The Sterling Group LP v. Babcock Power, Inc. et al
Filing
24
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER signed by Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson, III on 7/28/2017. The motion of The Sterling Group for sanctions 1 is DENIED. cc: Counsel(RLK)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
AT LOUISVILLE
THE STERLING GROUP, L.P.
MOVANT
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:17-MC-1-CRS
v.
BABCOCK POWER, INC., et al.
RESPONDENTS
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the court for consideration of the request for sanctions
accompanying the motion of The Sterling Group, L.P. (“Sterling”) to quash a subpoena issued to
it by Babcock Power, Inc. and Vogt Power International, Inc. (collectively, “Babcock”)(DN 1).
The United States Magistrate Judge ordered the March 7, 2016 subpoena to Sterling be
quashed, as the issuance of it “in conjunction with [Babcock Power, Inc., et al. v. Stephen T.
Kapsalis, Civil Action No. 3:13CV-717-CRS (the “Kapsalis case”)] was ‘additional discovery’
that clearly violated the March 2, 2016 scheduling order.” (DN 18, p. 5).
This motion to quash is intertwined with the issues addressed at length in the magistrate
judge’s memorandum opinion and order of June 30, 2017 in the Kapsalis case. (DN 450). After
conducting an evidentiary hearing, the magistrate judge detailed in a fifty-six page opinion a
“win at all costs” approach taken by plaintiffs’ counsel in the case which most recently featured
shifting arguments and direct disregard for the magistrate judge’s orders. After an exhaustive
analysis, the magistrate judge ordered the payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses for
the violations.
Sterling’s argument for sanctions is unsubstantiated. Sterling relies on Fed.R.Civ.P.
45(d)(1) which serves to protect a non-party recipient from undue burden and expense resulting
from compliance with a subpoena.
But Sterling does not claim or show it was put to such
burden or expense. It has the responsibility to do so to justify a sanctions request. In re January
4, 2008 Subpoena to Kasten, No. 08-16-KSF, 2008 WL 1908755 (E.D.Ky. April 28, 2008).
The motion of The Sterling Group, L.P., for sanctions (DN 1) is DENIED.
July 28, 2017
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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