United States of America v. Thomas

Filing 16

ORDERED that the Court acknowledges Thomas' timely response 15 and clarifies that the threat of sanctions is off the table. Signed by Magistrate Judge G. R. Smith on 6/20/16. (wwp)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
SAVANNAH DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. CV416-044

BELINDA THOMAS,
Defendant.

ORDER
Several weeks ago, the Government unilaterally submitted a Fed.
R. Civ. P. 26(f) Report (doc. 12) because defendant Belinda Thomas
allegedly refused to cooperate in the development and submission of a
proposed discovery plan. One day later, plaintiff received in the mail
Thomas’ agreement with a proposed plan. Doc. 13 at 1. The
Government submitted a joint report a few days thereafter. Id.
Due to an administrative oversight, the Court never saw the joint
submission -- only the original, unilateral report. The Rules prohibit
unilateral reports, so the Court, one week after plaintiff filed the joint
Rule 26(f) Report, ordered that defendant show cause for her refusal to
participate in a discovery conference. Doc. 14. The joint report, of

course, negated the need for any such order. Nevertheless, the Court
acknowledges Thomas’ timely response (doc. 15) and clarifies that the
threat of sanctions is off the table.

SO ORDERED , this 20th day of June, 2016.

UNiTED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA

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