ORDER

CARLOS E. MENDOZA, District Judge.

THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon the sua sponte Report and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge. (Doc. 57). The Magistrate Judge recommends that default judgment1 be entered against both remaining Defendants, USDS, LLC and Mike Keen, that their Answer be stricken from the record, and that, additionally, they be required to pay the expenses incurred by the Plaintiffs as a result of their failure to attend a mediation conference. (Id. at 6-7). After an independent de novo review of the record in this matter, and noting that no objections were timely filed, the Court agrees with the findings of fact and conclusions of law in the Report and Recommendation.

"The `severe sanction of a dismissal or default judgment is appropriate only as a last resort, when less drastic sanctions would not ensure compliance with the court's orders.'" In re Sunshine Jr. Stores, Inc., 456 F.3d 1291, 1306 (11th Cir. 2006) (quoting Malautea v. Suzuki Motor Co., 987 F.2d 1536, 1542 (11th Cir. 1993)). "A district court may [] strike pleadings and direct a clerk to enter default against defendants who have made an appearance as a sanction for discovery abuses or the abandonment of defenses." Clever Covers, Inc. v. Sw. Fla. Storm Def., LLC, 554 F.Supp.2d 1303, 1307 (M.D. Fla. 2008). The Defendants have abandoned their defense. After the withdrawal of their attorney—on the grounds that he was terminated by the parties—in March 2014, (Doc. Nos. 49-51), the Defendants have failed to maintain a current address despite being ordered to do so, have failed to respond to the Court's orders, have failed to attend mediation, and have made no objection to the recommendation that sanctions and default be imposed. Based on this pattern of disregard for this litigation, lesser sanctions would not ensure compliance and default is both appropriate and necessary in this case.

It is ORDERED and ADJUDGED as follows:

DONE and ORDERED.