Federal Trade Commission v. Midway Industries Limited Liability Company et al

Filing 32

ORDER granting in part and denying in part 23 Motion to Authorize Payment of Attorneys Fees From Frozen Assets. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 8/20/14. (bmhs, Deputy Clerk)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
101 WEST LOMBARD STREET
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201
[phone] .
[phone] FAX

CHAMBERS OF
J. FREDERICK MOrZ
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

August 20,2014

MEMO TO COUNSEL RE: Federal Trade Commission v. Midway Industries Limited
Liability Co., et al.
Civil No. JFM-14-2312
Dear Counsel:
I have reviewed the memoranda submitted in connection with the Epstein defendants'
motion to authorize payment of attorneys' fees from frozen assets.
The motion (document 23) is granted in part and denied in part. I will increase the
amount to be released for the payment of attorneys' fees by $25,000. Otherwise, the motion is
denied. It seems to me that the release of an additional $25,000 is sufficient to enable a
reasonable retainer. Of course, if the amount of time expended exceeds the amount of the
retainer, I will (as plaintiff contemplates) authorize the payment of additional fees. However, I
caution counsel for the Epstein defendants to be careful about not expending time profligately.
In the final analysis if persons were harmed, compensation should be provided to them, not
defendants' attorneys.
Despite the informal nature of this letter, it should be flagged as an opinion and docketed
as an order.
Very truly yours,

J~:::Motz
United States District Judge
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