The Estate of JOANN MATOUK ROMAIN, deceased v. The CITY OF GROSSE POINTE FARMS et al
Filing
265
OPINION and ORDER Adopting Magistrate Judge's 252 Report and Recommendation and Granting Defendant Timothy J. Matouk's 202 Motion for Spoliation Sanctions. Signed by District Judge Linda V. Parker. (RLou)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
ESTATE OF JOANN MATOUK ROMAIN
and MICHELLE MARIE ROMAIN,
Plaintiffs,
v.
Civil Case No. 14-12289
Honorable Linda V. Parker
CITY OF GROSSE POINTE FARMS,
et al.
Defendants.
____________________________/
OPINION AND ORDER ADOPTING MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S
NOVEMBER 22, 2016 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION (ECF NO.
252) AND GRANTING DEFENDANT TIMOTHY J. MATOUK’S MOTION
FOR SPOLIATION SANCTIONS (ECF NO. 202)
On August 16, 2016, Defendant Timothy J. Matouk (“Matouk”) filed a
motion for spoliation sanctions under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37 based on
Plaintiffs’ failure to preserve photographs/images used to elicit an identification
from witness Paul Hawk. This Court referred the motion to Magistrate Judge
Stephanie Dawkins Davis. (ECF No. 203.) Magistrate Judge Davis issued a
Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) on November 22, 2016, recommending that
the Court grant the motion and impose sanctions against Plaintiff. (ECF No. 252.)
Specifically, Magistrate Judge Davis recommends disallowing Plaintiffs from
using any evidence stemming from their failure to preserve the images, including
disallowing the witness from testifying about the images in any manner. (Id. at
17.) Magistrate Judge Davis also recommends awarding Matouk the reasonable
costs and attorney’s fees he incurred bringing the motion. (Id.)
At the conclusion of her R&R, Magistrate Judge Davis advises the parties
that they may object to and seek review of the R&R within fourteen days of service
upon them. (Id. at 17-18.) She further specifically advises the parties that
“[f]ailure to file specific objections constitutes a waiver of any further right to
appeal.” (Id.) Neither party filed objections to the R&R.
The Court has carefully reviewed the R&R and concurs with the conclusions
reached by Magistrate Judge Davis. The Court therefore adopts the R&R.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that Defendant Timothy J. Matouk’s motion for
spoliation sanctions (ECF No. 202) is GRANTED and the Court imposes the
sanctions set forth in Magistrate Judge Davis’ R&R.1
s/ Linda V. Parker
LINDA V. PARKER
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated: January 6, 2017
Magistrate Judge Davis will determine the reasonable costs and attorney’s fees to
be awarded to Matouk as sanctions, as she is most familiar with the proceedings.
2
1
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed to counsel of
record and/or pro se parties on this date, January 6, 2017, by electronic and/or U.S.
First Class mail.
s/ Richard Loury
Case Manager
3
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?