Federal Trade Commission v. Romero

Filing 87

ORDER granting 86 Plaintiff's motion to present evidence at hearing. See Order for details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Philip R. Lammens on 5/8/2024. (AR)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
OCALA DIVISION
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No: 5:21-cv-343-BJD-PRL

FRANK ROMERO
Defendant.
ORDER
On April 30, 2024, Defendant Frank Romero requested a hearing on claims of
exemption as to writs of garnishment previously issued by this Court to PayPal, Inc. and
Electronic Merchant Systems (“EMS”). (Docs. 83, 84). For both PayPal and EMS, Romero
asserts that “[t]he property in the possession, custody or control of garnishee . . . are interests
of both my wife (Patricia Martinez) and I”; and that they are wages that should be exempt
because: (1) Patricia Martinez is not the debtor; and (2) Romero is head of household and
provides more than 50% of the support for their child.
The Court granted Defendant’s request and set a hearing on May 14, 2024 “to
determine the validity of Defendant’s claimed exemptions.” (Doc. 85 at 1). Now, Plaintiff,
requests permission to present evidence about Defendant’s claimed exemptions at the
hearing. (Doc. 86). Upon due consideration, Plaintiff’s motion (Doc. 86) is GRANTED. The
FTC may present evidence as set forth in the motion.

DONE and ORDERED in Ocala, Florida on May 8, 2024.

Copies furnished to:
Counsel of Record
Unrepresented Parties
Frank Romero
17 Sapphire Road
Ocala, FL 34472

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