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JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. SFR Investments Pool 1, LLC, 2:17-cv-00335-GMN-BNW. (2020)

Court: District Court, D. Nevada Number: infdco20200127c37 Visitors: 32
Filed: Jan. 06, 2020
Latest Update: Jan. 06, 2020
Summary: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION BRENDA WEKSLER , Magistrate Judge . Presently before this Court is Cross-Claimant SFR Investment Pool 1, LLC.'s (SFR) Motion for Entry of Default Judgment against Defendant Stephanie Wynn. (ECF No. 43) No opposition has been filed. I. BACKGROUND In July 2008, Defendant Wynn obtained title to real property located at 1409 Groom Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada (Assessor Parcel Number 124-35-813-043) ("Property"). (ECF No. 43, at 2.) The property became subject to a lien
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

Presently before this Court is Cross-Claimant SFR Investment Pool 1, LLC.'s (SFR) Motion for Entry of Default Judgment against Defendant Stephanie Wynn. (ECF No. 43) No opposition has been filed.

I. BACKGROUND

In July 2008, Defendant Wynn obtained title to real property located at 1409 Groom Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada (Assessor Parcel Number 124-35-813-043) ("Property"). (ECF No. 43, at 2.) The property became subject to a lien which remained unsatisfied. (Id.) The lienholder sold the property to SFR at a foreclosure sale. (Id.)

On February 2, 2017, Plaintiff JPMorgan Chase Bank filed a complaint against Defendants SFR, Wynn, and others. (ECF No. 1.) Plaintiff sought, in relevant part, to quiet title concerning the property. (Id.) Defendant Wynn was served on March 17, 2017. (ECF No. 11.) Defendant Wynn did not answer.

On June 12, 2017, Defendant SFR answered, asserted counterclaims against Plaintiff and crossclaims against Defendant Wynn, and sought to quiet title to this same property. (ECF No. 18.) SFR also filed a Notice of Lis Pendens. (ECF No. 21.) Defendant Wynn was served with the Answer, Crossclaim and Notice of Lis Pendens on July 3, 2017. (ECF No. 27.) Defendant Wynn failed to answer.

On December 4, 2018, Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant JPMorgan and Defendant/Counterclaimant/Cross-Claimant SFR filed a stipulation explaining they had settled their claims and requested that they be dismissed with prejudice. (ECF No. 37.) In the stipulation, Plaintiff agreed to, among other matters, dismiss Defendant Wynn as she had not answered. (Id.) The stipulation clarified that the requests did not affect SFR's crossclaim against Defendant Wynn. (Id.) United States District Judge Gloria Navarro granted the stipulation on December 4, 2018. (ECF No. 38.)

On June 11, 2019, Cross-Claimant SFR filed a Motion for Entry of Default against Cross-Defendant Wynn. (ECF No. 41.) The next day the Clerk of Court entered default. (ECF No. 42.)

On June 24, 2019, Cross-Claimant SFR filed a Motion for Default Judgment against Cross-Defendant Wynn. (ECF No. 43.)

This motion is the result of Defendant Wynn's failure to answer or defend against SFR's crossclaim seeking to quiet title. SFR seeks a declaration that Defendant Wynn, her successors, and assigns have no right, title, or interest in the property. This Motion was referred to the undersigned on October 2, 2019.

II. ANALSYIS

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b)(2), the Court may enter default judgment if the Clerk previously has entered default based on the defendants' failure to defend. After entry of default, the factual allegations in the complaint are taken as true. Geddes v. United Fin. Grp., 559 F.2d 557, 560 (9th Cir. 1977). Whether to grant a default judgment lies within the Court's discretion. Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471 (9th Cir. 1986). In deciding whether to enter a default judgment, the Court considers factors such as:

the possibility of prejudice to the plaintiff, (2) the merits of plaintiff's substantive claim, (3) the sufficiency of the complaint, (4) the sum of money at stake in the action; (5) the possibility of a dispute concerning material facts; (6) whether the default was due to excusable neglect, and (7) the strong policy underlying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits.

Id. at 1471-72. A default judgment generally is disfavored because "[c]ases should be decided upon their merits whenever reasonably possible." Id. at 1472.

Default judgment is appropriate under the circumstances in this case. The foreclosure sale in this case took place several years ago, on June 12, 2013. (ECF No. 43-6.) In addition, litigation regarding this property has been on-going for almost three years. Defendant Wynn never participated in this case despite being personally served with the Complaint, where she was named as a Defendant, and the Crossclaim, where she was named a Cross-Defendant. (ECF Nos. 11, 27.) Given Defendant Wynn's failure to participate in this case, SFR would be prejudiced by having to expend additional resources litigating an action that appears to be uncontested.

As to the remaining factors, the Crossclaim sufficiently sets forth SFR's claims under the liberal pleading standard in Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. As stated previously, JPMorgan and SFR reached a settlement agreement. SFR does not seek monetary relief. Given Defendant Wynn's failure to participate in this case, a dispute over any material facts is unlikely. Further, nothing suggests that the entry of default in this case is due to excusable neglect. Despite being personally served with process regarding to the litigation at issue, twice, she has not responded. Given her failure to participate in this case, a decision on the merits is "impractical, if not impossible." PepsiCo, Inc. v. Cal. Sec. Cans, 238 F.Supp.2d 1172, 1177 (C.D. Cal. 2002.) Entry of a default judgment, therefore, is appropriate.

III. RECOMMENDATION

IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED that Cross-Claimant SFR's Motion for Entry of Default Judgment (ECF No. 43) be GRANTED.

IV. NOTICE

This Report and Recommendation is submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to this case under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). A party who objects to this Report and Recommendation may file a written objection supported by points and authorities within fourteen days of being served with this Report and Recommendation. Local Rule IB 3-2(a). Failure to file a timely objection may waive the right to appeal the District Court's Order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1157 (9th Cir. 1991).

Source:  Leagle

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