Mendez v. Perla Dental, et al
Filing
623
Opinion and Order Signed by the Honorable Joan H. Lefkow on 3/7/2012:Mailed notice(mad, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
NEREIDA MENDEZ,
Plaintiff,
v.
DENTISTS, P.C., DENTAL PROFILE,
LTD., DENTAL PROFILE, PERLA
DENTAL,
Defendants.
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No. 04 CV 4159
Judge Joan H. Lefkow
OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Nereida Mendez has moved for contempt and judgment against citation
respondent Republic Bank (“Republic”) [#497] alleging that Republic failed to comply with an
October 7, 2010 citation to discover assets of defendants Dental Profile/Dental Profile, Ltd., and
Dentists, P.C. (“defendants”). Mendez asks this court to hold Republic in contempt and enter
judgment against it in the amount of the unpaid portion of Mendez’s judgment against
defendants. For the reasons set fort herein, Mendez’s motion will be granted.
BACKGROUND1
This case has a long and tortured history. It was originally assigned to Judge Mark Filip
on June 21, 2004 [#1], then it was reassigned to Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan on March 3, 2008
1
The court’s subject matter jurisdiction is proper under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 (federal question),
1343 (civil rights) & 1367 (supplemental jurisdiction). Ancillary jurisdiction over post-judgment
proceedings is proper under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 69(a). See Laborers’ Pension Fund v.
Pavement Maintenance, Inc., 542 F.3d 189, 193–94 (7th Cir. 2008). Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. §§
1391(b)(1) & (2). [See #28 Compl. ¶¶ 3–4.]
1
[#202], and finally to this court on April 6, 2011 [#380]. On April 26, 2007, a jury returned a
verdict in favor of Mendez and against defendants on various employment related claims in the
amount of $781,181.25. [#139.] This amount was subsequently reduced to $387,931.25.
[#206.] Mendez has spent the past four and a half years trying to collect. The court need not
recite every procedural twist and turn, but the following dates and events are relevant to
resolving the pending motion:
#
October 14, 2010: Mendez serves2 Republic via certified mail with a citation,
dated October 7, 2010, to discover assets pursuant to 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/21402. The citation directs Republic to (1) freeze defendants’ assets, (2) appear on
October 21, 2010 at the Kurtz Law Offices for examination, and (3) inform
Mendez as to any and all accounts and property held by defendants at Republic.
[#532-1 Ex. 1.]3
#
October 14, 2010: Certain third party intervenors4 (not including Republic or
defendants) move to quash supplementary proceedings against them and for
injunctive relief. [#312.] After a hearing, the court grants the motion in part on
October 15, 2010, unfreezing certain intervenor accounts but denying the motion
as to others. [#316.]
#
October 21, 2010: Republic submits a written answer to the October 7, 2010
citation stating that it is withholding $9,984, but declining to identify the
originating account(s). [#532-1 Ex. 4.] Republic does not appear at the Kurtz
Law Offices as directed, nor does it produce supporting documentation.
2
Republic alleges that it was improperly served as discussed in Part I, infra.
3
The October 7, 2010 citation informed Republic that it was “prohibited from making or
allowing any transfer or other disposition of, or interfering with, any property not exempt from execution
or garnishment belonging to judgment debtor . . . or otherwise disposing of any money not so exempt,
which is due or becomes due to the judgment debtor, until further order of the court or termination of
proceedings. . . . [F]ailure to comply with the citation proceeding may result in a judgment entered against
you for the unsatisfied amount of this judgment.” [#532-1 Ex. 1.]
4
These intervenors included Husam Aldairi, Rawaa Attar, Elgin Dental, Ltd., Elgin Dental
Profile, Ltd., AYA Dental, Ltd., AT DENTAL, Ltd., Dental Profile Michigan, Ltd., A2Z Dental, Ltd.,
Guadalupe Dental, Inc., Hyde Park Dental Profile, Ltd., North Dental Profile, Inc., San Valentino, Inc.,
Husgus, LLC, Al Dairi Investment Partnership, AKA Dental, Ltd., AYAT Media, Inc., and Dental Profile
Burbank. [#312.]
2
#
October 22, 2010: Republic informs Mendez that $9,984 is being withheld solely
from the AYA Dental, Ltd. account, and requests an extension to complete
document production. [#532-1 Ex. 5.]
#
November 5, 2010: Republic informs Mendez for the first time that it holds an
account in the name of defendant Dentists, P.C. Mendez informs Republic that it
must freeze this account pursuant to the October 7, 2010 citation. [#532-1 Ex. 5.]
#
February 21, 2011: Mendez files her first motion for turnover of funds [#352]
directed at Republic for $9,984, which Republic identified in its October 21, 2010
answer as belonging to AYA Dental, Ltd. [#532-1 Ex. 5.] The motion is
subsequently granted. [#362.]
#
February 24, 2011: Republic informs Mendez for the first time that it holds an
account in the name of defendant Dental Profile, Ltd. Mendez informs Republic
that it must freeze this account pursuant to the October 7, 2010 citation. [#532-1
Ex. 5.] Mendez sends Republic two follow-up e-mails regarding freezing
defendants’ accounts, which go unanswered by Republic. [Id.]
#
March 2, 2011: Mendez files an emergency motion to immediately freeze
defendants’ accounts. [#360.] At the motion hearing, Mendez’s counsel states,
MS. KURTZ: Judge, our request also includes immediately freezing the
defendants’ accounts, Dental Profile and Dentists, P.C.
THE COURT: We had frozen that. Why would I freeze it again?
[#532-1 Ex. 3, Hr’g Tr. Mar. 3, 2010 at 15:13–17.]
#
The court enters and continues the motion stating that “the court reiterates that
any accounts at Republic Bank of Chicago in the names of the judgment debtors,
Dentists P.C., Perla Dental, and Dental Profile/Dental Profile, Ltd., and any
accounts in the names of AYA Dental and AYA Dental, Ltd. are to be frozen.”
[#362.]
#
March 9, 2011: Republic answers the October 7, 2010 citation as to defendants
and provides Mendez with supporting documentation for defendants’ and AYA
Dental, Ltd.’s accounts. These documents show that Republic allowed defendants
to transfer approximately $716,886.05 out of their accounts between October 14,
2010 and February 28, 2011. [#497 Ex. 2.]
#
March 28, 2011: Mendez files her second motion for turnover of funds [#365]
directed at Republic for $11,416.89, which was the amount identified in
defendants’ and AYA Dental, Ltd.’s accounts by Republic’s March 9, 2011
3
answer.5
On August 22, 2011, after reviewing Republic’s supporting documentation, Mendez filed
the instant motion for contempt and judgment against Republic. [#497.] To date, Mendez
alleges that she has only collected $33,783.95 from defendants on a judgment of $387,931.25.
[See #254 & #363.] Invoking 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(f)(1), Mendez asks this court to hold
Republic in contempt and enter judgment against it in the amount of the unpaid portion of
Mendez’s judgment against defendants.
LEGAL STANDARD
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 69 states that “[t]he procedure on execution [of a money
judgment] – and in proceedings supplementary to and in aid of judgment or execution – must
accord with the procedure of the state where the court is located, but a federal statute governs to
the extent it applies.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 69(a)(1). As such, Illinois law governs the powers of the
district court in post-judgment proceedings. See Bank of Am., N.A. v. Veluchamy, 643 F.3d 185,
188 (7th Cir. 2011); Soc’y of Lloyd’s v. Ashenden, 233 F.3d 473, 475 (7th Cir. 2000); Resolution
Trust Corp. v. Ruggiero, 994 F.2d 1221, 1226 (7th Cir. 1993).
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277 and 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402 govern supplementary
proceedings to enforce a civil judgment. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(b) states that a
“supplementary proceeding shall be commenced by the service of a citation on the party against
whom it is brought.” Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 277(b). Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(f)(1), a
“citation may prohibit the party to whom it is directed from making or allowing any transfer or
other disposition of, or interfering with, any property not exempt from the enforcement of a
5
Mendez subsequently withdrew the motion. [#557.]
4
judgment therefrom.” 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(f)(1). This statute “allows the holder of a
judgment to depose the judgment debtor respecting the existence, amount, and whereabouts of
assets that can be seized to satisfy the judgment; to impose a lien on those assets; and to
command the debtor to turn over to the judgment creditor as many of the seizable assets as may
be necessary to satisfy the judgment.” Soc’y of Lloyd’s, 233 F.3d at 475–76 (citations omitted);
see 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(m)(2). The citation also prohibits the respondent from
transferring non-exempt assets unless the property is beyond double the amount of the judgment
sought to be enforced by the judgment creditor. 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(f)(1); City of
Chicago v. Air Auto Leasing Co., 697 N.E.2d 788, 791, 297 Ill. App. 3d 873, 232 Ill. Dec. 46
(Ill. App. Ct. 1998).
Those who fail to comply with the terms of a citation may be sanctioned by the court.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(h) states that “[a]ny person who fails to obey a citation . . .
issued pursuant to any provision of this rule may be punished for contempt.” Ill. Sup. Ct. R.
277(h). In addition, under section 5/2-1402(f)(1),
[t]he court may punish any party who violates the restraining
provision of a citation as and for a contempt, or if the party is a third
party may enter judgment against him or her in the amount of the
unpaid portion of the judgment and costs allowable under this
Section, or in the amount of the value of the property transferred,
whichever is lesser.
735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(f)(1). To make out a prima facie case under section 5/21402(f)(1), the movant must show (1) a citation issued in furtherance of an enforceable
judgment; (2) proper service of the citation on the third-party respondent; and (3) a transfer that
violated the prohibition. In re Weitzman, 381 B.R. 874, 882 (N.D. Ill. 2008). If contempt
sanctions are sought for the violation, the court must also decide whether the violation was
5
contemptuous. Id.; see also Laborers’ Pension Fund v. Dominic Jr., Inc., No. 02 C 3321, 2003
WL 21310282, at *4 (N.D. Ill. June 5, 2003). According to the Seventh Circuit, “[t]hese powers
are to be broadly construed, providing the district court with the authority to enter a wide variety
of orders to ensure that usable assets are located, seized, and—where appropriate—applied to the
judgment.” Bank of Am., N.A., 643 F.3d at 188 (citations omitted).
DISCUSSION
Mendez claims that Republic violated the October 7, 2010 citation by allowing the
transfer of $716,886.05 out of defendants’ accounts between October 14, 2010 and February 28,
2011. Mendez claims to have met its burden under section 5/2-1402 because it (1) served
Republic with a citation; (2) in furtherance of an enforceable judgment; and (3) Republic
allowed subsequent transfers from defendants’ accounts in violation of the citation. Republic
counters that Mendez’s motion should be denied because (1) Republic was not served with the
citation; (2) the motion is untimely; and (3) Republic complied with the terms of the court’s
October 15, 2010 order.
I.
Service of Process
Republic’s first defense to sanctions is that it was improperly served with the citation.
See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(5). Interpreting Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 69(a), the Seventh
Circuit held that “in the absence of an applicable federal statute the procedure in supplementary
proceedings to execute a federal court’s judgment shall be that of the forum state.” Resolution
Trust Corp., 994 F.2d at 1226; see also Textile Banking Co., Inc. v. Rentschler, 657 F.2d 844,
850 (7th Cir. 1981). Applying this guidance, courts have held that Illinois procedural rules
govern the service of a citation summons. See In re Jacobs, Nos. 00-80460, 00-8083, 2000 WL
6
34556844, at *3 (C.D. Ill. Nov. 11, 2000) (“Illinois rules regarding service of a citation to
discover assets apply to a judgment collection proceeding conducted in the bankruptcy court.”);
In re Weitzman, 381 B.R. at 882 (“Citations must be served and returned in the manner provided
by the [Illinois] rule for service of summons.”) (citing Ill. S. Ct. R. 277(c)).
There is little doubt that Republic was properly served with the October 7, 2010
summons under Illinois law. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(c) states that “[t]he citation shall
be served and returned in the manner provided by rule for service, otherwise than by publication,
of a notice of additional relief upon a party in default.” Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 277(c). Illinois Supreme
Court Rule 105 governs service of process of a notice of additional relief upon a party in default
and applies to service of a citation summons. Id.; Manley Motor Sales Co. v. Kennedy,
419 N.E.2d 947, 949, 95 Ill. App. 3d 199, 50 Ill. Dec. 679 (Ill. App. Ct. 1981). Rule 105 states
in relevant part,
The notice may be served by any of the following methods:
(1) By any method provided by law for service of summons, either
within or without this State.
***
(2) By prepaid certified or registered mail addressed to the party,
return receipt requested, showing to whom delivered and the date and
address of delivery.
***
Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 105(b). Here, Mendez served Republic’s Legal Department with a copy of the
citation summons via registered mail, return receipt requested, on October 14, 2010. [See #352-1
Ex. 1.] This manner of service was plainly proper under Illinois law.
Republic does not dispute that it received notice of the citation via registered mail on
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October 14, 2010 but instead alleges that it was entitled to personal service relying in part on this
court’s decision in Martin v. C.D. Gray, Inc., 110 F.R.D. 398, 401 (N.D. Ill. 1986). In Martin,
the issue before this court was whether a judgment debtor was properly served when the law
firm, which represented him in the contempt proceeding that resulted in the judgment against
him, was personally served with a citation summons directed at the judgment debtor. Id. at 399.
While noting that personal service is generally required for service of a citation to discover
assets, this court nonetheless held that service on the law firm was proper because there was “no
doubt” that the judgment debtor received actual notice of the citation. Id. at 401. Invoking the
Illinois Appellate Court’s reasoning in Manley Motor Sales Company v. Kennedy, this court
noted,
‘the essence of the service requirements is to provide due process;’
and although ‘generally due process requires following the rules, . . .
where the rules are inadequate substantive due process requires only
actual notice, that is, reasonable assurance that notice was actually
given to the party.’
Id. (quoting Manley Motor Sales Co., 419 N.E.2d at 950). In evaluating the factors that placed
the judgment debtor on actual notice of the citation, this court found that (1) the judgment
debtor’s attorneys told the court that they had promptly relayed all process and correspondence
to the judgment debtor; (2) the judgment debtor had a history of avoiding paying judgments
against him; and (3) the judgment debtor specifically retained counsel to contest the court’s
jurisdiction. This court therefore concluded that it would be inequitable to quash the citation,
despite the judgment creditor’s failure to adhere to proper procedure. Id.
Here, as in Martin, this court similarly declines to elevate form over substance by
requiring personal service upon Republic where it received actual notice of the citation. In
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addition to receiving a copy of the citation via registered mail, Republic provided two answers to
the citation and repeatedly corresponded with Mendez’s counsel regarding the terms of the
citation over the course of five months. There is no doubt, therefore, that Republic received
actual notice of the citation, and the court can glean no benefit from requiring personal service
when the demands of due process have been met.
II.
Automatic Termination Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(f)
Republic next contends that the court must deny Mendez’s motion because it lacks
personal jurisdiction over Republic. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(2). The burden of proof for a
jurisdictional challenge is on the party asserting jurisdiction, here Mendez, and she alleges that
personal jurisdiction is proper. RAR, Inc. v. Turner Diesel, 107 F.3d 1272, 1276 (7th Cir. 1997).
Republic counters that, under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(f), the citation automatically
terminated on April 21, 2010, thereby depriving the court of personal jurisdiction.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(f) states that
[a] proceeding under this rule continues until terminated by motion
of the judgment creditor, order of the court, or satisfaction of the
judgment, but terminates automatically 6 months from the date of (1)
the respondent’s first personal appearance pursuant to the citation or
(2) the respondent’s first personal appearance pursuant to subsequent
process issued to enforce the citation, whichever is sooner. The court
may, however, grant extensions beyond the 6 months, as justice may
require.
Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 277(f). The automatic termination deadline seeks to “avoid undue harassment of
a judgment debtor or third party” and ensure that “property does not remain encumbered by liens
indefinitely.” Windcrest Dev. Co., Inc. v. Giakoumis, 834 N.E.2d 610, 614, 359 Ill. App. 3d 597,
296 Ill. Dec. 53 (Ill. App. Ct. 2005) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). In cases
where the citation respondent is found to have initiated the delay, however, courts have been
9
willing to overlook the six month time limit on equitable grounds. See, e.g., Resolution Trust
Corp., 994 F.2d at 1228 (“[A] debtor who by his own actions delays the citation proceeding
should be estopped to plead the deadline.”) (citation omitted); 100 W. Monroe P’ship v. Carlson,
745 N.E.2d 554, 561, 319 Ill. App. 3d 761, 253 Ill. Dec. 431 (Ill. App. Ct. 2001) (“[D]efendant is
estopped from pleading the six-month deadline because his own actions delayed the citation
proceedings.”).
As an initial matter, contrary to Republic’s position, courts in this circuit have held that
Rule 277(f) is “not jurisdictional” and “the expiration of the six-month period [does] not destroy
personal jurisdiction.” United States v. Rogan, No. 02 C 3310, 2008 WL 4853478, at *2 (N.D.
Ill. Nov. 3, 2008); Resolution Trust Corp., 994 F.2d at 1228 (Illinois requires only “substantial
compliance” with the six-month deadline); Pavement Maintenance, Inc., 542 F.3d at 194 (“Since
. . . rule [277(f)] does not affect the federal court’s jurisdiction, its benefits could be forfeited or
waived.”); see also Nat’l Bank of Albany Park in Chicago v. Newberg, 289 N.E.2d 197, 201, 7
Ill. App. 3d 859 (Ill. App. Ct. 1972) (retaining jurisdiction beyond the six-month deadline after
finding no material harm in the delay). Operation of the six-month deadline may act to terminate
a citation, but it does not automatically deprive the court of jurisdiction. As such, the court will
construe Republic’s argument as a non-jurisdictional defense to enforcement of the citation.
Republic first argues that Mendez’s motion must be denied because it personally
appeared on October 21, 2010 when it submitted a written answer to the citation, and therefore
the citation automatically terminated on April 21, 2011. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 277(f) does
not define “personal appearance,” but some courts have held that a citation respondent must
appear in person and answer questions regarding the disputed assets before Rule 277(f)’s six-
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month clock begins to run. See, e.g., Rogan, 2008 WL 4853478, at *2 (appearance through
counsel and production of documents did not start the six-month clock); Flip Side Prods., Inc. v.
Jam Prods., Ltd., No. 82 C 3684, 1990 WL 18677, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 8, 1990) (six-month
cutoff did not begin to run until citation respondents personally appeared at their depositions).
Other courts have held, however, that a written answer is sufficient to start the six-month clock.
See, e.g., Windcrest Dev. Co., 834 N.E.2d at 614 (citation respondent first appeared when it filed
its written answer).
While it is true that Republic answered the citation on October 21, 2010, its answer was
woefully incomplete, identifying $9,984 but declining to identify the originating account(s).
Republic did not provide an answer as to defendants’ accounts until nearly five months later on
March 9, 2011, which was also the first time it produced a complete set of supporting
documentation. In addition, from the record, it appears that Republic has yet to present a
representative for examination at the Kurtz Law Offices as directed. Thus, even assuming
arguendo that a written answer could constitute a “personal appearance,” Republic could not be
said to have appeared until it produced a complete answer to the citation, which was not until
March 9, 2011. The instant motion was filed on August 22, 2011, within the six-month cutoff of
September 9, 2011.
Moreover, even if the court were to rule that Republic’s first incomplete answer
constituted a “personal appearance,” equitable considerations factor against a finding that the
six-month deadline has run. Unlike in the cases cited by Republic where the citation respondent
was either unaware of or not responsible for the delay, see King v. Ionization Int’l, Inc., 825 F.2d
1180, 1188 (7th Cir. 1987), Windcrest Dev. Co., Inc., 843 N.E.2d at 615, the hold-up in this case
11
was largely Republic’s fault. Republic failed to file a complete answer for nearly five months,
withheld critical documents and declined to appear for examination. The court need not turn a
blind eye to these acts, which have unnecessarily prolonged these proceedings at Mendez’s
expense. As such, to the extent that Republic’s October 21, 2010 answer constituted a “personal
appearance,” which the court believes it did not, Republic is equitably estopped from arguing
that the Rule 277(f)’s six-month deadline has run. See Resolution Trust Corp., 994 F.2d at 1228;
Pavement Maintenance, Inc., 542 F.3d at 194; Rogan, 2008 WL 4853478, at *2.
III.
Compliance with the Court’s October 15, 2010 Order
Finally, Republic argues that the instant motion must be denied because it fully complied
with the court’s October 15, 2010 order and, as such, the motion is “patently improper,
inequitable and contrary to the record.” [Republic Resp. at 8.] Mendez, on the other hand,
argues that the court’s October 15, 2010 order did not affect defendants’ funds at Republic and
therefore Republic was obligated to continue to comply with the October 7, 2010 citation.
Mendez’s understanding of the court’s order is correct. The court’s October 15, 2010 order was
in response to a motion by certain intervenors, including AYA Dental, Ltd., not defendants or
Republic. The court ordered the AYA Dental, Ltd. account at Republic to remain frozen and did
not disturb the citation as to the Dental Profile, Ltd. account.6
6
Indeed, the motion hearing largely concerned the accounts held at MB Financial Bank, not
Republic. [See #532-1 Ex. 2, Hr’g Tr. Oct. 15, 2010.] As to Republic, the court engaged in the following
colloquy with Mr. Weissberg, counsel for MB Financial Bank:
THE COURT: I haven’t addressed Republic Bank right now. So what’s happening with Republic
Bank?
MR. WEISSBERG: Republic Bank has approximately $3,000 in an AYA Dental account . . .
THE COURT: Okay. So the Republic Bank representative is not here but is there any question
12
Admittedly, the court’s ruling as to the Dentists, P.C. account is less clear. [See #316.]
This account was not mentioned during the October 15, 2010 hearing and appears to have
evaded the court’s scrutiny. After considering the intervenors’ motion [#312] and the hearing
transcript [#532-1 Ex. 2, Hr’g Tr. Oct. 15, 2010.], however, the court concludes that Judge DerYeghiayan intended for the Dentists, P.C. account at Republic to remain frozen pursuant to the
citation. First, it is worth noting that neither Republic nor defendants were parties to the
intervenors’ motion, which asked the court to unfreeze certain intervenor accounts but did not
request the same as to Dentists, P.C. [#312 at 2–3.] Second, as the hearing transcript makes
clear, the motion hearing largely pertained to unfreezing the AYA Dental, Ltd. account at MB
Financial Bank, which the court declined to do. [See generally #532-1 Ex. 2, Hr’g Tr. Oct. 15,
2010.] This leads the court to conclude that the Dentists, P.C. account was not at issue in the
motion. Finally, when Mendez again moved, four months later, to freeze defendants’ accounts
the court seemed perplexed by her motion, stating, “[w]e had frozen that. Why would I freeze it
again?” [#532-1 Ex. 3, Hr’g Tr. Mar. 3, 2010 at 15:13–17.] From this record, the court therefore
concludes that Republic was required to continue to freeze the Dentists, P.C. account, along with
that is not the AYA Dental account?
MR. WEISSBERG: No. There’s no question that the Republic Bank account is definitely an
AYA Dental account.
THE COURT: So that’s frozen.
***
MR. WEISSBERG: But the other ones would be unfrozen.
THE COURT: I’m granting your motion to quash any other entities listed other than the AYA
Dental and the Dental Profile, Ltd.
[#532-1 Ex. 2, Hr’g Tr. Oct. 15, 2010 at 62:24–63:17.]
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the Dental Profile, Ltd. account, despite the intervenor’s motion.
IV.
Judgment Under Section 5/2-1402(f)(1)
Based on the foregoing, Mendez has demonstrated a prima facie case for judgment under
section 5/2-1402. Mendez has showed that she (1) served Republic with a citation on October
14, 2010; (2) in furtherance of an enforceable judgment of $387,931.25; and (3) Republic
permitted the transfer of $716,886.05 from the Dentists, P.C. and Dental Profile, Ltd. accounts in
violation of the citation. Republic has failed to come forth with any evidence rebutting
Mendez’s prima facie case. Moreover, because Republic waited five months to file an answer
and supporting documentation and declined to appear for examination as directed, the court
believes a finding of contempt is warranted. Judgment against Republic is therefore proper in
the amount of the unpaid portion of Mendez’s judgment against defendants plus the costs
associated with enforcement of the citation. See 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1402(h); For Your Ease
Only, Inc. v. Calgon Carbon Corp., No. 02 C 7345, 2009 WL 3255236, at *3–4 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 6,
2009). As attorneys’ fees are not expressly provided by the statute, the court declines to award
them.
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CONCLUSION AND ORDER
For the foregoing reasons, Mendez’s motion for contempt and for judgment against
Republic Bank [#497] is granted. The court finds Republic Bank in contempt of court for
violating the lien imposed on defendants’ Dentists P.C.’s, Dental Profile./Dental Profile, Ltd.’s
accounts at the time of the service of the citation to discover assets, and directs the clerk to
judgment against Republic Bank in the amount of $354,147.30, which is the unpaid portion of
the judgment against defendants Dentists, P.C. and Dental Profile/Dental Profile, Ltd., plus
costs.
Dated: March 7, 2012
Enter:____________________________________
JOAN HUMPHREY LEFKOW
United States District Judge
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