John Patterson et al., Plaintiffs-appellees, v. Roy Stovall et al., Defendants-appellees,william P. Corkill et al., Objectors-appellants, 528 F.2d 108 (7th Cir. 1976)

This appeal is brought by certain named individuals on behalf of themselves and other individuals similarly situated raising objections to a class action settlement. The sole question on appeal is whether the trial judge abused his discretion in approving the settlement. We affirm the trial court's approval of the settlement.

Appellants-objectors¹  are members of a class of plaintiffs who over a two-year period deposited money ultimately totalling approximately $9,700,000 with Rawlin L. Stovall and his company, American Cash Commodities of Missouri, Inc., both defendants herein, for investment by them in cash commodities for deferred delivery. In September, 1973, immediately prior to the defendants' indictment on charges arising out of their misuse of these funds, numerous suits were filed seeking class status, an accounting of the depositors' funds, and a recession of all contracts between the depositors and the defendants.

Shortly after the criminal indictments were returned against both defendants, plaintiffs requested the court to enjoin the transfer of $6,500,000 on deposit in the defendants' bank accounts. Although no injunction order was entered the money remained on deposit at the Continental Bank. On February 6, 1974, a proposed settlement was presented to the trial court and counsel for both sides requested leave to present the settlement to the class members.

Appellants, through independent counsel, filed numerous objections both to the substance of the settlement and to the procedures followed in preparing the settlement proposal for submission to the court. With one exception, appellants' objections and suggestions were overruled; the class was certified, the proposed settlement was approved for submission to the class, and notice of the class certification and the proposed settlement was sent to the class. Appellants filed objections to the form of the notice and again asserted their objections to the proposed settlement itself. On February 20, 1975, the trial court overruled all objections, approved the settlement, and authorized a distribution of part of the sequestered funds to the class.² 

It appears that the major stimulus for the defendants' civil settlement of the actions against Stovall was the government's agreement to accept a plea of nolo contendere to all counts in the indictment, except for one perjury count, to which Stovall pled guilty. Judge Marovitz received the pleas and sentenced Stovall to two concurrent five year sentences, which were immediately suspended in favor of probation under 18 U.S.C. § 3651. Judge Marovitz was fully informed of the terms of the civil settlements. On February 28, 1974, at the time of defendant's sentencing, the judge announced that the disposition of the defendants, admittedly quite lenient under all the facts and circumstances, was based in part on his intention of ordering further restitution out of settlement monies in fund 'B' (discussed infra pp. 114--115) pursuant to the court's power under the restitution statutes. This point was again restated by the court on September 20, 1974. Nevertheless, the language of the settlement agreement reached by the parties states that any money remaining in fund 'B' will be turned over to Stovall's company. Depositors who were reimbursed out of fund 'A' are barred from claiming or receiving further amounts from fund 'B'. Thus Judge Marovitz' intention to order further restitution appears to conflict with the language of the settlement agreement.

We believe that this apparent conflict must be interpreted in favor of the depositors. Since Judge Marovitz' handling of the criminal proceedings greatly influenced the settlement of the civil cases we do not believe that the wording of the agreement should be read to usurp his power to order restitution³ --an action which he clearly indicated he would take on two separate occasions. If in the future, he should decide that as a condition of probation defendants must make restitution by paying out of money left over in fund 'B' in the criminal case such an order would not violate the settlement agreement reached in the civil suit. Thus the most compelling argument of objectors that Stovall still remains a millionaire, despite his nefarious activities in defrauding depositors, his criminal conviction, and the multiple lawsuits filed against him, is not really valid since Judge Marovitz still retains the power to order restitution to depositors from any funds remaining with Stovall or his company in fund 'B'.

As the Court of Appeals we have no power to rewrite a settlement agreement reached by the parties. However, we do have the authority to approve or disapprove a class action settlement after considering any objections raised. Our approval in this case is based upon our interpretation of the agreement entered into after the parties were made aware of Judge Marovitz' intentions.⁴ 

Our approval is also based upon the principle that an appellate court will only intervene and upset a settlement upon a clear showing that the trial court committed an abuse of its discretion. State of West Virginia v. Chas. Pfizer & Company, 440 F.2d 1079, 1085 (2d Cir. 1971); Newman v. Stein, 464 F.2d 689, 692 (2d Cir. 1972); United Founders Life Insurance v. Consumers Nat'l. Life Insurance, 447 F.2d 647, 655 (7th Cir. 1971). Courts of review generally will consider the facts of a settlement in a light favorable to promoting settlements. As the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stated in Florida Trailer and Equipment Co. v. Deal, 284 F.2d 567 (1960):

'Of course, the approval of a proposed settlement does not depend on establishing as a matter of legal certainty that the subject claim or counterclaim is or is not worthless or valuable. The probable outcome in the event of litigation, the relative advantages and disadvantages are, of course, relevant factors for evaluation. But the very uncertainties of outcome in litigation, as well as the avoidance of wasteful litigation and expense, lay behind the Congressional infusion of a power to compromise. This is a recognition of the policy of the law generally to encourage settlements. This could hardly be achieved if the test on hearing for approval meant establishing success or failure to a certainty. Parties would be hesitant to explore the likelihood of settlement apprehensive as they would then be that the application for approval would necessarily result in a judicial determination that there was no escape from liability or no hope of recovery and (thus) no basis for a compromise.'

In light of this standard we shall review each of the major objections to the settlement raised by this appeal.

Appellant-objectors submit that the proponents of the settlement agreement did not create a sufficient factual record to permit the trial court to make a proper determination that the agreement was fair, reasonable and adequate. Specifically they argue that they were denied sufficient discovery before the settlement which would have enabled them to evaluate Stovall's claims for commissions, the potential costs of a trial, and the probability of multiple appeals. In addition they question the defendants withdrawing their motion to dismiss for want of jurisdiction. Since the question of jurisdiction can never be waived by the parties we have reviewed the record sua sponte on this issue and believe that one or more alternate grounds for federal jurisdiction does exist.⁵ 

Obviously an evidentiary hearing is not required before the settlement of every case. Under Rule 23 the trial court must be more vigilant over class settlements because of the rights of the absent class members and because sometimes counsel may appear to be too eager to settle in order to guarantee themselves a fee for their professional services. However a review of the settlement agreement here indicates that its genesis was on January 14, 1974 when Stovall's counsel were engaged in plea bargaining with the government. The class determination was not made until July 12, 1974, and all the parties were given until October 3, 1974, to determine whether the agreement was to be approved or to present their objections. At the October 3rd hearing appellant-objectors requested additional discovery and the court granted additional time to pursue discovery. They were allowed to depose Stovall, Hackbarth, the accountant, and any bank or financial institution they chose.⁶  Unfortunately, this additional discovery did not produce any new information that would materially effect the settlement. Subsequently the court received various reports from the objectors and other parties in the action and entered an order on February 20, 1975 giving final approval to the settlement. There is no evidence of the trial court abusing its discretion. The court was most patient in allowing the appellant-objectors to pursue whatever discovery or investigations they desired over a period of eighteen months. Thus, objector-appellants misplace reliance on Cohen v. Young, 127 F.2d 721 (6th Cir. 1942) where the court summarily dismissed the objectors' petition to intervene and denied them the right to produce evidence.

The objectors' main argument is similar to that pursued by Greenspun v. Bogan, 492 F.2d 375 (1st Cir. 1974), where the trial court had approved a derivative action settlement. Certain parties appealed claiming that the District Court abused its discretion because it failed to conduct an independent evaluation of the settlement and because it received more supporting data after giving its tentative approval. In considering this issue, the Court stated at p. 378 of the opinion:

'Appellants contend that the district court could not have exercised independent judgment because it lacked sufficient evidence to show the fairness of the proposed settlement. They point to the fact that the court had access to only two depositions concerning the proposed fee schedules, both of which were conducted after the March 19th announcement that an agreement had been reached 'in principle' between the parties of the derivative action. Moreover, two volumes of exhibits and documents were given to the court on the eve before it approved the settlement, giving rise to the speculation that the court did not have a full opportunity to review their contents. And appellants point, most particularly, to the fact that the court did not have any documents in its possession which could show that the proposed fee schedule was comparable to the fee schedules of other similar real estate investment trusts and their advisors.

While the district court's evaluation of the proposed settlement may not have been as comprehensive or intensive as it could have been, appellants have failed to show that the district court clearly abused its discretion in approving the settlement because it lacked sufficient evidence upon which an independent appraisal (could) be based' (492 F.2d at 378).

In the instant case the trial court had sufficient facts before it to make an informed judgment. Perhaps holding an evidentiary hearing may be the better practice; the failure to do so however does not constitute a per se abuse of discretion. The court had ample opportunity to gain familiarity with the subtleties of the proposed settlement. Memoranda in support of the settlement as well as objections were presented to the court. Further, the court had access to numerous documents, exhibits, a computer print-out of depositors and amounts invested, a transcript of the proceedings in the criminal case, a summary of the government's evidence, and, the benefit of dozens of appearances by counsel for the plaintiffs and defendants.

In reviewing a proposed settlement the court should consider the judgment of counsel and the presence of good faith bargaining. Newman v. Stein, supra p. 111. Courts usually refuse to substitute their business judgment for that of counsel, absent fraud or overreaching. As stated in Zerkle v. Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., 52 F.R.D. 151 at 159 (S.D.N.Y. 1971).

'The Court will not substitute its business judgment for that of the parties; 'the only question . . . is whether the settlement, taken as a whole, is so unfair on its face as to preclude judicial approval.' Glicken v. Bradford, 35 F.R.D. 144, 151 (S.D.N.Y. 1964) . . ..'

The trial judge should not attempt to decide the merits of the controversy where the parties have reached a settlement. Any virtue which may reside in a compromise is based upon doing away with the effect of such a decision. Woods & Selick, Inc. v. Todd, 282 U.S. 881, 51 S. Ct. 85, 75 L. Ed. 777 (1930); Schleiff v. Chesapeake & Ohio Ry. Co., 43 F.R.D. 175, 178--179 (S.D.N.Y. 1967); City of Detroit v. Grinnel Corp., 495 F.2d 448 (2d Cir. 1974); 'Factors Considered in Determining the Fairness of a Settlement,' 68 N.U.L.Rev., p. 1145. As Judge Wyatt stated in Schleiff, supra:

'In determining whether to approve the compromise or not, the Court does not try out the disputed issues. The compromise was agreed to for the purpose of avoiding just that' (43 F.R.D. at 178).

Appellant-objectors are asking this Court to upset a settlement which returns 80 to 90% of the original investment of the class members plus allows plaintiffs an option to pursue a 100% recovery. This settlement compared to much of the litigation in the federal courts is imminent fair and reasonable.

The creation of funds 'A' and 'B' is the result of negotiations between plaintiffs and defendants. It is a division of Stovall's assets accumulated from the scheme and acquired during the period described in the complaint. The trial court did not create the divided funds. The parties chose it as a method to provide defendants an incentive to settle.

Fund 'A' consisted of approximately 6.8 million dollars set aside and deposited in interest bearing accounts for pro rata distribution to class members who agreed to the settlement. The majority of the money in fund 'A' has already been paid out to depositors.

Fund 'B' consists of one million dollars set aside to provide for those depositors who opt out of the settlement agreement of fund 'A', claims by the Internal Revenue Service for taxes, claims by any creditors who are not depositors, and, any costs, fines or restitution payments resulting from the criminal proceedings before Judge Marovitz. Claims on fund 'B' by depositors amount to approximately $48,000. The Internal Revenue Service has subpoenaed the records of defendants but no claims have been made at this time. Judge Marovitz has not yet ordered any restitution of monies from this fund as a condition of probation because not all of the money in fund 'A' has been distributed nor have any of the other potential claims on fund 'B' been made.

Appellant-objectors submit that the trial court had no basis for establishing the fund 'B'; that the claims of the Internal Revenue Service cannot possibly amount to one million dollars, consequently Stovall and his company, American, stand to profit handsomely from the settlement. As we stated previously, Judge Marovitz still has the power to order restitution from fund 'B'. As to the potentially large claims of the Internal Revenue Service we issue no opinion at this time. Nevertheless it is difficult to believe that Stovall stands to make a profit because of wrongdoing.

Assuming arguendo that the defendants were to come out of the settlement with money remaining in fund 'B' (a decision that largely rests within Judge Marovitz' discretion), that fact alone would not make the settlement unreasonable. A settlement by its very nature is an agreement where both sides gain as well as lose something. It is clear that by settling Stovall was able to maintain his freedom. But he also gave up a potentially large claim for 'handling fees', he gave up his seat on the Chicago Board of Trade, as well as his constitutional right to a jury trial and the raising of any legitimate defenses. In addition he has to serve a period of five years of probation during which he will not be allowed to trade on behalf of anyone other than himself.

Finally appellant-objectors contend that the court improperly relied upon the J. K. Lasser Company reports which gave an accounting of the Stovall assets. They submit the reports are without integrity because their author, Mr. Adelman, did not express an opinion, as is the usual practice by accountants; and, the fact that the reports did not constitute a full and complete audit of accounts, liabilities, and assets. Appellant-objectors advised the trial court of numerous deficiencies in the report and requested the appointment of an independent expert to evaluate the defendants' financial status. That request was denied after both plaintiffs and defendants attempted to explain the discrepancies in the Lasser Co. reports.

In response to this argument appellees now point out that the accuracy of the reports has been verified by the settlement itself. As of June 24, 1975, a total of 3143 claims were either filed, approved, or paid. This was out of an original 3369 depositors. Subsequent verification showed that many persons had three or four accounts and that the true number of located individual depositors came to 3143. These class members have all verified that their accounts were correctly reflected in the defendants' records which were the materials upon which the Lasser reports were based.

Moreover, the total claims amount to $8,755,546 as of this date, with only a few claimants to be located. This figure is very close to the estimated deposit figure of $8,900,000 used in the settlement and the J. K. Lasser Co. computation. $6,063,274.50 has been paid to class members whose names and addresses and amount of deposits were taken from the Hackbarth computer print-out and the J. K. Lasser reports. Even though the Lasser reports initially may have been questionable, their accuracy has been borne out of the disbursement of the settlement funds. No error was committed in relying on the reports in approving the settlement.

Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Affirmed.