Cordero Romero v. Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Background

Goldman Sachs Bank USA had filed a motion to compel arbitration. It later filed a motion to seal or redact information connected with that motion. Michael Cordero Romero filed several related motions: a motion to preserve evidence; a motion in limine, meaning a request to limit evidence; a motion for sanctions based on alleged noncompliance with a prior discovery order; a motion to exclude Goldman Sachs Bank USA’s exhibits and declaration testimony; and a motion for permission to exceed the page limit for a reply concerning arbitration.

The court held a telephone conference on August 12, 2025, and addressed the sanctions, sealing, preservation, in-limine, exclusion, and excess-pages motions. The opinion states that the court gave the reasons for its rulings on the record, but it does not reproduce those reasons in the written order.

Rulings

- The court denied the motion to preserve evidence. - The court denied the motion for extra pages. - The court presumptively denied the motion in limine to the extent it sought to exclude new evidence. - The court did not yet decide whether to preclude an evidentiary hearing concerning the arbitration motion. After the arbitration motion is fully submitted, the court will determine whether a factual dispute exists about whether the parties entered into an arbitration agreement. If necessary, the court may schedule an in-person trial for a factfinder to decide that dispute. - The court was not inclined to grant the sealing motion as filed, but granted Goldman Sachs Bank USA leave to file a renewed application by August 19, 2025. The renewed application must include supplemental affidavits explaining how each proposed redaction would harm Goldman Sachs Bank USA. The court also highlighted the public’s First Amendment and common-law rights of access to judicial proceedings and documents. - The court construed the motion to exclude as supplemental briefing on the motion to compel arbitration and will consider its arguments when deciding that motion. - The court granted Michael Cordero Romero leave to file a reply supporting the sanctions motion by August 19, 2025. The reply could not exceed 10 pages.

Other Disposition

The court certified under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that an appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith and therefore denied in forma pauperis status for purposes of an appeal. The Clerk of Court was directed to terminate the motions at Docket Nos. 44, 51, 102, and 111. The written order did not decide Goldman Sachs Bank USA’s motion to compel arbitration or Michael Cordero Romero’s sanctions motion on the merits.

Classification

This is a procedural order. It addressed evidence, briefing, sealing, discovery-related sanctions procedures, and appeal-related filing status, while leaving the motion to compel arbitration and the sanctions motion unresolved.