Alvarez et al v. United States of America
Filing
85
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 66 Motion to Compel. The government must provide an amended answer to Interrogatory One and the 30(b)(6) deposition must be taken no later than September 15, 2015. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 8/5/2015. (WG)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE DIVISION
RENE ALVAREZ, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
Case No. 3:13-cv-174-J-32MCR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Defendant.
ORDER
The Court provided Plaintiffs with an initial discovery period to develop the
record and enable the Court to determine whether it has subject-matter jurisdiction.
(Doc. 32). Plaintiffs filed a motion to compel (Doc. 66) and the government responded
(Doc. 73). Plaintiffs agree that many of the topics discussed in the motion to compel
are now moot in light of the government’s supplemental responses. (Doc. 79). However,
Plaintiffs still ask the Court to direct the government to designate additional Rule
30(b)(6) witnesses and seek to compel amended responses to certain requests for
admissions and interrogatories.
I.
30(B)(6) WITNESSES
Plaintiffs served two Rule 30(b)(6) notices on the government. (Doc. 66 at 124).
The government designated Monica Doyle, and Plaintiffs took her deposition on April
9, 2015. (Doc. 66 at 125). Plaintiffs contend, without submitting any supporting
portions of the deposition transcript, that Doyle lacked sufficient knowledge of the
noticed topics, and therefore ask that the government be compelled to designate
witnesses that have sufficient knowledge. (Doc. 66 at 125-26). The government
responded and submitted excerpts of the deposition transcript. (Doc. 73; Doc. 73-11).
An entity responding to a 30(b)(6) notice should make a diligent inquiry to determine
the individual or individuals best suited to testify on the topics. Middle District
Discovery (2001) at 6; 1 see also Provide Commerce, Inc. v. Preferred Commerce, Inc.,
No. 07-80185-CIV, 2008 WL 360588, at *2 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 8, 2008) (“Once a corporation
has been served with the Rule 30(b)(6) motion, it has a duty to produce individuals
able to testify regarding the matters noticed.”). A 30(b)(6) witness does not have to
have any personal knowledge of the subject matter. QBE Ins. Corp. v. Jorda
Enterprises, Inc., 277 F.R.D. 676, 688 (S.D. Fla. 2012). However, counsel should
prepare the designated witness so that the witness can provide complete and
meaningful information about the topics of inquiry. Provide, 2008 WL 360588, at *2.
The first notice asked for a “DOJ Benefits Officer or other official to testify
regarding the use of outside vendors to conduct retirement and financial education
seminars at subordinate agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and ATF.” (Doc. 66 at 124).
According to Plaintiffs, when Doyle was asked what knowledge she had regarding this
topic, her answer was, “None.” (Doc. 66 at 125). Doyle testified that, while there are
no DOJ Human Resources policies that relate to the department’s hiring of outside
vendors to provide retirement or financial education to their employees, she did not
While the Court cites to the 2001 version of the Discovery Handbook because
it was in effect at the time of Plaintiffs’ motion, the Discovery Handbook has recently
been updated. See Middle District Discovery (2015). Each of the requirements from
the 2001 version discussed in this Order have analogues in the 2015 version.
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know if there were any non-HR policies that applied to those decisions. (Doc. 73-11 at
20). To her knowledge, the Justice Management Division where she works does not
ever provide guidance to subordinate agencies about the use of outside vendors. (Doc.
73-11 at 28).
The government argues that Doyle was knowledgeable about Department-wide
policies regarding the use of outside vendors and that it is relevant that she lacks
knowledge of any such policies. Both may be true. However, the notice did not refer to
Department-wide policies, it asked for an official to testify regarding the use of outside
vendors to conduct retirement and financial education seminars at subordinate
agencies. Since the DOJ apparently hires outside vendors, someone in the
Department, whether it be a person who makes those hiring decisions or someone else,
must know something about the use of such outside vendors. Doyle, however, was not
prepared to give complete and meaningful information about the topic.
The second notice asked for “DOJ official(s) to testify regarding the ‘Department
of Justice Plan for Employee Financial Literacy Education.’ This official should be
familiar with the Plan, the OPM Guidance upon which the Plan is based, and should
have knowledge regarding the Department’s implementation of the Plan within the
Department’s subordinate agencies, the DEA, FBI, and ATF.” (Doc. 66 at 124).
Plaintiffs complain that Doyle had not reviewed the OPM Strategy until she prepared
for the deposition, was not the subject matter expert on the DOJ Plan, and had no
knowledge regarding the DOJ’s implementation of the Plan within the Department’s
subordinate agencies. (Doc. 66 at 125). However, Doyle had reviewed the OPM
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Strategy, and understood that OPM provided a structure for the DOJ Plan. (Doc. 7311 at 14-15). As part of her job, Doyle reviewed the DOJ Plans each year from 20102014 and drafted the plan for 2013. (Doc. 73-11 at 8). Doyle was sufficiently
knowledgeable about the Plan and the OPM Guidance.
With respect to the implementation of the Plan within the DOJ’s subordinate
agencies, Doyle testified that the Plan “is guidance for the components . . . on how to
conduct financial education activities.” (Doc. 73-11 at 21). She said it was possible that
the Plan was distributed within the DOJ because it “may be given to certain
components when they ask for it.” (Doc. 73-11 at 10). However, she did not know one
way or another whether the Plan was given to DOJ components. (Doc. 73-11 at 26). It
may be that the subordinate agencies do not implement the Plan at all. In which case,
a deposition on that topic would be exceedingly short. However, Doyle did not know
whether the subordinate agencies got the Plan, read the Plan, or followed the Plan. As
such she lacked sufficient knowledge about the implementation of the Plan within the
DOJ’s subordinate agencies.
Plaintiffs may depose an additional 30(b)(6) witness, but are limited to
questions about the use of outside vendors to conduct retirement and financial
education seminars at subordinate agencies and the implementation of the Plan
within the DOJ’s subordinate agencies. See Peacock v. Merrill, No. CA 05-0377-BH-C,
2008 WL 509636, at *5 (S.D. Ala. Feb. 22, 2008) (placing limits on a second deposition
of a party).
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II.
REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION
Plaintiffs request amended answers to 46 requests for admissions. 2 In response
to each of those requests, the government listed a series of objections and then stated
that, subject to those objections, the request for admission was denied. (See, e.g., Doc.
66 at 56). Plaintiffs make three arguments. First, they contend that a party cannot
refuse to admit or deny a request based on lack of personal knowledge if the
information is readily available to the party. (Doc. 66 at 18-19, 55). But Defendants
did not refuse to admit or deny any of the requests at issue, they flatly denied each
one. Second, Plaintiffs state that the government’s objections to the requests are
meritless. (Doc. 66 at 19). However, that is irrelevant, because the government
answered the requests despite the objections.
Third, Plaintiffs argue that the government’s answers are evasive and
meritless. (Doc. 66 at 20, 56). In support, Plaintiffs cite to a case for the proposition
that an evasive denial, meaning one that does not specifically deny the matter or does
not set forth in detail why the party can neither admit or deny the matter, may be
deemed an admission. (Doc. 66 at 97) (citing Asea, Inc. v. S. Pac. Transp. Co., 669 F.2d
1242, 1245 (9th Cir. 1981)). However, that proposition is inapposite as the government
has specifically denied each request for admission at issue. Plaintiffs contend that
those denials are meritless, in part because many of them allegedly contradict the OIG
Report on the DEA’s relationship with McLeod. However, the Court is not permitted
to weigh the substantive accuracy of a denial at this early stage in the case. Point
2
The requests are 34, 35, 66, 67, 78, 79, 84-122, and 124. (Doc. 66).
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Blank Solutions, Inc. v. Toyobo Am., Inc., No. 09-61166-CIV, 2011 WL 742657, at *3
(S.D. Fla. Feb. 24, 2011). As the government’s responses meet the formalities of Rule
36(a) by denying the matters at issue, the government need not amend its responses.
See Cabrera v. Gov't Employees Ins. Co., No. 12-61390-CIV, 2014 WL 2999206, at *17
(S.D. Fla. July 3, 2014). However, this ruling is without prejudice to renewal at a later
stage of the litigation.
III.
INTERROGATORIES
A party must provide a responsive, full, complete, and unevasive answer to all
interrogatories. Essex Builders Grp., Inc. v. Amerisure Ins. Co., 230 F.R.D. 682, 685
(M.D. Fla. 2005). If a party lacks the necessary information to do so, it should say so
and set forth its efforts to obtain the information. Id. Plaintiffs assert that the
government has failed to appropriately respond to seven interrogatories.
A.
Interrogatory 1
Requests for Admission 2-83 ask the government to admit that certain
properties are under the authority, charge, or control of GSA and have been since at
least 1989. (See, e.g., Doc. 66 at 17). For those Requests for Admission 2-83 that the
government did not admit, Interrogatory 1 asked the government to identify the
person or agency having authority, charge, or control of the property and the period
for which they have had such authority, charge, or control. (Doc. 66 at 1-2). As
Plaintiffs did not provide any information about Requests 74, 75, 82, and 83 in their
motion to compel, the Court assumes those Requests are not at issue. (See Doc. 66).
The remaining properties can be broken into four categories. First, the
government admitted that some of the buildings discussed were under the custody and
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control of GSA. (See, e.g., Doc. 73-2 at 9). The government therefore did not need to
respond to Interrogatory 1 with respect to those properties. Second, the government
denied that GSA had authority, charge, or control over certain properties, but provided
a supplemental response to Interrogatory 1 that indicated who has authority, charge,
or control of the properties. (See, e.g., Doc. 73-3 at 5). The government therefore
provided exactly the information Plaintiffs sought as to those Requests.
Third, for some of the properties mentioned, the government admitted that GSA
has a lease for some portion of the building, but otherwise denied the request for
admission. (See, e.g., Doc. 73-2 at 7). In other words, the government denied that GSA
has authority, charge, or control of the building, but provided no answer as to who
does have authority, charge, or control of the building, and did not indicate that the
government lacks the necessary information to determine that fact. The government
should therefore file an amended response to Interrogatory 1 as to Requests for
Admission 2, 3, 8-25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 36-41, 44, 45, 50, 51, 60, 61, 64, 65, 70, 71, 80, and
81.
Fourth, as to six requests for admission, the government denied the request in
whole but did not provide any information on the properties in its response to
Interrogatory 1. Requests 34 and 35 deal with a DEA Field Division Office in Lake
Tahoe, Nevada. (Doc. 66 at 54-55). The government stated in response to the request
for admission that it was not aware of any buildings or space occupied or used by the
DEA in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. (Doc. 66 at 55). Requests 66 and 67 asked about the
Customs/ICE Field Division Office in Reston, Virginia. (Doc. 66 at 85-86). The
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government responded by saying it is not aware of any buildings or space occupied by
CBP or ICE in Reston, Virginia. (Doc. 66 at 85). Requests 78 and 79 refer to the North
Florida Investigative Support Center in Jacksonville, Florida. (Doc. 66 at 93-94). The
government stated that it could not determine which particular building or space these
requests referred to. (Doc. 66 at 94). It appears, therefore, that the government lacks
sufficient information to respond to Interrogatory 1 as to these Requests. However,
the government did not say so. The government shall file an amended response to
Interrogatory 1 as to Requests 34, 35, 66, 67, 78, and 79. If it lacks the necessary
information to answer the question, it should say so under oath and set forth its efforts
to obtain the information.
B.
Interrogatories 3 and 4
Interrogatory 3 asks the government for the reason or reasons for its contention
that the OPM Strategy does not require each federal agency to ensure that financial
education activities do not provide specific financial investment advice. (Doc. 66 at 5).
In its supplemental response to that interrogatory, the government states that
Raymond Kirk testified that the OPM Strategy provides guidance, not a requirement.
(Doc. 73-6 at 5).
Interrogatory 4 asks the government for the reason or reasons for its contention
that the DOJ Plan does not require each federal agency within the Department to
ensure that their financial education activities do not provide specific financial
investment advice. (Doc. 66 at 7). The government initially responded by saying that
the document does not set forth any mandatory and specific requirements for agencies
to follow. (Doc. 66 at 7). The government then supplemented that response by
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referencing the testimony of Monica Doyle, stating that she testified that the DOJ
Plan was mere guidance, not a requirement, and that the language regarding specific
financial investment advice was not included in the Plan before 2010. (Doc. 73-6 at 67).
The government has responded to the interrogatories by explaining that it
believes the DOJ Plan and OPM Strategy are guidance, not mandatory requirements.
The government then provided deposition testimony that it believes support those
positions.
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The government has provided a full and complete answer to
Interrogatories 3 and 4.
C.
Interrogatories 7 and 8
Interrogatories 7 and 8 ask the government for the facts it will rely upon to
support litigation positions contrary to the OIG Report’s findings. (Doc. 66 at 8, 11).
Interrogatory 7 refers to the OIG’s finding that “DEA officials permitted McLeod to
promote himself and his business in DEA facilities, and using DEA official channels,”
and conclusion “that these actions violated 41 C.F.R. § 102-74.410, which prohibits the
use of government facilities to promote private business, and failed to comply with
OPM guidance for conducting financial seminars issued in October 2006.” (Doc. 66 at
8). The government responded by stating that it believes no federal employee “violated
any statute, regulation, or agency policy during, or in regards to, any seminar,
Typically, it is insufficient for a party to answer an interrogatory by referring
to an extrinsic matter, such as a deposition. Middle District Discovery (2001) at 16.
Here, however, the government did not cite generally to a deposition, but gave a
specific answer to the question asked and pointed to the deposition as supporting
evidence.
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presentation, or meeting by or with McLeod.” (Doc. 73-6 at 11). The government
further stated that it does not agree with the statement that “DEA officials permitted
McLeod to promote himself and his businesses in DEA facilities, and using DEA
official channels” because it does not believe the discovery record supports that
assertion. (Doc. 73-6 at 12). In conclusion, the government referred to deposition
testimony which it believes undermines any assertion that any regulation or policy
was violated. (Doc. 73-6 at 12).
Interrogatory 8 refers to the OIG’s finding that the DEA took insufficient steps
to vet McLeod before allowing him to teach retirement and financial planning
seminars and that “the DEA Training Academy should at least have requested a
written description of McLeod’s academic and professional qualifications, checked on
any relevant claimed professional certifications, and performed a credit check on him.”
(Doc. 66 at 11). The government responded that such steps were not required or
necessary, nor could they be reasonably expected. (Doc. 73-6 at 13-14). Further, the
government stated that discovery has confirmed the lack of any regulations or agency
policies calling for that sort of vetting. (Doc. 73-6 at 14).
Plaintiffs argue that both responses fail to identify any facts the government
intends to rely upon in support of its position. (Doc. 66 at 10, 13). With respect to
Interrogatory 7, the government responds that no recitation of facts is necessary
because the government’s position is that, even taking the facts in the report as true,
no violation of the regulation occurred. 4 (Doc. 73 at 10). Likewise, the government
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The government also disputes the factual findings of the report. (Doc. 73-6 at
10
argues that no facts are necessary to support its response to Interrogatory 8 because
its position is based on the absence of any regulation or policy requiring the
government to vet McLeod or FEBG. (Doc. 73 at 11-12).
“Interrogatories that generally require the responding party to state the basis
of particular claims, defenses, or contentions in pleadings or other documents should
be used sparingly and, if used, should be designed (1) to target . . . contentions that
the propounding attorney reasonably suspects may be the proper subject of early . . .
resolution or (2) to identify and narrow the scope of unclear claims, defenses, and
contentions. Interrogatories that purport to require a detailed narrative of the
opposing parties’ cases are generally improper because they are overbroad and
oppressive.” Middle District Discovery (2001) at 16. Even assuming arguendo that
Interrogatories 7 and 8 are nevertheless appropriate, the government has sufficiently
answered them, as it need not allege “specific facts” in support of positions that are
based on the absence of evidence.
D.
Interrogatories 9 and 10
Interrogatory 9 asks the government to describe actions taken by each federal
agency to vet McLeod before allowing him to conduct retirement and financial
education seminars. (Doc. 66 at 13). Interrogatory 10 asks the government to identify
the individual or individuals in each agency who decided to allow McLeod to conduct
retirement and financial education seminars. (Doc. 66 at 14).
12).
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The government objects to both interrogatories, arguing that they are
premature because they do not pertain to the jurisdictional issues intended to be the
target of this initial discovery period. (Doc. 73 at 12-14). Plaintiffs contend that the
government failed to adequately investigate McLeod and FEBG before hiring FEBG
to conduct retirement seminars. (Doc. 1 at 26-27, 31). The government retorts that any
failure to investigate is irrelevant because, regardless of any negligence in its
investigations of McLeod and FEBG, Plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the discretionary
function exception. (Doc. 73 at 12). At this point, the government need not respond to
Interrogatories 9 and 10.
Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED:
Plaintiffs' Motion to Compel (Doc. 66) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in
part as discussed above. The government must provide an amended answer to
Interrogatory One and the 30(b)(6) deposition must be taken no later than September
15, 2015.
DONE AND ORDERED in Jacksonville, Florida the 5th day of August, 2015.
w.
Copies to:
Counsel of record
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