be completed are
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disputed by the parties.
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Years went by and neither the appropriate titles were conveyed, nor were the
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infrastructure improvements completely, or perhaps even minimally, realized according to the
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investor defendants herein. Some of the investors grew to be angry with Johnson, accusing him
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of a Ponzi scheme type action in which the monies derived from the purchase of lots, which were
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to be earmarked for improvements, were diverted to Johnson’s personal use in California. Also,
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the investors’ conveyance of titles became enmeshed in further Johnson imposed CC&R
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requirements and modified contracts. Indeed, those investors who had bargained for “rights of
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“Finca” appears to be a term for a large plot of property.
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possession” were given assertedly worthless non-voting or very diluted “preferred” shares in one
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of Johnson’s corporations which held the rights to develop the property. The investors’
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accusations seem reminiscent of the proverbial carrot on a stick being dangled in front of the
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hard working cart mule.
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Johnson, on the other hand, asserts that his plans of conveyance of titles and
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completion of the infrastructure were bedeviled by a cumbersome, if not corrupt, Panamanian
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bureaucracy – problems of which had been communicated to the investors and of which they
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were well aware from the outset. Environmental concerns also impeded progress. The investors,
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he claimed, were unrealistic and impatient in terms of their expectations of immediate problem
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resolution.
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After abortive resolution attempts between Johnson and the defendants herein, in
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which each side accused the other of dishonoring, the defendants herein acquired Panamanian
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counsel who advised them to file complaints (“denuncios”) which alleged criminal fraud on the
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part of Johnson. The precise history of these criminal complaints are detailed infra, but suffice it
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to say that these criminal complaints, which had been initially adopted by local Panamanian
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prosecutors, were later “provisionally” dismissed by Panamanian courts. The reasons for
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dismissal, and especially whether the dismissals were related to the merits of the accusations, are
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issues to be resolved herein.
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Johnson, whose personal stake in the development succumbed to bankruptcy,
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filed a number of lawsuits, including the instant federal litigation, alleging malicious prosecution
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as a result of the criminal prosecution. He also filed state court actions alleging defamation.
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Whether Johnson has alleged defamation in this lawsuit is an issue which the undersigned will
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discuss infra.
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After numerous motions in this case resolving subject matter (diversity) and
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personal jurisdiction for some named defendants, the remaining defendants brought summary
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judgment motions arguing that Panama, whose law controlled herein, did not recognize a claim
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for malicious prosecution. In the alternative, even if California law applied, Johnson could not
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satisfy the requirements for a malicious prosecution action as a matter of law. Defendants also
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argue that the Panamanian criminal proceedings were never dismissed on the merits. Belatedly
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raised in the reply is defendant’s contention that Johnson’s malicious prosecution claim is barred
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by the Panamanian statute of limitations. Johnson brought a counter-motion for summary
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judgment, which when read in its entirety is simply not an affirmative request for judgment, but
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rather is an opposition to entry of any judgment for defendants.
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Remaining Defendants In This Action and Status of Other Defendants
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The remaining defendants in this action who move for summary judgment are:
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The Miner Defendants – David and Sarah – fee title purchasers in 1999
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The Mitchell Defendants – Chester and Catherine – ROP purchasers in 2002
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Sondra Tornga – ROP purchaser in 1998
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Anne-Michelle Wand – purchaser of two lots – type of purchase unclear for October 1998
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purchase, but ROP for the July 1998 lot
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Viki Kiman – fee title and ROP purchaser in 2003
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Todd Johnson – fee title purchaser in 2002
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The Shargorodsky Defendants – Efim and Elena – ROP purchasers in 2003
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All other previously named defendants in this action have been dismissed, or are
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pending dismissal, or for some other reason have not participated in this litigation. Those non-
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moving (summary judgment) defendants whose status remains pending are:
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Arosemena – F & Rs recommending dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction;
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Berrocal – F & Rs recommending dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction;
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Solarte Inn Corp – F & Rs pending for lack of service;
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Reinhold – declaration regarding service filed (Dkt 241) – no response by this defendant;
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Kahler – served; responded that she cannot afford an attorney and asks for leniency (Dkt. 244);
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Lynch – did not respond to the undersigned’s order to show cause.
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The court is faced with the problem of what to do with the two defendants who
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have not responded (Reinhold), or not responded to the to the court’s orders (Lynch answered the
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Second Amended Complaint, Dkt. 117, but apparently is living in Panama City), or has simply
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pled for leniency (Kahler). Reasons exist to have them adjudged as the moving defendants
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because the rationale of judgment herein would apply equally to any claim for malicious
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prosecution brought by Johnson. See Abagninin v. AMVAC Chemical Corp., 545 F.3d 733,
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742-43 (9th Cir. 2008). On the other hand, parties who seemingly, wilfully do not participate,
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even when told to do so, do not deserve a windfall judgment in their favor.
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In light of the large expenditure of court resources to adjudicate this case thus far,
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the undersigned believes that the court’s discretion should be exercised to have this case entirely
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closed. Cases need to be resolved, and it does not appear to the undersigned that a miscarriage of
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justice will occur if the non-responding defendants are lumped in with the moving defendants.
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Issues
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1. Whether defendants’ motion is one for partial or complete summary judgment, i.e., has
Plaintiff Johnson set forth a claim for defamation;
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2. Whether defendants may belatedly raise in this motion a defense based on the statute
of limitations;
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3. Whether Panamanian or California law applies in respect to a claim for malicious
prosecution;
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4. Whether the criminal proceedings in Panama were determined on the merits in favor
of Johnson.
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5. Whether defendants had probable cause for causing a criminal prosecution to be
initiated.
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6. Whether the civil conspiracy claim should be dismissed as well.
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Summary Judgment Standards
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It will not do to set forth boilerplate law regarding summary judgment in that, as
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fully discussed herein, the two substantive issues on which judgement is analyzed (favorable
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termination and probable cause) are questions of law for the court regardless of potential,
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subsidiary factual controversies.
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The undersigned has looked in vain for a discussion of summary judgment
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standards utilizing California law for malicious prosecution (the substantive law to be applied for
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this case (see below)). However, there are parallel actions where issues of law are reviewed on
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summary judgment in federal court2 – the most analogous being that of qualified immunity.
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In Peng v Mei Chin Penghu, 335 F.3d 970 (9th Cir. 2003), the allegation involved
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a lack of probable cause for arrest. The Ninth Circuit held that where the operative historical
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facts were not at issue, even if incidental facts were disputed, or the inferences from historical
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facts could be disputed, summary judgment was appropriate because qualified immunity was
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ultimately a matter of law for the court. Id. At 979-80. The Peng standard will be applied here.
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Thus, it will not matter if the parties dispute a number of subsidiary facts, e.g., who engaged in
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pre-Panamanian criminal complaint settlement in good faith, if this fact is not material to the
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historical, undisputed, or indisputable, facts relied upon by the court.
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Discussion
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I. Malicious Prosecution Is The Only Claim In This Litigation
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The Third Amended Complaint (TAC) provides in its caption:
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THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR:
1.MALICIOUS PROSECUTION [as to 8 defendants with a conspiracy claim as to
all named defendants]
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Even though California substantive law is to be applied, federal law is controlling for
procedural issues such as summary judgment standards. Snead v.Metropolitan Property & Cas.
Ins. Co, 237 F.3d 1080, 1093 (9th Cir. 2001).
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Page 4 of the TAC sets forth:
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Plaintiff sues for malicious prosecution for defendants....
Plaintiff sues all defendants for conspiracy to commit malicious prosecution and
punitive damages.
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Starting on page 41 of the TAC, plaintiff alleges express claims for malicious prosecution against
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each of the eight defendants, and on page 64 alleges the conspiracy to commit malicious
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prosecution against all defendants. Plaintiff never alleges a claim (cause of action) for
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defamation.
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Yet plaintiff alleges in various, previous factual paragraphs that he was defamed
by plaintiffs herein. See paragraphs 45, 51-59, 83-110.
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Defendants moved in their motion for summary judgment only on the expressly
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stated claim of malicious prosecution, and plaintiff opposed/moved for summary judgment only
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on that specific claim. Although the parties do not raise the issue, due to the presumptive “liberal
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reading of pro se complaints,”3 the court must determine whether a latent claim for defamation
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survives the summary judgment motions.
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However, the undersigned finds that plaintiff Johnson herein is not your typical
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pro se plaintiff – generally, completely unschooled in the law, and perhaps generally under-
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educated in all respects. By virtue of the briefs filed in this case, and his court appearances, the
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undersigned concludes that either plaintiff has had legal training himself, or has a lawyer ghost
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writer assistant. At some point fairness to defendants must enter the equation, and the court will
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not apply a presumption of legal inability in favor of plaintiff when it is not warranted by the
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facts.
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The above discussion leads to the conclusion that the court will not add a
defamation or other claim to the Third Amended Complaint when plaintiff has so assiduously
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It is well established that the court must read pro se complaints with an eye towards
deciphering any claim that might possibly be stated therein. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519,
520-21, 92 S. Ct. 594, 595-96 (1972); Pouncil v. Tilton, 704 F.3d 568, 574-75 (9th Cir. 2012);
Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1261 (9th Cir.1992).
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refrained from expressly stating one. Plaintiff has had more than ample opportunity to state an
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express claim for defamation, yet he has not done so.
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II. Whether Defendants May Seek to Have the Action Dismissed Based on the
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Statute of Limitations
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Nowhere in their motions for summary judgment did defendants seek to have any
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contention regarding the statute of limitations decided in their favor. It was not until the
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defendants’ reply brief that such a contention surfaced. The undersigned will not recognize a
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contention raised for the first time in the reply brief. See Tim Ryan Const.v. Burlington Ins.,
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2013 WL 1774627 *5 (W.D. Wash. (2013) citing Zamani v. Carnes, 491 F.3d 990, 997 (9th Cir.
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2007).4
III. Choice of Law – California or Panama
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It would seem to be an easy question – the real estate in question lies in Panama;
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the contracts at issue were directed to that real estate; defendants sought the assistance of
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Panamanian counsel; Panamanian authorities and courts dealt with the accusations of violation of
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Panama’s criminal law; plaintiff claims that there was no probable cause for the accusations and
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that the Panamanian courts absolved him of any wrongdoing. But many things in the law are not
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easy, and for the reasons set forth below, California law shall be applied.
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In this diversity action, the substantive law of California, which includes the
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choice of law rules to be applied herein, govern. While federal jurisdiction provides an
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alternative forum for the adjudication of state-created rights, it does not carry with it the
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generation of rules of substantive law. Gasperini v. Center for Humanities, Inc., 518 U.S. 415,
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427 (1996). The law is clear that federal courts sitting in diversity apply state substantive law
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and federal procedural law, along with that state’s choice of law rules. See e.g., Erie R. Co. v.
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Since defendants in their motion made it clear from the beginning that there might be
an issue concerning choice of law, defendants had an obligation to anticipate that Panama law
might apply, and to brief the consequences of that possibility.
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Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78 (1938), Gasperini, 518 U.S. at 42, Coufal Abogados v. AT&T, Inc.,
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223 F.3d 932, 934 (9th Cir. 2000). Thus, the forum state is free to determine whether a given
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matter is to be governed by the law of the forum or some other law. See Klaxon Co. v. Stentor
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Electric Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 496-97 (1941).
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Choice of law questions in California are subject to the “governmental interest
analysis.” [footnote omitted] Offshore Rental Co. v. Continental Oil Co., 22
Cal.3d 157, 148 Cal.Rptr. 867, 869, 583 P.2d 721, 723 (1978) (In Bank). Under
this approach, the forum court must “search to find the proper law to apply based
upon the interests of the litigants in the involved states.” Reich v. Purcell, 67
Cal.2d 551, 63 Cal.Rptr. 31, 33, 432 P.2d 727, 729 (1967) (In Bank). This
analysis begins with an examination of the laws of the states involved in the
action in order to determine whether there is a “true conflict.” Denham v. Farmers
Ins. Co., 213 Cal.App.3d 1061, 262 Cal.Rptr. 146, 147-48 (1989). As discussed
above, in this action for malicious prosecution, the New York special injury
requirement creates a true conflict.
Where there is a “true conflict,” California law, the applicable law of the forum,
requires that the court conduct a “comparative impairment” analysis. Paulo v.
Bepex Corp., 792 F.2d 894, 895 (9th Cir.1986). The district court referred to this
approach, but did not expressly analyze the respective state interests. Under the
comparative impairment approach, the court examines “which state’s interest
would be more impaired if its policy were subordinated to the policy of the other
state.” Denham, 262 Cal.Rptr. at 148. The balancing of impairment is slightly
weighted by California’s general preference for applying its own law. Fleury v.
Harper & Row Publishers Inc., 698 F.2d 1022, 1025 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 464
U.S. 846, 104 S.Ct. 149, 78 L.Ed.2d 139 (1983).
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Engel v. CBS, 981 F. 2d 1076, 1080-81 (9th Cir 1993).
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The fact that two states (or a state and a foreign country) are involved does not in itself indicate
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that there is a choice of law problem. See Hurtado, 11 Cal.3d 574, 580, 114 Cal.Rptr. 106
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(1974). There is obviously no problem where the laws of the two states are identical. Id. Thus,
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if there is not a true conflict, the law of the forum (here California) will be applied. Love v.
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Associated Newspapers, Ltd, 611 F.3d 601, 610 (9th Cir. 2010).
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The initial analysis requires a look at both California and Panama law regarding a
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claim for malicious prosecution. The elements of this cause of action in California are: (1)
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commencement of a criminal, civil or administrative proceeding; (2) its causation or initiation by
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the defendant in the malicious prosecution action against the plaintiff in the same action, who
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was a defendant in the original proceeding; (3) the former action’s bona fide termination in favor
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of the present plaintiff; (4) lack of probable cause; (5) malice, and damage to the present plaintiff
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(former defendant). Engel, 981 F.2d at 1079.
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The parties dispute the existence of even a claim for malicious prosecution under
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Panama law in the first instance. They initially focus on a provision in Panama law for bad faith
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“procedural” actions:
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The Parties will respond for the damages they cause to another or a third party
with their reckless or bad faith procedural actions, which may be considered
temerary or taken in bad faith. When evidence is found of such behavior, the
Judge will impose the corresponding sanction in the resolution...
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Article 217, Judicial Code of the Republic of Panama, See Shakik Dec., Dkt 274 Attachment 3 at
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2; see also Patel Dec. Dkt 263-1, electronic pages 32-33.
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Plaintiff seeks the application of California law asserting there is no true conflict
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in the laws of these two jurisdictions (Dkt. 292 at 10-12); defendants contend that Panama law
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applies. Each side has filed declarations from Panamanian attorneys regarding the existence of a
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claim for malicious prosecution under Panamanian law. Each declarant set forth above comes to
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the opposite conclusion regarding whether a malicious prosecution claim exists under Panama
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law, but the declarations are largely ipse dixit. Defendants’ declarant Shakik simply opined that
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no such claim existed. Plaintiff’s declarant Patel, on the other hand, in arriving at the opinion
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that such a claim was well established, even went so far as to list the elements of a malicious
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prosecution claim without citation to any authority. These elements mirror that of California
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law. Just looking at the translations of Article 217, the court was under the initial impression that
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the procedural section applied only to conduct within an action.
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However, at hearing, plaintiff produced a copy of a decision from the high court in
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Panama purporting to establish that Article 217 actually did authorize a free standing claim for
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malicious prosecution. The undersigned tasked the parties with further work concerning this
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decision, i.e., an authentic translation and expert commentary regarding the case. Defendants
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thereupon essentially abandoned any claim that the case did not stand for the proposition
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advocated by plaintiff. Dkt 291 (not conceding the existence of such a claim, but not supplying
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any information regarding the submitted case).5
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Plaintiff, on the other hand (who seems to be able to obtain experts in Panama law
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at will) supplied a further declaration and commentary on the case. Patel Dec. # 3, Dkt. 292,
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Attachment 4, paras. 9-11:
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10. In the referred to case [Arias and Cambar v. Rogelio Arias et al., August 12,
2011], the Supreme Court [of Panama] confirmed the ruling made by the civil
circuit court of first instance, which declared that Rogelio Campos Arias had
caused damages to Adolfo Campos Arias due to the temerary[6] actions taken in
bad faith in a criminal proceeding initiated by Rogelio... against Adolfo....
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11. Adolfo... invoked Article 217 of the Judicial Code of the Republic of Panama
as the basis of the claim. The Supreme Court, when examining the norm and
confirming the civil circuit court resolution, affirms that Article 217... constitutes
a substantive right and that relief on the basis of Article 217 can be sought by the
parties....
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At this point, the court will accept plaintiff’s position and the now unopposed
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Patel declaration detailing that a claim for malicious prosecution mirrors that of California. See
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Patel Dec. #1, Dkt. 292, Attachment 2 at 3-4 (Patel Declaration 263-1) (“Article 217 of the
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Judicial Code of the Republic of Panama contains [a] provision that is similar or equivalent to
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the malicious prosecution law [California) as described above.”).7
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The undersigned is not unsympathetic to defendants’ plight wherein they lament the
cost of litigation, and expressing the fact that they are essentially out of resources to litigate
effectively.
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Reprehensibly heedless or reckless.
(Para. 9) “The elements that must be proved with respect to the provision as described
in Article 217 of the Judicial Code of the Republic of Panama are (1) that the reckless or bad
faith judicial action has been filed; (2) that the defendant in the judicial action suffers from
damages; that there exists a causal link between the judicial action and the damage.”
Further,”reckless in this context means that the person is acting with knowledge that he or she is
entitled to the right.” Id. In the absence of opposition, the undersigned finds that these elements
encompass California’s probable cause, malice and favorable termination elements.
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Accepting the unopposed declaration interpreting the decision of Panama’s
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highest court, and the declaration describing the elements of a malicious prosecution claim under
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California and Panamanian law, the undersigned determines that there is no true conflict with
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California law, and thus California law applies.
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IV. Termination of the Panama Criminal Proceedings Were Not on the Merits
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Having determined that the law of California applies to the malicious prosecution
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claim, the court turns to the substantive law of California regarding malicious prosecution.
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Determination of whether a prior proceeding was terminated on the merits in favor of plaintiff in
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the malicious prosecution action is not a factual matter, but is one for interpretation of law by the
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court.
The element of favorable termination is for the court to decide; thus, our review is
de novo. (See Pattiz v. Minye (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 822, 826–827, 71
Cal.Rptr.2d 802.) It calls for a termination reflecting on the merits of the action
and the plaintiff's innocence of the misconduct alleged. (Lackner v. LaCroix
(1979) 25 Cal.3d 747, 750–751, 159 Cal.Rptr. 693, 602 P.2d 393; Pattiz v. Minye,
supra, 61 Cal.App.4th at pp. 826–827, 71 Cal.Rptr.2d 802.) When the proceeding
terminates other than on the merits, the court must examine the reasons for
termination to see if the disposition reflects the opinion of the court or the
prosecuting party that the action would not succeed. If resolution of the underlying
action leaves a residue of doubt about the plaintiff's innocence or liability, it is not
a favorable termination sufficient to support a cause of action for malicious
prosecution. ( Id. at p. 827, 71 Cal.Rptr.2d 802.)
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Sierra Club Foundation v. Graham, 72 Cal.App.4th 1135, 1149 (1999) (emphasis added)
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There is much residue of doubt that the criminal proceedings were ultimately and
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finally terminated on the merits in favor of plaintiff herein. The criminal proceedings in Panama
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started out mostly in favor of defendants. The initial police report found reason to continue with
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the prosecution. Miner Declaration paras 22-33, Exhibit 3, Dkt 246-3 (May 22, 2007).
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Government counsel agreed, and sought to question plaintiff, id, but plaintiff was no longer to be
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found in Panama.8
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The police desired to question plaintiff Johnson, but he had “disappeared.” “Upon
performing an analysis of the process, we are of the opinion that we are before a crime
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Soon afterwards, plaintiff filed for bankruptcy on July 3, 2007 (Case 07-25104-C-
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7 (E.D. Cal.), and Thomas Aceituno was appointed as bankruptcy trustee for this case. See
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generally Aceituno Declaration, Dkt. 252.9 The bankruptcy was converted to a Chapter 7, and
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Aceituno took control as a successor plaintiff of a state lawsuit filed by plaintiff against many of
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the same or similarly situated defendants herein. Id. As the plaintiff in the adversary bankruptcy
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action, Aceituno settled with the state defendants in May of 2008. An important aspect of the
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settlement was that all defendants cease their efforts to have plaintiff Johnson criminally
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prosecuted by the Panamanian authorities. Id at 2-4; see also Exhibit 1 to Aceituno Declaration.
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It is not clear from the facts what the defendants herein did to cease their criminal
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prosecution efforts against plaintiff; however, for whatever reason the worm turned somewhat in
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favor of plaintiff when the prosecution against plaintiff made its way to Panama’s Superior Court
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of the Third Judicial District. Dkt 264 commencing on electronic page 12 (English translation).10
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This decision, rendered in May of 2008, dealing with an arrest warrant of sorts, is set forth in
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pertinent part, as it sets the scene for the provisional dismissals set forth below:
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This Court of Justice takes cognizance of the precautionary Habeas Corpus
motion lodged by attorney Ubaldo Vallejos in favor of Shepard Johnson against
the First Prosecutor of Bocas del Toro Circuit as it deems unfair the preventive
detention issued against his client.
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AGAINST THE PATRIMONY (fraud), classified in Chapter IV, Title IV of the Second Book of
the Penal Code....” DKT 246-3, electronic page 27.
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Plaintiff seeks to dispute some of these facts, and others, e.g., whether defendants
herein paid for their land or possessory rights in full as they declare under penalty of perjury.
Plaintiff claims to need more time to discover the facts. However, summary judgment is not to
be defeated by postured claims of ignorance when the facts would clearly be known, one way or
the other, by plaintiff Johnson in review of his own documentation in these matters.
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The parties to this motion do not favor the court with a description of the Panamanian
judicial system, but it appears from information which the undersigned deems authoritative, that
the judicial system is comprised of in descending order: (1) a Supreme Court; (2) Judicial
Districts; (3) Judicial Circuits; (4) Judicial Municipalities. The district in question which
encompasses the real estate at issue is the Third District, corresponding to the Superior Court
which issued the above decision. Www.oas.ord/juridico/mla/en_pan-int-des-system.pdf.
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In view of the above [recounting of events] in the opinion of the Court the fact in
question has not been proven, as the behavior under investigation lacks a criminal
connottaion (sic) as it has the form of a controversy deriving from contractual
breach which should be resolved before the courts of civil justice.
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On the other hand, this superior court disagrees with the facts stated by the
prosecutor as, in its opinion, they are the central points that supported the ordering
of a preventive detention against the claimant Shepard Johnson as it is observed
that none of the evidential elements which served as basis to issue the examined
order provide evidence to this Court, at least preliminary, a deceitful and willful
misconduct from the accused causing property damage to the victims – as these
criminal profiles are provided for to give rise to the crime of swindle. In this line
of reasoning, it is worth mentioning that case law states “the crime of swindle
involves obtaining though fraud an unlawful benefit provided by the victim who
acts in reliance on the deceitful means.” [citation omitted]
4
5
6
7
8
9
Thus, in view of the fact that the punishable act could not be evidenced and no
sufficient indications of the petitioner’s relation to this constitutional act could be
gathered – requirements demanded by articles 2126, 2128 and 2140 of the Judicial
Code, this superior court declares the unlawfulness of the detention order issued
by the First Prosecutor of Bocas del Toro Circuit against Shepard Johnson,
regardless of the possibility to include new elements in the future that allow
changing this order.
10
11
12
13
(Emphasis added)
14
Taking their cue from the Superior Court, the prosecutor(s) asked for and received
15
provisional dismissals of defendants’ initiated criminal prosecution of plaintiff Johnson. It is
16
interesting to note the difference in language of the various dismissals, but the common provision
17
was a provisional dismissal. The undersigned sets forth here the language of several dismissals.
18
(Judicial Branch, Second Criminal Court, Judicial Circuit of Bocas Del Toro dated July 29,
19
2009) – [ Kahler])
20
A prior analysis of the evidence incidental to the inquiry helps us realize as stated
by the Public Prosecutor that there are no sufficient grounds to accredit the
existence of a punishable fact considering the project developer is not registered
with the Public Registry.
***
Consequently [the Court] ...hereby PROVISIONALLY DISMISS these
indictments filed against SHEPARD JOHNSON for the alleged CRIME
AGAINST PROPERTY to the detriment of JULIE ANN KAHLER.....
21
22
23
24
25
Dkt 265 electronic page 1-2.
26
/////
14
1
(Same Court but describing itself as the Second Court of Penal Circuit – decision dated October
2
14, 2009 [defendant Tornga herein])
3
4
5
6
In regards to the above referenced request [prosecutor’s request], this Court
observes that even though legal proceedings have been made to solve (sic) the
complained act, it has not been able to show the existence of a link or contract
between the alleged victim and the possible perpetrator, so the commission of a
crime cannot be established... thus the request made by the Public Ministry is
viable, ordering a provisional dismissal on the current inquiries, according to
article 2208, number 1of the Judicial Code, so if new facts that could change this
ruling are discovered, the reopening of the investigation can be reordered.
7
8
Dkt 265 electronic page 7.
9
(Same Court, decision dated December 30, 2009 [decision relevant to Hermanson case])
10
11
12
13
In view of the above, this court notes that although several judicial diligences
have been carried out aimed at clarifying the reported event, it has not been
possible to prove the existence or introduction of relevant elements. Therefore, no
crime could be proven according to article 2046 of the Judicial Code. In this
sense, the request of the Attorney General as to issue a provisional dismissal of
proceedings ...is deemed feasible since in the event new evidential elements
appeared in the future to vary this decision the investigation could be reopened.
14
Dkt 265 electronic page 13.
15
(Same Court, decision dated July 17, 2008 (defendant Chester Mitchell)
16
17
18
19
20
FIRST: By means of a Fiscal Hearing...the First State Attorney of the Circuit of
Bocas del Toro requests a Provisional Acquittal.
SECOND: After a previous analysis of the documentary evidence close to the
process, we consider that on the grounds of the existing contract between the
parties and its breach, this would be a business of a civil nature, therefore, we do
not see... that we are facing a criminal conduct....
Dkt 264 electronic page 45. [The actual decision of this Court ordered the
indictments “filed,”, but in the context of the decision, it appears that they were
dismissed.]
21
All of the dismissals were provisional, that is, they could be refiled if the prosecutor gathered
22
more facts. However, since the complainants had foresworn further participation in the criminal
23
process pursuant to the bankruptcy settlement, acquisition of further facts was unlikely.
24
The essence of a provisional dismissal above is one made without prejudice to its
25
refiling. Under California law, a dismissal without prejudice does not, in the absence of
26
contradictory facts, weigh upon, or “go” to, the merits of a lawsuit. Shoemaker v. Harris, 214
15
1
Cal.App. 4th 1210, --Cal. Rptr. 3d--, 2013 WL 1224709 *5 (2013); In re Marriage of E.U. and
2
J.E., 212 Cal. App. 4th 1377, 1390, 152 Cal. Rptr. 3d (2012) (“‘The term ‘without prejudice’ in
3
its general adaptation means there has been no decision of the controversy on its merits.’”);
4
Aleman v. Air Tower Cellular, 209 Cal. App. 4th 556, 586, 146 Cal. Rptr. 3d 849 (2012) (same).
5
In federal practice, the rule is no different. Oscar v. Alaska Dept. Of Educ. Etc., 541 F.3d 978,
6
981-82 (9th Cir. 2008).
7
Plaintiff cites to Jaffe v.Stone, 18 Cal.2d 146, 114 P.2d 335 (1941), for the
8
proposition that a dismissal of a criminal action after preliminary examination is sufficient to
9
establish the “favorable termination” aspect of a malicious prosecution action (assuming that the
10
presentation of evidence at a preliminary hearing in California is similar to the Panamanian
11
habeas corpus proceeding reflected in the Panama Superior Court decision). However, such a
12
citation would not reflect the entirety of the court’s discussion. Jaffe stands for the proposition
13
that where a dismissal of a criminal action has been made for want of probable cause, and not
14
some other procedural reason, and the defendant in the criminal action has not thwarted the
15
gathering of evidence,11 the dismissal of a criminal action at a preliminary hearing can be a
16
favorable termination on the merits to the criminal defendant/malicious prosecution plaintiff
17
even though a new criminal action is not technically barred.12
18
The facts are not contrary here to the general notion of a dismissal without
19
prejudice not made on the merits. Nearly every dismissal was made expressly as a provisional
20
dismissal which permitted the case to go forward upon a refiling. But more importantly, a
21
primary, if not the primary, reason given by the Superior Court for disallowing Johnson’s arrest
22
11
23
24
25
26
“Similarly, if the accused manages to thwart the efforts of officials by suppression of
evidence, flight from the jurisdiction, or other acts of this nature, the abandonment of the
prosecution resulting in the dismissal of the complaint cannot be used by him as a basis of an
action for malicious prosecution.” Jaffe, 18 Cal. 2d at 151 (emphasis added).
12
“If, however, the dismissal is on technical grounds, for procedural reasons, or for any
other reason not inconsistent with his guilt, it does not constitute a favorable termination.” Jaffe,
18 Cal. 2d at 150.
16
1
was that the dispute needed to be resolved in a civil context. This is the essence of an “other
2
reason” for dismissal not related to the merits. See fn 12. Moreover, as previously
3
demonstrated, the prosecution sought to question Johnson, as permitted, if not required, by
4
Panamanian law, but he had left the country and made himself unavailable. See footnote 8, 11.
5
The statements to the effect that the crime was not “proven,” “preliminarily,” ostensibly on the
6
grounds that there was not yet sufficient evidence to show malice or intent to deceive, but that
7
there might be in the future, is what would be considered dicta in American courts, but in any
8
event, it was hardly a definitive ruling on the merits in light of the primary reason for dismissal
9
and the circumstances surrounding it.
10
As observed above in Sierra Club Foundation v. Graham, malicious prosecution is
11
not a favored claim in that it tends to chill one’s ability to complain to prosecutorial or civil
12
authorities when it appears that a crime or civil tort may have been committed – therefore if there
13
is a residue of a doubt about whether the underlying action was resolved on its merits, no
14
malicious prosecution claim can be stated. See also Sheldon Appel Co.v. Albert & Oiker, 47 Cal
15
3d 863, 872, 254 Cal. Rptr. 336 (1989) (“Although the malicious prosecution tort has ancient
16
roots, courts have long recognized that the tort has the potential to impose an undue ‘chilling
17
effect’ on the ordinary citizen’s willingness to report criminal conduct or to bring a civil dispute
18
to court, and, as a consequence, the tort has traditionally been regarded as a disfavored cause of
19
action.”). Indeed, the law encourages report of a crime to the point where it is itself a felony to
20
have knowledge of the actual commission of a felony and not report same to the proper officials.
21
See e.g., 18 U.S.C. § 4. This not to say that a malicious prosecution claim should not be honored
22
when it is viable, Crowley v. Katleman, 8 Cal. 4th 666, 680, 34 Cal. Rptr. 2d 386 (1994),
23
recognizing such but still “adhering” to the constraints of Sheldon; it is to say that the constraints
24
to a malicious prosecution action exist and must be thoroughly scrutinized. See Wilson v.Parker,
25
Covert & Chidester, 28 Cal. 4th 811, 817-818, 123 Cal. Rptr. 2d 19 (2002).
26
\\\\\
17
1
In light of the above standards under the governing law, and for the reasons
2
expressed in this section, the undersigned finds as a matter of law that the underlying
3
Panamanian criminal prosecutions were not finally determined favorably to plaintiff on their
4
merits, and this alone warrants the grant of summary judgment to defendants on their motion.
5
V. Whether The Defendants Had Probable Cause To Complain Against Plaintiff
6
to Panamanian CriminalAuthorities Is Unable To Be Determined On Summary
7
Judgment
8
Just as the issue of whether an underlying action was terminated on its merits
9
favorable to a plaintiff in a malicious prosecution action is decided as a matter of law, so too is
10
the issue of whether the malicious prosecution defendants possessed probable cause to initiate
11
the underlying proceedings. Such was the holding of the seminal Sheldon Appel case. 47 Cal.
12
3d at 876-881. Thus, the undersigned must assess the facts presented by the parties in an
13
objective manner, id., and determine whether the acts of the present defendants were reasonable.
14
The existence of opposing subsidiary facts, at the very least, opposing inferences from historical
15
facts, does not preclude the court from so finding.
16
The objective nature of the court’s inquiry is much like that the undersigned
17
would encounter in determining to issue a search or arrest warrant on probable cause. That, is,
18
from a common sense standpoint, did sufficient facts exist that a neutral magistrate would find a
19
fair probability that the material facts point to a crime having been committed. United States v.
20
Gourde, 440 F.3d 1065, 1071 (9th Cir. 2006) (en banc), citing Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213,
21
103 S. Ct. 2317 (1983). Also, it must be kept in mind that defendants herein had no power to
22
arrest plaintiff or actually commence criminal proceedings. All that defendants possessed was
23
the ability to “complain” to prosecutorial authorities who would then conduct their own
24
investigation and make a determination themselves whether to open a formal criminal
25
investigation, file charges, or arrest plaintiff. Thus, the crucial inquiry is whether defendants
26
herein had probable cause to complain to prosecution authorities who then might, or might not,
18
1
commence proceedings.
2
One final threshold issue remains. Assuming California law supplies the rule of
3
decision for the malicious prosecution claim, nevertheless, the crime to which probable cause is
4
directed remains the Panamanian equivalent of criminal fraud. That is the crime which
5
defendants thought plaintiff Johnson committed, and that is the crime for which they complained
6
to Panamanian authorities. If defendants complained to Panamanian authorities without probable
7
cause, it makes no sense not to examine the crime about which defendants complained. Yet,
8
defendants never attempt to define the elements of criminal fraud or any crime, much less the
9
Panamanian version.13
10
However, the undersigned need not attempt his own definition for Panamanian
11
criminal fraud in that plaintiff’s expert in Panamanian law supplied such a definition. This
12
uncontested definition will be accepted.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
6. “Estafa” or fraud [alternatively denominated as a crime against the
“patrimony”] is currently regulated by the Criminal Code of the Republic of
Panama.....
7. Its articles appear in Book II, Chapter III, entitled “Estafa y otros fraudes”, in
Articles 220-226. The basic or simple type of “estafa” is regulated under Article
220.
8. I have attached as an exhibit a true copy of Article 220 of the Criminal Code of
the Republic of Panama, refer to Exhibit 1, and a certified English translation, refer
to Exhibit 2.
9. Article 220 of the Criminal Code, states (our translation):
Article 220. He who by deception procures for a third party an illicit gain to the
detriment of another shall be punished by imprisonment of one to four years. The
penalty is increased to one third when committed by abusing personal or
professional relationships, or when carried out through cybernetic or computer
medium.
22
23
24
25
26
13
Plaintiff Johnson does not dispute herein that he could be liable for fraud even though
defendants signed their contracts with corporations created by plaintiff. Whether a corporation or
individual acting on behalf of the corporation can be liable may be a complicated analysis.
However, in the absence of any dispute, the undersigned will assume what all parties have
assumed – that plaintiff Johnson can be criminally liable for what transpired, or did not transpire,
in Panama. Moreover, plaintiff has never claimed that he was not authorized to act on behalf of
his corporation.
19
1
10. The elements that must be proved with respect to the “estafa” provision as
described in Article 216 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Panama are: (1)
that there was a deceit, which presupposes that there was fraudulent conduct; (2)
that there was an illicit gain in favor of oneself or a third party; (3) that the
deceived party suffers economic damage.
2
3
4
11. I note that there is no legal definition of deceit in our Criminal Code. I further
note that in order for the conduct to be considered a crime, it must also be proven
that the person who allegedly committed the crime, in this case, “estafa” acted with
“dolo”,which can be translated as lie, trick or malice, which is defined in Article
27of the Criminal Code as follows (our translation):
5
6
Article 27. A person acts with “dolo” [malice] when he wants the result of the
fact legally described, and he who accepts it in the case of it being represented as
possible.
7
8
9
Patel Declaration, Dkt 265, Exhibit 1 at 2-3.
10
Although the English is somewhat lost in the translation, at least to the
11
undersigned’s ears, the undersigned understands it to mean that one will be guilty of fraud under
12
Panamanian law when one accepts a benefit and promises in return an occurrence or event
13
knowing full well at the time, or later, that he does not intend to perform what is promised even
14
though performance is possible.
15
Plaintiff posits a myriad of disputed subsidiary facts, e.g., which party was at fault
16
for the failure of the pre-criminal complaint resolution, whether corrupt Panamanian officials
17
and/or environment concerns blocked plaintiff’s effort to honor his contracts with defendants,
18
whether the initial contracts contemplated CC&Rs and to what degree, however, the historical
19
facts which are material to the court’s decision are more undisputed, but still far from clear.
20
Pared to its essence defendants posit three main reasons why they sought
21
Panamanian legal advice and then complained to Panamanian criminal law enforcement
22
authorities: (1) titles were never conveyed; (2) infrastructure was not completed, or even
23
substantially performed; (3) monies earmarked for the infrastructure, some of which were to be
24
derived from the purchase price of lots, had vaporized.
25
/////
26
/////
20
1
Conveyance of Title
2
First, it is undisputed that all moving defendants paid for their property rights,
3
either fee title or possessory (ROP) rights. It is further undisputed that most of the initial contracts
4
under which the payments were made provided that upon payment in full, the appropriate title was
5
to be conveyed to the defendants. See defendants’ Points and Authorities, Dkt 245-1 at 14,
6
recounting the declarations of all defendants that payment was made in full. See e.g., Miner Dec.,
7
Dkt. 246-1 (Contract for Purchase): “ Ninth: It is understood between the two contracting parties
8
that the Rights or Title to the property will be given to THE BUYER when all monies and accrued
9
interest have been paid in full according to the second paragraph above.”14 However, what
10
defendant Miner was purchasing was made unclear when he agreed that he, as BUYER,
11
“accept[ed]the ownership of Usufructo Rights (Possession Rights) and or title to the following
12
property described as follows....” Dkt 262-1 electronic page 2. Which was it – fee title or
13
possession rights? There is no dispute that appropriate fee titles were never conveyed for those
14
who purported to purchase “fee” land. But what was an appropriate title document under
15
Panamanian law is never made clear, especially in that the entire project could remain as “one
16
unit.” See attachment to Miner purchase contract, Dkt 262-1 electronic page 4:
17
20
“The Isla Solarte project is a community designed with a homeowner association
to operate as one homogeneous entity. [new para.] Grupo Isla Tropicales is in the
process of applying for a rural Subdivision. When and if the subdivision is
completed, each owner will receive a separate title for each parcel. There is the
possibility that the requirements for the subdivision conflict with the security and
design of the master planned community. If this occurs, Isla Solarte will operate as
one entity without the subdivision.”15
21
In other words, the parties ostensibly agreed that no separate title might ever be conveyed because
22
no subdivision might ever take place. When analyzing these contractual provisions on their own,
23
mutual mistake comes to mind, but not necessarily the commission of a fraud.
18
19
24
14
25
26
Plaintiff’s apparent claim that he had a right to later unilaterally modify this paragraph
is pure sophistry.
15
With apology to Shakespeare, this paragraph is filled with [words] signifying nothing.
21
1
The matter of “possessory rights” title is more muddled since the contract itself
2
purported to convey the possessory rights. See e.g., Tornga Dec, Dkt 249 at 2 and 249-1, para.
3
“First.” Also, a document explaining the purchase of possession rights, ostensibly made available
4
with the purchase contract makes it unclear that any “title” documents as we know them in
5
California or the United States would ever be transferred:
6
Grupo Cayo Nancy is a development unit within the Isla Solarte project....
7
The property of Grupo Cayo Nancy is owned by Grupo Cayo Nancy S.A., a
Panamanina corporation, formed for the sole purpose of owning the Possession
Rights of the subject property. This property has been physically inspected by the
Reforma Agraria and it ownership has been approved by and registered with the
Reforma Agraria agency. The law requires that Possession Rights property, from
here on referred to as Rights Property, be owned by a Panamanian entity...
8
9
10
11
12
When ownership of the land right is transferred from Grupo Cayo Nancy S.A. to
the new owner, the owner will be provided with a map, a contract formalyzing the
purchase of the rights, a specific class of stock in Grupo Cayo Nancy S.A. for the
land area purchased. The property will be physically staked and the ownership will
be registered with the Grupo Cayo Nancy S.A. Corporate Minutes.
13
14
Attachment to the Mitchell purchase of ROP property, Dkt. 263, electronic page 17.16
15
However, the Tornga declaration goes on to provide that the appropriate
16
documentation of her possessory right was never sent to her despite promises by plaintiff that it
17
would be. Rather, some years after the initial contract was signed, Tornga was given or offered
18
non-voting or very diluted shares in the corporation which had initially promised to convey
19
possessory rights, and these shares were evidently in lieu of another ownership documentation.
20
Defendant Wand concedes that it is unclear what type of property rights she was
21
purchasing in July 1998. Defendants’ Points And Authorities at 3 (Dkt 245-1).
22
23
24
25
26
16
Since the operative purchase agreement had already conveyed the possession rights, it
is unclear what further “contract” was necessary. The issuance of undefined (and non-voting or
diluted) shares in an entity which purports to own land is hardly the conveyance of any real estate
rights. The Mitchell purchase agreement contract, however, unlike the Tornga contract, also
stated that: “Ninth: It is understood between the two contracting parties that the Rights or Title to
the property will be given to THE BUYER when all monies and accrued interest have been paid
in full according to the second paragraph above. Dkt. 263, electronic page 16.
22
1
The historical facts are far from clear, and the undersigned will not recommend
2
summary judgment on probable cause when the historical facts require further development.
3
Infrastructure
4
It is undisputed that plaintiff Johnson owed a duty to provide some infrastructure.
5
It is also undisputed that the infrastructure to be performed was not finished. What remains
6
unclear is the type of infrastructure to be provided and the degree to which any of it was finished
7
such that the failure to complete infrastructure would give rise to an inference of “estafa.”
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
The only documentation of the infrastructure to be provided by plaintiff Johnson
appears in attachments to contractual purchase agreements, e.g., Dkt 263, electronic page 19
(Mitchell documents):
Developer responsibilities:
The developer retains the offshore water rights for future development.
a) provide access
b) Stake lot corners
c) Clear the land for access including beach area
d) Construct a dock
e) Coordinate power to Solarte
f) Marina slips or mooring buoys for rent
15
16
See also e.g. Dkt 246-1 electronic page 6.
17
Defendants rely on verbal descriptions of advertising material issued by Johnson promising cart
18
paths, electricity to each lot, internet, telephone and cable. Miner declares that in August 2004,
19
Johnson admitted that the infrastructure account had a negative balance despite having collected
20
approximately $4,000,000 from lot sales. Miner Dec., Dkt 246 at para 15. Also set forth is
21
Johnson’s testimony at a creditors meeting, August 10, 2007 in which Johnson did admit that the
22
infastructure was not complete but that it had started. Dkt 247-1. Johnson also conceded that
23
$2,000,000 to $3,000,000 would be needed to complete the infrastructure.
24
25
26
Mr. Steeg: One of the obligations that you had was to finish–is finish the
infrastructure on the project. Is that correct?
Mr. Johnson: Yeah, GIT [one of the corporations]
***
Mr. Steeg: Everyone was told that this was going to be started and completed long,
23
1
2
3
4
5
long, ago–
Mr. Johnson: Correct.
Mr. Steeg:– and that hasn’t happened.
Mr. Johnson: Well, it’s started.
Mr. Steeg: Is that correct?
Mr. Johnson: It hasn’t been completed.
Mr. Steeg: Very, very little bit of it has been completed. Is that correct? There’s
an ongoing obligation of an estimate of, what, $2-3 million? Is that– would that be
accurate as to complete this infrastructure?
Mr. Johnson: Yes.17
6
7
Plaintiff has introduced as exhibits pictures of infrastructure completed or in
8
progress showing docks, roads culverts and the like. The precise time the pictures were taken is
9
not set forth on most of the exhibits. What dates do exist appear to be years after the purchase
10
agreements at issue herein – many in 2006. Dkt 261-1, Dkt 262. Infrastructure pictured after the
11
criminal complaints were made (2007) would not be relevant to the probable cause analysis.
12
Moreover, defendants herein have not detailed what part of the incomplete
13
infrastructure inhibited or precluded the use of their lot in terms of demonstrating a specific
14
promise made with the non-performance of the promise.
15
Finally, not completing the infrastructure or not having the funds to finish it, in and
16
of itself, would not be a criminal act. The lack of infrastructure must be accompanied by an
17
illegal act, i.e., the siphoning off of funds by plaintiff which had been promised to be spent on
18
infrastructure.
19
The “Disappearing” Infrastructure Funds
20
As set forth in the previous section, it is undisputed that the infrastructure was not
21
completed. It is also undisputed that as of 2007, no money remained to complete the
22
infrastructure. Defendants assert that plaintiff did not use the money from lot sales, or did not use
23
sufficient money, to complete the infrastructure, and that the money to complete it is “missing.”
24
25
26
17
Plaintiff objects to this exhibit in that the entire transcript was not produced to him.
However, because this involves plaintiff’s testimony, and any inaccuracies or supplement could
be easily adduced by him, the undersigned overrules the objection.
24
1
This is true. What defendants do not show is any contemporaneous documentation demonstrating
2
an agreement that monies for infrastructure were obligated to be derived from lot sales or some
3
other specific source controlled by plaintiff, and in what amount. It is difficult to show that
4
monies were fraudulently siphoned from an earmarked account when there is no dedicated fund or
5
base line from which to measure.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Testimony from plaintiff at the creditor’s hearing is again illuminating.
Mr. Jacoby: No. You received 4.5 million in sales, that’s according to your own
testimony.
Mr. Johnson: That’s correct.
Mr. Jacoby: Your –your papers represent that GIT owes you $1.5 millionMr. Johnson: That’s correct.
Mr. Jacoby: –undermining (sic) those two sums for a $6 million sum.
Mr. Johnson: Right.
Mr. Jacoby: And my question is, where was that $6 million invested?
Mr. Johnson: Okay. The $6 million, and I think ultimately your question is where
was it spent, where did it go?
Mr. Jacoby: That is.
Mr. Johnson: Okay. The $6 million– the main categories of $6 million were–
would be for Panama payroll, architectural engineering, legal, sales commissions
and that’s– and maybe land acquisitions. But– some. Land acquisitions is small.
So that’s– as I said, it’s a full accounting. I –I– I’m not...what I’ve learned from
my attorneys is this. I have every right to spend the money I receive any way I
want. But in the spirit of putting this issue, ‘cause it’s a hot one, I think there
should be a full accounting and with– in some confidential way where your
accountant can look for my accountant and they can reach an agreement...
Mr. Jacoby: –let me ask one more follow up question if I may. Of that $6 million,
how much do you believe has been invested in actual capital improvements on Isla
Solarte as part of the project?
Mr. Johnson I think– I would say in the two hundred to five hundred thousand to a
million.
***
Mr. Ginter: Yes. Prior to 2002, how did you intend to pay for the capital
improvements on Isla Solarte?
Mr. Johnson: Through lot sales.
Mr. Ginter: Okay. Did you have a budget pursuant to which you were sequestering
a portion of each lot sale proceed to pay for– to create the money to pay for that?
Mr. Johnson: Not a formal budget, no.
Creditor’s Meeting Testimony, Dkt 247-1, 157-159.
This is not to say that defendants will not ultimately be able to prove the historical
25
facts necessary to demonstrate a “dolo.” The totality of facts at trial (including credibility
26
determinations) could well demonstrate the specific infrastructure promised, that plaintiff knew
25
1
that he did not have enough money to complete the infrastructure necessary for these defendants,
2
kept the defendants at bay with rosy reports about what was transpiring, kept on diverting
3
excessive money from new lot sales to fund his own personal endeavors, and therefore knew that
4
a default of his obligations was just a matter of time. The later developed facts could demonstrate
5
that Johnson never had any intent to complete the infrastructure when he accepted money from
6
these defendants. At best (for plaintiff) and as presently analyzed, plaintiff Johnson was in a
7
development project in a foreign country – in way over his head in terms of expertise and contacts
8
to successfully complete it, or at worst, he was attempting to unload properties which he had
9
earlier purchased, and never intended to construct a usable development. The facts produced by
10
defendants thus far have the smell of deceit, but more is needed before summary judgement could
11
be entered on this issue.
12
In addition, the undersigned is impressed that defendants herein sought the advice
13
of Panamanian counsel before making their criminal complaints. Clearly, they were advised to go
14
forward with the “denuncios” based on the facts which they possessed. However, these facts go
15
more towards showing that defendants did not initiate any prosecution against plaintiff with
16
malice (a factual question in a malicious prosecution action) than they show probable cause to
17
believe that plaintiff intended a fraud.
18
In sum, the undersigned could not issue a probable cause search or arrest warrant
19
based on the present facts. Although it is not necessary that all facts be “proven” at this juncture,
20
given that probable cause is a question for the court, much like the Panamanian courts, the
21
undersigned must await further factual development, if that is necessary at all given judgment on
22
the favorable termination issue. And again, like the Panamanian courts, the undersigned has not
23
ruled in plaintiff’s favor on the merits; plaintiff should take no comfort from having survived
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summary judgment on this probable cause issue.
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Summary judgment cannot be issued to defendants on the probable cause issue.
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VI. The Conspiracy Claim Fails
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Because the underlying malicious prosecution claims fail on the “favorable
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termination” issue, the conspiracy claim premised on the same alleged malicious prosecution fails
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as a matter of law. Avalos v. Baca, 596 F.3d 583, 592 (9th Cir. 2010).
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Conclusion
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Although summary judgment is not recommended on the probable cause issue, the
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court has found as a matter of law that the Panamanian criminal investigation/prosecution was not
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terminated on its merits in favor of plaintiff such that plaintiff may continue with his malicious
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prosecution action. Indeed, if plaintiff were to take a step back and look at his actions herein with
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some perspective, he would find that it would be inequitable to continue his life-sapping litigation
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crusade against these defendants given the fact that the Isla Solarte resort never came to fruition
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after years of “development.”
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Accordingly, the undersigned recommends that judgment be awarded to
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defendants, (dkt. no. 245), and that plaintiff’s counter-motion for summary judgment (essentially
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an opposition to defendants’ motions), (dkt. no. 258), be denied. This recommendation, if
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adopted, resolves the entire case, and it should be closed. The defendants for whom judgment
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should be entered if these Findings and Recommendations are adopted are:
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David and Sarah Miner
Chester and Catherine Mitchell
Sondra Tornga
Anne-Michelle Wand
Viki Kiman
Todd Johnson
Efim and Elena Shargorodsky
Peter Reinhold
Julie Ann Kahler
James Lynch
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These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District
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Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen
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days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written
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objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned
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“Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections
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shall be served and filed within seven days after service of the objections. The parties are
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advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the
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District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
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Dated: May 14, 2013
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/s/ Gregory G. Hollows
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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