Jackson v. N'Genuity Enterprises, Co. et al

Filing 454

MOTION by Plaintiff Vincent E Jackson for judgment (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Filing, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit)(Novi, Kim)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
VINCENT E. JACKSON, an individual,
Plaintiff,
v.
LITTLECHIEF SPECIALTIES, INC. an Arizona
corporations.
Defendant.

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09 cv 06010
Magistrate Judge
Jeffery Cole

MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF’S PROVE UP
OF DAMAGES AGAINST LITTLECHIEF SPECIALTIES
Plaintiff Vincent E. Jackson, (“Jackson”) through his attorneys Biederman &
Novi, LLC and pursuant to Rule 55 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, asks this
Court to enter final judgment on Jackson’s RICO and civil conspiracy claims against
Defendant Littlechief Specialties and award damages of $17,954,646 plus attorney’s fees
and costs. In support of this request, Jackson states as follows:
I.

INTRODUCTION

Littlechief Specialties, a named defendant in Jackson v. N’Genuity, et al,
actively participated in these proceedings until November 29, 2011 when, despite having
been fully warned by Judge Lefkow that the failure to appear would result in a default,
Littlechief Specialties threw in the towel and chose not to appear. By virtue of the
default, Littlechief Specialties admits that Jackson is a 49% shareholder in N’Genuity and
that Littlechief Specialties, along with its RICO codefendants (Littlechief, Dustin Bowen,
Alfred Bowen, IMG, GFI and N’Genuity-Littlechief Enterprises), orchestrated a scheme
to defraud Jackson of his interest in N’Genuity by systematically plundering N’Genuity
through a pattern of racketeering.

Jackson’s damages expert, Michael Pakter, CPA and CFE, conducted a forensic
analysis of the financial data recovered and has concluded that Littlechief Specialties and
its RICO codefendants pilfered at least $12,214,045 from N’Genuity of which Jackson is
entitled to 49% ($5,984,882). Pursuant to the treble damages provision of the RICO
statute, Jackson seeks an award of $17,954,646 plus attorney’s fees and costs against
Littlechief Specialties and in his favor. Although liability is joint and several, Jackson
seeks only the entry of final judgment against Littlechief Specialties at this time in light
of the automatic stay provisions in effect against the remaining defaulting defendants,
each of whom have filed for bankruptcy. 1
II.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Pleadings

1.

On September 22, 2009, Jackson filed a Complaint against Defendants

N’Genuity, Valerie Littlechief, Alfred Bowen and Dustin Bowen in DuPage County
Court. Defendants removed the matter to federal court. [1].2
2.

On May 20, 2011, Jackson filed his First Amended Complaint

(“Complaint”) and added Littlechief Specialties, Impact Marketing Group (“IMG”),
Global Financial (“GFI”) and N’Genuity-Littlechief Enterprises as defendants
(collectively “Related Corporate Defendants”). Ex.A. The Complaint included the
following counts against Littlechief Specialties:
1

Each of Littlechief’s RICO codefendants (as well as N’Genuity) has filed for bankruptcy. As each of
those cases remain pending in the Arizona Federal District Bankruptcy Court, the automatic stay provisions
of the bankruptcy code permit Jackson to seek entry of a default judgment against Littlechief Specialties
only. Jackson has, however, asked the Arizona Federal District Bankruptcy Court to lift the stay as to
Valerie Littlechief, Dustin Bowen, GFI, and IMG to permit liquidation of damages in this Court (and, as
previously noted before this Court, is also participating in the bankruptcy claims resolution process against
N’Genuity).
2
All documents previously filed referenced herein are either attached as an exhibit or identified by the
court docket number. All previously filed documents referenced by docket number shall be included in the
Jackson’s courtesy copy of this motion to the Court and tabbed by docket number.

2

Count IX
Count XI
Count XII
Count XIII
Count XIV

Demand for an Accounting
Civil Conspiracy
Injunctive Relief
Civil RICO
Civil RICO Conspiracy

Jackson seeks only his legal remedies pursuant to Counts XI, XIII and XIV.
3.

On July 13, 2011, N’Genuity, Littlechief, Alfred Bowen and Dustin

Bowen filed an Answer to Jackson’s First Amended Complaint. [283].
4.

On July 15, 2011, Attorney Jere Glover filed an Appearance for the

Littlechief Specialties and the other Related Corporate Defendants. [285].
5.

On July 15, 2011, Littlechief Specialties and the other Related Corporate

Defendants filed an Answer to Jackson’s First Amended Complaint. [284].
6.

On July 18, 2011, N’Genuity, Littlechief, Alfred Bowen and Dustin

Bowen filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. [286]. During the pendency of this
Motion, N’Genuity filed for bankruptcy thus triggering the automatic stay in proceedings
against it. On January 12, 2012, Judge Lefkow denied this motion as to all defendants
except N’Genuity because of the automatic stay. [411].
7.

On September 14, 2011, Joseph Siprut filed an Appearance on behalf of

Littlechief Specialties and the other Related Corporate Defendants thereby joining Glover
as counsel for Littlechief Specialties. [328].
The TRO and Preliminary Injunction
8.

To thwart the type of plundering alleged in Jackson’s complaint, Judge

Lefkow granted Jackson’s request for a Temporary Restraining Order on March 4, 2011.
[198]. The Order restrained N’Genuity, Littlechief, Dustin Bowen and Alfred Bowen
from divesting or diluting Jackson’s ownership interest, paying any business entity in

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which and the defendants or relatives have an ownership interest, and paying the personal
expenses of any defendant.
9.

The TRO was extended by agreement of the parties pending the resolution

of Jackson’s request for preliminary injunction. Jackson v. N’Genuity et al, 2011
U.S.Dist. LEXIS 106512 (N.D.ILL. Sept.19, 2011) attached as Ex. B.
10.

On September 30, 2011, this Court ruled on Jackson’s motions for

preliminary injunction and the appointment of a temporary receiver [370] and issued a
written memorandum opinion and order granting Jackson’s motions on October 3, 2011.
Jackson v. N’Genuity et al, 2011 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 113511 (N.D.ILL. October 3, 2011)
attached as Ex. C.3
11.

On October 11, 2011, the day before the parties were scheduled to appear

before this Court to name the Receiver, N’Genuity filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition
in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona (In re N’Genuity, 2:11 bk
28705) thereby triggering an automatic stay with respect to Jackson’s claims against
N’Genuity. The stay did not apply to his claims against the remaining non-debtor
Defendants
12.

On October 16, 2011, Siprut filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for

Littlechief Specialties which Judge Lefkow granted on October 18, 2011. [379]. and
[385]. Glover remained as sole counsel until the Court granted him leave to withdraw on
October 27, 2012.

[395]. Mark Radtke then appeared as counsel for Littlechief

Specialties (and the remaining defendants) on January 30, 2012. [415].
The Bankruptcy Filings and Entry of Default Judgment on Liability
3

Lexis has mistakenly reported the date of the decision as September 19, 2011. On September 30, 2011
the Court announced its ruling in open court in the presence of the parties and filed its written opinion on
October 3, 2011.

4

13.

N’Genuity’s bankruptcy filing triggered an automatic stay with respect to

Mr. Jackson’s claims against N’Genuity, but not his direct claims against LittlechiefSpecialties and the remaining defendants.
14.

On October 27, 2011, the District Court ordered Valerie Littlechief, Alfred

Bowen and Dustin Thomas Bowen to appear on November 10, 2011, by counsel or in
person and for defendants IMG, GFI, Littlechief Specialties and N’Genuity-Littlechief
Enterprises to appear that same date by counsel. [395]. The Court warned: “Failure of
these defendants to appear will result in default being entered.” Id. On November 7,
2011, Judge Lefkow rescheduled the November 10th hearing to November 29, 2011 and
again warned defendants to appear or be held in default. [396].
15.

On November 29, 2011, only Defendant Alfred Bowen appeared. Judge

Lefkow entered judgment by default on liability against all Defendants other than Alfred
Bowen (and N’Genuity in light of the automatic stay) for their failure to appear. [404].
Judge Lefkow also expanded the referral to this Court to conduct hearings and enter a
Report and Recommendation on Jackson’s prove-up of damages. [404].
16.

On November 29, 2011, this Court ordered Plaintiff to produce any filings

in support of damages no later than February 1, 2012. [405].
17.

On January 30, 2012, Mark Radtke formally filed an Appearance for

Littlechief Specialties even though he had previously appeared on behalf of the all of the
RICO defendants before Judge Lefkow. [415] and [424].
18.

Jackson complied with this Court’s order and on February 1, 2012,

Jackson filed his Motion for Entry of Default Judgment and Prove Up of Damages with a
supporting memorandum of law [419].

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19.

Jackson attached the report of Michael Pakter in support of his Motion for

Entry of Default Judgment and Prove Up of Damages. (That same report is attached here
as Ex.D as Jackson’s proof of damages.) Therein, Pakter detailed the methodology and
procedures employed, and identified with specificity the documents and presumptions
upon which he relied in formulating his opinions. Among other information, Pakter
considered, bank statements, cancelled checks, spread sheets, general ledgers and
N’Genuity QuickBooks data. Ex. D p.4-12. Pakter identified all payments made by
N’Genuity, both directly and indirectly, to Littlechief, Dustin Bowen, Alfred Bowen,
IMG, GFI, LittleChief Specialties and Littlechief Enterprises. Pakter also considered any
payments made by these entities to N’Genuity. In this way, Pakter determined the amount
of net improper payments made by N’Genuity. Ex. D, p.14.
20.

Pakter found net improper payments made by N’Genuity to the following

for the following years:
$3,222,529 to Littlechief and/or on her behalf from 2003 to 2011;
$498,494 to Dustin Bowen and/or on his behalf from 2003 to 2011;
$1,490,615 to Littlechief Specialties from 2009 to 2010;
$887,822 to Global Financial (GFI) form 2003 to 2007; and
$6,114,585 to Impact Marketing Group (IMG)/EDA from 2005 to 2011.
Ex. D, pp14,16,18,20,21. Thus, the total net improper stolen by Littlechief Specialties
and its RICO codefendants is $12,214,045. 4 Ex. D, pp.23-24.
21.

Because Jackson is a 49% shareholder, Pakter opined that Jackson is

entitled to $5,984,882. Ex. D, p.25. Relying on the legal presumptions that Jackson is
entitled to treble damages and that that liability is joint and several, Pakter opined that
Littlechief Specialties and its RICO codefendants, are each liable for $17,954,646.

4

Mr. Pakter was unable to determine whether improper payments were made to N’Genuity-Littlechief
Enterprises, Co., due to incomplete document production. See, Ex.D, p. 19.

6

22.

In addition to filing his prove up motion, Jackson sought to freeze the

assets of the Littlechief, Bowen, IMG and GFI. [416]. Judge Lefkow set an emergency
hearing for February 2, 2012. On the eve of the emergency hearing, Bowen, IMG and
GFI each filed for bankruptcy. Judge Lefkow declined to enter an injunction freezing
Littlechief’s assets under the teaching of Grupo Mexicano,5 but specifically noted that
“the timing of the other defendants’ bankruptcy petitions gives rise to the inference that
they were not filed in good faith.” [422].
23.

On February 8, 2012, the parties appeared before this Court. Attorney

Radtke, representing Littlechief Specialties and all of the other defendants but N’Genuity,
advised the Court that IMG, GFI and Dustin Bowen had filed for bankruptcy in the
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona. This Court ordered Littlechief
Specialties and Valerie Littlechief (the only remaining non-defaulting defendants) to
respond to Jackson’s Prove Up of Damages by February 22, 2012. [424]
24.

Neither Littlechief nor Littlechief Specialties filed a response to Jackson’s

Prove Up of Damages. Rather, on February 22, 2012, Littlechief Specialties, Valerie
Littlechief and Alfred Bowen filed a Suggestion of Bankruptcy. [427]
25.

On March 2, 2012, in light of all of the defendants having filed for

bankruptcy, this Court returned the matter to Judge Lefkow. [428]
THE AUTOMATIC STAY TRIGGERED BY LITTLECHIEF
SPECIALTIES’ BANKRUPTCY PETITION HAS EXPIRED
26.

On May 31, 2012, the Chapter 7 Trustee in Littlechief Specialties’

bankruptcy proceeding, In re Littlechief Specialties Inc., 2:12-bk-03078, certified
pursuant to Fed R. Bank. P 5009, that the matter had been fully administered. Ex. E.
5

Grupo Mexicano de Desarrollo, S.A. v. Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., 527 U.S. 308, 333 (1999).

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27.

On June 22, 2012, the Honorable Judge Sarah Sharer Curley of the U.S.

Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona ordered In re Littlechief Specialties Inc.
closed. Ex. E.
28.

On July 12, 2012, Judge Lefkow granted Radtke’s motion to withdraw as

counsel to Littlechief Specialties and its codefendants. [443]. Pursuant to Local Rule
72.1, Judge Lefkow referred this matter to this Court to conduct proceedings and enter a
Report and Recommendation on Jackson’s prove-up of damages. [443, 445].
29.

On July 18, 2012, Jackson filed a motion with this Court seeking a prove

up of damages proceeding against Littlechief Specialties. [446] and [447]. The Court
requested a memorandum outlining the effects of the bankruptcy proceedings which
Jackson produced the following day. [450, 451] Jackson’s counsel sent copies of its
memorandum [451] and the Court’s Order [450] to Dustin Bowen and Valerie Littlechief
(the owners of Littlechief Specialties) by electronic mail. Ex. F.
30.

On July 23, 2012, this Court granted Jackson’s request to conduct prove

up of damages proceedings against Littlechief Specialties. [452] and [453]. Jackson’s
counsel sent Dustin Bowen and Valerie Littlechief copies of both orders entered on July
23, 2012 by electronic mail. Ex. G.
III. LEGAL ARGUMENT
A. Default Judgment
A default judgment establishes, as a matter of law, that defendants are liable to
plaintiff as to each cause of action alleged in the complaint. Dundee Cement Co. v.
Howard Pipe & Concrete Prods., 722 F.2d 1319, 1323 (7th Cir. 1983); United States v.
DiMucci, 879 F.2d 1319, 1323 (7th Cir. 1983).

"Upon default, the well-pleaded

allegations of a complaint relating to liability are taken as true." Dundee, 722 F.2d at
8

1323. Accordingly, the Seventh Circuit has held that when a defendant defaults, it has
“thus thrown in the towel” and “there is nothing left for the district court to do except
enter judgment.” Chathas v. Local 134 International Brothers of Electric Workers, 233
F.3d 508, 512 (7th Cir. 2000). Thus, Judge Lefkow’s entry of default judgment on
liability establishes that Littlechief Specialties violated the Civil RICO statute (Counts
XII and XIV) and committed conspiracy (Count XI).6
1. Liability
By virtue of default judgment on liability entered by Judge Lefkow, Littlechief
Specialties is liable to Jackson on each cause of action pled against it in his complaint.
Additionally, all allegations of the complaint relating to liability must be taken to be true.
Dundee, 722 F.2d at 1323. Littlechief Specialties therefore admits, inter alia, that
Jackson is a 49% shareholder. (Ex. A, ¶¶13, 52-57). Littlechief also admits that it was
formed as a purported Interest Charge-Domestic International Sales Corporation (“ICDISC”) and that Jackson was neither informed of its creation at the time nor offered any
ownership interest in Littlechief Specialties.

(Ex. A, ¶12). Littlechief Specialties also

admits that it is liable to Jackson for Civil RICO.
a. Summary of Admitted RICO Allegations and Claims (Counts XIII
and XIV against Littlechief Specialties)
The Seventh Circuit has held that upon default, “there is nothing left for the
district court to do except enter judgment.” Chathas, 233 F.3d at 512. The Seventh
Circuit has also held that a default constitutes an admission to all well pled facts. Here,
there is no question that Jackson’s complaint is well pled.

6

To establish a RICO claim

The default judgment also constitutes an admission by Littlechief Specialties to the facts that support
Jackson’s Demand for an Accounting and request for Injunctive Relief. Jackson does not seek equitable
relief at this time.

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under section 1962(c), a plaintiff must establish: (1) defendants were persons employed
by or associated with an enterprise that was engaged in or affected interstate commerce;
(2) who conducted or participated in the conduct of the enterprises’ affairs; (3) through a
pattern of racketeering activity; and (4) plaintiff suffered a loss as a result of the
racketeering activity. 18 USCS §1962 (c) and 1964 (c); Haroco, Inc. v. American
National Bank & Trust, 747 F.2d 384, 386-87 (7th Cir. 1984).
Littlechief Specialties has admitted, by virtue of the default order, to committing
racketeering offenses and conspiring to do so in violation of 18 USCS §1962 (c) and (d).
Ex. A, ¶58-65, 148-164. The admitted allegations support a finding of a RICO violation.
Littlechief Specialties is a person as defined by the statute. (“Person” includes any
individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial interest in property.) 18
U.S.C. §1961(3). Ex. A, ¶150. Its association with its codefendants constitutes an
enterprise. 18 U.S.C. §1961(4). Ex. A, ¶151.

An enterprise must have at least three

structural features: a purpose, relationships among those associated with the enterprise
and longevity sufficient to permit these associates to pursue the enterprise’s purpose.”
Boyle v. United States, 129 S.Ct. 2237, 2241 (2009). Here, Littlechief Specialties and its
codefendants joined together for the purpose of defrauding Jackson of compensation and
his ownership interest in N’Genuity; to operate N’Genuity for its own purposes; to
conceal their unlawful activities from Jackson and others and to misappropriate
N’Genuity funds belonging to Jackson. Ex. A, ¶¶58-62, 150-152. Littlechief Specialties
participated in the conduct of the Enterprise for at least 8 years. Ex. A, ¶¶60-62, 153.
Littlechief Specialties and its codefendants have engaged in a pattern of
racketeering. Ex. A, ¶¶153-156. A pattern of racketeering activity requires at least two

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acts of racketeering activity. 18 USCS 1961(5); Trak Micropcomputer Corp v. Wearne
Brothers, 628 F.Supp. 1089, (N.D ILL 1985). Racketeering activity includes a number of
illegal acts included mail fraud.

18 USCS 1961(1).

Mail fraud exists where the

defendants participate in a scheme to defraud and use the U.S. mail or knowingly caused
another to use the U.S. mail for the purpose of executing the scheme. U.S. v. Joshua, 648
F.3d 547, 550 (7th Cir. 2010).
Littlechief Specialties admits by virtue of the default order to not only engaging in
a scheme to defraud Jackson and plunder his assets in N’Genuity by engaging mail fraud,
but bank fraud and the interstate transportation of stolen property as well. Ex. A, ¶62-64,
153-56.

Littlechief Specialties also admits that, working in concert with its RICO

codefendants it: (i) created and transmitted through the US Mail and/or by wire, false,
misleading and fraudulent statements regarding the status of N’Genuity and the use of the
Defendants’ purported entitlement to N’Genuity’s funds and other assets; (ii) made false,
misleading and fraudulent statements to banks and other financial institutions to cause
such institutions to release funds to Defendants to which they are not entitled; and (iii)
effectuated the interstate transportation of funds stolen by certain Defendants from
N’Genuity and Jackson, and conspiring to do so in violation of RICO. Ex. A, ¶¶1, 62-65,
153-56. Thru this scheme Littlechief Specialties systematically looted millions of dollars
from N’Genuity that belonged to Jackson and thereby injured Jackson. Ex. A, ¶¶36, 65,
157.
b. Summary of Civil Conspiracy Allegations and Claims
(Count XI against Littlechief Specialties)
Illinois and Arizona similarly define civil conspiracy: Conspiracy involves two or
more persons combining to accomplish either a lawful purpose by unlawful means or an
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unlawful purpose by lawful means. Smith v. Eli Lilly & Co. 137 Ill. 2d 222, 235, 560
(1990);

Wells Fargo Bank v. Ariz. Laborers, Teamsters & Cement Masons Local No.

395 Pension Trust Fund, 201 Ariz. 474, 498 (Ariz. 2002).7 The necessary elements of
civil conspiracy include: (1) an agreement between two or more persons; (2) to
participate in an unlawful act, or a lawful act in an unlawful manner; (3) an injury caused
by an unlawful overt act performed by one of the parties; and (4) the overt act was done
pursuant to and in furtherance of the common scheme. Wolf v. Liberis, 153 Ill. App. 3d
488, 496 (1987). Liability is joint and several meaning each member of the conspiracy is
liable for all damages caused by the conspiracy’s entire output. Paper Systems v. Nippon
Paper Industry, 281 F.3d 629, 632 (7th Cir. 2002).
There is no question that the facts alleged in Jackson’s Complaint, deemed
admitted by Littlechief Specialties, shows that it agreed to defraud Jackson of millions by
misappropriating as its own, funds belonging to Jackson as an owner of N’Genuity. Ex.
A, ¶¶139-143.
2. Damages
While the allegations of the complaint relating to liability must be taken to be true
upon default, ordinarily allegations regarding damages are not. Dundee, 722 F.2d at
1323. The district court must “conduct an inquiry in order to ascertain the amount of
damages with reasonable certainty." In re Catt, 368 F.3d 789, 793 (7th Cir. 2004); Scott
v. Peterson, 2010 U.S. Dist. Lexis 81387, p. 3-4 (N.D.Ill Aug 11, 2010) attached as Ex.H.
Ordinarily, when the true facts relating to a disputed issue lie peculiarly within the

7

Where, as here, the laws of the two states are essentially the same, there is no need to engage in a choice
of law analysis and Illinois law applies as the law of the forum. Sterling Finance Management, LP v. UBS
Paine Webber, Inc., 336 Ill.App.3d 442, 447 (1st Dist. 2002).

12

knowledge of one party, the burden of proof may properly be assigned to that party in
the interest of fairness. Blizzard Entertainment Inc., v. Alyson Reeves, 2010 U.S. Dist.
LEXIS 85560, 6-7 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 10, 2010) attached as Ex.I. “This rule applies equally,
if not more so, in the context of default judgment.” Id., see also Henry v. Sneiders, 490
F.2d 315, 317 (9th Cir. 1974) (noting that in default judgment action, "[a]ny insufficiency
of the plaintiff's evidence was a direct result of appellant's refusal to comply with a
legitimate request for discovery.") A judgment may be entered without a hearing on
damages where, as here, “the amount claimed is liquidated or capable of ascertainment
from definite figures contained in the documentary evidence or in detailed affidavits.”
Dundee, 722 F.2d at 1323.
Here, the damages to which Jackson is entitled are in fact capable of
ascertainment by documentary evidence, which includes QuickBooks data, tax returns,
bank statements and cancelled checks, and the affidavit of Michael Pakter, an expert in
the field of forensic accounting. Mr. Pakter has conducted a damages analysis which
attached as Exhibit D.8

Pakter’s detailed report establishes that Littlechief Specialties

and its RICO codefendants stole at least $12,214,045 from N’Genuity, of which, Jackson
is entitled to 49% ($5,984,882). Jackson seeks to have these damages trebled plus
attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to 18 USCS §1964(c).
a. Summary of Federal Law on Damages for Racketeering
Violations
The federal racketeering statute provides a civil remedy for those injured by a
RICO violation:

8

As Mr. Pakter’s report explains, he reviewed thousands of pages of bank statements and checks. These
documents have been scanned to a disc that has been filed with the Clerk [425] and will be provided to the
Court.

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Any person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of
section 1962 of this chapter may sue therefore in any appropriate United States
district court and shall recover threefold the damages he sustains and the cost of
the suit including a reasonable attorney’s fee.
(18 USCS §1964(c)) (emphasis added). See also, Jones v. Phipps, 39 F.3d 158, 160-61,
166 (7th Cir. 1994) (upholding a default judgment in which damages had been trebled
under RICO). The RICO statute is to “be liberally construed to effectuate its remedial
purposes.” Sedima v. Imrex Company, Inc. 473 U.S. 479, 497-98 (1985). Liability under
RICO is joint and several. United States v. Masters, 924 F.2d 1362, 1369-70 (7th Cir.),
cert. denied, 500 U.S. 919, 114 L. Ed. 2d 105, 111 S. Ct. 2019 (1991); City of Chicago
Heights v. Lobue, 914 F.Supp. 279, 284 (N.D. Ill 1996) (defendants jointly and severally
liable for all the damage the city sustained from overbilling); Fleischhauer v. Feltner,
879 F.2d 1290, 1301 (6th Cir. 1989) (joint and several liability appropriate for civil RICO
violation); United States v. Philip Morris USA, 316 F.Supp. 2d 19, 27 (D.D.C 2004)
(stating that “[e]very circuit in the country that has addressed the issue has concluded that
the nature of both civil and criminal RICO offenses requires imposition of joint and
several liability because all defendants participate in the enterprise responsible for RICO
violations”) and US v. Simmons, 154 F.3d 765, 769-70 (8th Cir., 1988) (finding joint and
several liability in RICO conspiracy case).
Littlechief Specialties and its codefendants as joint tortfeasors misappropriated
$12,214,045 from N’Genuity of which Mr. Jackson is entitled to 49% or $5,984,882.
Under the statute, Jackson is entitled to treble damages of $17,954,646. While Littlechief
Specialties admits to liability on Count XI, Civil Conspiracy, Jackson concedes that this
Court should not award any damages that would be duplicative of other relief granted.
Where a party prevails on several claims, the court awards the greatest amount of
14

damages so that in fairness no double recovery is had. Jackson therefore, seeks the entry
of final judgment in favor of Jackson and against Littlechief Specialties on in the amount
of $17,954,646 plus attorney’s fees, costs, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
b. Post judgment and pre judgment interest
Pursuant to 28 USC 1961(a), Jackson is entitled to post judgment interest. Interest
shall be allowed on any money judgment in a civil case recovered in a district court.
Jackson is therefore entitled to post judgment interest. Id.
Jackson is also entitled to prejudgment interest.

The award of prejudgment

interest depends on the law that supplies the substantive rule of decision – in this case,
Arizona. See, Perlman v. Zell, 185 F.3d 850, 857 (7th Cir. Ill. 1999). Under Arizona law,
prejudgment interest is a part of the damages for a RICO injury, and it is also to be
trebled. Vairo v. Clayden, 153 Ariz. 13, 734 P.2d 110 (App.1987); Aetna Casualty &
Sur.Co. v. Dini, 169 Ariz. 555, 558-59 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1991).
WHEREFORE, Jackson respectfully requests that this Court enter default
judgment against LITTLECHIEF SPECIALTIES and award damages in favor of Jackson
and for $17,954,646 plus attorney’s fees, costs, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
Respectfully Submitted,
VINCENT E. JACKSON
By:
Kim A. Novi (#6194228)
Biederman & Novi, LLC
19 South LaSalle, Suite 902
Chicago, IL 60603
T 312.750.9083

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/s/ Kim Novi
One of Plaintiff’s Attorneys