KUHN, J.
Dr. Ralph Slaughter (Dr. Slaughter) appeals the trial court's judgment ordering him to pay monetary sanctions, attorney fees, and costs. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Dr. Slaughter, the former President of the Southern University System, filed suit in September 2009 against the Board of Supervisors of the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System (Board) for past due wages. After a trial, the judge orally rendered judgment in favor of the Board.
The motion to recuse was supported by Dr. Slaughter's affidavit, verifying that all the facts and allegations in the motion and accompanying memorandum were true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief. Dr. Slaughter's affidavit further expressly stated that "[a]t no time prior or during trial . . . did Judge Kelley disclose to me that he is the spouse of Commissioner of Administration, Angele Davis"; that at the trial, Ms. Davis' name was mentioned by the last two witnesses, including a state employee who "ultimately reports" to Ms. Davis; and that Judge Kelley mocked Ms. Craft and "openly expressed contempt toward" Dr. Slaughter and Ms. Craft during the trial.
Judge Kelley ordered that the motion to recuse be referred to another judge for hearing; the motion was allotted to Judge Janice Clark (Judge Clark). Prior to the recusal hearing, Dr. Slaughter filed a motion to recuse Judge Clark on the basis that the Board's attorneys (the law firm of DeCuir, Clark & Adams, as well as Winston G. DeCuir, Sr. and Winston G. DeCuir, Jr.) were representing Judge Clark and her husband in a pending lawsuit in city court.
The Board maintained that the motion to recuse Judge Clark was untimely because before the motion was filed, Ms. Craft knew the DeCuir firm, as well as Winston G. DeCuir, Jr. and Sr., had withdrawn as counsel of record for the Board.
Judge Clark denied the motion to recuse herself. The next day, Judge Clark denied the motion to recuse Judge Kelley and concluded that motion was untimely. In her oral reasons, Judge Clark reasoned that the evidence produced at the hearing showed before the lawsuit for past due wages was filed Ms. Craft was aware Ms. Davis was married to Judge Kelley. Judge Clark further found that the evidence failed to support the ground of bias.
Dr. Slaughter filed an application for supervisory writs in this court, seeking review only as to Judge Clark's ruling denying the motion to recuse herself and her failure to refer that motion to another judge.
While the writ application was pending, the Board filed a motion for sanctions, arguing that both motions to recuse were frivolous and that the Board was entitled to an award of sanctions, attorney fees, and costs against Dr. Slaughter and Ms. Craft. After argument at the March 15, 2010 hearing, Judge Kelley ordered Dr. Slaughter to pay sanctions in the amount of $500 to the district court, attorney fees in the amount of $7,500 to the Board's attorney, Mr. Lewis Unglesby (Mr. Unglesby), and to pay "all sums with interest from the date of judgment and all further costs that may be incurred as a result of the sanctions."
On April 22, 2010, this court granted Dr. Slaughter's application for writs in Slaughter v. Board of Supervisors, 2010-0231 (La.App. 1st Cir.4/22/10), pertaining to Judge Clark's ruling denying the motion to recuse herself. The action was as follows:
The record reflects that on May 24, 2010, Dr. Slaughter filed a motion to vacate the January 25, 2010 ruling by Judge Clark denying the motion to recuse Judge Kelley. Dr. Slaughter argued that Judge Clark's ruling as to the recusal of Judge Kelley became null and void by this court's writ action reversing Judge Clark's ruling on motion to recuse herself. The Board opposed the motion to vacate, arguing that the writ action only applied to the issue of whether Judge Clark should have referred for reallotment the motion to recuse herself. The Board asserted the proper procedure would be to hold the motion to vacate in abeyance until a decision on the motion to recuse Judge Clark was rendered.
The appellate record does not reveal the disposition of the motion to vacate, but on June 17, 2010, another judge of the district court signed a judgment, stating that the motion to recuse Judge Clark was moot and ordering the reallotment of the motion to recuse Judge Kelley. The motion to recuse Judge Kelley was realloted to Judge Wilson Fields (Judge Fields). After a hearing, Judge Fields denied the motion to recuse Judge Kelley. Judge Fields reasoned that prior to the trial of the wage suit, Ms. Craft knew that Judge Kelley was married to Ms. Davis, that Ms. Davis' name was only mentioned during the testimony of the last two witnesses at the trial, that a review of the trial transcript did not indicate any bias against Dr. Slaughter or Ms. Craft, and that it appeared Judge Kelley made his ruling in the wage suit based on the law.
Dr. Slaughter contends that the issue of whether the motions to recuse Judges Kelley and Clark were frivolous, is a question of law, and thus, warrants a de novo review. The Board argues that because the issue involves the imposition of sanctions, the applicable standard is manifest error.
A trial court's determination regarding the imposition of sanctions is subject to the manifest error or clearly wrong standard of review. Once the trial court finds a violation of La. C.C.P. art. 863 and imposes sanctions, the determination of the type and/or the amount of the sanction is reviewed on appeal utilizing the abuse of
To impose sanctions, a trial court must find that one of the affirmative duties imposed by Article 863 has been violated. Connelly, 699 So.2d at 414. Article 863 provides, in pertinent part:
Article 863 imposes an obligation on litigants and their attorneys to make an objectively reasonable inquiry into the facts and law; subjective good faith will not satisfy this duty of reasonable inquiry. Connelly, 699 So.2d at 414. The article does not empower a trial court to impose sanctions simply because a particular argument or ground for relief is subsequently found to be unjustified; failure to prevail does not trigger an award of sanctions. Article 863 is intended to be used only in exceptional circumstances; where there is even the slightest justification for the assertion of a legal right, sanctions are not warranted. Tubbs v. Tubbs, 96-2095 (La. App. 1st Cir.9/19/97), 700 So.2d 941, 945.
La. C.C.P. arts. 151-161 provide the grounds and procedures for recusing a judge. Article 151(A) provides, in pertinent part, that a judge shall be recused when he:
A judge is presumed to be impartial. The grounds for recusal enumerated in Article 151 are exclusive and do not include a "substantial appearance of the possibility of bias" or even a "mere appearance of impropriety" as causes for removing a judge from presiding over a given action. Article 151 requires a finding of actual bias or prejudice, which must be of a substantial nature and based on more than conclusory allegations. Whalen v. Murphy, 2005-2446 (La.App. 1st Cir.9/15/06), 943 So.2d 504, 509, writ denied, 2006-2915 (La.3/16/07), 952 So.2d 696; Augman v. City of Morgan City, 2003-0396 (La.App. 1st Cir.12/31/03), 864 So.2d 248, 249; Southern Casing of Louisiana, Inc. v. Houma Avionics, Inc., 2000-1930 (La.App. 1st Cir.9/28/01), 809 So.2d 1040, 1050.
Article 154 provides:
A motion to recuse the trial judge filed after the trial or hearing is completed, but before judgment is signed, is timely under Article 154, if the grounds for recusal are discovered after the trial or hearing. See Suazo v. Suazo, 2007-0795 (La.App. 1st Cir.9/14/07), 970 So.2d 642, 651 n. 6, writ denied, 2007-2291 (La.12/14/07), 970 So.2d 539; see also Radcliffe 10, L.L.C. v. Zip Tube Systems of Louisiana, 2006-0128 (La.11/3/06), 942 So.2d 1071, 1073-74. In other words, the motion to recuse must be filed immediately after the party discovers the facts constituting the grounds for recusation. Id.
In Southern Casing of Louisiana, Inc., this court addressed the issue of a judge's recusation based on the defendant's allegations of bias, prejudice or interest in the outcome; the defendant also argued the trial judge should have been recused in order to avoid any appearance of bias in favor of the plaintiff. This court stated:
Southern Casing of Louisiana, Inc., 809 So.2d at 1049-51.
In Suazo, the wife appealed from a judgment holding her in contempt of court for failing to permit her ex-husband to exercise physical custody of their minor child. Ms. Suazo also filed a writ application seeking review of the denial of a motion to recuse the trial judge on the basis of bias against her. Ms. Suazo alleged that the trial judge called her a liar, acted discourteously and insensitive toward her, and that his behavior and demeanor toward her was inappropriate. She also alleged that the judge was biased because he had unlawfully found her in contempt of court. The judge hearing the motion to recuse concluded Ms. Suazo failed to meet her burden of proof and denied the motion. This judge noted that "while the trial judge may have inappropriately used the term `liar' out of frustration in connection with Ms. Suazo, such is not enough to show the trial judge is prejudiced." Suazo, 970 So.2d at 651-52. Ms. Suazo sought supervisory writs in this court. After a review of the record, we found no error and denied writs. This court stated:
Suazo, 970 So.2d at 652.
The Suazo concurrence cautions "courts and litigants of the obvious dangers to our system of justice—the use of a motion to recuse as a litigation tool in response to unfavorable rulings." 970 So.2d at 652.
The Board's motion for sanctions against Dr. Slaughter and Ms. Craft alleged that Dr. Slaughter's two post-trial motions to recuse Judge Kelley and Judge Clark, as well as two motions for new trial based on the same allegations, were factually incorrect, baseless, frivolous, and an abuse of the legal system. Dr. Slaughter opposed the motion for sanctions, arguing that Judge Kelley lacked jurisdiction to hold the sanctions hearing because of the pending writ application seeking review of Judge Clark's ruling denying the motion to recuse herself. Dr. Slaughter argued another reason the judge lacked jurisdiction was his motion for suspensive appeal was pending and that appeal would review the
Because the sanctions issue involved a determination of whether the motions to recuse were frivolous, the arguments of both counsel addressed the grounds for the motions to recuse.
During the sanctions hearing, Ms. Craft argued that Judge Kelley had not advised Dr. Slaughter of his relationship to the Commissioner of Administration and that Dr. Slaughter had "no idea that Ms. Davis was [the judge's] wife, none, absolutely none." Ms. Craft admitted that she "absolutely" knew of the relationship, but contended there was "no way I would have known that she was directly a party, issuing orders that you [Judge Kelley] relied on, except through the testimony of Althea Basil on the last day of trial." Ms. Craft stated Dr. Slaughter did not become aware Ms. Davis was the judge's wife until after the trial when she gave him a copy of an ethics opinion letter.
The letter from the Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics to Judge Kelley pertained to his handling of civil matters involving certain state agencies named as a party and required disclosure on the record by the judge of his wife's position. The letter, which was introduced into evidence, indicates that in 2008, the Supreme Court's committee on Judicial Ethics responded to Judge Kelley's question as to whether it was ethically permissible for a judge, who is married to the Commissioner of Administration, to preside over civil matters in which the State of Louisiana is a named party. The Committee responded "in the affirmative, provided that the judge does not harbor actual bias toward any of the parties, and that none of the following entities is named in the lawsuit before the judge." The letter specifically named 32 agencies, including the Division of Administration and the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency (LPAA). The opinion further stated the list of agencies "is not exhaustive, and the judge should periodically review the job duties of the Commissioner of Administration to evaluate whether there are other entities of which the Commissioner either serves as head, or as a member of the board of directors." The letter further stated that:
Ms. Craft argued the relationship was pertinent because two trial witnesses referred to Ms. Davis during their testimony. Ms. Craft claimed that Ms. Althea Basil, Southern University's property manager, testified she received a letter from Ms. Davis ordering that computers in the Southern University System President's office be tagged. Judge Kelley responded that the order from the Commissioner of Administration regarding tagging of state property was "a statewide order to everybody." Judge Kelley also responded that because neither Southern University nor the Board were entities under the direction of the Commissioner of Administration, and neither the State of Louisiana nor one of the state agencies named in the ethics advisory opinion letter were named as parties in the lawsuit, he was not required
Mr. Unglesby argued Ms. Craft was aware of the Supreme Court's advisory ethics opinion when the wage suit was allotted to Judge Kelley, and she should have immediately filed the motion to recuse.
In rendering oral reasons for judgment and ordering sanctions, Judge Kelley concluded that the "recusal motion" contained false statements, was frivolous, and was not filed in good faith.
In this appeal, Dr. Slaughter argues that both motions to recuse were well grounded, filed in good faith, and warranted by existing law, and thus, the trial court erred in ordering sanctions and imposing attorney fees.
Dr. Slaughter contends that when Judge Kelley referred the motion to another judge, he essentially made a finding that the motion was based on a valid ground, and thus, was not frivolous.
Next, Dr. Slaughter argues that the recusal motion was based on a valid ground that Judge Kelley was biased against him and Ms. Craft. As support for this conclusory allegation, he refers to Judge Kelley's comments during the oral reasons for judgment on the wage suit. Dr. Slaughter contends Judge Kelley's comments that Ms. Craft could be subject to disciplinary charges for filing the frivolous motions and his "advice" that Dr. Slaughter sue Ms. Craft for malpractice are evidence of bias and prejudice. Dr. Slaughter further argues that Judge Kelley's contempt for him and his attorney is apparent from the sanctions hearing transcript that shows the judge interrupted, yelled at, and chided Ms. Craft. He also contends that Judge Kelley was prejudiced because of his relationship to the Commissioner of Administration. As to the ground that the judge failed to reveal his relationship with the Commissioner of Administration, Dr. Slaughter points to another lawsuit, involving the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors as a named defendant, in which Judge Kelley recused himself. Dr. Slaughter contends the Board in this case is no different from the LSU Board of Supervisors in the other suit, and that if Judge Kelley was required to recuse himself in that lawsuit, the same holds true in this matter.
Dr. Slaughter offers absolutely no evidence that Judge Kelley was biased, prejudiced, interested in the outcome of this case, or that he was biased or prejudiced toward or against any of the attorneys. Moreover, there is nothing in the record that supports a finding that Judge Kelley was biased in favor of the Board because his wife was the Commissioner of Administration and her name and/or position were mentioned during the testimony of two witnesses. It is clear from the evidence that Ms. Davis was not a party to the lawsuit, she was not a witness during the trial, and that the order to tag state property was not sent to Southern University as a result of particular events in this case and no state agencies were named as parties in the lawsuit.
As to the issue of timeliness of the motion to recuse, the Board argues that although Ms. Craft knew of the alleged grounds, she waited until after Judge Kelley rendered an adverse judgment to seek recusal. Moreover, the Board argues Dr. Slaughter and his attorney used the legal system to cause chaos and that he was aware the allegations were unfounded.
Dr. Slaughter relies on the Louisiana Supreme Court's opinion in Radcliffe 10, L.L.C., as support for his position. That case involved a dispute over the value of assets Radcliffe purchased from the defendant. Prior to trial, the judge voluntarily disclosed that Radcliffe's principal expert witness on the issue of damages had served as his campaign treasurer. After the trial, the judge rendered judgment in favor of Radcliffe and awarded damages in excess of 3.4 million dollars. Based on an investigation after the trial of the relationship between the expert witness and the judge, the defendant filed a motion to recuse. At the hearing on the motion, the presiding judge concluded the motion was
The facts of the instant case can be distinguished from those in Radcliffe 10, L.L.C. In this appeal, a review of the entire record supports a finding that the motion to recuse was untimely. The record reflects that Ms. Craft knew of Judge Kelley's relationship to Ms. Davis for over a year before the trial. Also, at trial Ms. Craft introduced a letter sent from the LPAA to Southern University regarding unlocated property that had been assigned to the President's office. The letterhead clearly indicated the LPAA was under the Division of Administration. Moreover, when this same letter was introduced by Mr. Unglesby, Ms. Craft acknowledged that she had already seen the letter. Thus, Ms. Craft was clearly aware, prior to trial, of the involvement of an agency under the Division of Administration. The knowledge of an attorney, actual or otherwise, is imputed to his or her client. See Stevison v. Charles St. Dizier, Ltd., 2008-887 (La.App. 3d Cir.3/25/09), 9 So.3d 978, 981, writ denied, 2009-1147 (La.10/2/09), 18 So.3d 116.
After a complete review of the record, we find no manifest error in the trial court's decision to impose sanctions against Dr. Slaughter. Nor did the trial judge abuse his discretion in the amount of sanctions and attorney fees imposed. The trial court's judgment imposing sanctions in the amount of $500, attorney fees in the amount of $7,500, and ordering costs imposed against Dr. Slaughter is affirmed.
HIGGINBOTHAM, J. dissents and assigns reasons.
HIGGINBOTHAM, J., dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority, because I find that Slaughter's initial motion to recuse was timely and not frivolous; and therefore, the trial court had no basis to impose sanctions against Slaughter. Although the trial court had issued oral reasons for judgment on the suit for past due wages, the written judgment was not signed prior to the filing of Slaughter's motion to recuse Judge Kelley. I disagree with the majority's distinction of the facts in this case from those in Radcliffe 10, L.L.C. v. Zip Tube Systems of Louisiana, 06-0128 (La.11/3/06), 942 So.2d 1071, 1075. I find the majority's reasoning on the timeliness of the motion to be contrary to the intent of LSA-C.C.P. art. 154, which requires the party to file a written motion immediately after the discovery of the
Furthermore, Judge Fields heard Slaughter's motion to recuse and necessarily found it was timely when he denied the motion. Thus, I believe the majority erred in relying on Judge Kelley's independent determination on the motion for sanctions that Slaughter's motion to recuse was untimely. Judge Fields' ruling on the motion to recuse is not before us in this appeal. The only issue in this appeal is whether the trial court was manifestly erroneous in imposing sanctions against Slaughter pursuant to LSA-C.C.P. art. 863. It is well-settled that Article 863 sanctions are not to be used simply because parties disagree as to the correct resolution of a matter in litigation. Witter v. Witter, 94-0378 (La. App. 1st Cir.12/22/94), 648 So.2d 1052, 1053. In Witter, we stated:
Witter, 648 So.2d at 1053. See also Tubbs v. Tubbs, 96-2095 (La.App. 1st Cir.9/19/97), 700 So.2d 941, 945.
The trial court obviously did not agree with Slaughter's argument on the motion to recuse, and Judge Fields did not find Slaughter's motion to be meritorious, but that is not the test to determine whether to impose Article 863 sanctions. The test is not whether the trial court finds the arguments had merit, but whether there was the slightest justification for them. Witter, 648 So.2d at 1053. While making no finding on the merit of Slaughter's motion to recuse, I conclude that Slaughter was legally justified in filing the motion. For this reason, the trial court was clearly wrong in imposing sanctions under Article 863.
Accordingly, I respectfully dissent from the majority and would reverse the judgment of the trial court and render judgment dismissing the Board's motion for sanctions.
