Veliz v. Princess Cruise Lines Ltd., No. 1:2012cv22626 - Document 22 (S.D. Fla. 2013)

Court Description: ORDER Denying 20 Motion for Sanctions. Signed by Senior Judge James Lawrence King on 10/22/2013. (jw)

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Veliz v. Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. Doc. 22 UN I TED STA TES DISTRICT C O UR T SO U TH ERN D I STR I O F FLO R I CT DA M I IDI I O N AM V SI CA SE N O .1 cv2- 22626- LK J KENI VELI as co- s A Z, per onal rprs natv o hee t eo e e e t ie ft sat f Elv Ant o Or pez D i is oni o e az Pl i if antf, PRI CESS CRU I LI ES,LTD . N SE N dbaPRI // NCESSCRUI ES af r i S , o egn cor poraton, i Def nda . e nt / ORDER DENYI DEFENDANT' M OTI FOR SANCTI NG : ON QNS TH I M ATTER com es bef e t Cour upon D ef nt s M oton f Sa tons S or he t enda ' i or nc i a is Pli if Ve i a Hi Co ns lRe a dng Dic ve y Ab e ( E.2 ,fl d gan t antf lz nd s u e g r i s o r us s D. 0) ie M a c 18,201 Pl ntf di nottl a r pons t t s M oton,asr r unde Local rh 3. ai if d se es e o hi i equied r Rul 7.( )( iur t s r e a o posng me r n m oflw wihi 1 d y ofs r ie e 1c Fal e o e v n p i mo a du a t n 4 a s e vc o a m oi n ma be de me s fii n c us f g a tn t m o i n by de a t. f to y e d u fce t a e or r n i g he to ful) Howeve , upon r ew of t r or and ca e ul consde a i t Cour tnds t r evi he ec d rf i r ton, he ts he M oton s d be deni i houl ed. L BA CK G R O UN D Thi cas a i e f om actons i t Pa fc O cea i M ar 201 On M ar 1 s e rs s r i n he cii n n ch, 2. ch 0, 201 a gr ofbide s a r D e e 2, oup r r boa d f ndants s p St Pri s obs ved a s al boati ' hi ar nce s er m l n Dockets.Justia.com dites . One oft bider t phot a oft boa and al t t s p' s af At sr s he r s ook ogr phs he t ered he hi s t f . t s e tm e,Elvs Ant o O r ze D i w as a Pana ani n fs m a a d t he am i i oni ope az m a iher n boar he Fft e t as lboa whihha ls po ra wa a rf i tePa ii Diza d o yc n, mal t c d o t we nd s d it n h cfc. a n ne oh rEs r npa sd a ybeo et Fft e twa rs ue b as pna dDua t P. te hema s e wa fr he yc n s e c d y hi me re r Adr a Vas in quezw ast s e s vi he ol ur vor. For a tm e, i was t i t hought t t t boat t St Prnc s bider s was t ha he he ar i es r s aw he Fft e t t bid r ha pr vi dt me awi t phog a t yt k a beive yc n;he r e s d o de he di t he trphs he oo nd le d h t phot t s he os o how t ûs m en' or . Pl ntf ,as t co- s he her s deal ai if he per onalr pr se atve of e e nt i Di z' esat al w ih V as z a ot s r a e t t dece d fs r en,each a s t e, ong t que nd her elt d o he sae i he m i vi ly s d D ef ndi dua l ue endantf f l e t r s or aiur o e cue. The i t ntcas was t ed on J y 17, ns a e sl ul 2 2 ( E.1 . I De e r2 2 a trmuli e de ii ns t bide s r la d t 01 D. ) n c mbe 01 , fe tpl posto , he r r e e ve wo ot phot ofa boa pr ng t had be m it ken a t one t y phot aphed on her os t ovi hey en s a nd he he ogr Mac 1 ,2 1 wa no t F#bc n a wasa t ly amuc lr rboa. Th bid r rh 0 0 2 s t he e t nd cual h a ge t e r es alo c r t t r t tm ony a s d t tt had nots a s orec ed hei es i nd ai ha hey een nyone s gnalng f hel i i or p fom t ves el r he s . Plitf fld aNoieofVoun ay Dimis lwihPrj c o M ac 1 ,201 an if ie tc ' l tr s sa t eudie n rh 8 3 ( E.21 . Th s m e d y,De e a tsld t sM o i n f Sa to , De e da s ys D. ) e a a f nd n e hi to or nci ns f n nt a Pl ntf ha conceal e dence centalt t ltgaton;s it f s a m i l ng ai if s ed vi r o he ii i ubm ted al e nd seadi Res pons t I er oga ores Reque t f Pr es o nt r t i , s s or oducton,and Re i quess f A dm i i t or ssons; pr frd fi luso j ci ;a fi d ino a eoffcsltrprve t ha be n ofe e rvoo b e tons nd egne g rnc a t ae o n o ve e known, D ef nda s a est tisprvat i tga orf e nt t t ha t i e nves i t ound vi deost ke by t D uart P a n he e ' wh nirsue t Fft e .Dee d n camst tPlitf k w a uthevi osa d e t e c d he yc nt fn a t li ha anif ne bo t de n ha copi oft m beca e V as z,t l s vi ,ga a copy t Pl i ifs ty d es he us que he one ur vor ve o a ntf hor l afe hi r cue. I I e r t i and Requess f Pr tr s es n nt r oga ores t or oducton, ef nda as i D e nt ked Pl ntf t i iy a1 evi nce s ai if o dentt 1 de upportng t cont i t t boa t pas enger i he enton hat he t he s s s w wa t Fft e , ut anifddno p o d t vie . a s he yc ntb Plitf i t r vie he d os A fe Def t r endanthad t vi ,D ef he deos endantas d Pl ntf t a i t vi os ke ai i f o dm t he de weea he tca dde ce t Fft e ta i a ae a t tmeiwa a it r ut n i n pitd he yc n s t ppe rd t he i t s drf. Def endantcl i st tPl ntf had copi s oft vi a m ha ai if e he deosand ha s t ,butt t d een hem ha Pl ntf e ai if vaded a werng t ques i by s ng t ti l ns i he tons ayi ha t acked s fci ntknow l dge ufi e e aboutt a hentc t a ac ac oft vi he ut i iy nd cur y he deos. D ef ndantc r t rzest e as e ha ac e i hes he aiur o s os he deos krv o obe to . D ef ntst t t because oft f l e t di cl e t vi i iolus j cins' enda a es hat f ' D e endantha t s c f t m a i ur e coss i r ur ng t Ec f d o ear h or he nd nc r d t n et ni o uadort t ke a o a D e ar ton fom t r cui boa s a i t t vi cl a i r he es ng t t tng hat he deosar a hentc and porr t e ut i tay he Fft e ta i a pe r d o t eda i wa r s ue yc n s t p a e n h y t s e c d. The Cour not t sm iart bet ee t s cas a Cas No.12- vt es he i l iy w n hi e nd e c 22022- LK ; J bot cas s i ve t s e f t lbas sa i ve sm ia c esofac i The cas h e nvol he am ac ua i nd nvol i l r aus ton. es we e c ns i a e i t e lwe r o old t d n h o rnumb r d c s i Aug t201 ( 2- 20 D. 22) l ee a e n us 2 1 2 22 E. . n 1 22022 D ef nda fl a M oton f Sa tons A gai tPl ntf A dr a V as 2e nt ied i or nc i ns ai if in quez a nd Hi Cou e Re r ng Dic e y Abus s ( E. 1 ) Alho i t i tnt c s s ns l ga di s ov r e D. 01 . t ugh n he nsa a e Pl ntf i a r es a i oft es a e ofone oft de ed ts r an wher i 1 ai if s epr ent tve he t t he ceas s he m eas n 2- c 22 2 Plitf Va q z wa te s e s vvi ts e ma ofte Fft e ,ma v- 02 anif s ue s h ol ur i ng s h r n h yc nt ny poi s i t M otonsover a nt n he i l p. l f t t M otons ar a m os i ntcal s ve s e m i n ac , he i e l t de i , a om nor dif r es a fe enc nd a tonala gum e sm ade agai tPl ntf V a ddii r nt ns ai if squez w hi h a e notm a aga ns Pl i if c r de i t a ntf V ei lz. For exa pl bot M otons t m e, h i ake is w ih r pectve Pl i if ' ac i s ue t es i a ntf s tons s ro di vi ooft Fft e 'r sue i o mainr gadn pantngo t sdeo u run ng de he yc nts e c ,nfr to e r ig i i n he i f t Fqbc n,a d Dee n ' prvae ive tg tr rtr i t Pa ma t l ae t he e t n fnda ts i t n siao eu nng o na o oc t he D uar e V ca ai Bot M otons s k Pl ntf s a couns s be or r t r m bur e t pt n. h i ee ai if nd el de ed o ei s Def ntf al coss r l ed t i tgaton oft vi o oft r c 1 Pl ntf s and enda or 1 t e at o nves i i he de he es ue , ai i f couns s be or r d t r m bur e D ef nda f a 1cos s i ured i s ng couns t el de e o ei s e nt or 1 t nc r n endi el o Pa a t de e Pl ntf Vas nam o pos ai i f quez w ihout t be i of t pot i l i pea ng t he neft he entaly m chi vi deo,and t tcouns be s i ha el anctoned t de erf ur conduc . o t ut e t I 1 22022, M agit a e J n 2sr t udge G a ber i s r s ued a Re t a Rec m enda i por nd om ton, whih t s Co ta fr d i pa ton Oc o r 1 ,2 3 ( E.1 3) M a sr t J g c hi ur fime n r t be 5 01 D. 3 . gitae ud e 500 ai if Gab rrc mme de dimis lwih prj ie a a s ncton of $2, on Pl ntf r e e o n d s sa t eudc nd a i Vaq zsdo si a fr in c un e.Thi Co tore e adimis lwi prj c s ue ' me tc nd o eg o s l s ur d r d s s a t eudie h bu,u n o j cin b tepate ,ddno i esncin o c unsl TheCou tnoe t po be to y h ris i t mpos a to n o e. r ts M a sr eJ gitat udge G a berdi notr r d ecom m e m one ar s nctonsagai tt pary i t nd t y a i ns he t n hat case. 1The Cour as umest r t s he eques i t i t M oton p 1 t Pl ntf Vas t n he nsant i 4 hat ai if quez and hi couns be s el s toned i aEcopy and pas e'eroron Def ntspar. The Cour r dst M oton t as f anc i s s t' r enda ' t t ea he i o k or s nc i agai tPl ntf Velz and hi couns . a tons ns ai if i s el 4 I .LEGA L STAND AR D I Def enda m oves t Cour t t ke ad i pur ua t t Feder lRul of Ci l nt he to a on s nt o he a es vi Pr c du e 28U. C. 9 a / rt Co tsihe e tpo r o e r, S. j1 27, nd o he ur' n r n we . Read as a whol t Fede al Rul of Ci l Pr edur r r pari a e, he r es vi oc e equie tes nd atr ys t a twih ho sy. Rul 26 e r q r spa te t s p e n o c rc tone o c t net e ( ) e uie ris o u plme t r ore t r POnS t i e eS eS o nt nrga or e , K S t is POnS t r eS o eque t f pr s s Or oduc i a r pons t ton, nd es es o r eques s f a i sons i a tm e y m a r i t pari l r t t r s t or dm s i n i l nne f he tes ea ns hat he e pons w a e s i om pl t f i r t(i s e m at ralr pe ' and i t addii nc e e or ncor ec tn om e i es ct' f he tonali or a i has nf m ton no ohe wie be n ma e k wn t t o he pa te . Rul 26 g i s s a d y o t tr s e d no o he t r ris t ( ) mpo e ut n a t neyst s gn onl l gal pr ,and ade t dicover r pons The Rul s per i tor o i y e , oper qua e s y es es. e mt s n tonsf rf iur t pr ry c nd tdic e y.Se eg. d. Ci P. 7( ) 3 d a c i o al e o ope l o uc s ov r e . Fe R. v. 3 c , 7( ) Und r28 USC j 1 27, n at r y who u r a o b y a ve to l muli i s e 9 a to ne n e s na l nd xai usy tple t pr di m ay be r r t pa t exce c t ,expens and ator y' f he ocee ngs equied o y he ss os s es, t ne s ees r a o bl i c re a ar s toft ec nd t nor rt a r a j 1 s nci n,ç1 e s na y n u r d s e ul h o uc .l de o wa d 927 a to ( ) ( t at r y mus e ga ei u r a o a ea ve a i c uc,( t tc nd tmus he to ne t n g n n e s n bl nd x tous ond t 2) ha o uc t h v muli idt p oc e i s a ( )t a un o s nci nsmus be raûna il a e tple he r e d ng , nd 3 he mo t f a to t a nca nexust t exc spr edi .' nhartv fam arAdve ii Co. 523 Fe Appx. o he es oce ngs'Bar rts ng , d. 6 , ( 1h Ci. 01 )( uo i Pee s n v BM 1Reï t is 1 F.d 1 ,1 96 35 638 1 t r 2 3 q tng tr o . l acore , 24 3 386 3 ( 1h Ci.99 ) C at r e e ga e i un e s a ea ve a i usc nd twhe t e 1 t r1 7). û to n y n g s n r a on bl nd x to o uc An nh c nd ti $oe r giust ti i t n a un t b d f ih.' 1 ( tngNo e u v o uc s s g e o ha t s a t mo t o a at ' d. quo i ' r ls . De y' I .628F.d 1 ,1 2 ( 1h Ci. l li tr a ct tonso te .i d nn s nc, , 3 270 28 1 t r20 o tn e n l ia i mitd) s Ba fihi a o j ciesa dadt ti sts dwhe a at ne kn ngyorr c e sy at s n be tv tn r ha s aise n n tor y owi l e klsl puru safi o c am. Pe rv fe s 6 F.d 1 06 1 4 ( 1h Ci. 0 . s e rvolus li ' e . wi, 06 3 3 , 31 1 t r 201 ) ' Fede alc t ha an i r ntpowert s i w he pa i ora t neyshave r ours ve nhe e o ancton n rtes tor h r dt j iilp oc s . amb r vNASCO, nc,5 U. 3 4647( 991 .$ ame he udca r e s Ch es I . 01 S. 2, - 1 ) $ The key t unl ki a cour ' i r ntpoweri a sndi ofbad f t 'Barnes vD alon,1 o oc ng ts nhe e s ng aih.' t 58 F. 1 2( 1h Ci.1 98 .( pa t . d mo tae b d f ih b dea ng o dir ptng 3d 21 1 t r 9 ) $ ry . e nsr ts a at y lyi r su i A . t ltga i orham pe i e or e ofa cour or r'l r Sunshi Jr St e ,I , he ii ton rng nf cem nt t de .' n e ne . or s nc. 45 F.d 1 1 1 4 ( 1h Ci. 6 t otn Byr e vNe ha , 1F.d 1 75 1 1 ( 1h 6 3 29 , 30 1 t r zoo lqu ig n z t 26 3 0 , 2 4 1 t Ci. ool tn e na ct to o te ) : c us oft i ve ypo e y,i e e po r r z lit r l iai ns mit d .d a e he r r t nc nh r nt we s Be mus bee r ie wihr sr ita d s r to 'Ch t xe c s d t e tan nd ic ei n. ambe s 5 U. a 44 ( 991 . ' r , 01 S. t 1 ) 1 1 A NA LYSIS 1. a. The Vi deos Dee f ndant diput Pl i ifs Ans e s t I e r t i a Res s es a ntf w r o nt r oga or es nd pons t es o Requess f Pr t or oduc i tons. D ef nt does not ata is I e r ores but i t enda t ch t nt r ogat i , n he M oton c r t rzes t t i r i ha ac e i ha t equesed çal e dence t s t l l vi hat uppors t cont i t t t he enton hat he boatobs r by pas e r on t St Pri s w as t boatV as z w as adr f on.' e ved s nge s he ar nces he que it ' I is Re s s f Pr n t que t or oduc i Def nda sought e denc s ton, e nt vi e uppor i Pl ntf s tng ai if alegatons m ade i t Com pl nt or s l i n he ai uppori t t boa t bide s obse ved was tng hat he t he r r r t Fft e . E. - 20- A tc nial c re tr a ngofDefnda ' rquet do s he yc ntD. 206, 7. e h c ly o rc e di e nts e ss e notr quie Pl ntf t i ntf t r cue vi e r ai if o de iy he es deos.The vi doesnota ualy s deo ct l uppor t t he c n e in i t e Compli t tt St Prnc n f ie t r s u t Fftc nt Th , o tnto n h ant ha he ar i e a ld o e c e he y e . us t Cour fnds no t hni f ul wih Pl ntf and couns ' r pons t t Ans er he ti ec cal a t t ai ifs els es es o he w s t l erogat i ort Fis a Sec Requess f Pr o nt r ores he r t nd ond t or oducton. i H oweve ,i i cl t tany r s vi r t s ear ha e cue deos ar c ii t t s cas gi t tt e rtcal o hi e, ven ha he c s hi e o t Fft e ben te b tt bideso eve l o d rt deemie a e ng s n he yc nt ig h oa he r r bsr d. n r e o tr n whih bo twa s e a vie s wi te Fft e ts c ndton ao t tme i c a s e n, d o ho ng h yc n ' o ii r und he i n que ton i obvi l hel ul Thus Pl ntf s d ha r al t vi i or r t si s ous y pf . , ai if houl ve eve ed he deo n de o s peed t r sol i oft sca e. he e uton hi s l ged r f al t aut i at t e us o hentc e he D ef nda al o t kes is w ih Pl ntf s ale e nt s a s ue t ai if vi deos i Res n pons t Reques s f A dm is on. The r es o t or si equess post t Pl ntf s t ied o ai if ought i or to rltn t t Fft e a t bo tsc ndton o t d y i wa r sue nf main eaig o he yc nt nd he a' o ii n he a t s e c d. Pl i if w as not on t boatt t da D . 20- Eve i Pl ntf had copi s of t a ntf he ha y. E. 8. n f ai if e he vi deos,s h pos es i w oul not i pa t know l uc s son d m r edge about w ha t ac acy of t t he cur he vie Pli ifVei wa no pes nal o t Fft e o t tda a a s rs i d o. antf lz s t ro l n he yc nt n ha y nd se t n y e nt es s act r pons t Pl ntf had bee unabl t de e Vas es e hat ai if n e o pos quez. Def nda pr ent no f s s edge of t ve se . Pl i i f he s l a ntf as t why Pl ntf Velz s d have per onal know l o ai if i houl a t m pt d t r pond t t r te e o es o he equess buts m pl l ked t know l t, i y ac he edge t gi D ef nda o ve e nt t i or a i s he nf m ton ought Pl ntf r pons , t , wer adequa e. A c di y, . ai ips es es hus e t cor ngl Pl i ifs couns l ac ed a opra el i pr pa i a s gni t docum e s. a ntf e t ppr i t y n e rng nd i ng he nt Def nts a gum ent aboutwhatVasque l e adm it d i de ii do noti i at enda ' r s z at r te n pos ton mplc e Pl i ifVelz. a ntf i D ef nda a gue t ta a hea i on A ugus 8,201 Pl ntf counse s a ed he e nt r s ha t rng t 2 ai ips l tt kne not ng a w hi boutt vi he deos a w asuna ar ast wha t y s ed. D ef nda nd w e o t he how e nt fndst sunbe i bl becaus Pl ntf ha copi s oft vi o att tm e. The Cour i hi leva e e ai if d e he de he i t not t ti t c num berunderw hi h D ef ntha il t sM oton,1 c 22626, es ha n he ase c enda s ed hi i 2- vt r i no A ugus 8,201 hea i he e s t 2 rng.Thus t Cour as um esD ef , he t s enda r er t t nt ef s o he Aug t8 201 he rng i 1 - v- 02 Thi c s n us , 2 a i n 2 c 22 2. s a e umbe ( 2-v- 26 i no pa to r 1 c 2 26) s t r f t mi t s( 2-v- 02 D , 21 a M ih e Ket Ro e t I, antf slse he nu e 1 c 22 2 E. ) nd c a l ih b rs I Pli if it d ator i 1 cvt ney n 2- 22626 w asnotatt hearng.A tans rptoft hea i i not he i r ci he rng s a t hed t t sM oton.Eve s) i s em sr ona et)t Cour t tany ator y, tac o hi i n (, t e eas bl ( he t ha t ne w het Pl ntf V elz' orot r ie,w oul nee tm e t r e t vi her ai if i s he w s d d i o eviw he deosbef e or r a ki on t m . A ss h,any sa em entdenyi c m enton t vi i not em r ng he uc tt ng om he deo s s i bl anctona e. b Pantngont Si o heFeyc nt . ii he de ft e Dee n as mo s f sncinsb c us Plitf o j ce t Re u ss f fnda t lo ve br a to e a e anif b e td o q e t or Admiso rg r ng ie tfig maks o t Ffbc nt Plitf rs nd d wih s ins e adi d niyn r n he e . anif e po e t lnghy o j ci s t t s rq ss As sae a ve Plitf Vei wa n o t e t b e ton o he e e uet. ttd bo , anif lz s ot n he Fft e td rngt M ac 201 o d a a t eCo tha n r a o t fn t tPli if yc n u i he r h 2 r e l nd h ur s o e s n o id ha antf V elz has per onal know l i s edge of t boa ' appea a he ts r nce. Pl ntf Velz and couns ai if i el r ponded t t bes ofPl ntf sknow l es o he t ai if edge.Thus t Cour w ilnoti pose s nc i , he t l m a tons f t e r pons or hes es es, 8 I CO N CLUSIO N V. I s ,t Court fnds Pl ntf s d ha bee m or f t n um he i ai if houl ve n e orhcom i wih t ng t he e senc of t r c vi xit e he es ue deo. How e , on bal ver ance,s nc i ar unnec s y i t s a tons e es ar n hi c s . The c s ha ar a y be n vol trl dimis d wih p eudie Plitf ac a e s le d e unaiy s se t rj c . an ifs r pons t di c r r es es o s ove y eques s do not vi a e t Feder Rul of Ci l Pr t ol t he al es vi ocedur e. Un r j 1 27 t a ov a l i s owsc un e ha go g o s f b le n i t de 9 , he b e nayss h o s l d od r und or ei vig n he c se of ac i t ken a t Cour fnds not ng e egi our ton a nd he ti hi gr ous. The Cour de i t t clnes o e r s is di c e i t i pos s nctons unde is i r ntpow er neiherPl ntf nor xe cie t s r ton o m e a i r t nhe e s; t ai if couns ha del yed or dir e ltga i t t e e whi woul pe m i s el ve a s upt d ii ton o he xt nt ch d r t uch a n exer s The e a e i ufi ent a l tons i t s M oton and on t r cor as a whol ci e. r r ns fci lega i n hi i he e d e t t ac i ofPl ntf ofPl ntf couns w a r s tons hat he tons ai i f ai ifs el r ant anc i . A c di y,afer a ca ef r viw of t r d a t Cour ot cor ngl t r ul e e he ecor nd he t hem i bei se ng a s i t pr m ies i i O RD ER ED, A DJUD G ED and DECR EED t dvi ed n he e s , t s hat Def endants M oton f Sa tons a ns Pl i i f V elz a H i Couns Regar ng ' i or nc i gai t a ntf i nd s el di Dic e y Ab e ( E.20 b a d t s mei h r b DENI s ov r us s D. ) e n he a s e e y ED. DO NE AN D O R DERED i c n hamber at t J es Lawr nce K i Fe r s he am e ng de al t d t t s rho e M a , o i , hi y f t r J ltc Buidi a Unie S a e Cou t us , im i Fl rda t s f 2 da o Ocobe , tsi e l ng nd 201 3. ES LA W RENCE K I N I TED STATES DI ST CT J GE UD SOUTHERN DI STRI O F FLORI CT DA 9

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