The Descendants Project Versus Lucien J. Gauff, III, Assessor and Greenfield Louisiana, LLC

THE DESCENDANTS PROJECT NO. 24-C-276

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

LUCIEN J. GAUFF, III, ASSESSOR AND COURT OF APPEAL
GREENFIELD LOUISIANA, LLC
STATE OF LOUISIANA

July 15, 2024

Linda Wiseman
First Deputy Clerk

IN RE GREENFIELD LOUISIANA, LLC

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE FORTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH
OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE VERCELL FIFFIE,
DIVISION "A", NUMBER 79,485

Panel composed of Judges Stephen J. Windhorst,
John J. Molaison, Jr., and Amanda L. Calogero, Pro Tempore

WRIT GRANTED; STAY LIFTED; REMANDED

The plaintiffs/respondents, The Descendants Project (“TDP”), filed a lawsuit
at the 40th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. John the Baptist, which
alleges that the relator, Greenfield Louisiana LLC (“Greenfield”), has engaged in a
simulated sale of the property to avoid ad valorem taxes. The parties narrowed the
scope of documents TDP sought through discovery to 11,341 items. After that,
TDP filed a motion to compel discovery, which the trial court granted after a
hearing on April 22, 2024. The Order limits the documents to those which are
“responsive” and “non-privileged” that are produced by the following search
terms: a. "Port" or "POSL"; b. "PILOT" or "payment in lieu of taxes"; c.
"cooperative endeavor agreement"; d. "Descendants Project", and:
e. "Gauff.” Greenfield filed the instant writ application on time, along with a
request to stay the trial court’s ruling pending further action by this court. This
Court granted Greenfield’s request for a stay, and we have now addressed the
merits of the writ application.

The courts must liberally and broadly construe discovery statutes to achieve
their objectives. Testa Distributing Co., Inc. v. Tarver, 584 So.2d 300 (La. App. 1
Cir.1991). La. C.C.P. art. 1422 provides that “[p]arties may obtain discovery
regarding any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter
involved in the pending action.” A party seeking to compel discovery bears the
burden of proving that the matters sought to be discovered are relevant. Id. The
standard of review for discovery matters is abuse of discretion. Favrot v. Favrot,
12-1573 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/1/13), 115 So.3d 1190.

The record before us is limited. After reading TDP’s petition, we conclude
that the basis of its lawsuit is an alleged simulated sale between Greenfield and the
Port of South Louisiana. Greenfield asserted at the hearing that it had already
“produced all the documents that relate to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement.”
It objected to producing documents related to alleged payments it had made to
individuals who attended a site visit. It also objected to producing all documents
related to the name “Descendants Project” based on relevancy because TDP has
multiple lawsuits involving Greenfield. It further objected to the generality of the
search terms, which resulted in 11,341 items.

A party seeking to compel discovery bears the burden of proving that the
matters sought to be discovered are relevant. Testa Distributing Co., Inc. v.
Tarver, 584 So.2d 300 (La. App. 1 Cir.1991). Concerning TDP’s request for the
production of documents responsive to 13, 15, 16, 17, and 20 and response to
Interrogatory No. 18, we find that TDP has not sufficiently demonstrated that the
information sought about attendees at a meeting is relevant to the cause of action
defined in their lawsuit. There are further limitations to discovery when justice
requires that a party or other person be protected from annoyance, embarrassment,
oppression, or undue burden or expense. Stolzle v. Safety & Systems Assur.
Consultants, Inc., 02-1197 (La. 5/24/02), 819 So.2d 287, 289. After a review of the
application, we find that the trial court’s wholesale imposition of the search terms
upon Greenfield, without any additional specifications, is likely to result in an
unnecessary expense to this party.

For these reasons, we find the trial court abused its discretion, grant the
relator’s writ application, and vacate the order compelling discovery in its entirety
dated May 21, 2024. The June 20, 2024 stay granted by this Court is hereby lifted.
We remand the matter for further proceedings.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 15th day of July, 2024.

JJM
SJW
ALC

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. WISEMAN
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR.
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL
TIMOTHY S. MARCEL FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX
www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
DAY 07/15/2024 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

24-C-276
E-NOTIFIED
40th District Court (Clerk)
Honorable Vercell Fiffie (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Peter J. Butler, Jr. (Respondent) Clare M. Bienvenu (Relator)
William B. Most (Respondent)
Richard G. Passler (Respondent)

MAILED
Louis E. Buatt (Relator) Caroline Gabriel (Respondent) Brian A. Eddington (Respondent)
Attorney at Law Attorney at Law Attorney at Law
1200 Camellia Boulevard 201 St. Charles Avenue 2111 Quail Run Drive
Suite 300 Suite 2500 No. 9685 Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Lafayette, LA 70508 New Orleans, LA 70170

Paul M. Adkins (Relator) Kayla M. Jacob (Respondent)
Attorney at Law Attorney at Law
450 Laurel Street 909 Poydras Street
Suite 1601 Suite 1500
Baton Rouge, LA 70801 New Orleans, LA 70112

SENDER: COMP/ CTE THIS SECTION COf,1/'LE"T/" 7111S SECTION ON 0£:Lii/£:HY

■ Complete Items 1, 2, and 3. A. Signature
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■ Attach this card to the back of the ITlcllJplece, • Date of Delivery
or on the front If space permtts. 1- 'i-
1. Article Addrllssed to; □ Yes
Louis E. Buatt □ No
Attorney at Law
1200 Camellia Boulevard
Suite 300
Lafayette, LA 70508
24-C'-276 07~ 15-24

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24-C-276 07-15-24
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■ Print your name and address on the reverse
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24-C-276 07-15-24
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SENDER: COMPL£ TE THIS SE.CT/ON

■ Complete Items 1, 2, and 3.
■ Print your name and address on the reverse
so that we can return the card to you.
■ Attach this card to the back of the mallplece,
or on the front If space permits.
1. Miele Addr9$Sed to: D. Is dellYery addresa different from Item 17
If YES, enter delivery address below:
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Attorney at Law
2 I I I Quail Run Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
24-C-276 07-15-24
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