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To: scion who wrote (2190)11/15/2008 8:16:04 AM
From: scion  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 2347
 
07-2407-cv. SEC v. Universal Express, Inc 11-13-2008 SUM

ca2.uscourts.gov:8080/

07-2407-cv.
SEC v. Universal Express, Inc

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT

SUMMARY ORDER

RULINGS BY SUMMARY ORDER DO NOT HAVE PRECEDENTIAL EFFECT. CITATION TO SUMMARY ORDERS FILED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007, IS PERMITTED AND IS GOVERNED BY THIS COURT’S LOCAL RULE 32.1 AND FEDERAL RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 32.1. IN A BRIEF OR OTHER PAPER IN WHICH A LITIGANT CITES A SUMMARY ORDER, IN EACH PARAGRAPH IN WHICH A CITATION APPEARS, AT LEAST ONE CITATION MUST EITHER BE TO THE FEDERAL APPENDIX OR BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE NOTATION: “(SUMMARY ORDER).” A PARTY CITING A SUMMARY ORDER MUST SERVE A COPY OF THAT SUMMARY ORDER TOGETHER WITH THE PAPER IN WHICH THE SUMMARY ORDER IS CITED ON ANY PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS THE SUMMARY ORDER IS AVAILABLE IN AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE WHICH IS PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT PAYMENT OF FEE (SUCH AS THE DATABASE AVAILABLE AT ca2.uscourts.gov. IF NO COPY IS SERVED BY REASON OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE ORDER ON SUCH A DATABASE, THE CITATION MUST INCLUDE REFERENCE TO THAT DATABASE AND THE DOCKET NUMBER OF THE CASE IN WHICH THE ORDER WAS ENTERED.

At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, held at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, in the City of New York, on the 13th day of November, two thousand eight.

Present:
HON. PIERRE N. LEVAL,
HON. ROBERT A. KATZMANN,
HON. DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON,
Circuit Judges.
________________________________________________
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v. No. 07-2407-cv
RICHARD A. ALTOMARE, CHRIS G. GUNDERSON
Defendants-Appellants.
________________________________________________

For Plaintiff-Appellee: CATHERINE A. BRODERICK (Brian G. Cartwright, Andrew N. Vollmer, Jacob H. Stillman, and Michael A. Conley, of counsel), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
Washington, D.C.

For Defendants-Appellants: ARTHUR W. TIFFORD, Tifford & Tifford, P.A., Miami, FL (Lawrence A. Garvey, The Law Offices of Cushner & Garvey LLP, Tarrytown, N.Y., of counsel)

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
(Lynch, J.).

ON CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that the judgment of the district court entered April 2, 2007, be and hereby is
AFFIRMED.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) sued, inter alia, defendants Richard A. Altomare and Chris G. Gunderson, alleging violations of various federal securities laws. The SEC then moved, in relevant part, for summary judgment against Altomare and Gunderson with respect to its claims that they violated sections 5 and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. Altomare and Gunderson cross-moved for summary judgment with respect to the section 5 claims. The district court denied Altomare’s and Gunderson’s motion and granted the SEC’s motion. Altomare and Gunderson appeal both aspects of that decision.

We review the district court’s grant of summary judgment de novo, “examining the evidence in the light most favorable to, and drawing all inferences in favor of, the non-movant.” Sheppard v. Beerman, 317 F.3d 351, 354 (2d Cir. 2003). Summary judgment is appropriate when “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and . . . the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c).

Altomare and Gunderson argue two points on appeal. They contend first that they did not violate section 5 of the Securities Act because the shares they issued to various consultants were exempt from registration pursuant to sections 1125(e) and 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code. They assert next that there were genuine issues of fact as to their state of mind so as to make summary judgment with respect to the fraud claims inappropriate. Having carefully considered the record, we find these arguments to be without merit. Substantially for the reasons stated in the district court’s thorough and thoughtful opinion and order, SEC v. Universal Express, Inc., 475 F. Supp. 2d 412 (S.D.N.Y. 2007), the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

FOR THE COURT:
CATHERINE O’HAGAN WOLFE, CLERK
By:_________________________________



To: scion who wrote (2190)2/21/2009 2:00:20 PM
From: scion  Respond to of 2347
 
General Docket US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Second Circuit Court of Appeals

pacer.ca2.uscourts.gov

INDIV
CLOSED

Court of Appeals Docket #: 07-2407-cv
Nsuit : 1850 STATUTES-Secur Comm Exchange

SEC v. Universal Express, Inc.
Filed 6/5/07

Appeal SDNY (NEW YORK CITY)
from:

Case type information:
Civil
Private
None

Lower court information:
District: 04-cv-2322
Trial Judge: Gerard E. Lynch
MagJudge:
Date Filed: 03/24/04
Date order/judgement: 3/8/2007
Date NOA filed: 6/1/2007
Fee status: Paid
Panel Assignment:

Panel: PNL RAK DAL 500 Pearl

Date of decision: 11/13/08

Prior cases: NONE

Current cases NONE

Official Caption 1/
INDIV

CLOSED

--------------------------------------
Docket No. [s] : 07-2407 -cv

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.

Richard A. Altomare, Chris G. Gunderson,

Defendants-Appellants,

Universal Express, Inc.** Mark S. Neuhaus, George J.
Sandhu, Spiga, Ltd., Tarun Mendiratta,

Defendants.

--------------------------------------
**Pursuant to Order, dated 11/20/07, which granted
Universal Express Inc`s motion for voluntary dismissal
of appeal, Universal Express Inc. is no longer an
appellant.

Authorized Abbreviated Caption 2/
--------------------------------------
Docket No. [s] : 07-2407 -cv

SEC v. Universal Express, Inc.
--------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
1/ Fed. R. App. P. Rule 12 [a] and 32 [a].
2/ For use on correspondence and motions only.

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 2

INDIV

CLOSED

George J. Sandhu

Defendant

Mark S. Neuhaus

Defendant

Spiga, Ltd.

Defendant

Tarun Mendiratta

Defendant

Chris G. Gunderson Arthur W. Tifford Esq.

Defendant-Appellant [ LD ret ]
Tifford and Tifford, P.A.

1385 NW 15 Street
Miami , FL , 33125

305-545-7822

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 3

INDIV

CLOSED

Richard A. Altomare Arthur W. Tifford Esq.(See
above)
Defendant-Appellant [ LD ret ]

Universal Express, Inc. Arthur W. Tifford Esq.(See
above)
Defendant [ LD ret ]

U.S. Securities and Exchange Catherine Anne Broderick Esq.
Commission
Plaintiff-Appellee [ LD ret ]
Securities & Exchange
Commission, Office of General
100 F. Street, N.E.
Washington , DC , 20549

202-551-5119

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 4

INDIV

CLOSED

6/5/07 Copy of notice of appeal and district court
docket entries on behalf of APPELLANT
Universal Express, Inc., Chris Gunderson,
Richard Altomare, filed. [Entry date Jun
7 2007 ] [YL]

6/5/07 Payment of docketing fee filed on behalf of
APPELLANT Universal Express, Inc., Chris
Gunderson, Richard Altomare. RECEIPT #
E617017 [Entry date Jun 7 2007 ] [YL]

6/5/07 Copy of district court Final Judgment
Against Universal Express, Inc., Richard A.
Altomare and Chris G. Gunderson dated March
8, 2007 by USDJ Gerard E. Lynch, entered by
district court on April 2, 2007, RECEIVED.
[Entry date Jun 7 2007 ] [YL]

6/5/07 Index in lieu of Record on Appeals
Electronically Filed (Original documents
remain in the originating court).
[Entry date Jun 7 2007 ] [YL]

6/11/07 APPELLANT Universal Express, Inc., Chris
Gunderson, Richard Altomare, Form C filed,
with proof of service. [Entry date Jun 11
2007 ] [YL]

6/11/07 APPELLANT Universal Express, Inc., Chris
Gunderson, Richard Altomare, Form D filed,
with proof of service. [Entry date Jun 11
2007 ] [YL]

6/18/07 Notice of appeal acknowledgment letter from
Arthur Tifford received. [Entry date Jun
18 2007 ] [YL]

6/21/07 Telephonic Pre-Argument Conference Notice
from Vidya Kurella, Scheduled For: July 5,
2007 at 3:00 pm, Filed. [Entry date Jun 25
2007 ] [YL]

6/21/07 Scheduling order #1 filed. Record on appeal
due 7/19/2007. Appellants brief due
7/26/2007. Appellees brief due 8/27/2007.
Ready week 10/8/2007. (VK) [Entry date
Jun 25 2007 ] [YL]

6/25/07 Notice to counsel in re: Telephonic
Pre-Argument Conference Notice and
Scheduling Order #1 [Entry date Jun 25
2007 ] [YL]

6/26/07 Notice of appeal acknowledgment letter from
Catherine Broderick received. [Entry date
Jun 27 2007 ] [YL]

6/27/07 Catherine Broderick Esq is the new attorney

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 5

INDIV

CLOSED

for SEC. [Entry date Jun 27 2007 ] [YL]

6/28/07 Amended Telephonic Pre-Argument Conference
Notice and Order from Vidya Kurella,
Re-Scheduled For: July 12, 2007 at 3:00 PM,
Filed.
[Entry date Jul 2 2007 ] [TM]

7/2/07 Notice to counsel re: Amended Telephonic
Pre-Argument Conference Notice and Order
filed on 6-28-07. [Entry date Jul 2 2007
] [TM]

7/13/07 Scheduling order #2 filed. Record on appeal
due 8/20/2007. Appellants brief due
8/27/2007. Appellees brief due 9/26/2007.
Ready week 11/5/2007. (VK) [Entry date
Jul 16 2007 ] [YL]

7/16/07 Notice to counsel in re: Scheduling order #2
[Entry date Jul 16 2007 ] [YL]

7/19/07 Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson motion by Lawrence Metsch
Esq for admission pro hac vice filed with
proof of service. [Entry date Jul 20 2007
] [YL]

7/23/07 Notice to counsel in re: Order FILED
GRANTING motion admission pro hac vice by
Lawrence Metsch Esq. [Entry date Jul 23
2007 ] [YL]

7/23/07 Order FILED GRANTING motion admission pro
hac vice by Lawrence Metsch Esq. for
Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson. [Entry date Jul 23 2007
] [YL]

8/20/07 Scheduling order #3 filed. Record on appeal
due 9/19/2007. Appellants brief due
9/26/2007. Appellees brief due 10/26/2007.
Ready week 12/5/2007. [Entry date Aug 20
2007 ] [YL]

8/20/07 Notice to counsel in re: Scheduling order #3
[Entry date Aug 20 2007 ] [YL]

8/23/07 Letter from Arthur Tifford Esq for appellant
dated August 20, 2007 request 30 day
extension (previously received as fax)
received [Entry date Aug 24 2007 ] [YL]

9/19/07 Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson motion for extension of time
on all scheduling deadlines in scheduling
order dated 8/20/07 filed with proof of

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 6

INDIV

CLOSED

service. [Entry date Sep 20 2007 ] [YL]

10/9/07 Notice to counsel in re: Order FILED
GRANTING motion for extension of time by
Appellant [Entry date Oct 9 2007 ]
[YL]

10/9/07 Order FILED GRANTING motion for extension of
time by Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson, endorsed by Howard B. Zakai,
Acting Motions Staff Attorney, on motion
filed 9/19/2007. Before: Hon. Ralph K.
Winter, Circuit Judge. "IT IS HEREBY ORDERED
that the motion for an extension of time is
GRANTED to the following extent: Appellant`s
brief is due on or before 10/26/2007.
Appellee`s brief is due on or before
11/26/2007. The appeal may be ready to be
heard as early as the week of 1/7/2008."
[Entry date Oct 9 2007 ] [YL]

10/10/07 Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson motion to voluntarily
dismiss appeal pursuant to Rule 42(b) FRAP
as to USXP only, filed with proof of service.
[Entry date Oct 15 2007 ] [YL]

10/26/07 APPELLANT Chris Gunderson, Richard
Altomare, brief in page proof form with
proof of service filed. [Entry date Dec 4
2007 ] [YL]

11/2/07 Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson joint motion to establish
deferred briefing schedule and accept page
proof brief previously filed, filed with
proof of service. [Entry date Nov 2 2007
] [YL]

11/20/07 Notice to counsel in re: Order FILED
GRANTING USXP`s motion to voluntarily
dismiss appeal pursuant to Rule 42(b) F.R.A.
P. as to USXP only [Entry date Nov 20 2007
] [YL]

11/20/07 The CAPTION PAGE for this appeal has been
AMENDED to reflect dismissal of Appellant
Universal Express Inc. pursuant to Order
filed Nov. 20, 2007. [Entry date Nov 20
2007 ] [YL]

11/20/07 Order FILED GRANTING USXP`s motion to
voluntarily dismiss appeal pursuant to Rule
42(b) F.R.A.P. as to USXP only, endorsed by
Judy Pisnanon, Motions Staff Attorney, on
motion filed 10/10/2007. Before: Hon.
Richard C. Wesley, Circuit Judge. "IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED."
[Entry date Nov 20 2007 ] [YL]

11/26/07 Scheduling order #4 filed. Ready week
2/4/2008. Appellants page proof br due
10/26/2007. Appellees page proof br due

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 7

INDIV

CLOSED

11/26/2007. Deferred appendix due
12/10/2007. Appellants final form br due
12/21/2007. Appellees final form br due
12/21/2007. [Entry date Dec 4 2007 ]
[YL]

11/26/07 Order FILED GRANTING joint motion to
establish deferred briefing schedule and
accept page proof brief previously filed by
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson, endorsed by Staff Counsel
Stanley A. Bass on motion filed 11/2/2007.
"IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the motion is
GRANTED on consent. See attached deferred
appendix scheduling order." [Entry date
Dec 4 2007 ] [YL]

11/27/07 Anti-Virus Certificate on behalf of
APPELLEE U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, Brief, Received. [Entry date
Nov 28 2007 ] [YL]

11/27/07 APPELLEE U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, brief in page proof form filed
w/ proof of service. [Entry date Dec 4
2007 ] [YL]

12/4/07 Notice to counsel in re: Scheduling order #4
and Order GRANTING joint motion to establish
deferred briefing schedule and accept page
proof brief previously filed by Appellant
[Entry date Dec 4 2007 ] [YL]

12/6/07 Letter from Arthur Tifford Esq request
extension received [Entry date Dec 7 2007
] [YL]

12/7/07 Appellant Universal Express, Inc.,
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson unopposed motion for
extension on all deadlines established by
scheduling order #4 dtd 11.26.07 filed with
proof of service. [Entry date Dec 7 2007
] [YL]

12/20/07 DEFERRED joint appendix (VOLUME I) filed,
with proof of service. [Entry date Dec 21
2007 ] [YL]

12/20/07 DEFERRED joint appendix (VOLUME II) filed,
with proof of service. [Entry date Dec 21
2007 ] [YL]

12/21/07 Order FILED GRANTING motion for extension by
Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson, endorsed by Joy Fallek,
Administrative Attorney, on motion filed
12/7/2007. Before: Hon. Ralph K. Winter,
Circuit Judge. "IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that
Appellant`s motion for an extension of time
to file the joint appendix to December 20,
2007 is GRANTED. Also Appellant`s and
Appellee`s briefs in final form shall be

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 8

INDIV

CLOSED

filed on or before January 8, 2008; the
appeal may be heard as early as the week of
February 25, 2008." [Entry date Dec 27
2007 ] [YL]

12/27/07 Notice to counsel in re: Order FILED
GRANTING motion for extension by Appellant
[Entry date Dec 27 2007 ] [YL]

1/8/08 APPELLEE U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, brief in final form with proof
of service filed. [Entry date Jan 8 2008
] [YL]

1/8/08 Anti-Virus Certificate on behalf of
APPELLEE U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, final Brief, Received. [Entry
date Jan 8 2008 ] [YL]

1/8/08 APPELLANT Chris Gunderson, Richard
Altomare, brief in final form with proof of
service filed. [Entry date Jan 15 2008 ]
[YL]

1/22/08 Fax copy of Joint Statement Pursuant to
Local Rule 34(a)(2) request for oral
argument received. [Entry date Jan 22 2008
] [YL]

1/23/08 Argument Requested - Local Rule 34
Acknowledgment Returned by Universal
Express, Inc.; APPELLANT Chris Gunderson,
Richard Altomare, [Some parties seek oral
argument ] [Entry date Jan 23 2008 ] [AV]

5/6/08 The new case manager assigned to this case
is: Dudley, Wilson. [Entry date May 6
2008 ] [DM]

6/11/08 It is respectfully recommended to the
presiding Judge of the panel hearing the
appeals 08-2283-cv (Lead), 08-2284-cv (Con)
& 07-2407-cv be HEARD IN TANDEM. (VK)
[Entry date Jun 11 2008 ] [JR]

6/11/08 Notice to counsel regarding Tandem Order
dated 6/11/08. [Entry date Jun 11 2008 ]
[JR]

6/25/08 Appellant, through counsel, moves for a stay
of an order of incarceration for civil
contempt pending either a remand for further
evidentiary hearings or appeal. Upon due
consideration, it is hereby ORDERED that the
motion is DENIED. The Appellant has not made
an adequate showing of a substantial
likelihood of success on the merits. See
Mohammed v. Reno, 309 F. 3d 95, 100-01 (2d
Cir. 2002). Appellant`s consolidated appeals
docketed under 08-2283-cv (L) and 08-2284-cv
(Con) shall be heard in tandem with his
appeal docketed under 07-4207-cv. The case
is referred to Staff Counsel to set an

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 9

INDIV

CLOSED

expedited briefing schedule for 08-2283-cv
(L) and 08-2284-cv (Con). Before: RKW RJM &
JAC, CJJ. (FP) [Entry date Jun 25 2008 ]
[JR]

6/25/08 Notice to counsel regarding Court's Tandem
Order filed on 6/25/08. [Entry date Jun 25
2008 ] [JR]

7/25/08 Proposed for argument the week of 10/14/08.
[Entry date Jul 25 2008 ] [DC]

8/7/08 Set for argument on 10/15/08 at 10:00am
[Entry date Aug 7 2008 ] [DC]

8/8/08 Calendar argument notice mailed to
attorneys/parties. [Entry date Aug 8 2008
] [LY]

8/21/08 CORRECTED Tandem Order filed. Appellant,
through counsel, moves for a stay of an
order of incarceration for civil contempt
pending either a remand for further
evidentiary hearings or appeal. Upon due
consideration, it is hereby ORDERED that the
motion is DENIED. The Appellant has not made
an adequate showing of a substantial
likelihood of success on the merits. See
Mohammed v. Reno, 309 F. 3d 95, 100-01 (2d
Cir. 2002). Appellant`s consolidated appeals
docketed under 08-2283-cv (L) and 08-2284-cv
(Con) shall be heard in tandem with his
appeal docketed under 07-2407-cv. The case
is referred to Staff Counsel to set an
expedited briefing schedule for 08-2283-cv
(L) and 08-2284-cv (Con). Before: RKW RJM &
JAC, CJJ. (FP) [Entry date Aug 21 2008 ]
[JR]

8/21/08 Notice to counsel regarding Corrected Tandem
Order filed on 8/21/08. [Entry date Aug 21
2008 ] [JR]

10/3/08 Court`s request for the pdf (e-document)
version of Arthur Tifford document, sent.
[Entry date Oct 3 2008 ] [EM]

10/7/08 Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson motion file final joint
brief out of time filed with proof of
service. [Entry date Oct 7 2008 ] [WD]

10/8/08 Joint Brief for DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS
Richard A. Altomare and Chris Gunderson
FILED with proof of service. [Entry date
Oct 9 2008 ] [AV]

10/8/08 Order FILED GRANTING motion for filing of

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 10

INDIV

CLOSED

final joint brief of appellants out of time
by Appellant Richard Altomare, Appellant
Chris Gunderson, endorsed on motion dated
10/7/2008. [Entry date Oct 9 2008 ] [AV]

10/9/08 Notice to counsel re: Order granting motion
for filing of final joint brief of
appellants out of time. [Entry date Oct 9
2008 ] [AV]

10/15/08 Case heard before: LEVAL, KATZMANN,
LIVINGSTON, C.JJ.
CD dated: 10/15/08 [Entry date Oct 15 2008
] [AG]

11/13/08 Judgment filed; judgment of the district
court is AFFIRMED by detailed order of the
court without opinion filed. (RAK)
[Entry date Nov 13 2008 ] [BM]

11/13/08 Notice to counsel in re: Summary Order dated
11/13/2008. [Entry date Nov 13 2008 ]
[BM]

1/15/09 Judgment MANDATE ISSUED. CLOSED [Entry
date Jan 15 2009 ] [BM]

Docket as of January 23, 2009 1:42 am Page 11