United States of America ex rel. Devyn Taylor v. GMI USA Corp.

Background

On July 9, 2024, the Clerk of Court issued certificates of default against the two corporate defendants, GMI USA Corp. and Belovefine, Ltd. On October 17, 2025, the case was voluntarily dismissed as to the only individual defendant, Stefano Maroni. Plaintiff indicated that she intended to seek default judgment against the corporate defendants.

Requirements for the Default-Judgment Motion

The court ordered Plaintiff to move for default judgment by order to show cause no later than November 20, 2025. The submission must include proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law addressing all damages and other monetary relief sought. A final paragraph must state the exact dollar amount or other monetary relief requested.

The proposed findings must connect the requested damages to the legal claims for which liability has been established, explain how the damages amount was calculated, and cite supporting affidavits or documentary evidence. Each factual finding must identify the supporting affidavit paragraph or document page. Any proposed findings concerning liability must cite the appropriate paragraph of the complaint. The papers must also include an affidavit from someone with personal knowledge establishing the court’s personal jurisdiction over the defendants and subject-matter jurisdiction over the case.

Any request for attorney’s fees must include contemporaneous time records identifying each attorney’s service dates, hours, and work performed. Counsel must also provide each attorney’s years of bar admission, hourly rate, and information supporting the rate’s reasonableness, along with the legal basis for any fee award.

Instead of separate conclusions of law, Plaintiff may submit a memorandum explaining the legal principles applicable to the requested damages, interest, and attorney’s fees.

Response, Possible Hearing, and Service

The defendants must file and send any response to Plaintiff’s motion by December 4, 2025. If the court grants default judgment, it may conduct a damages inquest based only on the parties’ written submissions. A party seeking an evidentiary hearing on damages must explain why written submissions are insufficient and identify the expected witnesses and evidence.

The order must be served no later than three business days after entry. Documents filed and served by Plaintiff must be served within three business days after filing using methods previously approved in the case, and Plaintiff must file proof of service within three business days after service.

Disposition

Judge Robert W. Lehrburger issued procedural instructions for a possible default-judgment motion. The order did not grant default judgment, determine damages, or award attorney’s fees.