Babbit Electronics, Inc. v. Dynascan Corp.

915 F. Supp. 335, 1995 WL 789298
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Florida
DecidedDecember 1, 1995
Docket89-7048-CIV
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 915 F. Supp. 335 (Babbit Electronics, Inc. v. Dynascan Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Babbit Electronics, Inc. v. Dynascan Corp., 915 F. Supp. 335, 1995 WL 789298 (S.D. Fla. 1995).

Opinion

ORDER AFFIRMING MAGISTRATE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

HIGHSMITH, District Judge.

THIS CAUSE came before the Court upon Impleaded Parties Debra Borenstein and Benjamin Borensteins’ Objection to Judgment on Order of Impleader and Imposition of Equitable Lien, filed June 27,1995.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On June 22,1993, judgment was entered in this cause in favor of Counterplaintiff in Execution Cobra Electronics Corp., formerly known as Dynasean Corporation (“Cobra”). Subsequently, Counterdefendant Sol Steinmetz, a judgment debtor, transferred property to his daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Benjamin Borenstein (together, “the Boren-steins”).

On November 15, 1994, Magistrate Judge Garber entered an Order, subsequently amended on December 16, 1994, impleading the Borensteins into the above-referenced action, in a proceeding supplementary to execution of the judgment.

On April 1, 1995, the impleaded parties were served with an Order issued by Magistrate Judge Garber on March 24, 1995, to

show cause, on or before April 21, 1995, why judgment should not be entered against them in the amount of $117,184.23 and why an equitable lien should not be placed on their home for that amount; and why judgment should not be entered *336 against them for the present value of 500 shares of IBM stock.

In response, on April 20, 1995, the Boren-steins filed a Motion to Dismiss and/or Motion to Strike the Order to Show Cause. The Borensteins also filed a reply to Cobra’s response to their motion. Thereafter, by Order issued on June 6, 1995, Magistrate Judge Garber set the motion for a hearing. A hearing before Magistrate Judge Garber was held on June 20,1995.

On June 21, 1995, Magistrate Judge Gar-ber issued a Judgment on Order of Impleader and Imposition of Equitable Lien which, inter alia, denied the Borensteins’ Motion to Dismiss and/or Motion to Strike the Order to Show Cause, entered final judgment in favor of Cobra and against the Borensteins, and imposed an equitable lien on their property in favor of Cobra. The Borensteins now object to the magistrate judge’s entry of such Judgment.

DISCUSSION

Title 28, United States Code, Section 686 outlines the scope of the jurisdiction exercised by United States magistrate judges. The statute specifically precludes a magistrate judge from “hearting] and deter-min[ing] ... a motion ... to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A). The statute further provides that a magistrate may “conduct hearings ... and [ ] submit to a judge of the court proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition, by a judge of the court, of any motion excepted in subparagraph (A).” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B). Upon the consent of the parties, however, the statute does permit magistrate judges to exercise jurisdiction to “conduct any or all proceedings in a ... civil matter and order the entry of judgment in the case.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1). Although the original parties in this case had previously consented to Magistrate Judge Garber’s exercise of jurisdiction over case-dispositive matters, the newly impleaded parties, the Borensteins, did not participate in such consent. Therefore, Magistrate Judge Garber lacked the requisite jurisdiction to rule on the Borensteins’ motion to dismiss. Magistrate Judge Garber was authorized, however, to issue a report and recommendation on the motion. For this reason, this Court shall deem the Judgment on Order of Impleader and Imposition of Equitable Lien to be a report and recommendation.

In their objection, the Borensteins claim that they did not receive an opportunity to present any evidence to show cause why the equitable lien and the judgment should not be entered against them. Contrary to this contention, however, the Borensteins, themselves, acknowledge that they were served with an Order to Show Cause. The Boren-steins responded by filing the Motion to Dismiss and/or Motion to Strike the Order to Show Cause. Furthermore, Magistrate Judge Garber held a hearing on the Boren-steins’ motion, thereby giving them ample opportunity to demonstrate why the judgments should not be entered against them and why an equitable lien should not be placed on their home. Therefore, the Court concludes that the Borensteins’ objection on the grounds that they have not been afforded due process lacks merit.

Having conducted a de novo review of Magistrate Judge Garber’s Judgment on Order of Impleader and Imposition of Equitable Lien, deemed to be a Report and Recommendation, the Borensteins’ objection, the coun-terplaintiffs response, the Borensteins’ reply, and the pertinent portions of the record, and being otherwise duly advised, it is hereby

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the above-mentioned Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Garber be RATIFIED, AFFIRMED, and made the Order of the District Court. Accordingly, it is hereby

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:

1. The Motion to Dismiss and/or Motion to Strike filed by the Borensteins is DENIED.

2. The transfer of $117,184.23 from Sol Steinmetz for the benefit of the Borensteins is void.

3. The transfer of 500 shares of IBM stock from Sol Steinmetz to the Borensteins is void.

*337 4. Final Judgment is entered in favor of Counterplaintiff in Execution Cobra and against the Borensteins, jointly and severally, for the present market value of 500 shares of IBM stock, for which sum let execution issue.

5. Final Judgment is entered in favor of Counterplaintiff Cobra and against the Bor-ensteins, jointly and severally, in the amount of $117,184.23, plus interest, pursuant to Florida statutes, since July 2,1993, for which sum let execution issue.

6. Counterplaintiff holds an equitable lien in the amount of $117,184.23, plus interest, pursuant to Florida statutes, since July 2, 1993, superior to any claim or estate of the Borensteins, on the property located at 19902 N.E. 19th Court, North Miami Beach, in Dade County, Florida, which property is legally described on Exhibit “A” to this Order.

7. The commencement of foreclosure proceedings by the eounterplaintiff to enforce the equitable lien shall be stayed for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this Order to allow the Borensteins to pay the amount due to the eounterplaintiff. In the event payment is not made within thirty (30) days, the eounterplaintiff may commence foreclosure proceedings without further order of this Court.

8. The eounterplaintiff is entitled to costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees against the counterdefendants pursuant to Fla.Stat. § 56.29(11), which shall be taxed on appropriate motion.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida, this 30th day of November, 1995.

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Bluebook (online)
915 F. Supp. 335, 1995 WL 789298, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/babbit-electronics-inc-v-dynascan-corp-flsd-1995.