United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. Ahmed et al

Filing 656

ORDER Regarding Defendant Ahmed's Motion Seeking Judicial Review By This Esteemed Court of the Transcript of Deposition By Oak Witness Ms. Grace A. Ames on July 15, 2015 and on Defendant Ahmed's Motion for Judicial Review of and Access to Deposition Transcripts of Oak Representative Ms. Grace Ames From Deposition Conducted on 4th May 2017 in New York (Dkts. ##539-40). Signed by Judge Joan G. Margolis on 7/14/2017.(Watson, M.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT
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SECURITY & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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v.
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IFTIKAR AHMED ET AL.
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:
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15 CV 675 (JBA)

DATE: JULY 14, 2017

ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANT AHMED’S MOTION SEEKING JUDICIAL REVIEW BY
THIS ESTEEMED COURT OF THE TRANSCRIPT OF DEPOSITION BY OAK WITNESS MS.
GRACE A. AMES ON JULY 15, 2015 AND ON DEFENDANT AHMED’S MOTION FOR
JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AND ACCESS TO DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPTS OF OAK
REPRESENTATIVE, MS. GRACE AMES FROM DEPOSITION CONDUCTED ON 4TH MAY 2017
IN NEW YORK (Dkts. ##539-40)
The factual and procedural history behind this complex litigation is set forth in
considerable detail in the various published rulings of U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton.
See 123 F. Supp. 3d 301 (D. Conn. 2015), aff’d, 664 F. App’x 53 (2d Cir. 2016); 2016 WL
500436 (D. Conn. Jan. 11, 2016); 2016 WL 7197359 (D. Conn. Dec. 8, 2016); 2017 WL
1347668 (D. Conn. Apr. 7, 2017); 2017 WL 1391518 (D. Conn. Apr. 7, 2017); 2017 WL
2234174 (D. Conn. May 22, 2017).1
On May 4, 2017, defendant Ahmed, appearing pro se, filed his pending Motion
Seeking Judicial Review by this Esteemed Court of the Transcript of Deposition by Oak
Witness Ms. Grace A. Ames on July 15, 2015 (Dkt. #539),2 followed four days later by his
Motion for Judicial Review of and Access to Deposition Transcripts of Oak Representative,

1

Judge Arterton has filed dozens and dozens of unpublished rulings and orders in this file

as well.
2

Attached as Exh. 1 is a copy of the deposition transcript, most of which has been
redacted.

Ms. Grace Ames from Deposition Conducted on 4th May 2017 in New York (Dkt. #540).3
Plaintiff filed its brief in opposition to both motions on May 25, 2017 (Dkt. #575); defendant
Ahmed filed his reply briefs on May 26 and 29, 2017. (Dkts. ##576-77).
On July 13, 2017, Judge Arterton filed her Order, in which she granted Dkt. #539 and
granted Dkt. #540 in part, such that defendant Ahmed “will not be permitted ‘view only’
access to the complete 5/4/17 deposition transcript [,]” and she ordered that this Magistrate
Judge “perform an independent review of both transcripts to determine whether the portions
marked by Oak as confidential are in fact confidential.” (Dkt. #649). She further ordered
that the parties make available to this Magistrate Judge both redacted and unredacted
versions of the transcripts. (Id.; see also Dkts. ##638, 650).
Accordingly, on or before July 24, 2017, counsel shall forward redacted and
unredacted versions of the July 2015 and May 2017 deposition transcripts to this Magistrate
Judge’s Chambers for her in camera review. In addition, by that same date, plaintiff SEC
shall forward an ex parte letter to the Magistrate Judge’s Chambers which sets forth in as
much detail as necessary, the specific reasons why the portions that have been redacted are
confidential and should not be disclosed to defendant Ahmed. In addition, by that same
date, the Relief Defendants and non-party Oak may forward similar ex parte letters to this
Magistrate Judge’s Chambers if they so choose.4

3

The following two exhibits were attached: copy of Judge Arterton’s Order on Defendant’s
Motion Seeking Permission to be Allowed to Participate in the Oak Deposition Scheduled for
Thursday, May 4th 2017, filed May 3, 2017 (Dkt. #538)(Exh. 1)[“May 2017 Ruling”]; and copies of
emails, dated May 4-5, 2017 (Exh. 2).
4

If they wish, any combination of plaintiff SEC, the Relief Defendants, or non-party Oak
may forward a combined letter.

2

Dated this 14th day of July 2017, at New Haven, Connecticut.

/s/ Joan Glazer Margolis, USMJ
Joan Glazer Margolis
United States Magistrate Judge

3