United States of America v. Real Property and Improvements Located at 2366 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, California
Filing
75
DISCOVERY ORDER by Judge Maria-Elena James re December 13, 2013 Joint Letter 69 . (mejlc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/13/2014)
1
2
3
4
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
5
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6
7
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Case No. 13-cv-02027-JST (MEJ)
Plaintiff,
DISCOVERY ORDER
8
v.
Re: Dkt. No. 69
9
11
REAL PROPERTY AND
IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED AT 2366
SAN PABLO AVENUE, BERKELEY,
CALIFORNIA,
12
Defendant.
United States District Court
Northern District of California
10
13
On December 13, 2013, Plaintiff United States of America (the "Government") and
14
Claimant Berkeley Patients Group ("BPG") filed a joint discovery letter regarding a dispute over a
15
subpoena served by the Government on the California State Board of Equalization ("BOE")
16
seeking production of "all records" pertaining to BPG. Jt. Ltr, Dkt. No. 69. In particular, the
17
Government is seeking production of BPG's sales tax records, tax returns, sales tax permits,
18
Officer in Compromise ("OIC") and other correspondence from the BOE relating to BPG. Id. at 4.
19
On November 22, 2013, the BOE responded to the Government asserting objections to production
20
of BPG's records relating to the OIC program, and indicating that, absent a motion for protective
21
order by BPG or a motion to compel by the Government, it would produce "copies of the
22
responsive and non-privileged documents from its files pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code
23
section 7056, subdivision (a)(3), and the Governor's Order, to the extent that such materials are not
24
related to the OIC program (except for any otherwise public records maintained by the OIC
25
program referred to above)." Id, Ex. D.
26
As an initial matter, the Court notes that there is a disconnect between the Government and
27
BPG as to the scope of documents that are at issue in their joint letter. The Government appears to
28
take the position that the BOE has only objected to production of the OIC documents; BPG's
1
argument, however, challenges BOE's production of any tax documents sought in the subpoena.
2
Although the Court agrees with the Government's reading of the BOE's letter as indicating that it
3
only objects to production of the OIC documents, BPG's challenge and requested relief relate to
4
any and all documents sought by the subpoena. As that is the issue raised in the joint letter, that is
5
the issue the Court addresses here.
6
Generally, a party seeking production of tax returns must show: (1) they are relevant to the
7
action; and (2) there is a compelling need for the documents because the information sought is not
8
readily available from another source. Advante Int'l Corp. v. Mintel Learning Tech., 2006 WL
9
3511956, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 6, 2006) (citing Aliotti v. Senora, 217 F.R.D. 496, 497-98 (N.D.
Cal. 2003). Considering the parties' arguments against this standard, the Court finds that even
11
United States District Court
Northern District of California
10
assuming the Government has made a sufficient showing that the documents are relevant, it has
12
failed to demonstrate that there is a compelling need for production of the documents because the
13
information sought is not readily available from another source. According to BPG, at the time of
14
the joint letter, the Government had not propounded any other written discovery in the case. Jt.
15
Ltr. at 6. Thus, it is seeking tax documents relating to BPG without first exhausting other
16
available discovery mechanisms to obtain the information it seeks in the tax records. While this
17
may be the most objectively efficient approach, the established public policy protecting tax
18
records from unnecessary public disclosure requires the Government to utilize and exhaust other
19
less intrusive discovery avenues before it is entitled to overcome the privilege and obtain the
20
documents.
21
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS BPG's request to quash the subpoena served on the BOE
22
at this juncture. As indicated above, the Court makes no finding as to whether the materials
23
sought in the subpoena are relevant and this ruling does not preclude the Government from re-
24
serving the subpoena at a later time.
25
26
27
28
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: January 13, 2014
______________________________________
MARIA-ELENA JAMES
United States Magistrate Judge
2
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?