Funkhouser v. Administrative Committee of the Pilgrim's Pride Retirement Savings Plan et al, No. 5:2012cv00005 - Document 38 (W.D. Va. 2012)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Michael F. Urbanski on 6/25/2012. (jat)

Download PDF
F''>p- o- l .s. sT couR oEu Dd . Vm .t ATi l ' z - soNbuRq vA > Fl uun ' I THE UNI N TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT FO R TH E W ESTERN DI STRI O F VI I A CT RG NI H A R R I NBU R G DI I O N SO V SI PATTY L FUNKH OUSER, JUN 26 2 1 22 (M U . . u 3LR CEK Pl nt f , ai i f Ci lA ct on N o.5: v00005 vi i 12c V. A DM I I M TI C O M M I EE O F N ST VE TT T H E PI R I ' PR I LG M S DE R ETI EM EN T SA V I G S PLAN ,etaI, R N . D ef endant s. M EM O R AN D UM O PI I N N O Bef et c ti t Admi sr tveComm ite oft Pig i ' PrdeRe ie e t or he our s he nita i te he l rm s i tr m n S vng Pln (teCo te ', n eDe a , n J i Sto s(o lci l ç fn a t' a i s a lh mmite) Re e b r a d udt itn' c le t y,' e d n s' i h ve De ) M oton t Tr frVenue( .#28) i whih Def nt se t ta frcl msbr tby i o anse Dkt ,n c enda s e k o r nse ai ough pli ifPat Funkho e t t Unie Stt sDititCotr f t Norher DititofW es antf ty us r o he t d ae src lt or he t n src t Vig ni Thi ma t hasbee f l bref d. Be us t c tfndst tta f ng ve r i a. s ter n uly i e ca e he our i ha r nseni nue s r e t eitr s o j tc i t sc s , fn a t' to mus b g a t d e v s h ne et f usie n hi a e Dee d n s mo in t e rn e . 1. F n ho sri afnne e l y eo Pigi sP i eCo p rto (s lrm' Prd ' , u k u e s o r mp o e f lrm' rd r o ai n û g i s ie' a pi ) poulr pr s i c pa o r tng i t U nie St t , e c a Pue t R i o. Pig i ' ty oce s ng om ny pe a i n he t d a es M xi o, nd ro c l rm s Prdei a s i a y ofJ USA.Funkhous ri apari pa i t Pig i ' Prde Reie nt i s ubsdir BS e s tci nt n he l rm s i tr me Sa ngsPln(he1 eie ntP1n' , cht Commitela nitr.De ri J USA' vi a t é tr me a ' whi he R ) te dmi ses Ba s BS S H e d ofBene is a s r s a Cha r oft Com m it e. J S U SA em pl ys Sit asM a gerof a ft nd e ve s i he te B o ton na 1The Com m it e hasof i es i Fr el , Col a te fc n e y or do. isRe iem e a D e er e C o pe a i Pl ns a Sit a s s r s a a m e be oft t tr nt nd f r d m ns ton a , nd ton l o e ve s m r he Com m it tee. I he co pl i ,Funkhous rc e t tD ef nt di notpr vi he wih n r m a nt e ont nds ha enda s d o de r t Re ie entPl doc e sr tr m an um nt equesed pur uantt t Em pl e Re ie e I om e Se urt Ac t s o he oye tr m nt nc c iy t o 1 7 (ERI A' .l o d rt f l c mp e n teis e p rie t oDee d n s moi nt f 9 4 ( S ' n r e o ul o rhe d h su s e t n t fn a t' to o 1 ) y n ta f rve ,i i nec s a y t fr tr e e a pr vi ac i t Fun r ns e nue t s e s r o is ef r nce e ous ton hat khous rbr e oughti t n he N or he n D it i tofW es V i gi a whi h Funkhous rde c i s i he c r ntc pl i t t r src t r ni , c e s rbe n r ur e om a n . A . T he Si m ons A c i i t N ort r D i t i tofW e tVi gi a m t on n he he n s r c s r ni On J ua y 5,2009,Funkhous s ntDe ra lte r que tng doc e sr ai t t an r er e ba et r e si um nt eltng o he o eaina dman e n eo teReie n Pln p ru n t ERI A j1 4( () 2 U. C. p rto n itna c f h trme t a , u s a t o S 0 b)4 , 9 S. j 1 b)4) On Febr r 4,2009,De rs ntFunkhousrastofdoc nt i r pons t t s 024( ( . uay ba e e e ume s n es e o hi r que t l uded i t s s tof doc e sw e e t doc e sknown a t Se ond e s . ncl n hi e um nt r he um nt s he c Am e e t t Re ie e Pln,t ThidAmendme t t Re ie e Pln,heFit ndm nt o he tr m nt a he r nt o he tr m nt a t fh Ame m e t t Re ie e Pln, t Reieme Pl n' J nua y 1 2004 Am e nd nt o he tr m nt a and he tr nt a s a r , ndmen a t nd Res at m ent t e . OnOcobe 9,2009, t r Funkho e , t t e c pli if,tl acl sa ton(he usr wih hre o- antfs ied as ci t t i nsa to ' p ru n t ERI A j5 2 c( ) 2 U. C. 1l 2 c( ) i t eNo ten d mmo cin' u s a t o S s ) 0 () 1, 9 S. j 3 ( )1,n h rh r 2 D i t i tof W e tV igi a,na i t Com m it a D e r a c def nda s Si m onsv. sr c s r ni m ng he tee nd ba s o- e nt . m P lrm, 2:9 1 , 01 W L 4 3 45 a *1( D. . . v. 0 2 0 .l teSi ns ic i No. 0 - 21 2 0 68 7 , t N. W Va No 1 , 01 ) n h mmo a ton,t pli if cli ci he antf s a med,i r e tpa tt tt de e nt br c d t i fduca ydut n elvan r, ha he f nda s ea he her i ir y by notpr di va i Re ie e Pl n doc e sasr quie unde ERI . l a *2- M or ovi ng ld tr m nt a um nt e rd r SA d. t 4. e s c tc l t pl ntf s a l d t tt Re i e en Pl n' J nua y 1 2004 A m e m e a pe ii aly, he ai if lege ha he tr m t a s a r , nd nt nd 2F n h usra dhe c - litfsalg davoainu d rERI j1 4b ()bru h tecviato a u k o e n r o panif l e ilto n e SA 0 ()4 , o g th i l cin s e b n fcaiso t Reie n Plnu de ERI j5 2a() 2 U. C. 1 3 a() a ds g trl f u s n t e eiire fhe trme t a n r SA 0 ()1, 9 S. j l 2()l, n ou h ei p rua to e ERI A j5 2()l. S 0 c() Resae e ,a wel a t Fis a Thid Ame e st t Re iemen Pln, r i ld t tm nt s l s he rt nd r ndm nt o he tr t a we e nva i due t l k ofe c i I at*1 3. A ddii ly,t pl n if cl i e t tt Sec o ac xe uton. d. tona l he ai t f s a m d ha he ond A m e e t t Re iem e Pl n w asi ld be a e i w a c pie f om pa t ke f om ndm nt o he tr nt a nva i c us t s om l d r ges a n r dfee vesonsoft a ndme .J ifrnt ri he me nt #z . J d eJ h Pr so Baly,hep e i n j d eo e t eSmmo a to i t eNo te' u g o n e tn ie t r sdig u g v r h i ns ci n n h rh l n Diti ofW es Vigi a, s se wihoutprj c t pl ntfs'cli rgadi t srct t r ni dimisd t eudie he ai if ams e r ng he ao e e i f r m ntoned doc e s f f iur t e us a i sr tve r m e e . I a *1 1 um nt or a l e o xha t dm ni t a i e di s d. t 4- 5. M or ove , udge Ba ly dimi s t pli if 'cli f br a offduc a y dut agans t e rJ ie s s ed he antfs a ms or e ch i i r y i t he Co te wi p eu ie I . t*1 ndon s , u g Balysae t a, nd rERI A, mmite t rj d c . d a 4.I ig o J d e ie ttd h tu e h S a c ommitewa notapes andt r or co dno beafducay.J- a *3n. te s ron heef e ul t i ir .a t d 3. On Fe a y 1 2011 t pl i if r que t d addii ldoc e sf om t bnz r 7, , he a ntf s e s e tona um nt r he Commit ,i udi t doc tee ncl ng he umentknown a t Pigrm ' Prde Re ie e Savi Pl n s he l i s i tr m nt ngs a ( c mbe 31 2 0 Ame d n a dRettme t (h : 0 9P1n'.OnM ac 1 , 1 ,h De e r , 0 9 n me t n sae n ) t e 1 0 a ' 2 ) rh 8 20 1 te pli tfsr ceved t r quese doc nt ,i l ng a alege y une cut c oft 2009 a n if e i he e t d ume s ncudi n l dl xe ed opy he Pl n. l t i e i pe i on M a c 7,2011 t pl i if br a n he nt rm r od, rh , he a ntf s oughtan a i sr i c a m t dm ni tatve l i o t Com m it e r ga di t doc ent t y r e ve pur ua t t rJ nuar 2009 a he t e e r ng he um s he ec i d s nt o hei a y nd Fe ua y 2011 r br r eque t The Com m it de ed bot t pl i i f 'or gi c a m a t r s s. tee ni h he a ntf s i nal l i nd hei a ppea .Afert de aloft i a i sr tve ca m,t pl n if r ogni edt tt l t he ni he r dm nita i li he aitfs ec z ha he doc e sr ce ve f om Deba w e e va i a di no r ne t cl s a ton r r ng t e um nt e i d r r r ld nd d t e w he a s c i ega di hos docum ent s. B. T he PresentA ct on i On J nua y 18, 2,Funkhous rtl d t i t nta ton i t sco ti t W e t r a r 201 e ie he nsa c i n hi ur n he se n DititofV igi a l he c src r ni . n r ompli t Fun us ral gesf vi a i unde ERI j a n , kho e le our oltons r SA 5 2 c( )a ans De e d n sf rfiu et f r s t eS c ndAme d n t t eReie n 0 ()1 g i t fn a t o alr o unih h e o n me t o h trme t Pl n, he Thi d Am e m e t t Re ie e Pl n,t Fi t Am e a t r nd nt o he tr m nt a he fh ndm e t t Re ie e Pl n, nt o he tr m nt a a t 2009 Pl D e e nt now s e t t a f rve t t N orher D i ti tofW es nd he an. f nda s e k o r ns e nue o he t n src t V igi a w he e t Si m ons a ton w a b o ht r ni , r he m ci s r ug . Dee da t a g t t rnse o v n i i teitrs o j siea p o ts u iil fn n s r ue ha ta fr f e ue s n h n ee t f u tc nd r moe j dca ec onom y be us Funkho er spr s ntac i i m e el a co i ton oft Si m onsac i n, ca e us ' e e ton s r y ntnua i he m to or a t ver l s , sba e upon t s m e s t i f c sast Si m onsac i , t he y ea t i s d he n ubsantve a t he m ton. A ddii ly,D e e nt a gue t tt y,asw e la r l va w ine s s a doc en s a e tona l f nda s r ha he l s e e nt t s e nd um t , r l a e out i t W es e n D i ti tofV i gi a't r f e tans e t t N orhe n D it i tof oc t d sde he t r src r ni , he e or , r f r o he t r s rc W e tV igi a w ilnotc us a gr t r i onveni nc t t pa te t ltga i i t sco t s r ni l a e ea e nc e e o he r i s han ii tng n hi ur . Funkhous r o e ppos s t r ques t ta f rve a deni D e e nt 'c ai t tt s e he e t o r ns e nue nd es f nda s l m ha hi m a t ri a c i ton oft Si m ons a ton,i t d a gui t tt pr s nta ton i a te s ontnua i he m c i nsea r ng ha he e e c i s s pa a e a ton s ki r le undera dif r ntERI s c i M or over Funkhous ras e t e r t c i ee ng e i f fe e SA e ton. e , e s rs t tDef nda sha nots n t tt W e t r D i ti tofV i gi a i a S r l i y ha e nt ve how ha he s e n sr c r ni s n ç whe m ngl ove i onveni nt' nue an d Funkhous r s c c ofve nc e ' ve , e ' hoi e nue,a pl i if s d be g ve de e e e. s a ntf , houl i n f r nc 3 I I. The s a r unde w hi h a cour c e r s is dic e i t t a f rvenue i s tf t t nda d r c t an xe ci e t s r ton o r ns e s e or h i 28U. C.j1 a .Thi pr sonsae ,t 'rt c n S. 404() s ovii tts do he onveninc ofpa tesa wine s ,n F e e ri nd t ses i teitrs o j sie ad src c r ma ta se a ycvla to t a yohe d src o d vso h n ee t f u tc , itit ou t y rn fr n ii cin o n t r itit r i iin whe ei mi havebe br r t ght en oughtort any diti ordi so t whih a1pa teshav o srct vii n o c 1 ri e c e e ' 28U. C.j 1 a .Co eque l t co tsde ii t ta frve f l a onsntd. ' S. 404() ns nty,he ur' cson o rnse nue olows 3Funkhous ri ar sde ofFul sGl Vigi a whih i l td wihi t W eser DititofVigi a.She e s e i nt k' en, r ni, c s ocae t n he t n src r ni wor f rPig i ' Prdei Br dway,V igi a, c i as l atd i t sditit Ft ked o lrm s i n oa r ni whih s lo oc e n hi src . mkhous cam st tt er li ha he Si m o a in wasfl i t N orhe nD iti ofW es Vigi abe us t o c pl n if w eer sde st r m ns cto ied n he t r srct t r ni ca e w o- aitfs r e i nt he e. Thes co- ai if a enotparist t pr e a ton. e pl ntfs r te o he es nt ci 4 t pa ta l i. Fis , hecour m us deer i whe he t pr e ve i a f um i wo- r nayss r t t t t t m ne t r he opos d nue s or n whi h t o i nalco pl i c d ha bee br c he r gi m a nt oul ve n ought Te hnost e .LLC v.Be r Consr Co. . c el es t. , 271F.d 151,1 ( hCi.2001 .Se ond,hec ts dc i rl ntfcor,ncudi 3 60 4t r ) c t our houl onsder eeva a t s i l ng (çhepli ifs(niil c c ofvenue;wine sconve e ea a es;t c ninc oft tt antf i taj hoie t s ninc nd cc s he onve e e he p ris a dt eitr s o j tc .' ieLLC v M ik e No 7:0 00 4, 01 W L 6 7 1 , t ate ; n h n ee t f usie''Shr . c l, . 1 - 43 2 1 0 7 6a *4( . Va.Feb.11 2011 ( i Pr ii Frnc sncsLLC v.Coombs No.1: 11 W D. , ) quotng ecson a hii , 06- 48, 2 0 W L 3 40 3 , t* ( D. . c 2 , 0 6) Fial t emo igpat b ast eb r e 06 8 3 4 a 2 E. Va De . 7 2 0 ). n l h vn ry e r h u d n y, ofs w i t tt a f r ofve i pr r A lt c I .v.M vr a D e sl , o. 08 00 ho ng ha r ns e nue s ope . le h. nc i d v. nc. N 5: - 045, 2008W L 511 9670,a *4( . Va. c.5,2008) t W D. De . A . N ort hern Di tri ofW es V i ni as a Proper Forum s ct t rgi a Tota se v n eu d rj1 0 () t ec u t s trtd tr n wh te tep o osd rn fr e u n e 4 4 a ,h o r mu t is ee mie eh r h r p e ve i a f um i whi h t or gi lcl i c d ha bee br nue s or n c he i na a m oul ve n ought Te hnost el 271 F. d a . c e , 3 t 1 Ac or ngt t ERI venuepr so a a ton d a bebr 60. c di o he SA ovii n, n c i t y m oughti t dititwhe e n he src r t pln i a nitr d,whe et br a h t pl e orwhe e ade e ntr i so m a be he a s dmi se e r he e c ook ac , r f nda esde r y f u d . .' ERI j5 2 e () 2 U. C. 1 3 ()2 .Fu k o s rwa an me pa t i t e on .. ' SA 0 ()2 , 9 S. j 1 2 e( ) n h u e s a d ry n h Si monsa ton fld i t N o t m Diti tofW e tVigi a.l t Si monsa to m c i ie n he rhe src s r ni n he m cin compli , antFunkhousra he c pli if saed,i rlva par,ha tg e i pr ri t s e nd r o- antfs tt n ee nt tt ttvqnue s ope n hi j iil itit ru n t ERI Aj5 2 e( ) 2 U. C. 1 3 ()2 b c us t ePlnwa udca d src pu s a t o S 0 ()2 , 9 S. j 1 2 e( ) e a e h a s admi see i rheNorhenDititofW es Vigi a .... Si nitrd n t t r src t r niq ' mmonsCompli ,Dkt#1 Ex. ' ant . , 7,a 3,!7.Thed a 'rfr nc i t Si t t n' ee e ed n he mmonsacin c anti t s meReie ntPln pl to ompli s he a trme a a i s i t c r ntm ate . Cons que l Funkhous rha pr vi l a it t tt t s ue n he ur e tr e nty, e s e ous y dm ted ha he Re ie e Pl n i a i s e ed i t N o t r D i ti tofW e tV igi a,a ne t rpa t tr m nt a s dm ni t r n he r he n s rc s r ni nd ihe r y di put t s c a m now . M or ove , e e s es hi l i e r r l vantFou t Cicui ca e 1 w i c t s t t i t c e r h r t s a ndi a e ha , n he ont xt ofERISA , pe m isbl ve l a i s d be e nde r t rt n r srced. r s i e nue oc tons houl xpa d ahe ha e ti t 4 Cons que l t c tfndst tt scl i c d ha orgi ly be br e nty, he our i ha hi a m oul ve i na l en oughti t N orher n he t n D i ti tofW e tV igi a,s t fr tpr oft t a f rofve a ys si s ts i d. sr c s r ni o he i s ong he r ns e nue nal i s a i fe B . Four- or Testt T rans V enue Fact o fer N e ,t c t us w e g t f c o sls e i Shie i or rt dec de w he he a t a f r xt he our m t i h he a t r i t d n r n de o i t r r ns e o venue i a opr a e bas on t pa tc a f c sand c r s a esi t sca e The tr t f s ppr i t ed he r i ul r a t icum t nc n hi s . is f t t c i r i pl ntf c ce ofve ac or o ons de s ai i fs hoi nue. Shie 2011 W L 60771 at+ Bec us r, 6, 4. a e Funkhous rr s de i t W e t r Di t i tofV i g ni herc c oft sdi t i ta t f u f e e i s n he s e n sr c r i a, hoi e hi sr c s he or m or t i t n a t o i a f ded s t nta w ei .Se A l nna,I .v. due Pha m a L. ,634 he ns a t c i n s f or ubs a i l ght e pha nc Pur r P. F.Supp.2d626,633( . Va 2009) Howeve,dhedeeenc gi t pli ifsc cei W D. . . r l fr e ven o antf hoi s t e il t l sw e g whe e t r i ltl t c m e tt c en f um w ih t c us ofac i ' ntted o es i ht r he e s i te o ol c he hos or t he a e ton. ' Glmor a Coa Co p.v.Rane sGr PLC,854F.Supp. 438( . Va.1 .l t s a gn l r t r p. 436, W D. 993) n hi c e w hie Funk as , l hous rhas s t nta co a twih t W es e n D i ti tofVi gi a, rc a m a e ubs a i l nt c t he t r src r ni he l i s a w hol doesnot A lhough s w or d f Pig i ' Pr de w ihi t s di ti t he c ai sc nt r e . t he ke or l r m s i t n hi sr c , r l m e e on t Co m it s f iur t f ni h Re iem e Pl n doc e s The Com m it i l at d i he m tee' a l e o ur s tr nt a um nt . tee s oc e n Gr ey,Col a a al core ponde bewee Funkhous a Def nt r ga di t s el or do, nd l r s nce t n er nd enda s e r ng hi a ton occ r d out i t W eser Di t i tofVi gi a. Co eque l alhoug Funkhous r s ci ur e s de he t n s rc r ni ns nty, t h e' c c ofor gi f u i gi n de e e e, hi f c ori no di pos tve gi n t t nuous hoi e i nal or m s ve f r nc t s a t s t s ii ve he e co m ec i be w ee he c us ofa ton a t W es e n D it i tofV i gi a r ton t n r a e c i nd he t r src r ni . Thes ond f t t tt c t us c i ri ûwines c ec acor ha he our m t onsde s d t s onve e ea a e s' ninc nd cc s . ' Shie,2011 W L 60771 a *4. I i of c zs dit ul t f e e w ha s cii wines e wilbe r 6, t t s olr e fk t o or s e t pe fc t s s l c le i t smat .Howeve ,a dic s a ald n hi ter r s s used bove,hevatmaort oft r e n aci a t s j iy he elva t tons nd 4 Se Tr . oft NatlA uom a i Sprnkl l .Penson Fundv.Be tAut a i FiePr .l ,578F.Supp. e s he ' t tc i er ndus i s om tc r ot. nc. 94, 9 ( C. .1 8 )(ttn ta c u t s ul bo dyc n tu teERIA v n epo so , S j5 2 e( ,n 5 D. Md 9 3 saig h t o rs ho d r a l o sre h S e u rviin ERI A 0 ()2)i od rord epo e u a o salsta ma kepERI fd caisa db n f a isfo a jdiaigcams. re t e uc rc d rl btce h t y e SA iu ire n e ekire r m d u ctn li ) 6 omisonsoft pa tesoc r d outi t W esem DititofVigi a.Co eq nty, os si he ri cure sde he t src r ni ns ue l m t w ine s s a i f om Funkhous r w illke y ha t t a lt e t roft pr t s e , s de r e , l i l ve o r ve o ihe he opos d di ti t . e s rc s Thus Def nda s w ines esw illkel tnd bot t W es e n D it i tofV i gi a a t , e nt ' t s l i yi h he t r src r ni nd he N o t r D i ti tofW es Vi gi a e ly con ni t whie Funkho er s wines e ,gi n he r he n s r c t r ni qua l ve en , l us ' t s s ve r r s de i t sdi t i t w illke y f vo t W e t r D it i tofV i gi a I t sca e t f c or e i nce n hi sr c , l i l a r he s e n s r c r ni . n hi s , he a t ofwines c t s onve e e and a es w e g i Funkhous ' f vor ni nc cc s i hs n er s a . Thet r fct t tt c t tc i ri theco ninc oft pa te .'J ,As hid a or ha he our mus onsde s t t nve e e he ris' #dic s a s us ed bove, e nt r i i Col r a c Def nda s esde n o ado nd once t tbo h pr e f nz wilbe de ha t opos d o ms l e ly co ni ntast y w ilne t t a lt bot V igi a and W es V igi a t pur ue t s qua l nve e he l ed o r ve o h r ni t r ni o s hi m a tr l c r t Funkhous rm a nt i t tt W es e n Di t i tofV igi a i m or te . n ontas , e i a ns ha he t r s rc r ni s e c onve e f he bec us i i herhom e dit i t Funkhous ri t onl pa t who willke y ni nt or r a e t s s rc . e s he y r y l i l be i onve e ed by one f m m o e t a he 't r or i i m or conve e f t nc ni nc onz r han not r he ef e, t s , e ni nt or he pa te a a w hol i t ca e r m a nsi t W e t r D i ti tofV i gi a ris s e f he s e i n he s e n s r c r ni . Thef u t a dfn l a trt a t ec u t s weg i t eûne e to j sie' l On o rh n ia f co h t h o r mu t ih s h ç tr s f u tc . d. e i ' elme t tcoursc i rwhe anayzi t sf t i t pr ton of udii e no e ntha t onsde n l ng hi acor s he omoi j cal co my. Sa uncElcs Co.Lt v.Ra ms e . , d. mbus I ,386F.Supp. 708,7 - ( D. .2005) M o e snc. 2d 2122 E. Va . r s cii ly,t coul i Sa t r s d,lg j r apa t hasprvi l ltgae aca e pe fcal he ' n msma ea one iW hee ry t e ousy ii td s i vi smia is sa f tgjac ti t tdititwillkel befmiirwiht fcsof nvol ng i lr s ue nd acs, our n ha src l i y a la t he a t t ec s .Asamatrof u iil c n my, u hfmiirt i hg l d sr be' I a 7 2 h ae te j d ca e o o s c a laiy s ih y e ia l. d. t 2 ' (ntr quotto omitd) I t sca e t pr s n a ton a t Si i enal ains te . n hi s ,he e e t ci nd he mmonsa toni ve ci nvol s h sm ia i s s a f c s Funkhous r sc pl i i t s a i i l s a s m a y oft uc i l r s ue nd a t . e ' om a nt n hi d on nc ude um r he Si m onsac i i t s c i e il t c ua a Pr dur lBa kg ound. C o pl n , . m ton n he e ton ntted d t l nd oce a c r Fa ' m ai t Dkt ' #1 a 4. I e Funkhous rr a l admist tt Re ie e Pl doc e sa is i t , t nde d, e e diy t ha he tr m nt an um nt t s ue n he pr s ntac i t e e a s t ntalc rbutng f c ort s ve a oft count i t Cl s A c i ee ton t r ubs a i ont i i a t o e r l he w s n he a s ton Sui fl d on O c o r9,2009 by Pl i ifa ot ri vi s ' I . a 2, Thi sae t t ie t be a ntf nd he ndi dual . s d t !5. s ttmen ' c ea l s st tt pr e a ton i pr c t d,a l s i s e de ee upon t f c s a l ry how ha he es nt c i s edi a e t ea t n om gr , he a t nd i s ltga ed i t Si m onsa i s ues ii t n he m d on. Funkhous r c ai st tt pr e m a t i no a contnua i oft Si m ons a ton, e l m ha he es nt ter s t i ton he m ci buti t d i vess par t c am sbr ug unde adif r ntERI s c i Spe fcal nsea nvol e a e l i o ht r fe e SA e ton. cii ly, Funkhous r a s r st tt Si m ons a ton i ve a di put ove t va i t ofpr e s e t ha he m c i nvol d s e r he ldiy oduce d Re i e e Pl n docum ent w hie t s a ton i ve Re i e e Pl n doc e s t t tr m nt a s, l hi c i nvol s tr m nt a um nt ha De e nt a l edl neve pr uc d.Thecour tndst spr poston,a t ve y las, f nda s leg y r od e t i hi o ii t he r e t que tona e. I he c pl i i t s m a t r Funkhous rs a e , ç - s a ton i br s i bl n r om a nt n hi te , e t t s t-hi c i s oughta a l s cvi e or me a in unde ...( SAJ i pa tc a ERI j502()1 .... I a 1 !1 i l nf ce nt cto r ERI ,n riulr SA c( ) ' d. t , . ' Funkhousrsco ai t n c ede t ttg li ifsalegai i t Cls Aci Sui e ' mpl nt he onc s ha dplantf l tons n he a s ton t r ga di t i pr ra e r ng he m ope dopton ofpl n a e en s a i pr re c i oft pl n i a m ndm t nd m ope xe uton he a doc entis l w e e i s t nta pa t bas d on a c us d by D ef nda s f iur t pr de um t e f r , n ubs a i l r , e nd a e e nt ' a l e o ovi vai plndoc nt purua t Pli ifso i nalrques purua t ERI j502()1 ... ld a ume s s nt o antf rgi e t s nt o SA c( ) ' J a 2,!6.Funkho e ' rf e est t smeERI saut whe de ci ngbot aci , ' #. t us rs eernc o he a SA tt e n s rbi h tons . co e w ih t overa ofdoc e sa t hea tofbot c es ca e t c tt que to upl d t he lp um nt t he r h as , us s he our o s i n w he he t i t ntm a t i i f c s t taly di f e f o t Si m ons a ton. t r he ns a ter s n a t ubsan i l fer nt r m he m ci Bas d upon Fu e nkhous rssa e nt i he c pl nt i i clart the c r nt e ' tt me s n r om ai , t s e ha r ure a l ga i c ai f t a i s i c m on w ih t Si m ons a ton. A ddii l i i le tons ont n ac s nd s ues n om t he m ci tonaly, t s uncl a w he he Funkhous ha a s red ditnc c a m si t e ac i . Thus i lghtoft er t r er s s e t s i t l i n hes tons ,n i he 580ht Si m onsa ton a t pr s ntm aterde wih Fu t he m ci nd he e e t al t nkho ersat us ' tempt t ac r c rctReie e s o quie ore tr m nt Pl docu e s l f t bot c e i udecam sr ga di t Sec Am e entt t Retr m e Pln, t an m nt . n ac, h as s ncl li e r ng he ond ndm o he ie nt a he ThidAm e r ndmentt t Retr m entPl t Fit Am e e t t Re ie e Pl a t Retr m e Pln' o he ie an, he fh ndm nt o he tr m nt an, nd he ie nt a s J nua y l 2004 Am e entand Resa e e . a r , ndm t t m nt p e ee c fr u iil c n my i i i teitrs o j tc t ta frt i c s t t eNo ten rf rn e o j d ca e o o ,t s n h n eet f usie o rnse h s a e o h rh r D i ti tofW e tV igi a,wher t tcour w ilbe m os f m ii rw ih t di f e s i a sr c s r ni e ha t l t a la t he f er nce , f ny, bet een t t o cases. w he w W he weg ngt i ees ofj tc i apatc arc s i a tont t pr i of n ihi he ntr t usie n riul a e,n ddii o he omoton j dca e o o c u t as c nsd rtepo sb ly o ic n itn o to sbewe nrltd u iil c n my, o rs lo o i e h siii f n o sse t u c me t e eae t m a t r br te s oughti dif r ntve n fe e nues Sa s . m unc, F.Supp.2d a 721 l t scas Funkho e 386 t . n hi e, us r c r t tt Com m it f ie t pr de he w ih r ue t d Re iem entPl n doc en s l ha ges ha he tee a l d o ovi r t eq s e tr a um t . n t Si m ons a ton, c he m c i Funlhous r a cus t Com m it e,i r e ntpa t ofbr ac ng is e c ed he te n el va r y, e hi t tduc a y dut by f lng t pr de he w ih va i R e iem e Pl n doc ent . Si m ons 201 i ir y aii o ovi r t ld tr nt a um s m , 0 W L 468 3745, t * 4. I t Si m o ac i J a 3- n he m ns ton, udge Baiey di m i s d t f duc a y c ai s l s s e he i i r l m a an tteCo te wihp eu ie ra o i t a, n e ERI A,$ c mmitei n tap ro g i s h mmite t rj dc , e s nng h tu d r S t o te s o e s n a a t e or c nnotbea fduca y.'J=. t*3n. Asdic s d a ,alhoug Funkhous r nd,her f e, a i ir ' . a d 3. s us e bove t h e a l gest ts i br ngi e ie y dif r ntcl i s i t sm a t r he com pl i co a ns le ha he s i ng ntr l f e e a m n hi te , r a nt nt i s gnii a f c ua a l ga ove l ps w ih t Si m o ac i n. The ef e,i f t rs r st i f c nt a t l nd e l r a t he m ns to r or t ur he e ve he itr s o j siet ta se v n et teNo tenDitito W e tVigni, e et ec u t n ee t f u tc o rn fr e u o h rh r src f s r i a wh r h o r t r w ilbe be t e ppe t gua d aga ns i ons s e out om esbe w e n t s m a t a is he e l ter qui d o r i t nc it nt c t e hi ter nd t pr orr i i t Si m ons a i i ulngs n he m cton. 11 1. I s , he c tfndst tt Norhe n DititofW es Vigi ai apr pe ve n um t our i ha he t r src t r ni s o r nue whe et scli c d ha bee orgi lybr ug . M o e r alho h t c rt i t tt r hi am oul ve n i nal o ht r ove , t ug he ou fnds ha he f c or ofdef r nc t Funkhous rsc ceofve e,c at s ee e o e ' hoi nu onve e oft wine s , ni nce he t s es and conveni ence oft partesw ei slghty i f he i gh i l n avorofdenyi D ef ng endant m oton t t ansf s' i o r er ve ,t i e e tofj tceweg hea l i fvorofta fni ve i t sc s Fort nue he ntr s usi ihs viy n a r nse ng nue n hi a e. he r a o ssae a o e t ei tr s o j tc ,n l dn tede iet pr mo ej iil c n mya d e s n tt d b v ,h ne et f usie icu ig h sr o o t udca e o o n prot agai ti ect ns nconsit out es,out ei t ot f or and i di s ent com w ghs he her act s s sposii tve. Acc di y,I I ORDERED t tDefnda s M oton t Transe Ve ( .# or ngl T S ha e nt' i o f r nue Dkt 28)i GRANTED,a purua t j1 a ,hi matr i l ngDee nt'M oi t s nd, s nt o 404() t s te, ncudi fnda s ton o St y and CompelAr t aton ( . ) i ta fre t t Unie Stt DititCo tf a bir i Dkt#37 ,s rnserd o he td aes src ur or t N orhe n Di t i tofW e tV igi a. he t r s rc s r ni Ent ed:June 25,2012 er 4 /* ' VW f M i hae F.U r ns c l ba ki U nie St t sD i t i tJ t d a e sr c udge 10 '

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.