X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

DECISION AND ORDER BACKGROUND Plaintiff Josue Ortiz (“Plaintiff”) sued defendant Mark Stambach (“Defendant”), a former police detective for the City of Buffalo (the “City”), for violations of his civil rights related to his arrest, conviction, and incarceration for two murders that he did not commit. (Dkt. 1). A jury found in Plaintiff’s favor after a five-day trial, and awarded $5 million in compensatory damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages. (Dkt. 158; Dkt. 160; Dkt. 162). Judgment was entered on May 10, 2022. (Dkt. 164). Following the Court’s resolution of the parties’ post-trial motions (Dkt. 195), Defendant filed a notice of app (Dkt. 197). Currently pending before the Court is Defendant’s motion to stay enforcement of the judgment pending appeal and to waive the requirement that he secure a bond. (Dkt. 198). Plaintiff filed a response to this motion on April 14, 2023 (Dkt. 205), and Defendant filed a reply on April 21, 2023 (Dkt. 206). For the reasons that follow, Defendant’s motion is granted. DISCUSSION Prior to 2018, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(d) “provide[d] that an appellant [was] entitled to a stay pending appeal by posting a supersedeas bond.” In re Nassau Cnty. Strip Search Cases, 783 F.3d 414, 417 (2d Cir. 2015). However, a district court was permitted, in its discretion, to “waive the bond requirement if the appellant provide[d] an acceptable alternative means of securing the judgment.” Id. (quotation omitted). In Nassau County, the Second Circuit set forth a list of non-exclusive factors for district courts to consider “in determining whether to waive the supersedeas bond requirement under Rule 62(d).” Id. Those factors are: (1) the complexity of the collection process; (2) the amount of time required to obtain a judgment after it is affirmed on appeal; (3) the degree of confidence that the district court has in the availability of funds to pay the judgment; (4) whether the defendant’s ability to pay the judgment is so plain that the cost of a bond would be a waste of money; and (5) whether the defendant is in such a precarious financial situation that the requirement to post a bond would place other creditors of the defendant in an insecure position. Id. at 417-18 (quoting Dillon v. Chicago, 866 F.2d 902, 904-05 (7th Cir. 1988)). Rule 62 was amended in 2018 and the relevant provision now appears at subparagraph b, which provides: “At any time after judgment is entered, a party may obtain a stay by providing a bond or other security. The stay takes effect when the court approves the bond or other security and remains in effect for the time specified in the bond or other security.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(b); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 62, Advisory Committee’s Note to 2018 Amendments (“Subdivision 62(b) carries forward in modified form the supersedeas bond provisions of former Rule 62(d).”). The 2018 amendments to Rule 62 “made explicit the opportunity to post security in a form other than a bond.” Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. v. MUFG Union Bank, N.A., No. 19 CIV. 10023 (KPF), 2020 WL 7711522, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 29, 2020) (quotation omitted). Even following the 2018 amendments, “courts continue to rely on the Nassau County factors in determining whether to waive the bond or other security requirements of Rule 62(b).” Id. at *2 n.3. Here, Defendant contends that he has offered adequate other security because the City — which has agreed to satisfy the judgment in the event Defendant is unsuccessful on appeal (see Dkt. 198-2 at 3) — has transferred $6.5 million to a separate account reserved specifically for payment of the judgment. The City’s accountant has sworn under penalty of perjury that this account will be maintained only for the potential satisfaction of the judgment issued in this case, that the funds therein will not be used or appropriated for any other purpose, and that funds will be added to the account to address any interest awarded to Plaintiff. (See Dkt. 206-1 at

6-8). Considering the circumstances of this case and the Nassau County factors, the Court concludes that Defendant has identified an acceptable alternative means of securing the judgment, such that the bond requirement should be waived. As to the first two Nassau County factors — the complexity of the collection process and the amount of time required to obtain the judgment after it is affirmed on appeal — the City’s accountant has stated in a sworn affidavit that if Defendant’s appeal is unsuccessful and the judgment becomes final and un-appealable, “the Comptroller’s Office can remit payment from the” account holding the reserved funds upon request from the City’s corporation counsel, and “it would take approximately two business days…to remit payment from the account to any account identified by [Plaintiff] or his attorneys.” (Id. at 9). The entire process of receiving the request for payment and remitting payment would take only approximately five business days. (Dkt. 198-2 at

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
September 12, 2024
New York, NY

Consulting Magazine identifies the best firms to work for in the consulting profession.


Learn More

Our client, a boutique litigation firm established by former BigLaw partners, is seeking to hire a commercial litigation associate to join e...


Apply Now ›

COLE SCHOTZ P.C.Prominent mid Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office locations seeks a senior attorney with commercial real estate ...


Apply Now ›

ATTORNEYS WANTED ROCKLAND/BERGEN COUNTYKantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. Expanding and established multi-practice, mul...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›