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1 2 3 4 5 6 LAW OFFICES OF RICHARD D. FARKAS RICHARD D. FARKAS, ESQ. (State Bar No. 89157) 15300 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 504 Sherman Oaks, California 91403 Telephone: (818) 789-6001 Facsimile: (818) 789-6002 E-mail: RichardDF@aol.com www.RichardFarkas.com Attorneys for Defendant Louisa Moritz 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 YANA HENRIKS, an individual, 12 13 Plaintiff, vs. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 LOUISA MORITZ; VICTOR NOVAL; TANIA NOVAL; and PHILIP MARKOWITZ, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No.: 2:06-CV-05670-JFW-SH(x) NOTICE OF MOTION AND SPECIAL MOTION OF DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ TO DISMISS COMPLAINT AS A SLAPP LAWSUIT AND FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES [C.C.P. § 425.16, 42 U.S.C. 1988; F.R.C.P 12(b)(6)]; SUPPORTING DECLARATION AND EXHIBITS. [DECLARATION AND EXHIBITS FILED SEPARATELY.] [This Motion is made following the conference of counsel pursuant to Local Rule 7.3, which took place on March 28, 2007.] TRIAL DATE: August 7, 2007 DISCOVERY CUT-OFF: None HEARING DATE: May 7, 2007 HEARING TIME: 1:30 p.m. PLACE: Courtroom of the Hon. John F. Walter (Ctrm. 16) TO PLAINTIFF YANA HENRIKS AND TO HER ATTORNEYS OF RECORD: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on May 7, 2007, in Courtroom 16 of the United States District Court located at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California, 90012 at 1:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, Defendant LOUISA MORITZ will move this Court, pursuant to RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 1 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 California Code of Civil Procedure §425.16, 42 U.S.C. 1988, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 2 12(b)(6) and other applicable Federal authority, for an Order dismissing Louisa Moritz from this 3 action, on the basis that no claim for relief under the RICO statute may be applied to Defendant 4 LOUISA MORITZ, and for an award of attorneys’ fees. 5 This Motion will be based upon this notice, the Memorandum of Points and Authorities 6 attached hereto, the Declaration of attorney Richard D. Farkas, accompanying exhibits, and upon all 7 of the records, pleadings and files in this matter, and upon such further arguments and evidence that 8 may be presented at the time of the hearing of this Motion. 9 WHEREFORE, Defendant prays that this Motion be granted, that the complaint against 10 MORITZ be dismissed, that Plaintiff take nothing by her complaint, and that MORITZ be awarded 11 her fees and costs in defending against this action. 12 13 Dated: June 8, 2008 LAW OFFICES OF RICHARD D. FARKAS 14 15 16 17 18 By__________________________________ RICHARD D. FARKAS, Attorneys for Defendant, LOUISA MORITZ 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 2 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 2 I. INTRODUCTION 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 In her RICO lawsuit pending before this Court, Plaintiff YANA HENRIKS, by and through her attorney, Philip Dapeer, does nothing but reiterate claims she has asserted in several state court actions. Moving Party LOUISA MORITZ, an attorney, did nothing—and is alleged to have done nothing—but represent some of the parties to some of those actions for several months. Based solely on actions taken in the context of the state court cases, the litigious YANA HENRIKS has now attempted to spin her previously-asserted state court claims into alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. 1961, et seq. Plaintiff’s RICO claim is 10 merely a regurgitation of the same allegations she has already presented on several separate 11 occasions.1 The activity plaintiff finds objectionable is defendant MORTIZ’s zealous—albeit 12 brief—representation of some of HENRICK’s adversaries in state court actions seeking to control a 13 family trust. The demonstrated lack of merit to plaintiff’s allegations indicates that this suit has been 14 brought solely to quell defendant MORITZ’s exercise of her constitutional rights to utilize the state 15 court legal system, to petition and speech, not to vindicate any valid claim. 16 Plaintiff’s action is a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) aimed at 17 interfering with defendants’ legitimate exercise of their First Amendment and statutory rights. This 18 Court must follow the mandate of 42 U.S.C. 1988(a) and apply the California anti-SLAPP statute 19 (C.C.P. § 425.16) in this action, to protect defendant’s fundamental constitutional rights of petition 20 and speech. F.R.C.P. 12(b)(6), alternatively, would also mandate dismissal of this action. 21 As discussed below, SLAPP lawsuits frequently mask themselves as ordinary lawsuits. 22 Plaintiffs win political battles by dragging defendants into court and enmeshing them in protracted 23 litigation. (See Wilcox v. Superior Court, 27 Cal.App.4th 809, 815-818, 33 Cal.Rptr.2d 446 (1994).) 24 The California Legislature recognized the chilling effect of SLAPPs on First Amendment rights 25 when it enacted section 425.16. Federal law does not provide anything analogous to the section 26 425.16 discovery stay and provisions for early termination of SLAPPs, but has ruled that these 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 1 See, e.g., Plaintiff’s RICO Case Statement, Exhibit C, in which many of the same claims were made to a State Court judge. See, also, RICO Case Statement Exhibit F, pages 68 - 92 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 3 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 provisions made be utilized in the Federal courts. Therefore, this Court must apply section 425.16, 2 pursuant to section 1988. Because plaintiff cannot establish that there is a probability that she will 3 prevail on her claims, as required by section 425.16(b), this Court should grant defendant’s special 4 motion to strike, and award her attorneys’ fees as well. 5 II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2 6 A. THE PARTIES i. LOUISA MORITZ 7 Defendant Louisa Moritz, who brings this motion, is an attorney, having been admitted to the 8 9 California State Bar in November, 2004. Ms. Moritz was retained by Tania Noval (another 10 Defendant named in this action, described below), as well as several of her family members with 11 respect to disputes concerning family trusts. The opposing party in these disputes is the Plaintiff, 12 Yana Henriks; Ms. Moritz never represented Ms. Henriks. Ms. Moritz briefly (from approximately 13 April, 2006 to September, 2006) represented members of the Noval family, having ceased 14 representing anyone in the Noval family in September, 2006, when she filed substitution of attorney 15 forms in all of the lawsuits involving the family. ii. YANA HENRIKS 16 Plaintiff Yana Henriks, who filed the complaint against Ms. Moritz, is the former live-in 17 18 girlfriend of Victor Noval, the brother of Ms. Moritz’s client, Tania Noval. Ms. Henriks (also known 19 as Gayane Khachatryan), on April 23, 2004, replaced Tania Noval as Trustee of one of the Novals’ 20 21 family trusts (Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust), and it was her role as Trustee that led to much of the litigation in which Ms. Moritz was briefly involved.3 As detailed herein, Victor Noval, Tania Noval, 22 23 24 25 26 2 Defendant Moritz acknowledges that this Motion must address the sufficiency of the complaint (and its accompanying RICO Case Statement). This section is intended solely to give the Court some background of the dispute between Plaintiff and Defendants, to make the otherwise confusing pleadings more understandable. Defendant is not relying upon the facts in this introduction to support its Motion to Dismiss. 3 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 As will be described herein, Ms. Henriks has filed a number of acrimonious charges against the Noval family and people associated with it, in state and federal courts, and elsewhere. These charges include applications for restraining orders, and countless claims of civil and criminal wrongdoing and, in many cases, are substantially identical to her claims in this RICO action. RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 4 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 and all of Victor Noval’s children (the beneficiaries of the Brothers Irrevocable Trust) requested that 2 Ms. Henriks step aside as Trustee. Disputes concerning Ms. Henriks’ role as trustee led to much of 3 the litigation in this complex matter. 4 iii. TANIA NOVAL 5 Tania Noval, Ms. Moritz’s former client, is the sister of Victor Noval, and the Settlor, 6 Trustor, and original trustee to the Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust. Tania Noval, therefore is the aunt of 7 Victor Noval’s children, who, with her own son, are the beneficiaries of the Brothers’ Irrevocable 8 Trust. In 2003, during illness of Tania Noval, and while Yana Henriks was romantically involved 9 with Victor Noval, Yana Henriks assumed the role of Trustee of the Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust.4 10 The relationship between Victor Noval and Yana Henriks later ended (bitterly), and the Noval family 11 (Victor, Tania, Tania’s son, and Victor’s children—the beneficiaries) have sought to replace Ms. 12 Henriks as the Trustee of the family trust. Ms. Henriks has refused, rather engaging in litigation 13 against the Novals in several courts. iv. VICTOR NOVAL 14 As indicated above, Victor Noval is the brother of Tania Noval, the original Trustee of the 15 16 Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust. He is also the father of Victor Franco, Jon Hunter, Jake Harrison, and 17 Victor Peter Noval, beneficiaries of the Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust, and the uncle of Bijan 18 Nasehipour, the other beneficiary (and Tania Noval’s son). Victor Noval was once romantically 19 20 21 22 23 involved with Yana Henriks. He was also, several years ago, indicted and later incarcerated in connection with a criminal matter concerning his business (unrelated to and long before the representation by Ms. Moritz). When Mr. Noval was defending himself in the criminal action, he had Ms. Henriks—then his girlfriend—assume the role of Trustee of the Trust, of which his children and nephew were beneficiaries. Mr. Noval’s romantic relationship with Yana Henriks subsequently 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 As Tania Noval stated in a May 10, 2006 declaration, attached hereto as Exhibit A, “In late 2003, I started to have severe rheumatoid arthritis and was be unable to take care of the Trust’s business. I explained my problem to Yana Henriks, and she assured me that she would be the person most qualified to be successor trustee during my illness. She informed me of her educational background and her high position with her employer, Met Life. As a girlfriend of my brother, she was also believed to be the future stepmother to my nephews, which I stated above, are the beneficiaries of the Trust.” [Tania Noval Declaration, May 10, 2006, paragraph 3.] 4 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 5 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 ended, and resulted in several personal and professional conflicts, including disputes concerning her 2 continued role as Trustee of the trust established for the benefit of his minor children.5 3 B. THE UNDERLYING LAWSUITS 4 As will be illustrated herein, all of the claims brought against Attorney Moritz by Plaintiff 5 Yana Henriks relate to Ms. Moritz’s filings in several other lawsuits (and communications made in 6 those actions), on behalf of her clients. The litigation privilege applies in each of these underlying 7 lawsuits: i. 8 BLUE WATER SUNSET, LLC, YANA HENRIKS vs. VICTOR NOVAL, TANIA NOVAL, Los Angeles Superior Court Case Number BC 349115 9 This declaratory relief action (first referenced in Plaintiff’s RICO Case Statement at page 8, 10 11 lines 12-19) was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court on March 16, 2006 by Yana Henriks and 12 Blue Water Sunset, LLC, an entity formed by Victor Noval for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the 13 Brothers Irrevocable Trust. The complaint against Victor and Tania Noval alleges that “An actual 14 dispute and controversy new [sic] exists as between plaintiff and defendants concerning their 15 respective rights and duties relative to the defense of plaintiff Blue Water Sunset, LLC….” [A copy 16 of this declaratory relief action is attached hereto as Exhibit B.] Louisa Moritz was retained to 17 represent Tania Noval in this case, and represented her through September 12, 2006, when she 18 substituted out. In response to the complaint in this action, Tania Noval filed a cross-complaint against Yana 19 20 21 22 23 Henriks, attached hereto as Exhibit D. In her cross-complaint, filed by Louisa Moritz, Tania Noval alleged “Cross-Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN [a.k.a. Yana Henriks] assumed management and control of BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., as well as the BROTHERS’ IRREVOCABLE TRUST through fraud, deceit and misrepresentation, as described herein, and 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 5 The extent of the animosity between Victor Noval and Yana Henriks is evidenced by Victor Noval’s May 3, 2006 “Answer to Request for Orders to Stop Harassment (in case number BS 102745), in which he declared that “Henriks has told me that she will dedicate her life to ruining mine and that since she is on disability she has all the time in the world to ruin my life.” [Exhibit C.] He further alleged, among other things, that Henriks committed insurance fraud, threatened violence toward him and third parties, and caused him to be “afraid for my life and the life of my family.” [Exhibit C, page 6.] RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 6 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 thereafter mismanaged these entities and utilized their assets for her personal gain.” [Tania Noval’s 2 Cross-complaint ¶ 5. A copy of Tania Noval’s cross-complaint is attached hereto as Exhibit D.] The 3 lengthy cross-complaint further alleged: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 “Cross-Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN, and her attorney, PHILIP DA PEER, ESQ., prepared all the documents for the alleged “transfer” of BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., through a $100 “bill of sale”, which they attempted to have TANIA NOVAL, CrossComplainant, sign the final copy, and which they explained to TANIA through others they (Cross-Defendant and her attorney PHILIP DA PEER, ESQ.) needed for the Cross-Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN, to get standing to sue or represent the LLC in litigation which BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C. was involved in, and after the litigation was completed, this “transfer” would be voidable and rescindable at will by Cross-Complainant and CrossDefendant would immediately surrender possession and control over BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., and return it to Cross-Complainant TANIA NOVAL, who would in turn deed it over to BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST, A TRUST formed for the children of TANIA NOVAL and VICTOR NOVAL.” [Tania Noval cross-complaint, Exhibit D, ¶ 11.] 11 The disputed agreement described in the preceding paragraph is also relevant to the 12 contention of Ms. Henriks that Ms. Moritz presented a forged or altered exhibit, discussed below. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 Victor Noval, then acting in pro per, also filed a similar cross-complaint against Yana Henriks. [A copy of Victor Noval’s cross-complaint is attached hereto as Exhibit E.] Mr. Noval’s cross-complaint against Ms. Henriks set forth causes of action for Breach of Written Contracts, Intentional Interference with Prospective Business Relations, Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, Unfair Business Practices, Fraud, Conspiracy to Defraud, Negligent Misrepresentation, Declaratory Relief, Extortion, Accounting, Declaration of Constructive Trust, and Removal and Surcharge of Trustee. In the introductory portion of his cross-complaint against Ms. Henriks, Mr. Noval alleged the following: “10. This litigation relates to TANIA NOVAL, BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., property of BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST, of which TANIA NOVAL, CrossComplainant is the Trustee. “11. Cross-Complainant is informed and believes and thereon alleges that the CrossDefendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN [another name of Yana Henriks], and her attorney, Cross-defendant PHILIP DAPEER, prepared documents for an alleged “transfer” of BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., through a $100 “bill of sale.” BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C. was an asset belonging to BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST. Cross-defendants DAPEER and KHACHATRYAN conspired to have KHACHATRYAN hold title to BLUE WATER SUNSET (and other assets) as trustee in constructive trust for BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST, with the understanding that the asset would be returned to RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 7 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST upon the completion of pending litigation. Accordingly, DAPEER and KHACHATRYAN attempted to have TANIA NOVAL, sign documents to effectuate this transfer, explaining to TANIA through others they (CrossDefendant KHACHATRYAN and her attorney PHILIP DAPEER, ESQ.) needed for the Cross-Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN, to get standing to sue or represent the LLC in litigation which BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C. was involved in. After the litigation was completed, this “transfer” would be voidable and rescindable at will by TANIA NOVAL and Cross-Defendant KHACHATRYAN would immediately surrender possession and control over BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., and return it to Cross-Complainant TANIA NOVAL, who would in turn deed it over to BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST, a trust formed for the children of TANIA NOVAL and VICTOR NOVAL. “12. The facts are that Cross-Complainant TANIA NOVAL never signed the final documentation to effectuate the transfer. In effect, KHACHATRYAN acquired a multimillion dollar asset for $100.00. “13. Attorney PHILIP DAPEER explained to Cross-Complainant that the “transfer”, which TANIA NOVAL did not sign, was solely to complete the litigation, which was for the benefit of BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C. and that Cross-Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN and himself were the persons best qualified to perform this legal work, since GAYANE KHACHATRYAN was in her own words “a great litigator” and she would immediately return the ownership of the properties involved to Cross-Complainant TANIA NOVAL. The beneficiaries of BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST were the children of TANIA NOVAL and her brother VICTOR.” [Victor Noval cross-complaint, Exhibit E, ¶s 10-13.] In a sworn declaration filed in this action, Tania Noval stated, among other things that Ms. 16 Henriks engaged in “self-dealing” and “wasted and misappropriated valuable Trust assets.” [A copy 17 of her Declaration is attached as Exhibit A.] To properly understand the claims of the Noval family 18 (advanced through the representation of Ms. Moritz), the substantive assertions of Ms. Tania Noval 19 (in her May 10, 2006 declaration) are set forth at length below: 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 “2. My name is Tania Noval. I am the Settlor, Trustor and original trustee to the Brothers Irrevocable Trust (hereafter the “Trust”). This trust was set up for the benefit of my son and nephews, who are the only beneficiaries of the Trust. This declaration is submitted in support of the Petition to remove Yana Henriks as Trustee of the Trust, and for related relief. “3. In late 2003, I started to have severe rheumatoid arthritis and was unable to take care of the Trust’s business. I explained my problem to Yana Henriks, and she assured me that she would be the person most qualified to be successor trustee during my illness. She informed me of her educational background and her high position with her employer, Met Life. As a girlfriend of my brother, she was also believed to be the future stepmother to my nephews, which I stated above, are the beneficiaries of the Trust. Given her excellent personal history I believed that she indeed would be a trustworthy individual to handle the future well being of my son and nephews. “4. I was wrong about Ms. Henriks. She is claiming that Blue Water Sunset L.L.C. is her property. This is false. This L.L.C. was formed for the benefit of the beneficiaries, and it RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 8 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 was to be placed in the trust once certain litigation ended. She has tried to sell this L.L.C. and/or its valuable assets belonging to the trust. “5. Yana Henriks has ignored numerous requests made by the beneficiaries regarding accounting and the sale of a Mustang belonging to beneficiary Victor Franco Noval. “6. Ms. Henriks has been asked (by me, as Settlor, and by all of the beneficiaries, whose declarations are attached to this Petition) to step down and turn over her position as Trustee. She has not only completely ignored this but also wrote a letter to my attorney Louisa Moritz (attached to the Petition) insulting her practice and making false statements. “7. Henriks wrote letters to my brother telling him that his children (beneficiaries) don’t care about him and that they do not deserve anything. “8. Henriks is in the bad habit of threatening people and is well known for threatening attorneys with reporting them to the bar. “9. I have personally heard a cassette tape where Henriks threatens my brother. Yana Henriks has also called our friend Heather Mercado and threatened her life. “10. Henriks falsely claims that my brother abused her. My brother was married twice about 10 years each and has never abused mentally or physically his wives or anyone else. “11. Henriks has sent me letters via fax insulting me and telling me to “Fasten your seatbelt”. “12. Henriks wrote letters to my brother in which she says she is an attorney. (See attached copy of envelope.) “13. My brother told me that, after learning of Henriks’ misdeeds, he decided not to marry her. This resulted in enormous animosity, causing significant harm to the Trust, me, and the beneficiaries. “14. My brother applied for a restraining order against Henriks. Upon being notified of the order, Henriks immediately rushed to the court and sought a restraining order against my brother who is the father to four of the beneficiaries. “15. In addition to the foregoing, I am aware of the following acts of Ms. Henriks, to the detriment of the Trust: -- She had not made any distributions to the beneficiaries, and has not communicated with the beneficiaries; -- She has never provided an accounting relative to the Trust; -- She has wasted and misappropriated valuable Trust assets; -- She has initiated litigation against me, as well as against the father of the beneficiaries (her former boyfriend); -- She claims to have personally acquired millions of dollars worth of assets belonging to the Trust for negligible consideration (i.e., $100.00); -- She has engaged in self-dealing, to the detriment of the Trust and its beneficiaries; -- She has filed a restraining order application against the father of some of the beneficiaries, without good cause; -- She is assisting, without good cause, through a sham forcible detainer action, to evict one or more of the beneficiaries from their rightful home; -- She has threatened our attorney in this action. “16. The beneficiaries and I all request the court to reinstate my position as trustee. We have all requested that Ms. Henriks step aside (in writing, attached to this Petition), and she has failed and refused to do so. 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 9 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT “17. I have the best interest of my son and nephews at heart, and hereby request the court to reinstate my original position as trustee to Brothers Irrevocable Trust. We would all like to have this woman out of our lives forever.” [Tania Noval declaration, May 10, 2006, Exhibit A.] 1 2 3 ii. 4 IN THE MATTER OF THE BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST (Case Number SP006830) 5 This action was filed in the Probate Court on May 26, 2006 by the Brothers Irrevocable 6 7 Trust, acting by and through Tania Noval (represented by Louisa Moritz).6 [A copy of Tania 8 Noval’s probate filing is attached hereto as Exhibit F.] As noted above, in this action, Tania Noval 9 declared: “The beneficiaries and I all request the court to reinstate my position as trustee. We have 10 all requested that Ms. Henriks step aside (in writing, attached to this Petition), and she has failed and 11 refused to do so. I have the best interest of my son and nephews at heart, and hereby request the 12 court to reinstate my original position as trustee to Brothers Irrevocable Trust.” [Tania Noval 13 declaration, Exhibit A, ¶s 16, 17.] The Petition filed by Ms. Moritz in this case was brought pursuant to the California Probate 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Code Section 15404, which provides: “Modification or Termination by Settlor and All Beneficiaries. (a) If the settlor and all beneficiaries of a trust consent, THEY MAY COMPEL THE MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE TRUST.” (Emphasis added.) Attached to the Petition were the sworn Declarations of the Settlor of this trust (Tania Noval) and all of the beneficiaries of the Brothers Irrevocable Trust in support of this Petition. Also attached to this Petition were documents evidencing the requests of the Settlor and all of the Beneficiaries, that Yana Henricks step down as acting Trustee, and additional documents evidencing the failure and refusal of Yana Henriks to do so, which necessitated this Petition. iii. 23 CONSTANTINO NOVAL vs. VICTOR NOVAL (Case Number SC 089359) 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 In her RICO Case Statement, Plaintiff HENRIKS claims that “The Novals, through their attorney, Louisa Moritz retaliated by initiating probate proceedings in the Los Angeles Superior Court seeking to remove Yana Henriks as successor trustee of the Brothers Irrevocable Trust.” [RICO Case Statement, page 8, lines 16-19.] 6 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 10 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT This action was a “forcible detainer” complaint filed against Victor Noval (Tania Noval’s 1 2 brother) by Victor Noval’s uncle, Constantino Noval.7 Initially, and for a very brief period of time, 3 Louisa Moritz represented Mr. Noval in this case (she filed a demurrer to the complaint on April 21, 4 2006, and substituted out on May 31, 2006). 5 In this action, Victor Noval argued that, although the Plaintiff alleged he was the owner of 6 the subject residential unit, the Plaintiff obtained title to the property as trustee of a family trust for 7 the benefit of Defendant’s children. Defendant Victor Noval began occupying the premises upon its 8 completion in May 2000, and the only occupants of the unit since that time had been Defendant 9 Victor Noval, Defendant’s wife and children, and (following Defendant’s divorce), Defendant’s 10 then-girlfriend, Yana Henriks, who had moved out. Plaintiff, who held title only as trustee, had 11 never occupied the unit since it was completed in May, 2000. iv. 12 BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST vs. CONSTANTINO NOVAL, etc., et al. (Case Number SC 089394) 13 This case, too, concerns disputes concerning the administration of the Brothers Irrevocable 14 15 Trust, as well as who, as Trustee, has the power to administer the Trust. The lawsuit was filed on 16 April 19, 2006, and was brought by the Law Offices of Louisa Moritz as “Attorneys for Plaintiffs, 17 the Beneficiaries of Brothers Irrevocable Trusts, BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST, a 18 California Trust.” [Complaint, page 1, lines 3, 4.] [A copy of this complaint is attached hereto as 19 Exhibit G.] The suit alleges, among other things, that “During 1999, Victor and TANIA NOVAL desired 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 to establish a trust to acquire and hold real estate and the income, earning and proceeds thereof for their grandchildren and children respectively. Victorino contributed $1,000,000.00 to the trust, Shirley DaSilva (Victor’s ex-wife) contributed $62,500.00 and Victor NOVAL contributed $57,000.00 for a total contribution of $1,119,500.00 to the Brothers Trust. The funds were transferred to Constantino to buy real estate for the benefit of a trust to set up for the Beneficiaries. Although repeated assurances were made by DEFENDANT CONSTANTINO, DEFENDANT 7 As noted below, Tania Noval’s son declared that this action to evict Victor Noval was engineered by Yana Henriks. RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 11 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 CONSTANTINO never established the trust and, in spite of his promises, used the funds to purchase 2 seven properties….” [Complaint, Exhibit G, ¶ 10 page 3, line 27 through page 4, line 7.] The suit 3 then alleges that “Defendant Constantino has made false and intentional misrepresentations to Victor 4 and TANIA NOVAL in that he intended to set up trust to hold the assets and Property for the benefit 5 of the beneficiaries,” [Exhibit G, ¶ 13, page 5], and that “The true facts are that … DEFENDANT 6 was not intending to hold the Assets and Property for the beneficiaries.” [Exhibit G, ¶ 13, page 5.] v. 7 AMORELLO (United States District Court No. 03-406(B)-CAS) 8 9 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA vs. MI SUK YI AND PAUL This is an action in which the family trustee asserted an interest in certain property before the 10 federal court. Ms. Moritz was never an attorney of record and never appeared as attorney of record 11 for any party in this case, although she did make a single appearance at a hearing on May 19, 2006. 12 This hearing was to resolve certain procedural matters following the withdrawal of the forfeiture 13 attorney representing the trust in that action, and Ms. Moritz appeared to advise the Federal Court of 14 the status of the disputed trust matters pending in the State Court actions. [A copy of the transcript 15 of this May 19, 2006 hearing is attached hereto as Exhibit H.] *** 16 17 C. THE CLAIMS OF YANA HENRIKS IN THE RICO COMPLAINT AND RICO CASE 18 STATEMENT. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 With the general background of the various lawsuits involving Complainant Yana Henriks described above, Defendant MORITZ will now attempt to address the specific claims of Ms. Henriks in her RICO complaint as it applies to Defendant Ms. Moritz. As will become apparent, every action allegedly taken by Defendant Moritz was as an attorney, in connection with pleadings and statements presented in pending litigation, all of which are protected by the litigation privilege. “With respect to the federal forfeiture proceedings, attorney Moritz appeared in the action and falsely represented to the court that plaintiff Henriks had been removed as trustee of the Brothers Irrevocable Trust.” [RICO Case Statement, page 10, line 27 through page 11, line 3.] 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 12 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 The hearing to which Ms. Henriks referred was in the federal case of United States of 2 America vs. Mi Suk Yi and Paul Amorello, Case number CR 03-406(b)-CAS. [RICO Case Statement, 3 page 4, lines 14-16.] Ms. Moritz is not, and never has been, an attorney for any of the litigants in 4 this federal forfeiture case. 5 At the hearing of May 19, 2006, an issue was whether the petitioner, Brothers Irrevocable 6 Trust, was a bona fide purchaser for value of certain property. The Trust was a party to that action, 7 and, on the date of the hearing, Yana Henriks apparently attempted to appear without counsel (prior 8 counsel for the trust had withdrawn because of a conflict of interest, related to the conflicting claims 9 concerning the trust of Yana Henriks and Tania Noval). At that hearing, the Court said to Ms. 10 Henriks: “Ms. Hendriks [sic], we’re going to have [sic] direct you to retain counsel. You can’t 11 represent yourself. You can’t appear pro se under the rules of the court.” [Exhibit H, page 5, line 23 12 through page 6, line 1.] 13 Ms. Moritz, upon the request of her client Tania Noval (who, as noted above, asserts that she 14 is the Trustee of the Brothers Irrevocable Trust), also appeared at the Federal Court hearing to advise 15 the Court of the position of the Trust (which, because of the withdrawal of the Trust’s forfeiture 16 attorney, was unrepresented by counsel).8 Ms. Moritz introduced herself as follows, according to the 17 transcript: “Your honor, my [name] is Louisa Maritz [sic] and I am representing the trustee of the 18 brothers irrevocable trust.” [page 12, lines 2-4.] She then advised the Court of her role: “I am only 19 20 21 here to request a continuance because there is a question about the brothers irrevocable trust and the attorney has resigned and withdrawn and I understand that Your Honor has allowed it and so they are without an attorney.” [Exhibit H, page 12, lines 16-20.] Ms. Noval did not make a misrepresentation to the Court as claimed by Ms. Henriks. In the 22 23 24 time she was allotted, she explained that there was a petition to remove Ms. Henriks. The transcript states: “Okay. Your Honor we do have an order9 from the court and we have made—I am the 25 It should be noted that Ms. Noval was never “removed” as trustee. Rather, as she declared, she resigned because “In late 2003, I started to have severe rheumatoid arthritis and was unable to take care of the Trust’s business.” [Exhibit A, ¶3.] 8 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 As noted below, Ms. Moritz’s reference to an “order” was to the state court’s order appointing a guardian ad litem in the brothers irrevocable trust case. 9 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 13 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 attorney for the present trustee Tanya Noval and we have made a petition to remove the previous 2 trustee.” [page 13, lines 10-13.] The Court clearly understood that the litigation concerning the 3 actual trustee was unresolved, and pending in the state court. Specifically, the Court responded: 4 “Well, you’ll do that over in another court…. Obviously there is a dispute between the Novals and 5 the current trustee. I’m well aware of that and you’re going to have to get that problem resolved 6 across the street because I am going to proceed with my case on my schedule and not sit around and 7 wait for this matter to be resolved over in state court.” [Exhibit H, page 13, lines 14-21.] Ms. Moritz 8 then responded, accurately, “Well, we have an ex parte application for next Friday.” [Exhibit H, 9 page 13, lines 22-23.] Ms. Moritz, after this hearing, never again appeared in this federal action and, to Defendant’s 10 11 knowledge, the issue as to the appropriate trustee has never again been raised in that court. The 12 Trustee disputes continue to be litigated. 13 14 15 16 “She [Ms Henriks] has also initiated another lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of The Brothers Irrevocable Trust against Victor’s uncle, case number SC089394 That [sic] action was brought without my [sic] knowledge or consent as the trustee.” [RICO Case Statement, page 11, lines 3-7.] The factual background of this litigation is described above. Although Ms. Moritz filed this 17 action as “Attorneys for Plaintiffs, the Beneficiaries of Brothers Irrevocable Trusts, BROTHERS 18 IRREVOCABLE TRUST, a California Trust,” there was no “misrepresentation” concerning her 19 role.10 To the contrary, Ms. Moritz filed this action with the express consent of Tania Noval (who 20 asserted her role as Trustee in then-pending case number SP 006830) and the beneficiaries 21 themselves, who oppose the actions of Yana Henriks.11 22 23 24 In her RICO Case Statement, Ms. Henriks writes: “attorney Moritz appeared in the action and falsely represented to the court that plaintiff Henriks had been removed as the trustee of The Brothers Irrevocable Trust.” [RICO Case Statement, page 10, line 28 through page 11, line 3.] 10 25 11 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 On April 6, 2006, all five (5) of the young beneficiaries of the Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust signed a document stating that they “hereby agree and assent to the rescission of the above cited document [rescinding Tania Noval’s resignation] and to the removal of Yana Henriks … as Trustee of the Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust and further agree and assent to the immediate reinstatement of Tania Noval as Trustee of the Brothers’ Irrevocable Trust effective April 6, 2006.” [Exhibit I.] RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 14 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 The authority of Ms. Moritz to act for Tania Noval is not disputed, and it is clear from the 2 pleadings and Tania Noval’s declaration (above) that Tania Noval maintains that she is the legal 3 Trustee. The position is supported by the beneficiaries as well. For example, attached to the Answer 4 of Victor Noval to Ms. Henriks’ restraining order application is a Declaration of Tania Noval’s son, 5 Bijan Nasehipour, who states that Yana Henriks “Is trying to get back at him [Victor Noval] by 6 hurting me and his sons.” Concerning the “forcible detainer” action filed against Victor Noval, 21- 7 year-old Bijan declared that “I saw a letter where Yana Henriks says she’s going to evict us from our 8 condo in Marina del Rey. She knows this condo belongs to our trust and she has absolutely no right 9 to do this.” He further declares that “All the beneficiaries sent a letter to Yana Henriks requesting 10 documents, accounting and information… and she has completely ignored our request. We also 11 asked her to remove herself as trustee and she has ignored this too.” 12 As noted above, in seeking to remove Ms. Henriks as Trustee, Ms. Moritz relied, in part, on 13 California Probate Code Section 15404, which provides for “Modification or Termination by Settlor 14 and All Beneficiaries.” The desires of Ms. Moritz’s client, Tania Noval, were properly advanced by 15 Ms. Moritz, and supported by Tania Noval, as evidenced by her Declaration. The desire of the 16 beneficiaries is similarly supported by Mr. Nasehipour’s declaration, in which he concludes: “I know 17 that having Yana Henriks as trustee of our trust will be detrimental to all the beneficiaries well being. 18 I would like my mother, Tania Noval to resume her position as trustee.” [Exhibit C, page 12.] 19 20 21 “Defendants filed with the court what purported to be a letter in the handwriting of Victor Noval and signed by plaintiff Yana Henriks wherein plaintiff Yana Henriks allegedly agreed that she was holding her ownership interest in Blue Water Sunset, L.L.C. in a representative capacity. That document, upon examination by a forensic hand-writing expert, is a forgery….” [RICO Case Statement, page 9, lines 19-27.] 22 23 24 25 Ms. Henriks, in asserting presentation of an altered or forged exhibit, is referring to a dispute concerning the validity of the signature on an undated, handwritten letter produced by Victor Noval, purporting to bear the signature of Yana Henriks. This letter concludes with a statement that “I, Yana Henriks, will transfer BWS [presumably Blue Water Sunset, an asset which is the subject of 26 the litigation] to Brothers Trust after litigation with Phil is over. The $100 transfer is only being 27 done so Yana can have standing in court with [illegible]. This is a confidential memo and will not be 28 disclosed.” This document, obtained by Ms. Moritz from her client, appears to contain the signature Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 15 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 of Yana Henriks, and states, in part, that Ms. Henriks would transfer one of the contested assets to 2 the Brothers Irrevocable Trust, as Ms. Moritz’s client maintained. Ms. Henriks, in this litigation, 3 denied that this was her signature. [A copy of the disputed letter is attached hereto as Exhibit J, and 4 to Plaintiff’s RICO Case Statement, Exhibit I, page 171.] 5 Ms. Moritz vehemently denies that she ever knowingly presented a forged or altered exhibit, 6 to the Court or to any other party. In this hotly-contested litigation, in which all parties claim the 7 others have committed criminal and tortuous acts, the validity of the handwritten letter is a matter of 8 dispute. Victor Noval declared that the statements of Yana Henriks “were false, in that Cross- 9 Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN [Yana Henriks] did not intend to step aside as represented. 10 To the contrary, Cross-Defendant GAYANE KHACHATRYAN planned to appropriate for herself 11 the property owned by BLUE WATER SUNSET, L.L.C., an interest adverse to Beneficiaries of 12 BROTHERS IRREVOCABLE TRUST, and information presented by Cross-defendant to Cross- 13 Complainant to the contrary was false and fraudulent.” [see, e.g., Exhibit E, ¶48.] With respect to 14 this particular document, after its authenticity was challenged, Ms. Moritz retained Joe B. Alexander, 15 M.D., a medical doctor and Certified Forensic Document Examiner. This professional handwriting 16 expert evaluated the document and concluded (under penalty of perjury) that “It is my professional 17 opinion, as a Certified Forensic Document Examiner, that the signature on the questioned document 18 has significant similarities to the signature of the author that penned the known comparison 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 documents, and I am therefore clearly convinced that in fact, Yana Hendricks is the author of the signature on the questioned handwritten letter.” [Exhibit K, ¶ 6.] Dr. Alexander also declared: “It is my further opinion that the signature on the questioned document shows the effects of medication and/or intentional disguise such as signing with the non-dominant hand possible in order to disavow the authorship at a later date.” [Exhibit K, ¶ 7.] Although Ms. Henriks, too, obtained a handwriting expert who rendered a contrary opinion, there is no evidence whatsoever that Ms. Moritz in any way presented evidence that was altered or forged, with knowledge that it was anything other than genuine. To the contrary, Ms. Moritz advanced the sworn assertions of her client, in addition to Victor Noval (who produced the letter), and the Certified Forensic Document Examiner. 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 16 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 In any event, it is clear that every action alleged to have been done by Defendant MORITZ 2 was in her capacity as an attorney, filing pleadings and presenting evidence on behalf of her clients. 12 3 Such actions cannot form the basis for a RICO claim, and must be dismissed pursuant to the 4 authorities presented herein. 5 6 III. 42 U.S.C. 1988 REQUIRES APPLICATION OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 425.16 IN THIS CASE. 13 42 U.S.C. 1988(a) provides: 7 The jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters conferred on the courts by the provisions of titles 13, 24, and 70 of the Revised Statutes for the protection of all persons in the United States in their civil rights, and for their vindication, shall be exercised and enforced in conformity with the laws of the United States, so far as such laws are suitable to carry the same into effect; but in all cases where they are not adapted to the object, or are deficient in the provisions necessary to furnish suitable remedies and punish offenses against law, the common law, as modified and changed by the constitution and statutes of the State wherein the court having jurisdiction is held, so far as the same is not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, shall be extended to and govern the said courts in the trial and disposition of the cause, and if it is of a criminal nature, in the infliction of punishment on the party found guilty. [Emphasis added.]14 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 12 Indeed, this is confirmed by even a cursory review of Henriks’ RICO Case Statement. She contends that “Moritz was involved in several litigation matters….” [RICO Case Statement, page 2, lines 19-20.] She states that Moritz “became directly involved in the dissolution action, the declaratory relief action and the probate proceeds as attorney….” [RICO Case Statement, page 2, lines 24-26.] She states that Moritz presented documents “to the Los Angeles Superior Court….” [RICO Case Statement, page 2, line 27.] Elsewhere, she asserts that Moritz’s arguments were “asserted in judicial proceedings.” [RICO Case Statement, page 7, lines 22-23.] She then states that “attorney, Louisa Moritz, retaliated by initiating probate proceedings in the Los Angeles Superior Court….” [RICO Case Statement, page 8, lines 16-18.] Enumerating the alleged “racketeering acts,” Henriks merely asserts that Moritz “filed an altered trust agreement in the probate proceedings,” [RICO Case Statement, page 9, lines 11-12], “filed with the court what purported to be a letter,” [RICO Case Statement, page 9, lines 20-21], “filed [cross-complaints] in the declaratory relief action” [RICO Case Statement, page 10, lines 23-24], “appeared in the action,” [RICO Case Statement, page 10, line 28] and “Moritz filed a lis pendens.” [RICO Case Statement, page 11, line 8.] These are, on their face, privileged actions that cannot proceed through Plaintiff’s SLAPP lawsuit. “California’s Anti-SLAPP provisions may be applied to pendant state law claims in federal question cases.” Globetrotter Software, Inc. v. Elan Computer Group, Inc., 63 F. Supp. 2d 1127 (N. D. Cal. 1999) 14 Section 1988 was enacted to "fill in the gaps" in federal law in order to provide the widest possible protection for civil rights. As the United States Supreme Court observed in Robertson v. Wegmann, 436 U.S. 584, 591 (1978), "This statute recognizes that in certain areas federal law is unsuited or insufficient to furnish suitable remedies." 13 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 17 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 2 3 A. THE INSIDIOUS NATURE OF SLAPPS REQUIRES A MECHANISM TAILORED TO CURBING THEIR HARMFUL EFFECTS ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. SLAPPs are lawsuits aimed at silencing a plaintiff’s opponents. The purpose of a SLAPP is 4 not to win, but to intimidate the SLAPP defendant and to chill petition and/or free speech rights. The 5 court in Wilcox v. Superior Court, 27 Cal.App.4th 809, 816, 33 Cal.Rptr.2d 446 (1994), explained 6 the characteristics of SLAPP suits as follows: 11 SLAPP suits are brought to obtain an economic advantage over the defendant, not to vindicate a legally cognizable right of the plaintiff. Indeed, one of the common characteristics of a SLAPP suit is its lack of merit. But lack of merit is not of concern to the plaintiff because the plaintiff does not expect to succeed in the lawsuit; only to tie up the defendants’ resources for a sufficient length of time to accomplish plaintiff’s underlying objective. As long as the defendant is forced to devote its time, energy and financial resources to combating the lawsuit, its ability to combat the plaintiff in the political arena is substantially diminished. [Citations omitted] 12 Thus, while SLAPP suits “masquerade as ordinary lawsuits,” the conceptual features which 7 8 9 10 13 reveal them as SLAPPs are that they are generally meritless suits brought by large private interests to 14 deter common citizens from exercising their political or legal rights or to punish them for doing so. 15 [Citations omitted] 16 Therefore, since plaintiffs who bring SLAPPs can “win” simply by dragging victims into 17 court and draining their (and the courts’) resources, these suits must be identified and dismissed at 18 the earliest possible moment. 19 As the court noted in Wilcox, supra, the California Legislature was aware that pleading-based 20 motions such as demurrers and motions to strike are ineffective in dealing with SLAPPs because a 21 plaintiff may satisfy basic pleading requirements by making constitutionally protected behavior 22 appear as defamation, interference with business relations, or restraint of trade. Therefore, the 23 Legislature provided that in the special anti-SLAPP motion to strike, the court is to consider, in 24 addition to the pleadings, supporting and opposing affidavits stating facts upon which the liability or 25 defense is based. (C.C.P. s. 425.16(b), See also Wilcox, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at 822.) 26 27 B. THIS COURT MUST LOOK TO CALIFORNIA COMMON LAW AS MODIFIED AND CHANGED IN ITS STATUTES AND CONSTITUTION. 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 18 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 As discussed above, the federal court is to look to the state law reflected in the statutes and 2 constitution of the state. Here, the California anti-SLAPP statute specifically addresses the gap in 3 federal law by providing a “suitable remedy” against SLAPPs by providing a discovery stay and 4 early termination of the claim. The California Legislature recognized both the growth of SLAPP 5 suits and the ineffectiveness of existing California procedures, such as motions to strike and motions 6 for summary judgment. (Wilcox, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at 820.) 7 In response to the need to protect the rights of speech and petition, in 1992 the Legislature 8 overwhelmingly passed section 425.16, which provides that any cause of action arising from a 9 defendant’s exercise of the constitutional right to petition the government or to speak out in 10 connection with a public issue shall be subject to a special motion to strike unless the plaintiff can 11 establish that it has a probability of prevailing on the merits of its claims. 12 The purpose of section 425.16 is set forth in subsection (a) of the statute: 13 (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to encourage continued participation in matters of public significance, and that this participation should not be chilled through the judicial process. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Speed is of the essence in dealing with SLAPPs, as it is whenever First Amendment rights are in jeopardy. (Franchise Realty Interstate Corp. v. San Francisco Local Joint Executive Board of Culinary Workers, 542 F.2d 1076, 1086 (9th Cir. 1976) (when complaint seeks to suppress or punish First Amendment rights it should be “properly nipped in the bud by the trial judge”).) California’s anti-SLAPP legislation provides an accelerated review process for potential SLAPP suits previously unavailable under California law.15 The California Legislature further provided that, in the absence of good cause shown, SLAPP plaintiffs would be required to establish the merits of their claims before any discovery is taken. This 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 15 A special motion to strike may be filed within sixty days of service of the complaint or at any later time in the court’s discretion, and the motion will be heard within thirty days after service unless the docket condition of the court requires a later hearing. (C.C.P. s. 425.16(f), (g).) This Court, on March 21, 2007, granted Defendant’s motion to vacate her default, and directed Defendant to file a responsive pleading by April 9, 2007; a 12(b)(6) or Anti-SLAPP motion, therefore, is timely. RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 19 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 stay on discovery was adopted in response to the common strategy of SLAPP plaintiffs to attempt to 2 dredge up after-the-fact justifications for meritless suits as part of an overall tactic to punish 3 opponents for the exercise of their First Amendment rights. Thus, section 425.16 provides a tailor- 4 made response to SLAPP suits to deal with their pernicious effects. 5 IV. DEFENDANT’S SPECIAL MOTION TO STRIKE MUST BE GRANTED BECAUSE HER ACTIVITIES WERE IN FURTHERANCE OF THEIR HER RIGHTS (AND THE RIGHTS OF HER CLIENTS) TO PETITION AND SPEECH, PROTECTED BY THE CALIFORNIA LITIGATION PRIVILEGE, AND BECAUSE PLAINTIFF CANNOT SHOW A PROBABILITY THAT SHE WILL PREVAIL ON HER CLAIM. 6 7 8 California cases applying section 425.16 have established a two-pronged analysis, as follows: 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1. To come within the purview of the anti-SLAPP statute, defendants must make a prima facie showing that plaintiff’s causes of action “arise from any act of [defendants] in furtherance of [defendants’] right of petition or free speech under the United States or California Constitution in connection with a public issue.” 2. The burden then shifts to plaintiff to show that “there is a probability that the plaintiff will prevail on the claim.” 16 A. PLAINTIFF’S RICO CAUSE OF ACTION ARISES SOLELY FROM ACTS IN FURTHERANCE OF DEFENDANT’S RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH AND PETITION. Included in the definition of an “act in furtherance of a person’s right of petition or free speech” are the following: [1] Any written or oral statement or writing made before a legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding, or any other official proceeding authorized by law; [2] any written or oral statement or writing made in connection with an issue under consideration or review by a legislative, executive, or judicial body, or any other official proceeding authorized by law; or [3] any written or oral statement or writing made in a place open to the public or a public forum in connection with an issue of public interest.17 17 18 19 20 21 B. CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 425.16 APPLIES BECAUSE PLAINTIFF’S 22 CLAIM ARISES FROM PRIVILEGED ACTS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SECTION 425.16. 23 24 25 26 27 16 (C.C.P. s. 425.16(b); Dixon v. Superior Court, 30 Cal.App.4th 733, 36 Cal.Rptr.2d 687, 695-97 (1994); Wilcox v. Superior Court, 27 Cal.App.4th 809, 820-24, 33 Cal.Rptr.2d 446 (1994).) The point of the anti-SLAPP statute is to prevent the inevitable chill on free speech and petitioning of the government that results from protracted litigation from a baseless SLAPP suit. (See, e.g., Wilcox, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at 815-18.) 17 (C.C.P. s. 425.16(e) (bracketed numbers added).) Note that the complained-of activities need only be in connection with an official proceeding, not at an official proceeding. (Id.; Wilcox, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at 820.) 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 20 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.16 applies to Henriks’ RICO claim because Moritz’s 2 communications in connection with pending or anticipated litigation are protected by the United 3 States and California Constitutions, and fall within the protections of Civil Code Section 47, entitling 4 her to the benefits of Section 425.16. Briggs, v. Eden Council for Hope & Opportunity (1999) 19 5 Cal.4th 1106, at 1115 [communications within the protection of the litigation privilege of Civil Code 6 section 47 are equally entitled to the benefits of section 425.16.]. 7 Henriks’ RICO cause of action arises from filings and communications relating to legal actions 8 to which Henricks was a party. Such communications and filings are well within the litigation 9 privilege set forth in Civil Code § 47. The scope of the litigation privilege is very broad. In 10 Albertson v. Raboff (1956) 46 Cal.2d 375, the Court held that to be privileged, the communications 11 need not address the merits, or the issues actually before the court. Rather, the communications need 12 only have some connection to, or be reasonably related to the litigation to be protected by Section 13 47. Id. at 380381. In subsequent cases, this broad application of the litigation privilege has been 14 upheld numerous times. See Profile Structures, Inc. v. Long Beach Bldg. Material Co. (1986) 181 15 Cal.App.3d 437, 442 (a matter need not be pertinent, relevant or material in a technical sense to any 16 issue if it has some connection or relation to the proceedings]; see also Abraham v. Lancaster 17 Community Hospital (1990) 217 Cal.App.3d 796 at 816-819 [enumerating cases from various 18 appellate districts upholding the privilege using a broad scope). It is the context in which the 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 statements are made that will bear upon the question of privilege. Sacramento Brewing Co. v. Desmond, Miller & Desmond (1999) 75 Cal.App4th 1082,1090. Further, if there is any doubt as to whether an adequate relationship or connection exists, such doubt must be resolved in favor of a finding of privilege. See Profile Structures, supra, at 442; see also Izzi v. Rellas (1980) 104 Cal.App.3d 254,263. Stated another way, privilege can only be denied if the matter is so irrelevant that no reasonable man could doubt its irrelevancy. See Lewis v. Linn (1962) 209 Cal.App.2d 394, 399. Moritz’s privileged filings and communications also fall within the scope of Section 425.16 because they represent constitutionally protected speech. There is no indication that the statements were of an “illegal” nature, punishable under the penal code, or that 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 21 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 they encompass conduct outside the protections offered by Section 425.16. See generally, Flatley v. 2 Mauro (2006) 39 Cal4th 299,323 -325. 3 4 5 6 7 8 C. PLAINTIFF CANNOT SHOW A PROBABILITY THAT SHE WILL PREVAIL ON HER CLAIM. Once defendants have shown that the anti-SLAPP statute applies, the burden shifts to plaintiff to show a probability of success on the merits. (C.C.P. s. 425.16(b); Wilcox, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at 820-24.) Plaintiff also bears the burden of negating defendant’s defenses, such as the constitutional privilege to petition the government. (C.C.P. s. 425.16(b).) Most importantly for the 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 instant lawsuit, plaintiff must show its probability of success by admissible evidence. (Wilcox, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at 830.) As discussed at length, plaintiff’s vague allegations, do not meet this criterion. Since California Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.16 applies here, the burden shifts to Henriks to establish a probability of prevailing on the merits in her claims against Moritz. See Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.16 (b) (1). To meet that burden, Henriks must state and substantiate a legally sufficient claim—i.e. she must “demonstrate that the complaint is both legally sufficient 17 18 19 and supported by a sufficient prima facie showing of facts to sustain a favorable judgment if the evidence submitted by the plaintiff is credited.” Navellier v. Sletten (2002) 29 Cal. 4th 82, 88. The 20 plaintiff must first show that defendant’s purported constitutional defenses are not applicable as a 21 matter of law, or otherwise establish facts which, if accepted, would negate such defenses. Wilcox v 22 Superior Court (1994, 2nd Dist) 27 Cal.App.4th 809 (disapproved in part by Equilon Enterprises v 23 Consumer Cause, Inc. (2002) 29 Cal4th 53. Plaintiff must establish both that that her case is 24 meritorious, and that she is likely to prevail -this plaintiff cannot meet those requirements. 25 26 In the context of this case, the litigation privilege continues to be relevant to the second prong 27 of an anti-SLAPP analysis because it presents a “substantive defense plaintiff must overcome to 28 demonstrate a probability of prevailing.” Flatley, supra, at 323. The litigation privilege, as codified Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 22 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 at Civil Code § 47, is very broad, and as discussed more fully above, encompasses legal arguments 2 and filings, and even communications between counsel that is related to the litigation, even if the 3 communications do not address issues actually before the court. [See Albertson supra ;see also 4 Profile Structures, Inc., supra.] In this case, Henriks cannot overcome the defendant’s litigation 5 6 privilege defense, and thus will be unable to establish that she is likely to prevail on her claim. The 7 filings she alleges were actionable were allegedly made by Defendant Moritz in connection with 8 pending litigation, and were all subject to the litigation privilege. Henriks will be unable to 9 establish any probability of prevailing on the merits of her RICO action against Moritz, since the 10 litigation privilege will completely bar her action as it is based entirely on filings and arguments in 11 litigation in which Henriks was involved. 12 In sum, plaintiff cannot show a probability of success on her claims because she has no 13 14 15 admissible evidence of anything other than lawful petitioning activity, protected by the First Amendment and statutory privileges. 16 V. CONCLUSION 17 Both prongs of the Anti-SLAPP Statute analysis are satisfied here. Under the Anti-SLAPP 18 statute, this Court should strike the plaintiff’s claim. The plaintiff’s claim arises from the exercise of 19 Defendant Moritz’s right to petition and free expression, putting it well within the statutory 20 definition. In addition, plaintiff cannot establish a likelihood of prevailing on the merits of her claim, 21 because the defendant may employ the complete defense of the litigation privilege of Civil Code 22 section 47. Given that the alleged conduct is constitutionally protected, and any claim based upon 23 the alleged conduct will be barred by the litigation privilege, both prongs of the Anti-SLAPP 24 analysis are satisfied. This Defendant therefore respectfully requests this Court to strike the 25 plaintiff’s claim that is based upon constitutionally protected and privileged conduct, in its entirety. 26 For the foregoing reasons, the California anti-SLAPP statute (C.C.P. § 425.16) must be applied 27 by this Court. Since defendants’ activities were in furtherance of their rights to petition and speech, 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 and plaintiff cannot show a probability of prevailing on the merits, the RICO complaint must be RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 23 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 stricken in its entirety pursuant to section 425.16. In addition, defendant asks this Court to award her 2 attorney’s fees and costs under C.C.P. section 425.16(c). 3 Dated: June 8, 2008 LAW OFFICES OF RICHARD D. FARKAS 4 5 6 By__________________________________ RICHARD D. FARKAS Attorneys for Defendant, LOUISA MORITZ 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 24 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 2 SUPPLEMENTAL DECLARATION OF RICHARD D. FARKAS 3 (re: Compliance with Local Rule 7.3) 4 5 6 7 I, RICHARD D. FARKAS, declare: 1. I am an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of California and am the 8 principal of the Law Offices of Richard D. Farkas, attorneys of record for Defendant LOUISA 9 MORITZ in this action. This Supplemental Declaration is made to specifically to detail my efforts to 10 “meet and confer” with opposing counsel pursuant to Local Rule 7.3 before filing this Special “Anti- 11 SLAPP Motion” to Strike the Plaintiff’s RICO complaint against Defendant Moritz. 12 2. The following facts are within my personal knowledge and I could testify to same if called 13 14 15 16 as a witness herein. 3. On March 28, 2007, I prepared a letter to Plaintiff’s attorney, Philip Dapeer. A true and correct copy of that letter is attached hereto as Exhibit L, and incorporated by this reference. 17 4. In my March 28, 2007 letter to Mr. Dapeer, I wrote, in part, “to request that you 18 voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit of Yana Henriks your office filed against my client, Louisa Moritz. 19 Her RICO action is a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), subject to a special 20 motion to strike.” 21 22 5. In my March 28, 2007 letter to Mr. Dapeer, after detailing my reasons, I concluded: “we 23 request that you immediately dismiss Ms. Henriks’ lawsuit against Ms. Moritz. Failure to do so will 24 leave us with no alternative but to file our Motion to Strike, which will necessarily seek to recover 25 Ms. Moritz’s fees and costs.” [Exhibit L.] 26 27 5. I sent my March 28, 2007 letter by facsimile to Mr. Dapeer on the morning of March 28, 2007. Mr. Dapeer called me on the telephone on the afternoon of March 29, 2007, and we discussed 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 25 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 the substance of this letter (as well as some of the background of this litigation). At the conclusion 2 of our conversation, he said that he would communicate with his client, to determine how to proceed. 3 During our conversation, it was clear that we did not agree that the Plaintiff’s contentions against 4 Defendant Moritz were subject to an anti-SLAPP motion. 5 6 7 6. As of the date of this Declaration, I have not heard from Mr. Dapeer since our March 29, 2007 conversation concerning the subject of this motion. 8 9 10 11 I declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed this ____ day of ________________, 2007, at Sherman Oaks, California. 12 13 14 By ____________________________________ RICHARD D. FARKAS, Declarant 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 26 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT 1 2 Tania Henriks vs. Louisa Moritz, Victor Noval, Tania Noval, etc., et al.. United States District Court Case No. 2:06-cv-05670-JFW-SH 3 PROOF OF SERVICE 4 5 6 7 8 9 I am a resident of the State of California, I am over the age of 18 years, and I am not a party to this lawsuit. My business address is Law Offices of Richard D. Farkas, 15300 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 504, Sherman Oaks, California 91403. On the date listed below, I served the following document(s): NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION OF DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ TO STRIKE PLAINTIFF’S SLAPP COMPLAINT _ by transmitting via facsimile the document(s) listed above to the fax number(s) set forth below on this date before 5 p.m. Our facsimile machine reported the “send” as successful. 10 11 12 13 XX by placing the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope with postage thereon fully prepaid, in the United States mail at Los Angeles, California, addressed as set forth below. I am readily familiar with the firm’s practice of collecting and processing correspondence for mailing. According to that practice, items are deposited with the United States mail on that same day with postage thereon fully prepaid. I am aware that, on motion of the party served, service is presumed invalid if postal cancellation date or postage meter date is more than one day after the date of deposit for mailing stated in the affidavit. 14 15 16 _ by placing the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope with postage thereon fully prepaid, deposited with Federal Express Corporation on the same date set out below in the ordinary course of business; that on the date set below, I caused to be served a true copy of the attached document(s). 17 18 _ by causing personal delivery of the document(s) listed above to the indicated recipient(s) at the address set forth below. 19 _ by personally delivering the document(s) listed above to the person at the address set forth below. 20 21 22 23 Philip D Dapeer Philip D Dapeer Law Offices 699 Hampshire Road, Suite 105 Westlake Village, CA 91361-2379 Jon Hugh Freis Jon H Freis Law Offices 120 El Camino Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90212 I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. 24 25 26 Dated: April __, 2007 ____________________________ KERRI CONAWAY 27 28 Richard Farkas 15300 Ventura Blvd. #504 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone (818) 789-6001 Fax (818) 789-6002 RICHARD D. FARKAS\\C:\CASE FILES\NOVAL-VICTOR\MORITZ-LOUISA ADV HENRIKS -- RICO\MORITZ ADV HENRIKS -- MOTION TO DISMISS RICO COMPLAINT AS SLAPP LAWSUIT.DOC 27 DEFENDANT LOUISA MORITZ’S MOTION TO DISMISS SLAPP LAWSUIT
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