Superior Court of California 

County of Los Angeles – West District  

Beverly Hills Courthouse / Department 205 

 

 

BACKGROUND 

This hearing is on Defendant Nariman Naimiakbar’s motion to seal a four-page complaint filed by Plaintiff Tannaz Gerbadi.  The complaint alleges that Defendant committed battery against Plaintiff.  Defendant is the Chief Executive Officer of a burgeoning technology company.  The company and its officers are regularly being reviewed by the business community for possible investment and/or partnership.  Defendant claims he will be prejudiced if the Complaint is available to the public, and this overriding interest overcomes the right of public access to the records.  There is no opposition filed as of the posting of this tentative ruling.     

DISCUSSION 

An application to seal must be accompanied by a declaration containing facts sufficient to justify sealing. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 2.551(b)(1).)  Plaintiff has submitted the declaration of Matthew Esposito which fails to explain the facts which justify sealing.  The declaration merely states that the parties entered into a settlement and agreed to seal the complaint in this action.  The parties filed a joint stipulation to seal the Complaint which the Court denied, referring to the need for good cause to be shown.  Good cause still has not been shown.        

CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons, the Court DENIES Defendant’s motion to seal.  

 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

 

DATED: July 11, 2024 ___________________________ 

Edward B. Moreton, Jr. 

Judge of the Superior Court