citrus canker plaintiff's motion
DESCRIPTION
The citrus canker plaintiffs’ motion for prejudgment interest.TRANSCRIPT
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR LEECOUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION
RAYMOND A. DELLASELVA, et al., CASE NO. 03-1947 CA WCM
Plaintiffs,
vs.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURE AND CONSUMERSERVICES, et al.,
Defendants.________________________________/
PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PREJUDGMENT INTEREST
Plaintiffs and the Class request entry of an order awarding prejudgment interest and in
support thereof, state as follows:
1. On July 3, 2014, the jury returned a verdict awarding Plaintiffs and the Class full
compensation in the amount of $285.25 per tree for each of the 33,957 trees covered by this case.
Based on the $285.25 per-tree amount multiplied by 33,957 trees, the total amount of compensation
awarded to Plaintiffs and the Class is $9,686,573.82. See Exhibit 1.
2. The verdict also determined that the Defendants are entitled to certain set-offs,
representing the (i) total amount of $55 statutory tree payments actually issued to and used by
Plaintiffs and Class members ($1,001,000.00), and (ii) total amount used by those Plaintiffs and
Class members who applied for and received Shade Florida (Wal-Mart) Cards ($724,087.00). See
Exhibit 1. The total amount of these set-offs is $1,725,087.00.
3. After deducting the set-offs, the principal amount of compensation recovered by
Plaintiffs and the Class is $7,961,486.82.
Filing # 15894913 Electronically Filed 07/14/2014 05:28:35 PM
Case No. 03-1947 CA WCM
2
4. Plaintiffs and the Class are entitled to prejudgment interest on the principal amount of
compensation recovered, after deduction of the set-offs. See Article X, section 6(a), Florida
Constitution; Behm v. State Department of Transportation, 383 So. 2d 216, 218 (Fla. 1980); Stewart
v. City of Key West, 429 So. 2d 784 (Fla. 3d DCA 1983); section74.061, Florida Statutes.
5. In the related Broward County citrus canker case, the Court awarded prejudgment
interest on the full amount of compensation recovered, based on the number of trees destroyed
during each year of the class period after deducting the applicable set-offs in the years in which they
were issued. The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the Broward Circuit Court’s Order
awarding prejudgment interest. Department of Agriculture v. Bogorff, 35 So. 3d 84, 90 (Fla. 4th
DCA 2010).
6. In this case, the total amount of prejudgment interest due through July 3, 2014 (the
date of the verdict) is $4,573,152.00, with a per diem of $1,036.04 thereafter, based on the number of
trees destroyed during each year of the class period after deducting the set-offs in the years in which
they were issued. A spreadsheet reflecting these calculations is attached as Exhibit 2.1 The
methodology used in calculating prejudgment interest in this case is identical to the methodology
used in the related Broward County case and affirmed by the Fourth District.
7. Based on the foregoing, this Court should award prejudgment interest of
$4,573,152.00 through July 3, 2014, with a per diem of $1,036.04 thereafter through the date of entry
of the final judgment. A proposed Order is attached as Exhibit 3.
1 The applicable statutory prejudgment interest rates during 2002-2014 are 9% for 2002; 6% for2003; 7% for 2004 and 2005; 9% for 2006; 11% for 2007 and 2008, 8% for 2009, 6% for 2010, 6%from January 1, 2011 - September 30, 2011, 4.75% from October 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011, and4.75% for 2012, 2013 and 2014. See Florida Department of Financial Services Statutory Interest
Rates.
Case No. 03-1947 CA WCM
3
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs and the Class request entry of an order awarding prejudgment
interest, and such other relief as this Court deems appropriate.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
WE HEREBY CERTIFY that on July 14, 2014 a true and correct copy of the foregoing has
been electronically filed with the Clerk of Lee County by using the Florida Courts eFiling Portal and
served on Wesley R. Parsons, Esq. ([email protected]), Clarke Silverglate, P.A. and Karen
H. Curtis, Esquire ([email protected]), 799 Brickell Plaza, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131.
William S. WilliamsMargaret M. BichlerLytal Reiter, LLP515 N. Flagler DriveSuite 1000West Lee, FL 33401Tel: (561) 655-1990Fax: (561) [email protected]@palmbeachlaw.com
/s/ Robert C. GilbertRobert C. GilbertFlorida Bar No. 561861Grossman Roth, P.A.2525 Ponce de Leon BoulevardSuite 1150Coral Gables, FL 33134Tel: (305) 442-8666Fax: (305) [email protected]
Michael J. PucilloBerman DeValerio3507 Kyoto Gardens DriveSuite 200Lee Gardens, FL 33410Tel: (561) 835-9400Fax: (561) [email protected]
Jamie Alan ColeWeiss Serota HelfmanPastoriza Cole & Boniske, P.A.200 East Broward BoulevardSuite 1900Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301Tel: (954) 763-4242Fax: (954) [email protected]
Counsel for Plaintiffs and the Class
EXHIBIT 1
EXHIBIT 2
Lee Gounty Citrus GankerSummary of Prejudgment Interest Galculation (Using Varying Rates)
Total Verdict: July 3,2014 $ 9,686,234
Summary of lnterest and Per diem rate calculation:
Year # of Days lnterest Amt Per Diem Rate153
365
366365
365
365
366
365
365
273
92
366
365184
4,355 $ 4,573,152
Balance Summary:Total Verdict before interestTotal Payments / "Set Offs" deductedlnterest on declining o/s balance @ varying ratesBalance due principal + interest
PrincipallnterestP+l @ 07103114 @ varying applicable Statutory lnt. Rates
20022003200420052006200720082009201020112011201220132014
$ 3,43355,943
159,434391,501735,654877,207878,149636,892477,669357,27095,316
379,191378,154190,631
$
$
$
$
$$
$
$
$
$
$$
$
$
22.44153.27435.61
1,072.602,015.492,403.312,399.311,744.911,308.681,308.681,036.041,036.041,036.041,036.04
$ 9,686,234(1,725,087)4,573,152
$ 12,534,299
$ 7 ,961,1474,573,152
$ 12,534,299
1 of 16
Lee County Citrus Canker LitigationSummary of Relevant Data for Prejudgment lnterest CalculationsFrom 8/1/2002 to July 3,2014
Event Lee County Citrus Canker Judgment Summary
Total Verdict (Before interest) & Offsets
Statutory lnterest Rates by year: # of Days
200220032004200520062007200820092010201120112012201320'14
Total # of days
I 00%6 00%7.00%7 00%9.00%
11.00%11.00%8.00%6 00%6.00%4.75o/o
4.75%4.75%4.75%
15336536636536536536636536527392
366365184
$ 9,686,234
(8t1t02-'t2J31t021
sum (11'ln1 b 9/30/11)
365 (10/l/11 toí-21311111
(11'll14to 7l3l14l
Value ofTrees Destroyed
4,355
Summary of Destruction of Trees by Year:
Year of # Trees AmountDestruction DestroYed Per tree
20022003200420052006
3256,6074,415
22,54862
$285.25$285.25$285.25$285.25$285.25
92,7061,884,6471,259,3796,431,817
17,686
33,957
Statutory Pmt SFL Gard
$ 9,686,234
Total"Set-Offs"
Summary of "Set-Offs" by year:
Year2OO2 $ - 2,203
2003 128,150 86,458
2004 142,670 100,531
2005 589,325 256,1142006 131 ,780 261J402oo7 8,745 17,545
2008 330 97
$ 1,001,000 $ 724,087
2,203214,608243,201845,439392,920
26,290427
2,203214,608243,201845,439392,92026,290
427
$ 1,725,087
BFWD After Set-offs& Addtl trees 84 lnterest
90,5031,760,5422,776,7208,363,0987,987,8647 ,961,5747,961,147
Bfwdby Year
Value ofTrees Destroyed
Total"Set-Offs"
2002200320042005200620062006
92,7061,884,6471,259,3796,431,817
17,686
$ 9,686,234 $ 1,725,087
2of16
Lee County Gitrus CankerPrejudgment Interest Galculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict
Bfwd from 81112002:
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of 12131102
$ 9,686,234
$
YR1
YRlYR1
200220022002
92,706(2,2031
$ 90,503
Amortization Schedule
lnterest Rate 9.00% Rate for 2002
lnterest amount BalanceDate
AddtlTrees/(SetOffs)
Applied toPrincipal
Bfwd August 1,2002August 1,2002
October 15,2002October 15,2002
December 31,2002(2,203) (2,203)
1,714
1,718
92,70692,70692,70690,50390,50390,50390,50390,50390,50390,50390,503
2 20
3 of 16
Lee County Citrus CankerPrejudgment Interest Galculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict
Bfwd from 12131102
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as oI'12131103
$ 9,686,234
$ 90,5031,994,647(214,608)
YR2YR2YR2
200320032003 $ 1,760,542
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
6.00% Rate for 2003
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd 90,50390,503
975,149760,542760,542
December 31,2002June 30, 2003June 30, 2003June 30, 2003
December 31, 2003
1,884,647(214,608)
1,884,647(214,608)
2,693
53,250
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
760,542760,542760,542760,542760,542760,542
1,670,039 670,03 55.943
4of16
Lee Gounty Gitrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
Total Verdict
Bfwd from 12131103
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of 121311O4
$ 9,686,234
YR3YR3YR3
200420042004
$ 1,760,542,1,259,379
(243,2011
$ 2,776,720
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
7.00% Rate for 2004
lnterestamount
Applied toPrincipal Balance
Bfwd December 31, 2003June 30, 2004June 30, 2004June 30, 2004
December 31,2004
1,259,379(243,201)
1,259,379(243,201)
61,4501,760,5421,760,5423,019,9202,776,7202,776,7202,776,7202,776,7202,776,7202,776,7202,776,7202,776,720
97,984
1,016,',178 1,0'16,178 159,434
5of16
Lee County Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict
Bfwd from 12131104
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of 12131105
$ 9,686,234
$ 2,776,7206,43',1,8',,7
(845,439)YR4
YR4YR4
200520052005 $ 8,363,098
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
Addtl Trees/(SetOffs)
Applied toPrincipal
7.00% Rate for 2005
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31,2004June 30, 2005June 30, 2005June 30, 2005
December3l,2005
6,431,817(845,43e)
6,431,817(845,439)
96,386
295,114
2,776,7202,776,7209,208,5378,363,0988,363,0988,363,0988,363,0988,363,0988,363,0989,363,0988,363,098
5,586,379 5,586,379 391,501
6of16
Lee County Citrus GankerPrejudgment Interest Galculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict
Bfwd from 12131105
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of 1213'1106
$ 9,686,234
YR5YR5YR5
200620062006
$ 8,363,09817,685
(392,920)
$ 7,987,864
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
9.00% Rate for 2006
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31, 2005June 30, 2006June 30, 2006June 30, 2006
December 31, 2006
17,686(392,920)
17,686(3e2,920)
373,246
362,408
9,363,0988,363,0988,380,7847,987,8637,987,8637,987,8637,987,8637,987,8637,987,8637,987,8637,987,864
(375,235) 1,375,235) 735,654
7 ofl6
Lee County Citrus GankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict
Bfwd from 12131106
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as oÍ 12131107
$ 9,686,234
YR6YR6YR6
200720072007
$ 7,987,864
(26,290)
$ 7,961,574
Amortization Schedule
lnterest Rate 11.00% Rate for 2007
Date
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31, 2006June 30, 2007June 30, 2007
December 31,2007
435,722
441,486
7,987,8647,987,8647,961,5747,961,5747,961,5747,961,5747 ,961,5747 ,961,5747 ,961,5747,961,5747,961,574
(26,290) (26,290)
Q6,2s0l .290) 877,207
I of 16
Lee County Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Galculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from 12131107
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of '12131108
YR7YR7YR7
200820082008
$ 7,961,574
(4271
ç 7,961,147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(SetOffs)
Applied toPrincipal
11.00% Rate for 2008
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31,2007June 30, 2008June 30, 2008
December 31,2008(427)
436,687
441,462
7 ,961,5747,961,5747,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,147
(427)
9 of 16
Lee Gounty Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from 1213'1108
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of 12131109
YR8YR8YR8
200920092009
ç 7,96',1,147
ç 7,961,147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
8.00% Rate for 2009
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31, 2008June 30, 2009June 30, 2009
December 31, 2009
315,829
321,063
7,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
636 892
10 of 16
Lee Gounty Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from 12131109
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of '1213'1110
YR9YR9YR9
201020102010
$ 7,961,147
$ 7,961,147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTreesi(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
6.00% Rate for 2010
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31, 2009June 30,2010June 30, 2010
December 31,2010
236,871
240,797
7,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,96'1,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
477,669
11 of 16
Lee Gounty Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Galculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict
Bfwd from 121311'10
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offs
$ 9,686,234
YR IO
YR 10
YR 1O
20112011201',,
$ 7,961,147
$ 7,961,147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(SetOffs)
Applied toPrincipal
6.00% Rate for 2011
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31,2010June 30, 201 1
June 30, 201 1
September 30,2011
236,871
120,399
7,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
357 270
12 of 16
Lee County Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from 9/30/11Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offs
Balance due as of 121311'11
YR 10
YR 10
YR 10
201120112011
ç 7,961,147
$ 7,961,',147
Amortization Schedule
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
4.75% Rate for 2011 (10t1t11-12t31t11)
Date lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd September 30,2011December 31,2011 95,316
7 ,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
95,316
13 of 16
Lee County Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from '12131111Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBafance due as of 1213'1112
YR 11
YR I1
YR 1I
201220122012
$ 7,96',1,'147
$ 7,96',1,147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
4.75% Rate for 2012
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31,2011June 30,2012June 30, 2012
December 31,2012
188,559
190,631
7,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
379,191
14 of 16
Lee County Citrus CankerPrejudgment lnterest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from 121311'12
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsBalance due as of 121311'13
YR 12
YR 12
YR I2
201320132013
ç 7,961,',147
$ 7,961,',147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
4.75% Rate for 2013
lnterest amount Balance
Bñ¡'/d December 31,2012June 30,2013June 30,2013
December 31,2013
187,523
190,631
7 ,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
378,',154
15 of 16
Lee County Gitrus CankerPrejudgment Interest Calculation (Using Varying Rates)
TotalVerdict $ 9,686,234
Bfwd from 121311'13
Value of Trees DestroyedSet-offsJudgment Day 7l3l'14
YR 13
YR 13
YR 13
201420142014
g 7,961,147
5 7,96',1,147
Amortization Schedule
Date
lnterest Rate
AddtlTrees/(Set-Offs)
Applied toPrincipal
4.75% Rate for 2014
lnterest amount Balance
Bfwd December 31,2013June 30, 2014June 30,2014
July 3, 2014
187,523
3,108
7,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477,961,1477 ,961,1477,961,1477,961,147
190,631
16 of 16
EXHIBIT 3
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR LEECOUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION
RAYMOND A. DELLASELVA, et al., CASE NO. 03-1947 CA WCM
Plaintiffs,
vs.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURE AND CONSUMERSERVICES, et al.,
Defendants.________________________________/
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’MOTION FOR PREJUDGEMENT INTEREST
THIS CAUSE came before the Court on ___________ ___, 2014, on Plaintiffs’ Motion for
Prejudgment Interest. Having reviewed the motion, other relevant portions of the record, and having
heard argument of counsel, this Court ORDERS and ADJUDGES as follows:
1. On July 3, 2014, the jury returned a verdict awarding Plaintiffs and the Class full
compensation in the amount of $285.25 per-tree for each of the 33,957 trees covered by this case.
Based on the per-tree amount ($285.25) and the total number of trees (33,957), the full amount of
compensation recovered is $9,686,573.82. The verdict also determined that the Defendants are
entitled to certain set-offs, representing the (i) total amount of $55 statutory tree payments issued to
and used by Plaintiffs and Class members ($1,001,000.00), and (ii) the total amount used by those
Plaintiffs and Class members who applied for and received Shade Florida (Wal-Mart) Cards
($724,087.00). The total amount of these set-offs is $1,725,087.00. After deducting these set-offs,
the principal amount of compensation recovered by Plaintiffs and the Class is $7,961,486.82, before
prejudgment interest.
Case No. 02-13717 AJ
2
2. Property owners in inverse condemnation proceedings are entitled to prejudgment
interest from the date their property is taken or surrendered. See Article X, section 6 (a), Florida
Constitution; section 74.061, Florida Statutes; Behm v. State Department of Transportation, 383 So.
2d 216, 218 (Fla. 1980); Stewart v. City of Key West, 429 So. 2d 784 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1983); State
Road Department v. Bender, 147 Fla. 15, 2 So. 2d 298 (Fla. 1941); County of Volusia v. Pickens, 439
So. 2d 276, (Fla. 5th DCA 1983).
3. In Department of Agriculture v. Bogorff, 35 So. 3d 84, 90 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010), the
Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s award of prejudgment interest in the related
Broward County citrus canker compensation litigation. The facts and methodology for calculating
prejudgment interest in this case are identical to those in Bogorff.
4. Based on the foregoing, this Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ Motion for Prejudgment
Interest.
5. According to the spreadsheet attached as Exhibit 2 to Plaintiffs’ motion, the amount
of prejudgment interest due through July 3, 2014, is Four Million Five Hundred Seventy Three
Thousand One Hundred Fifty Two and 00/100 Dollars ($4,573,152.00), with a per diem of One
Thousand Thirty-Six and 04/100 Dollars ($1,036.04). Defendants have not challenged the accuracy
of these calculations.
6. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiffs and the Class shall recover
prejudgment interest in the sum of Four Million Five Hundred Seventy Three Thousand One
Hundred Fifty Two and 00/100 Dollars ($4,573,152.00) through July 3, 2014, with a per diem of
One Thousand Thirty-Six and 04/100 Dollars ($1,036.04) thereafter through the entry of final
judgment. Based on the date of entry of this Order, the per diem of $1,306.04 from July 4, 2014
Case No. 02-13717 AJ
3
through _________ ___, 2014 totals _____________________________ and ___/100 Dollars
Dollars ($____________). These amounts shall be incorporated into the final judgment to be entered
in this action.
DONE and ORDERED in Chambers at Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida this _____ day of
_________, 2014.
________________________________Honorable Keith R. Kyle
Circuit Court Judge
Copies furnished to:
Robert C. Gilbert, Esq.William S. Williams, Esq.Wesley R. Parsons, Esq.