Cargill, Incorporated v. WDS, Inc. et al

Filing 316

AMENDED JUDGMENT & ORDER in favor of Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, Cargill, Incorporated against WDS, Inc., Brian Ewert, Jennifer Maier. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Clerks Judgment as entered (Doc. No. 315) shall b e amended to reflect that Defendants Jennifer Maier and Brian Ewert are liable to Plaintiffs pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) in the amount of $105,531,807.00, which is threefold the amount of damages awarded by the jury. Additionally, as o rdered by the Court following the return of the jurys verdict, Plaintiffs shall file within fourteen (14) calendar days from the day of this order a memorandum of law indicating whether the conduct found by the jury constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1. Plaintiffs shall also include any motion for attorneys fees pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-16.1 within their pleadings. Defendants shall respond to these pleadings within fourteen (14) calendar days from the filing of Plaintiffs pleadings on this issue. Plaintiffs need not file any reply brief. Signed by Chief Judge Frank D. Whitney on 1/23/18. (clc)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. 3:16-cv-00848-FDW-DSC
CARGILL. INC., and CARGILL MEAT )
SOLUTIONS, CORP.,
)
)
Plaintiffs,
)
)
vs.
)
)
WDS, INC., JENNIFER MAIER, and )
BRIAN EWERT,
)
)
Defendants.
)

AMENDED JUDGMENT and ORDER

THIS MATTER is before the Court following return of the jury’s verdict regarding the
entry of judgment in this matter and the schedule for filing post-trial motions.
For the reasons stated in open Court following the jury’s verdict and pursuant to
18 U.S.C.§ 1964(c), the Court awarded threefold the jury’s finding of the amount of damages, as
well as costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees1 for Plaintiffs’ claims against Defendants Jennifer
Maier and Brian Ewert under RICO 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d). Accordingly, Defendants Maier and
Ewert are liable to Plaintiffs on this claim in the amount of $105,531,807.00, which is threefold
the amount of damages awarded by the jury. The judgment (Doc. No. 315) as entered is hereby
AMENDED to reflect such award.
Additionally, as ordered by the Court following the return of the jury’s verdict, Plaintiffs
shall file within fourteen (14) calendar days from the day of this order a memorandum of law
indicating whether the conduct found by the jury constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice

The Court will order additional briefing as to the amount of reasonable attorneys’ fees to be awarded following a
decision on Plaintiffs’ request, if any, for attorneys’ fees on their claim for Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices
pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-16.1.
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under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1. Plaintiffs shall also include any motion for attorneys’ fees pursuant
to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-16.1 within their pleadings. Defendants shall respond to these pleadings
within fourteen (14) calendar days from the filing of Plaintiffs’ pleadings on this issue. Plaintiffs
need not file any reply brief.
Furthermore, in accordance with Defendants’ request to expedite briefing of post-trial
motions,2 the Court hereby orders the parties to file all post-trial motions, if any, within fourteen
(14) calendar days. Responses to any motions shall be due within fourteen (14) calendar days
from the filing of the respective motion.
Finally, during the post-verdict hearing, Defendants indicated an intention to file a motion
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62 to stay execution of the judgment in this case. The
Court indicated motions to stay execution shall be promptly filed, and the Court notes
Fed. R. Civ. P. 62 sets forth the circumstances upon which Defendants can file such motion.
Pursuant to the expedited briefing schedule for post-trial motions, the Court hereby anticipates the
filing of a motion to stay but declines to set any deadline for doing so, as the timing to file an
appropriate motion shall be left to counsel’s discretion pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Clerk’s Judgment as entered (Doc. No. 315) shall
be amended to reflect that Defendants Jennifer Maier and Brian Ewert are liable to Plaintiffs
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) in the amount of $105,531,807.00, which is threefold the amount

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The Court notes, for the record, Defendants acknowledged that trial transcripts in this matter would be unavailable
for counsel for an extended period of time. Defense counsel indicated a willingness to proceed with the filing of posttrial motions prior to receipt of any transcripts, and Plaintiffs’ counsel did not lodge any objection to this expedited
briefing schedule.

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of damages awarded by the jury. Defendants Maier and Ewert are also liable to Plaintiffs for the
cost of suit and reasonable attorneys’ fees in an amount to be later determined by the Court.
IS IS FURTHER ORDERED that the deadlines set forth herein shall govern the filing of
post-trial motions and other pleadings related to the jury’s verdict.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Signed: January 23, 2018

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