THOMAS B. SMITH, Magistrate Judge.
Pending before the Court is Plaintiffs' Motion to Compel Production and Attendance at Deposition (Doc. 121). Defendant Brad Fremed has not filed a response to the motion and the time within to do so has expired. The motion is due to be granted.
On April 11, 2013, the Clerk entered judgment for Plaintiffs and against Mr. Fremed in the amount of $1,173,025.10 (Doc. 120). Plaintiffs have not collected the judgment and are seeking information concerning Mr. Fremed's assets and finances as part of their collection efforts (Doc. 121, ¶ 5). To this end, they noticed Mr. Fremed's deposition duces tecum to occur on December 17, 2014 (
Plaintiffs engaged a private investigator who is also a Florida certified process server to locate and serve their notice of taking deposition duces tecum on Mr. Fremed (
By rule, "[i]n aid of the judgment or execution, the judgment creditor ... may obtain discovery from any person—including the judgement debtor—as provided in these rules or by the procedure of the state where the court is located." F ED.R.CIV.P. 69(a)(2). A party may take the deposition of another party duces tecum on reasonable written notice. FED.R.CIV.P. 30(a)(1) and (b)(2).
If a party fails to comply with a proper deposition notice the Court may enter an order compelling the offending party's attendance and compelling the production of documents. FED.R.CIV.P. 37(a)(3)(B)(i) and (iv). The motion must contain a certificate "that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make disclosure or discovery in an effort to obtain it without court action." FED.R.CIV.P. 37(a)(1).
If the motion to compel is granted, the court may award the moving party its reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in making and prosecuting the motion. FED.R.CIV.P. 37(a)(5)(A). However, the court must not order the payment of fees and costs if: "(i) the movant filed the motion before attempting in good faith to obtain the disclosure or discovery without court action; (ii) the opposing party's nondisclosure, response, or objection was substantially justified; or (iii) other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust."
Plaintiffs allege that the only contact they have had with Mr. Fremed during this case has been the service of their summons and complaint on him on February 24, 2012 (
After due consideration, Plaintiffs' motion is GRANTED and it is ORDERED that:
(1) Within 7 days from the rendition of this Order, Mr. Fremed shall contact Plaintiffs' counsel to schedule the date, time, and location for the taking of his deposition.
(2) Unless Plaintiffs make a different agreement in writing with Mr. Fremed, his deposition shall take place within 30 days from the rendition of this Order.
(3) Mr. Fremed shall produce for inspection and copying at his deposition, all documents responsive to Plaintiffs' Notice of Taking Deposition (Duces Tecum).
(4) Plaintiffs are awarded their reasonable attorney's fees and costs, in an amount to be determined, for the making and prosecution of this motion to compel
DONE AND ORDERED.