Judge: Jon R. Takasugi, Case: 23STCV24878, Date: 2024-06-25 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV24878    Hearing Date: July 5, 2024    Dept: 17

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

DEPARTMENT 17

TENTATIVE RULING

Plaintiffs’ motion to compel initial responses from Defendant to their Form Interrogatories (Set One) is GRANTED. Defendant is sanctioned, jointly and severally with counsel, $700.00.

Plaintiffs’ motion to compel initial responses from Defendant to their Requests for Identification and Production of Documents is GRANTED. Defendant is sanctioned, jointly and severally with counsel, $700.00.

           On 10/9/2023, Plaintiffs Project 7 Security Group and Brandon Gatewood (collectively, Plaintiffs) filed suit against Michael Johnson, alleging: (1) independent action in equity to vacate judgment for lack of personal jurisdiction; and (2) independent action in equity to vacate judgment for extrinsic fraud or mistake. 

           On 4/9/2023, Plaintiffs moved to compel initial responses from Defendant to their Form Interrogatories (Set One) and their Requests for Identification and Production of Documents. Plaintiffs also request monetary sanctions in connection to both motions.

           The motions are unopposed.

Discussion

           On 12/29/2023, Plaintiffs served Defendant with Form Interrogatories (Set One) and Requests for Identification and Production of Documents.

           To date, no responses have been received and Defendant did not oppose this motion. As such, Defendant has not offered any justification for his failure to respond.

           Based on the foregoing, Plaintiffs’ motion to compel initial responses from Defendant to their Form Interrogatories (Set One) and their Requests for Identification and Production of Documents is granted. Defendant is sanctioned, jointly and severally with counsel, $700 per motion. ($350/hr x 2.)

It is so ordered.

Dated:  June    , 2024

   Hon. Jon R. Takasugi
   Judge of the Superior Court

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the court at smcdept17@lacourt.org by 4 p.m. the day prior as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  If a party submits on the tentative, the party’s email must include the case number and must identify the party submitting on the tentative.  If all parties to a motion submit, the court will adopt this tentative as the final order.  If the department does not receive an email indicating the parties are submitting on the tentative and there are no appearances at the hearing, the motion may be placed off calendar.  For more information, please contact the court clerk at (213) 633-0517.