The Volokh Conspiracy
Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent
Sanctions for Libel Defendant's Obstructionism (Perhaps Connected to Continuing Libel)
From Judge William Session III in Ha v. Conn (D. Vt.):
[Defendant] Ms. Conn's attorney withdrew from the case several months ago {stating that his relationship with his client had "irrevocably broken down"}. The Court subsequently ordered Ms. Conn [on November 5, 2021] to appear with replacement counsel, or enter her own appearance pro se (representing herself), within 30 days. That deadline passed in December 2021, and Ms. Conn has failed to comply. Plaintiffs now contend that the litigation is stalled, and that Ms. Conn's ongoing tortious conduct continues to cause them harm. Plaintiffs therefore move for monetary sanctions to compel Ms. Conn's compliance with the Court's order….
Plaintiffs bring this action claiming that Ms. Conn has defamed them by publicly accusing them of "criminal offenses involving moral turpitude." Ms. Conn has also allegedly posted intimidating and harassing videos "motivated by ethnic, racial, religious and gender animosity." This conduct is reportedly ongoing. For relief, Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney's fees….
The Court previously dismissed Ms. Conn's counterclaims as a sanction for [her] failure [to comply with the order to enter an appearance]. Plaintiffs now request daily monetary sanctions, payable to the Court, until Ms. Conn complies with [that] order. Plaintiffs also request attorney's fees incurred in connection with their motion….
"Courts of justice are universally acknowledged to be vested, by their very creation, with power to impose … submission to their lawful mandates." Those powers are "governed not by rule or statute but by the control necessarily vested in courts to manage their own affairs so as to achieve the orderly and expeditious disposition of cases." Accordingly, a court may hold a non-compliant litigant in contempt for disobeying a lawful order. "The underlying concern that gave rise to the contempt power was not … merely the disruption of court proceedings. Rather, it was disobedience to the orders of the Judiciary, regardless of whether such disobedience interfered with the conduct of trial."
"The imposition of civil contempt sanctions may serve dual purposes: to secure future compliance with court orders and to compensate the party that has been wronged." To the extent a contempt sanction is coercive, the court has "broad discretion to design a remedy that will bring about compliance." … "[W]hile pro se litigants may in general deserve more lenient treatment than those represented by counsel, all litigants, including pro ses, have an obligation to comply with court orders. When they flout that obligation they, like all litigants, must suffer the consequences of their actions."
Plaintiffs' counsel has submitted an affidavit asserting that Ms. Conn continues to defame, harass and intimidate his clients. Plaintiffs have also allegedly observed Ms. Conn boasting on the internet about her financial assets, while public records reportedly show that she owns real estate in Vermont. Accordingly, Plaintiffs request monetary sanctions in the amount of $500 to $1000 per day until Ms. Conn complies with the Court's November 5, 2021 order.
Given Ms. Conn's months-long failure to abide by the Court's order, Plaintiffs' request for monetary sanctions is appropriate. The "character and magnitude" of the harm caused by Ms. Conn's delay, particularly in light of allegedly-ongoing defamatory conduct, is not insignificant.
With only minimal evidence of her liquid assets, however, the Court must take care to fashion a fine that is both reasonable and effective. The Court will therefore impose a sanction of $200 per day, for not more than 25 days, for each continued day of non-compliance with the November 5, 2021 order. The sanctions shall commence five days after the date of this Opinion and Order, and shall be payable to the United States District Court, for deposit in the Court's registry and will be held until further order of the Court. The Court also grants Plaintiffs' request for reasonable attorney's fees.
If Ms. Conn does not comply with the November 5, 2021 order within 30 days, Plaintiffs may file a dispositive motion and/or move for additional sanctions….
