Volvo Financial Services v. Freightport, Inc. et al
Filing
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Judge Mark G. Mastroianni: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER entered. As follows: For the reasons stated, Upon de novo review, the court hereby ADOPTS Judge Robertsons Report and Recommendation, except that this court corrects a computation error and adjusts the amount of the judgment down to $127,578.40.1 (Dkt. No. 24 ). The court, therefore, ALLOWS Plaintiffs Motion for Entry of Default Judgement (Dkt. No. 15 ). The Clerk is ordered to enter a judgment for Plaintiff in the amount of $127,578.40, with interest calculated at 18% from June 24, 2016 through the date of judgment. This case may now be closed. It is So Ordered. See the attached memo and order for complete details. (Lindsay, Maurice)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
VOLVO FINANCIAL SERVICES,
a division of VFS US LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.
FREIGHTPORT, INC. and
ALEKSANDR CHUDUK,
Defendants.
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Civil Action No. 17-10401-MGM
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER REGARDING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT AGAINST
DEDENDANTS FREIGHTPORT, INC. AND ALEKSANDR CHUDUK
(Dkt. Nos. 15 and 24)
January 23, 2018
MASTROIANNI, U.S.D.J.
This case stems from loans made by the plaintiff, Volvo Financial Services (“VFS”) to
defendant Freightport, Inc. and personally guaranteed by defendant, Aleksandr Chuduk (“Chuduk”).
VFS loaned the money to enable Freightport to purchase three Volvo VNL64T trucks, with the
trucks serving as security for the loans. When neither Freightport nor Chuduk made the required
payments, VFS repossessed the trucks and sold them. They then attempted to collect the
$121,190.67 deficiency between the principal loaned and the sales proceeds. When those efforts
failed, VFS filed this suit. (Dkt. No. 1.) After several frustrated efforts to serve Chuduk, including a
call between Chuduk and the process server and in-hand service to a person believed to be
Chuduk’s girlfriend, VFS requested permission to effectuate service by repeated publication in a
local paper. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson, to whom this case was initially assigned,
considered that request and found it sufficiently articulated to allow service by publication.
VFS filed its affidavit of service, a request for notice of default, and its Motion for Default
Judgment. (Dkt. Nos. 12, 14, and 15.) The court mailed a copy of the clerk’s entry of default to
Freightport at the 203 Circuit Avenue address in West Springfield, Massachusetts provided in the
complaint, but the mailing was returned as undeliverable. (Dkt. No. 19.) This court referred the
Motion for Default Judgment to Magistrate Judge Robertson for a Report and Recommendation
and Magistrate Judge Robertson has recommended the court grant the Motion for Default
Judgment and enter judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $155,559.37, with interest calculated
at 18% from June 24, 2016 through the date of the judgment. The Report and Recommendation
directed that parties had fourteen days to file any objections. Neither defendant filed an objection,
though the court was unable to provide them with a copy of the Report and Recommendation
because they have never responded to the summons despite service via publication and actual
knowledge of the suit via the phone call between the process server Chuduk as well as the in-hand
delivery of the summons and complaint to an individual believed to be Chuduk’s girlfriend. Based
on the material in the record, the court understands Chuduk’s own efforts are what has prevented
him from receiving notice of the Notice of Default and the Report and Recommendation.
The court has reviewed the Report and Recommendation, as well as the complaint and
Plaintiff’s motion. Upon de novo review, the court hereby ADOPTS Judge Robertson’s Report and
Recommendation, except that this court corrects a computation error and adjusts the amount of the
judgment down to $127,578.40.1 (Dkt. No. 24).
The court, therefore, ALLOWS Plaintiff’s Motion for Entry of Default Judgement (Dkt. No.
15). The Clerk is ordered to enter a judgment for Plaintiff in the amount of $127,578.40, with
The deficiency after the two sales were $28,156.04 and $93,034.63 for a total of $121,190.67. The Report and
Recommendation incorrectly stated the sum as $149,171.64, an amount that included interest at 18% per annum from
the date of the sale through October 11, 2017. (Dkt. No. 23 at ¶ 21.) The addition of $6,387.73 in attorneys fees and
costs results in the correct total of $127,578.40.
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interest calculated at 18% from June 24, 2016 through the date of judgment. This case may now be
closed.
It is So Ordered.
_/s/ Mark G. Mastroianni________
MARK G. MASTROIANNI
United States District Judge
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