United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. $250,000.00 in U.S. Currency, Defendant,frank Ordonez, Claimant-appellant, 131 F.3d 150 (9th Cir. 1997)

MEMORANDUM^* 

Frank Ordonez, a federal prisoner, appeals pro se the district court's order denying his Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b) motion to vacate a default judgment of forfeiture entered against $250,000 in currency. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review the district court's decision on a Rule 60(b) motion for an abuse of discretion. See United States v. Holtzman, 762 F.2d 720, 725 (9th Cir. 1985). We affirm.

Ordonez's contention that the district court erred by refusing to vacate the default judgment because he was not served with the motion for default judgment is without merit. Notice prior to entry of default judgment is only required where the defaulting party has appeared in the action. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b) (2). Because Ordonez did not properly appear, he was not entitled to notice. See Wilson v. Moore & Assocs., Inc., 564 F.2d 366, 368-69 (9th Cir. 1977).

Ordonez's contention that the district court erred by denying his motion without holding an evidentiary hearing lacks merit. The district court did not abuse its discretion by failing to hold an evidentiary hearing because the record was complete, enabling the district court to enter judgment. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b) (2).

Ordonez also contends that his due process rights were violated by having to simultaneously respond to the administrative and judicial forfeiture proceedings. However, Ordonez failed to explain how having to simultaneously respond to both proceedings prevented him from filing an answer in the judicial forfeiture proceedings.

Accordingly, we affirm the district court's judgment because Ordonez has not presented extraordinary circumstances that would warrant vacating the default judgment. See Maraziti v. Thorpe, 52 F.3d 252, 254 (9th Cir. 1995).

AFFIRMED.¹