documenth5

Upload: jan-wolfe

Post on 15-Oct-2015

98 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Chevron petition H5

TRANSCRIPT

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    1/36

    UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTSOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK--------------------------------------------------------------------x

    In re Application of CHEVRON CORPORATION for

    an Order Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1782 to ConductDiscovery from H5, Nicolas Economou, and JuliaBrickell for Use in Foreign Proceedings.

    ::

    ::::

    Case No. M-_____

    --------------------------------------------------------------------x

    MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF PETITION AND APPLICATION FOR AN

    ORDER PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. 1782 TO CONDUCT DISCOVERY FROM H5,

    NICOLAS ECONOMOU, AND JULIA BRICKELL FOR USE IN FOREIGN

    PROCEEDINGS

    GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLPRandy M. MastroAndrea E. NeumanAnne Champion200 Park AvenueNew York, New York 10166T: (212) 351-4000

    F: (212) 351-4035

    STERN & KILCULLEN, LLCHerbert J. SternJoel M. Silverstein325 Columbia Turnpike, Suite 110Florham Park, NJ 07932-0992T: (973) 535-1900F: (973) 535-9664

    KOBRE & KIM LLPSteven G. KobreCarrie A. TendlerJosef M. Klazen800 Third AvenueNew York, New York 10022T: (212) 488-1200F: (212) 488-1220

    Attorneys for Petitioner Chevron Corporation

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    2/36

    i

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Page

    I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1

    II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND ............................................................................................ 4

    A. H5s Role in the Lago Agrio Litigation and Related Proceedings ........................ 4

    1. Overview of H5s Role in the Conspiracy and Its Retention of an Interestin the Fraudulent Judgment ........................................................................ 4

    2. H5s Involvement in the Obstruction of Chevrons Section 1782Proceeding Against Stratus ........................................................................ 7

    3. H5s Involvement in the Cleansing Scheme .......................................... 9

    4. H5s Involvement in the Public Pressure Campaign ............................... 10

    5. H5s Role in Obtaining Financing from DeLeon to Further the LAPsScheme ..................................................................................................... 11

    6. H5s Involvement in Establishing Amazonia .......................................... 12

    7. Prior Discovery from H5 ......................................................................... 13

    B. The Gibraltar Proceeding ..................................................................................... 15

    C. The Enforcement Proceedings ............................................................................. 16

    III. ARGUMENT ................................................................................................................... 17

    A. The Information Sought Is Highly Relevant and Presumptively DiscoverableUnder Section 1782.............................................................................................. 18

    B. The Requested Discovery Meets the Statutory Requirements of Section 1782 .. 19

    1. H5, Economou, and Brickell Are All Found Within this District and theDiscovery Sought Is Intended for Use Before a Foreign Tribunal .......... 19

    2. Chevron Is an Interested Person .............................................................. 21

    3. The Discovery Sought Is Not Privileged ................................................. 22

    4. The Crime-Fraud Exception Applies ....................................................... 23

    C. Discretionary Factors Also Heavily Favor the Requested Discovery ................. 25

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    3/36

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    (continued)Page

    ii

    1. H5, Economou, and Brickell Are Not Parties to the Gibraltar Proceedingor the Enforcement Actions ..................................................................... 25

    2. The Foreign Tribunal Is Receptive to Federal Court Assistance UnderSection 1782............................................................................................. 26

    3. This Application Is an Attempt to Obtain Probative and Relevant Evidencefor a Foreign Proceeding and Does Not Circumvent Foreign Proof-Gathering Restrictions ............................................................................. 27

    4. The Discovery Is Neither Unduly Burdensome Nor Intrusive ................ 28

    IV. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 30

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    4/36

    iii

    TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

    Page(s)

    Cases

    Chevron Corp. v. Berlinger,629 F.3d 297 (2d Cir. 2011) ..................................................................................................... 27

    Chevron Corp. v. Donziger,No. 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 1874 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 4, 2014) ..................................................... passim

    Chevron Corp. v. Naranjo,Nos. 11-1150-cv(L), 111264cv(con), 112259op(con), 2011 WL 4375022 (2d Cir.Sept. 19, 2011) .......................................................................................................................... 14

    Chevron Corp. v. Page,No. RWT-11-1942, Hearing Tr. at 11:2-24 (D. Md. Aug. 31, 2011) ....................................... 24

    Chevron Corp. v. Salazar,275 F.R.D. 437 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) .......................................................................................... 4, 23

    Chevron Corp. v. Weinberg Grp.,682 F.3d 96 (D.C. Cir. 2012) ...................................................................................................... 4

    Chevron Corp. v. Weinberg Grp.,Misc. No. 11-409 (JMF) (D.D.C. Sept. 8, 2011) ........................................................................ 4

    Chevron v. Champ,Nos. 10-mc-00027 & 10-mc-00028, 2010 WL 3418394 (W.D.N.C. Aug. 30, 2010)................ 4

    Euromepa S.A. v. R. Esmerian, Inc.,51 F.3d 1095 (2d Cir. 1995) ..................................................................................................... 26

    In re Application for an Order for Judicial Assistance in a Foreign Proceeding in theLabor Court of Brazil,466 F. Supp. 2d 1020 (N.D. Ill. 2006) ...................................................................................... 28

    In re Application of Chevron Corp. (Kamp 1782),Civil Nos. 10-MC-21JH/LFG, 10MC22 J/LFG., 2010 WL 9545704(D.N.M. Sept.13, 2010) ............................................................................................................................... 4, 23

    In re Application of Chevron Corp.,709 F. Supp. 2d 283 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) ...................................................................................... 27

    In re Application of Chevron Corp.,

    736 F. Supp. 2d 773 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) ...................................................................................... 18

    In re Application of Chevron Corp.,749 F. Supp. 2d 135 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) ........................................................................................ 4

    In re Application of Chevron Corp.,No. 1:10-MI-0076-TWT-GGB, 2010 WL 8767265 (N.D. Ga. Mar. 2, 2010) ......................... 28

    In re Application of Chevron Corp.,No. 4:10-mc-134, 2010 WL 8814519 (S.D. Tex. Apr. 5, 2010) ............................................. 28

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    5/36

    TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

    (continued)Page(s)

    iv

    In re Application of Inversiones y Gasolinera Petroleos Valenzuela, S. de R.L.,No. 08-20378-MC, 2011 WL 181311 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 19, 2011) .............................................. 20

    In re Application of Winning (HK) Shipping Co. Ltd.,

    No. 0922659MC, 2010 WL 1796579 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 30, 2010) .......................................... 21In re Application. of OOO Promnefstroy,

    No. M 19-99 (RJS), 2009 WL 3335608 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 15, 2009) .......................................... 26

    In re Bayer AG,146 F.3d 188 (3d Cir. 1998) ......................................................................................... 18, 26, 27

    In re Campania Chilena de Navegacion,No. 03 CV 5382 (ERK), 2004 WL 1084243 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2004) .................................... 19

    In re Chevron Corp.(E-Tech 1782),No. 10-cv-1146-IEG (WMc), 2010 WL 3584520 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 10, 2010) ..................... 4, 23

    In re Chevron Corp.,749 F. Supp. 2d 141 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) .................................................................................. 4, 18

    In re Chevron Corp.,749 F. Supp. 2d 170 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) ...................................................................................... 22

    In re Chevron Corp.,753 F. Supp. 2d 536 (D. Md. 2010) .......................................................................................... 27

    In re Edelman,295 F.3d 171 (2d Cir. 2002) ..................................................................................................... 19

    In re Godfrey,526 F. Supp. 2d 417 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) ...................................................................................... 19

    In re Grand Jury Subpoena Duces Tecum Dated Sept. 15, 1983,731 F.2d 1032 (2d Cir. 1984) ................................................................................................... 24

    In re Heraeus Kulzer, GmbH,No. 09-MC-00017, 2009 WL 2981921 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 11, 2009) ........................................... 25

    In re IPC Do Nordeste, LTDA,for an Order Seeking Discovery Under 28 U.S.C. 1782, No. 12-50624, 2012 WL4448886 (E.D. Mich. Sept. 25, 2012) ....................................................................................... 27

    In re Oxus Gold PLC,MISC No. 06-82-GEB, 2007 WL 1037387 (D.N.J. Apr. 2, 2007) .............................. 19, 21, 25

    In re Roz Trading Ltd.,Case No. 1:06-cv-02305-WSD, 2007 WL 120844 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 11, 2007) .......................... 25

    In re Strand Invs. Ltd.,No. 09-21985-CIV., 2009 WL 2225536 (S.D. Fla. July 24, 2009) .......................................... 21

    In re Veiga,746 F. Supp. 2d 8 (D.D.C. 2010) .............................................................................................. 27

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    6/36

    TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

    (continued)Page(s)

    v

    Intel Corp. v. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.,542 U.S. 241, 124 S. Ct. 2466 (2004) ...................................................................... 3, 21, 25, 27

    London v. Does 1-4,

    279 F. Appx 513 (9th Cir. 2008) ....................................................................................... 28, 29Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Robertson-Ceco Corp.,

    84 F.3d 560 (2d Cir. 1996) ....................................................................................................... 21

    Minatec Fin. S. .R.L. v. SI Grp. Inc.,No. 1:08-CV-269 (LEK/RFT), 2008 WL 3884374 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 18, 2008) ....................... 27

    Pott v. Icicle Seafoods, Inc.,945 F. Supp. 2d 1197 (W.D. Wash. 2013) ............................................................................... 27

    Sandoval v. Abaco Club on Winding Bay,507 F. Supp. 2d 312 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) ...................................................................................... 20

    SR Intl Bus. Ins. Co. v. World Trade Ctr. Prop. LLC,No. 01 CIV 9291 (JSM), 2002 WL 1455346 (S.D.N.Y. July 3, 2002) .................................... 23

    United States v. Adman,134 F.3d 1194 (2d Cir. 1998) ................................................................................................... 22

    United States v. Ghavami,882 F. Supp. 2d 532 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) ...................................................................................... 23

    United States v. Kerik,531 F. Supp. 2d 610 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) ...................................................................................... 25

    United States v. Mejia,655 F.3d 126 (2d Cir. 2011) ..................................................................................................... 22

    Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.,226 F.3d 88 (2d Cir. 2000) ....................................................................................................... 20

    Statutes

    28 U.S.C. 1782 .................................................................................................................... passim

    28 U.S.C. 1961 et seq................................................................................................................. 1

    Gibraltar Act No. 1948-10 (Evidence Act) 911 ..................................................................... 28

    Other Authorities

    Hans Smit,American Assistance to Litigation in Foreign and International Tribunals:Section 1782 of Title 28 of the U.S.C. Revisited,25 Syracuse J. Intl L. & Com. 1 (1998) .................................................................................. 19

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    7/36

    1

    I. INTRODUCTIONPursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1782 (Section 1782), applicant Chevron Corporation

    (Chevron) respectfully applies to this Court for an order to conduct discovery from respondent

    H5, a corporation located in New York, New York; its CEO, Nicolas Economou; and its

    Executive Managing Director and General Counsel, Julia Brickell. Chevron seeks this discovery

    in aid of its case before the Supreme Court of Gibraltar against James Russell DeLeon (Russell

    DeLeon) and an investment vehicle he controls, Torvia Limited, Chevron Corp. v. James

    Russell DeLeon and Torvia Limited, Claim No. 2012 C 232 (Supreme Court of Gibraltar)

    (the Gibraltar proceeding), as well as current and potential enforcement proceedings Chevron

    is facing in multiple jurisdictions (the Enforcement Proceedings).

    In the Gibraltar proceeding, Chevron alleges claims for unlawful means conspiracy,

    conspiracy to injure, and unlawful interference with economic interests. These claims are based

    on the provision by DeLeon and Torvia of millions of dollars in funding for what this Court,

    following a seven-week trial, found to be an extortionate enterprise against Chevron in violation

    of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 28 U.S.C. 1961 et seq.

    (RICO).1 This Court concluded that the evidence demonstrated that the enterprise used

    criminal means, including attempted extortion, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of

    justice, witness tampering, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, to procure a

    corrupt $9.5 billion judgment from an Ecuadorian court, including by promising the judge

    $500,000 of the proceeds if he let the enterprise ghostwrite the courts judgment in its favor. In

    1 Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, No. 11 Civ. 0691 (LAK), ___ F. Supp. 2d ___, 2014 WL815961, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 4, 2014) (RICO Opinion at 40203);see also 2014 WL815553; 2014 WL 815613; 2014 WL 815715; 2014 WL 815869; 2014 WL 815923; 2014WL 815961; 2014 WL 816086. Because the RICO Opinion is split across several WestlawReporter citations, citations to page numbers throughout this brief will be to the docketedversion of the Opinion available on PACER. Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, No. 11 Civ. 0691(LAK), Dkt. 1874 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 4, 2014), hereinafter RICO Opinion.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    8/36

    2

    denying DeLeon and Torvias motion to dismiss the Gibraltar proceeding, the Gibraltar court

    recently concluded that Chevron had established a prima facie case that DeLeon and Torvia were

    part of this fraudulent scheme. The Gibraltar court held that [Chevrons factual allegations] do

    support the conclusion that [DeLeon and Torvia] were conspirators and fully involved in the

    conspiracy, continuing to fund it well after they were aware of the fraudulent activities, and

    that, the stronger the case of fraud became, the more involved the Defendants became. Ex. 1

    at 23.2

    H5 is a litigation consulting firm that worked for the plaintiffs (Lago Agrio Plaintiffs or

    LAPs) in the Ecuadorian litigation against Chevron. H5 has actively participated in the

    ongoing conspiracy to extort a multi-billion dollar payoff from Chevron, including engaging in

    the extortionate public pressure campaign, aiding in the LAPs obstruction of the Stratus 1782

    proceeding and concealment of the Cabrera fraud, helping execute the cleansing expert

    scheme, and securing funding from investors to support the LAPs ongoing fraud (including

    funding from DeLeon). Funds obtained from DeLeon and Torvia were used in furtherance of the

    LAPs corrupt scheme to extort and defraud Chevron, including by filing enforcement

    proceedings throughout the world, a scheme this Court has called vexatious. See RICO

    Opinion at 384-87, 471. Indeed, it now appears that DeLeon has been the principal funder of the

    LAPs corrupt scheme, and there are documents stating he has provided approximately $25

    million in funding. Ex. 2.

    The discovery Chevron seeks is relevant to Chevrons claims in the Gibraltar proceeding,

    as well as Chevrons defenses in the Enforcement Proceedings. H5s documents and

    information, based on the involvement of H5s senior executives in the inner workings of the

    2 All references to Ex. __ herein are to the Declaration of Anne Champion (Champion

    Dec.), filed concurrently, unless otherwise noted.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    9/36

    3

    scheme against Chevron, will be relevant generally to the conspiracy and other tort claims at

    issue in the Gibraltar proceeding. In addition, because evidence obtained to date reveals that H5

    consulted with DeLeon on finalizing funding agreements, budgeting, and litigation strategy, and

    has information regarding DeLeons involvement in Amazonia Recovery Limited, it is clear that

    H5 possesses information that directly addresses DeLeons and Torvias knowledge of and

    involvement in the fraud in the Ecuadorian proceeding and the ongoing efforts to fund and

    perpetuate the extortionate conspiracy against Chevron.

    Chevron previously subpoenaed H5 for the production of documents in connection with

    Chevrons Count 9 and RICO proceedings in this Court. SeeExs. 3-4. Chevron has thus tailored

    the present subpoena to avoid overlap or duplication, requesting only documents regarding

    DeLeon, Torvia, and Amazonia, and documents related to the underlying frauds only to the

    extent they were created or generated after the service date of the RICO subpoena (November

    30, 2012).

    Section 1782 authorizes [t]he district court of the district in which a person resides or is

    found may order him to give his testimony or statement or to produce a document or other thing

    for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal . . . . 28 U.S.C. 1782(a). The

    requirements for issuance of a Section 1782 subpoena are minimal and are met by this

    application. See, e.g.,Intel Corp. v. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 542 U.S. 241, 249, 26465,

    124 S. Ct. 2466, 2474, 2482-83 (2004). Accordingly, Chevron hereby applies under Section

    1782 for an order to conduct discovery from H5, including document discovery and depositions,

    for use in the Gibraltar proceeding and the Enforcement Proceedings.

    Chevron further requests that this Court apply the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-

    client privilege and work product protections to relevant documents in the possession of H5. As

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    10/36

    4

    discussed in more detail below, H5s activities have been performed in furtherance of the

    racketeering scheme against Chevron. In addition to this Court, numerous other U.S. federal

    courts have issued judicial findings that privileges have been waived or vitiated by the crime-

    fraud exception.3

    Chevron has provided H5 and counsel for the LAPs with copies of this application

    contemporaneously with its filing with this Court, and respectfully requests that this Court order

    a schedule for briefing related to this petition.

    II. FACTUAL BACKGROUNDThe facts underlying the racketeering enterprise against Chevron are set forth in detail in

    this Courts RICO Opinion, as well as other prior opinions by this Court. See supra n.1. Rather

    than reiterate the background of these related proceedings here, Chevron will focus on the role of

    H5 in the overall conspiracy (which is relevant to both the Gibraltar and Enforcement

    Proceedings) and its connection to DeLeon and Torvia, the defendants in the Gibraltar

    proceeding.

    A. H5s Role in the Lago Agrio Litigation and Related Proceedings1. Overview of H5s Role in the Conspiracy and Its Retention of an Interest in

    the Fraudulent Judgment

    H5 is a litigation consulting firm that advertises itself as a leading provider of global

    technology-assisted review and e-discovery services that is dedicated to finding information

    3

    See In re Application of Chevron Corp., 749 F. Supp. 2d 135, 140 (S.D.N.Y. 2010); ChevronCorp. v. Salazar, 275 F.R.D. 437, 455 (S.D.N.Y. 2011); Chevron Corp. v. Weinberg Grp.,Misc. No. 11-409 (JMF), at *5 (D.D.C. Sept. 8, 2011), vacated on other grounds by ChevronCorp. v. Weinberg Grp., 682 F.3d 96 (D.C. Cir. 2012) (attached as Ex. 79);In re ChevronCorp., 749 F. Supp. 2d 141, 144-45,167-168 (S.D.N.Y. 2010); Chevron v. Champ, Nos. 10-mc-00027 & 10-mc-00028, 2010 WL 3418394, at *6 (W.D.N.C. Aug. 30, 2010);In reApplication of Chevron Corp., No. 10cv1146-IEG(WMC), 2010 WL 3584520, at *6 (S.D.Cal. Sept. 10, 2010;In re Application of Chevron Corp. (Kamp 1782), Civil Nos. 10-MC-21JH/LFG, 10MC22 J/LFG., 2010 WL 9545704(D.N.M. Sept. 13, 2010).

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    11/36

    5

    that our clients need to win cases, meet regulatory requirements, and address risks before they

    become liabilities. Ex. 5 at 2. As this Court noted in its RICO Opinion, Donziger and the LAPs

    began working with H5 in late 2009, to secure financing. RICO Opinion at 166. H5s CEO,

    Nicolas Economou, and Donziger appear to have been introduced by an investment banker

    referred to Donziger by the Ben Barnes Group. Exs. 6-7. Following that introduction, H5s role

    expanded considerably, and at least two of H5s senior executives have acted as key advisors

    to the LAPs. Ex. 8. Indeed, this Court held that H5 was a part of Donzigers RICO enterprise.

    RICO Opinion at 349 n.1341.

    For example, Economou has been involved with virtually every aspect of the case,

    including recruiting investors, Ex. 9, negotiating investment agreements, Ex. 10, hiring legal

    experts, Ex. 11, managing public relations strategy, Exs. 12-13, hiring U.S. law firms (including

    Patton Boggs), Ex. 14; RICO Opinion at 276, collaborating with shareholder activists, Ex. 15,

    managing e-discovery, Ex. 16, meeting with the clients, Ex. 17 at 2, and consulting on legal

    strategy, Ex. 18. This Court found that, after reviewing Donzigers phone records, it is clear

    that they [i.e., Donziger and individuals from H5] communicated extensively. RICO Opinion at

    438, n.1679.

    Julia Brickell is H5s Executive Managing Director and General Counsel. See, e.g., Ex.

    19 at 1. She also has worked on virtually every aspect of H5s work for the LAPs. She helped

    negotiate investment agreements, Ex. 19, and provided input on strategy, particularly in

    connection with the LAPs efforts to obstruct the Stratus 1782 proceeding, Ex. 20. She also

    introduced the Weinberg Group to Donziger and the LAPs and was involved in hiring them, Exs.

    21-23.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    12/36

    6

    H5 began performing a variety of financing-related tasks for the LAPs beginning in 2009,

    including, according to a draft engagement letter, [a]ssessment of current case financial

    structure; [i]dentification of financing opportunities from (i) investors and/or (ii) contingent

    legal counsel; and [a]nalysis of the different financial options and financial valuation of the

    Chevron Litigation. Ex. 24 at 1-2. In April 2010, Economou sent Donziger a signed

    confirmation of H5s engagement. Ex. 25. In this correspondence, Economou noted that H5

    was engaged at the rate of $250 per hour for each H5 professional assigned to provide the

    Services, invoiced monthly and would defer fifty percent (50%) of the Initial Fee until Final

    Disposition. Id.at 1. Furthermore, [u]pon Final Disposition of the Chevron Litigation, an

    amount equal to the Deferred Fee plus two (2) times the Deferred Fee would be invoiced to

    and payable by Donziger. Id.

    On February 24, 2011after Chevron filed the RICO case, and a mere 10 days after the

    Ecuadorian court issued the Lago Agrio judgmentH5 and LAP representatives executed a new

    engagement agreement. Ex. 26. Under the terms of the amended engagement letter, H5 was

    responsible for (1) management of payables, cash flow and budgeting; (2) capital raising

    strategies; (3) engaging legal and other service providers (including identifying and collecting

    due diligence on such service providers); and (4) such other services and advice in respect of

    the Litigation as [the LAPs and H5] may from time to time mutually agree. Id.at 2. H5 was

    required to report directly to Donziger. Id. at 2.

    The February 2011 agreement gave H5 the rights to 1.25 percent of all money paid to the

    LAPs from any judgment or settlement worldwide related to the Lago Agrio litigation, subject to

    the Intercreditor Agreements distribution terms. Id. In addition, it provided that H5 would

    receive $450 per hour for every hour over 80 hours per month that its senior executives and

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    13/36

    7

    management worked on the case. Id.at 3. Of these Excess Hours Fees, 50 percent were due

    up front, and, as with the April 2010 agreement, the remaining 50 percent plus two times the

    deferred amount would be paid after a settlement or final verdict. Id. The February 2011

    agreement also provided that the LAPs had to consider in good faith paying H5 a discretionary

    bonus of up to .5 percent of all funds recovered worldwide from the Lago Agrio litigation, id.at

    3, and the agreement guaranteed H5 reimbursement for all out of pocket expenses (although any

    expenses over $5,000 per month required Donzigers advanced written approval). Id.at 3, 4.

    2. H5s Involvement in the Obstruction of Chevrons Section 1782 ProceedingAgainst Stratus

    H5s involvement in the Cabrera cover-up started just a few months after Economou first

    met Donziger. At the time H5 joined in the LAPs obstruction, it knew the truth about Stratus

    and the ghostwriting of the Cabrera report. Economou and Brickell were copied on an e-mail

    from Jonathan Abady of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff in which Abady proposed that the LAPs just

    confess to having authored specific portions of the [Cabrera] report. Ex. 27 at 1. Brickell was

    copied on e-mails in which attorneys for the LAPs discussed global strategy and options, for

    get[ting] past th[e] Cabrera business, including that they [l]ay out for the Ecuadorian court

    what happened with Cabrera and advise the court to take it into account in whatever way it

    deems appropriate (mea culpa strategy). SeeEx. 28 at 1. In addition, after the Second Circuit

    ordered production of the Crudeouttakes, the LAP Team, including H5, discussed the disclosure

    of the outtakesparticularly the outtakes that would expose the relationship between the LAPs

    and Cabreraand scheduled a call to discuss next steps. SeeEx. 29 at 1.

    H5 actively participated in the efforts to conceal the Cabrera fraud. For example, it

    handled aspects of the Stratus privilege review that resulted in the majority of the responsive

    documents being withheld for months, only to be dumped on Chevron the night before the

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    14/36

    8

    deposition of Douglas Beltman. See Ex. 30; Ex. 77 at 4, 10-13. In April 2010, H5 attended at

    least two critical strategy meetings in New York with Donziger, Patton Boggs and other

    members of the conspiracy. See Exs. 31-32. Patton Boggs hosted these meetings at its New

    York offices. SeeEx. 31 at 1. The agendas for these included entries such as How Do We

    Characterize Cabrera Going Forward? and Risks Associated with Full Disclosure of Stratus

    Documents. Ex. 31 at 1; Ex. 32 at 3.

    Economou and Brickell were copied on Patton Boggs partner Eric Westenbergers email

    in which he described the LAPs strategy to delay production of documents: Appeal; move for

    a stay; if we win with kane great; if we lose, we produce whatever we want (narrow read); gd

    complains and then we move for clarification. If we lose again, we think about another appeal.

    Ex. 33 at 1-2. Brickell responded, [w]e did agree to move for clarification, and for an interim

    stay, tomorrow, because there is a reasonable likelihood that well get a favorable clarification

    narrowing the interpretation. Eric, were you reopening that decision? Id.at 1. In another email

    chain, Brickell wondered how to prevent Stratus contractors from producing documents to

    Chevron: What could you safely say to the folks so they dont produce . . . . say their counsel

    will get in touch with Gibson? Ex. 20 at 2;see alsoEx. 34 at 1. In another email exchange,

    Brickell responded that she and Economou like[d] a draft email in which Illan Maazel of

    Emery Celli proposed telling Chevrons counsel at Gibson Dunn that Stratuss consultants would

    not produce documents as planned because [t]hey did not understand . . . their legal[]rights,

    privileges, motion to quash, etc. Ex. 18 at 1.

    In sum, H5 was a key player in the efforts to mislead U.S. courts and obstruct the truth

    from coming out about the Cabrera reportone of the central frauds in the Lago Agrio litigation

    that was used to publicly attack and pressure Chevron in the U.S.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    15/36

    9

    3. H5s Involvement in the Cleansing SchemeBeginning in or around May 2010, H5 received outlines and drafts of a submission to be

    filed in the Ecuadorian courtan effort to cleanse any perceived impropriety related to the

    Cabrera Report. Ex. 35 at 2. Patton Boggs explained to H5 and others that the [t]he sole open

    issue with a draft of the cleansing submission was the specificity with which we describe the

    meetings with Cabrera. Ex. 27.

    Once the Ecuadorian court granted the LAPs request for supplemental expert reports, H5

    introduced, helped engage, and coordinated with the Weinberg Group and experts to execute the

    cleansing expert strategy. On August 13, 2010, Brickell set up a call with Ted Dunkelberger

    of the Weinberg Group to discuss hiring the Weinberg Group to write the reports

    under[]direction of counsel after receiving an oral[ ]confidentiality commitment from him.

    Ex. 21 at 3. Brickell then served as a conduit for documents and information to help individuals

    at the Weinberg Group familiarize themselves with the project. Ex. 30. H5 and Economou

    knew that the cleansing process was intended to perpetuate the false impression that the

    Ecuadorian court had avoided the taint of the Cabrera fraud. A Patton Boggs attorney told H5

    and others that our new expert will most likely rely on some of the same data as Cabrera (and

    come to the same conclusions as Cabrera). Ex. 36 at 1.

    H5 also knew that the speedy and effective implementation of the cleansing process was

    critical to the overall scheme. Donziger forwarded key strategy emails to H5 expressing concern

    about the increasing risk that our cleansing process is going to be outrun by the judge and we

    will end up with a decision based entirely on Cabrera. Ex. 37 at 1. H5, however, made sure

    that the cleansing experts themselves did not know about the Cabrera fraud. On the first

    conference call with the Weinberg Groupin which H5 participatedWestenberger represented

    that Cabrera was an independent expert, Ex. 39 at 49:6-11, 60:7-61:11, and H5 provided the

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    16/36

    10

    Weinberg Group with copies of the Cabrera Report without disclosing that Stratus had

    ghostwritten it, Ex. 38.

    4. H5s Involvement in the Public Pressure CampaignH5 also actively participated in the extortionate public relations and pressure campaign

    against Chevron. In recommending the retention of Motley Rice, for example, Brickell wrote,

    [w]e believe that Motley Rice will add value in strategy and execution of activities designed to

    speed recognition by Chevron directors that they should try to settle the case sooner rather than

    later for a number in the double digit billions. We think that involves: Influencing large

    shareholders, credit rating agencies, financial analysts[;] hitting them at the pumps[;] starting

    affirmative 1782 actions that will disclose covert actions of Chevron[;] focusing on regulatory

    issues (calling attention to deficiencies in the SEC filing, foreign corrupt practices, and the

    like)[;] pursuing investigations into foreign corrupt practices. Ex. 40 at 1. These activities were

    all part of Donzigers pressure campaign, which included a plethora of false and misleading

    representations to persons and entitiesincluding among others members of the media, the New

    York Attorney General, the SEC, the New York State Comptroller, and Chevron shareholders.

    RICO Opinion at 408.

    Similarly, Economou suggested a campaign against Chevron in countries where Chevron

    was planning projects, arguing that hitting hard [in those countries] with PR related to the

    Ecuador disaster and with a do you want this happening to you message could be very

    powerful. Ex. 12. As Economou proposed, a campaign in those countries could provide

    considerable leverage, especially if launched concurrently. Id.

    H5 also was well aware of the plans of various media strategists for the LAPs, including

    New Partners, a consultancy that proposed a strategy to create a tipping point that pushes

    Chevron to decide to settle the case. Exs. 41-42. H5 also participated in meetings with

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    17/36

    11

    Amazon Watch and the Rainforest Action Network, both of which have been and continue to be

    actively involved in efforts to publicly attack Chevron on behalf of the LAPs. See, e.g.,Exs. 82-

    83; RICO Opinion at 35 & n.138-41.

    In April 2010, Economou and Brickell exchanged emails with Woods and Donziger to

    coordinate the media response to the exposure of the Calmbacher fraud in Chevrons Section

    1782 proceeding against Calmbacher, and the LAPs response to investors. Ex. 43 at 1-2. In

    an email to Donziger and Woods, copying Brickell, Economou outlined the 2 key messages for

    Calmbacher talking points: it was his report, he signed it, he knew it was going to the court,

    he never contested it until now, and that the pollution levels exceed the Ecuadorian limits

    which are very lax, and vastly exceed US limits. Ex. 13. As Economou said, The key is to

    focus on the scientific data, not on the side issue. Id.

    In May 2010, H5 introduced Michael York of Wehner & York, P.C., a litigation

    counseling firm, to the LAPs. Ex. 44. York subsequently worked with H5 and other members of

    the LAPs team on various media relations issues, including revising press releases intended to

    drive down Chevrons share price. See, e.g., Ex. 45. H5 later oversaw the formation of a new

    strategic communications plan for the LAPs, which was managed primarily by Todd Elmer

    (H5s former Director of Communications and Public Affairs), Hinton, and York. See Ex. 46;

    Ex. 84.

    5. H5s Role in Obtaining Financing from DeLeon to Further the LAPsScheme

    In addition to actively participating in the LAPs scheme to defraud Chevron, H5 played

    a lead role in obtaining and structuring funding for the enterprise, including funds to pay experts,

    lawyers, and public relations personnel and to execute the cleansing expert process and other

    activities in furtherance of the plan to extort money from Chevron.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    18/36

    12

    In November 2009, the same month in which Kohn officially informed Donziger he no

    longer would finance the Lago Agrio case, Economou contacted Burford Capital to solicit

    investment capital for international judgment enforcement activities in connection with the Lago

    Agrio litigation. RICO Opinion at 167. As this Court concluded: There is not much doubt

    that Donziger misled Burford either by misstating or failing to disclose material facts in his

    determination to raise money to pay for the litigation. RICO Opinion at 175.

    H5 was also actively involved in securing millions of dollars in investments from

    DeLeon and his company, Torvia Limited. Donziger introduced Economou and DeLeon in

    November of 2009. Ex. 48. At the time, Donziger explained to DeLeon that H5 was helping us

    gain a more sustainable financial footing for the case. I think they could benefit from your

    expertise and I want you to know what they are planning given your importance as our lead

    outside investor. Id.at 1. From January through March of 2010, H5 worked with Donziger,

    Woods, and DeLeon to finalize a funding agreement pursuant to which DeLeon provided

    $500,000. Exs. 49-50;see also, e.g., Exs. 51-53.

    In the summer of 2010, H5, Woods, and Donziger addressed amendments that DeLeon

    requested in relation to the previously-executed March 2010 agreement and additional funding

    proposals. See, e.g., Exs. 54-55. Throughout 2010, H5 continued to work with Donziger and

    DeLeon with respect to procuring additional funding from DeLeon, as well as on structuring the

    Burford funding agreement and assisting in the negotiation of the Intercreditor Agreement. See,

    e.g., Exs. 58-62; Ex. 87.

    6. H5s Involvement in Establishing AmazoniaBeginning in or around April 2011months after the RICO case began, and Chevrons

    detailed complaint was filedH5 began working on a project to create an offshore vehicle to

    finance the Lago Agrio litigation and hold and distribute judgment proceeds. This project was

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    19/36

    13

    alternately referred to as the Amazonia Project or NewCo. Ex. 47; Exs. 56-57; Exs. 63-65;

    Ex. 67; Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 1899 at 2 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 11, 2014)

    (stating Amazonia [Recovery Limited] is a corporation that exists to enforce the Ecuadorian

    judgment against Chevron and to distribute any funds recovered from that enforcement.). As

    with prior efforts, the goal appeared to be to keep the proceeds [of any Ecuadorian judgment]

    out of Ecuador. Ex. 66; Ex. 68.

    H5 took a lead role in planning for Amazonia, including creating a proposed budget to

    support various aspects of the LAPs efforts, including legal fees in Ecuador and the U.S., press,

    and lobbying. Eoin Beirne of H5 emailed the budget to Juan Pablo Navas at Nextant, suggesting

    that they check the allocations with Steven. Exs. 85-86.

    This project ultimately resulted in the creation of an entity named Amazonia Recovery

    Limited (Amazonia), which the LAPs incorporated in Gibraltar in May 2012. See Ex. 68.

    Amazonia currently serves as a depository for financing provided to the LAPs and as a vehicle

    for distributing any enforcement proceeds to the conspirators who contributed to the fraudulent

    and extortionate scheme. See Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 1899 at 2

    (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 11, 2014) (stating Amazonia [Recovery Limited] is a corporation that exists to

    enforce the Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron and to distribute any funds recovered from

    that enforcement.). DeLeons funding entity, Torvia, is a shareholder in Amazonia, and

    DeLeons right-hand, Julian Jarvis, is a member of Amazonias board of directors. See Ex. 68.

    7.

    Prior Discovery from H5

    Chevron already obtained some discovery from H5 in prior litigations. But the discovery

    sought here is different.

    Chevron served H5 with a subpoena in connection with the Count 9 action on July 20,

    2011. Ex. 3. Chevron deposed Economou during Count 9 proceedings in his individual

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    20/36

    14

    capacity, on topics limited to Count 9, as all other discovery was stayed. See Chevron Corp. v.

    Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 279, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 12, 2013). On September 19, 2011, H5

    produced approximately 334 documents totaling approximately 622 pages, but the Second

    Circuit stayed the action before Chevrons Count 9 discovery from H5 was completed. Chevron

    Corp. v. Naranjo, Nos. 11-1150-cv(L), 111264cv(con), 112259op(con), 2011 WL

    4375022, at *1 (2d Cir. Sept. 19, 2011).

    On November 30, 2012, Chevron served H5 with a second document subpoena in

    connection with the RICO action. Ex. 4. H5 produced approximately 9,290 documents in

    response to that subpoena, totaling approximately 22,846 pages. H5 also produced privilege logs

    listing 8,197 documents as withheld on behalf of an assertion of privilege by Donziger or the

    LAPs. Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkts. 1106-1, 1106-2, 1106-3 (S.D.N.Y. Apr.

    12, 2013). The parties were unable to come to an agreement as to the documents over which H5

    claimed privilege, and Chevron moved to compel. Id. at Dkts. 1106, 1106-32. However, the

    Court ordered the parties to meet and confer further, which resulted in an amicable resolution of

    H5s privilege objections (which were made on behalf of Donziger and the LAPs). Id. at Dkt.

    1150. As a result of those negotiations, Chevron was permitted to review the logged documents

    and select 1,000 documents for production. Id. at Dkts. 1202, 1563. Chevron is permitted to use

    those documents in any related proceeding, for any purpose.

    Chevron does not seek re-production here of any documents H5 has previously produced.

    Rather, the subpoena is specifically limited only to documents created or received after the date

    of the last subpoena, as well as limited additional categories of documentsnamely, any

    documents related to DeLeon, Torvia or Amazoniato ensure those most relevant to the

    Gibraltar and Enforcement Proceedings have been produced.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    21/36

    15

    There is little doubt that H5 has additional relevant information for discovery. Brickell

    has never been deposed. And although Economou was deposed by Chevron during the Count 9

    proceedings, the topics were limited to those relevant to Count 9, and Economous attorneys and

    attorneys for the LAPs instructed Economou not to answer at least 25 times on alleged privilege

    grounds. Ex. 69 at 59:23-63:2; 64:13-66:4; 66:24-67:9; 67:20-68:11; 75:4-12; 81:19-84:18;

    86:20-87:14; 91:17-94:25; 95:2-96:21; 97:5-98:13; 100:19-103:15; 105:21-106:7; 109:7-19;

    111:16-112:10; 112:20-114:2; 117:3-19; 133:2-16; 137:10-140:11; 189:5-190:16; 195:18-196:7;

    198:21-200:22; 221:20-222:20; 222:21-223:13; 278:8-23; 278:24-279:14. Accordingly, to date,

    Chevron has not been able to fully probe the extent of H5s knowledge of and participation in the

    scheme.

    B. The Gibraltar ProceedingOn December 17, 2012, Chevron filed a claim before the Supreme Court of Gibraltar

    against Gibraltar-based Russell DeLeon and Torvia Limited for their previous and ongoing

    involvement in the conspiracy to defraud and extort Chevron. Ex. 70. Chevron alleged that the

    defendants knew or were recklessly indifferent to the commission of the numerous frauds in

    Ecuador and the United States in furtherance of Donziger and the LAPs scheme. As noted in

    Chevrons Particulars of Claim, DeLeon and Torvia have provided millions of dollars in funds to

    support the Lago Agrio litigation, have participated in an unlawful means conspiracy and a

    conspiracy to injure, and engaged in unlawful interference with Chevrons economic interests.

    Id.at 106-10.

    The Supreme Court of Gibraltar recently denied DeLeon and Torvias motion to dismiss

    the case, finding that Chevron had demonstrated sustainable causes of action to support its

    claims. Ex. 1. The decision followed a five-day hearing by the court and its review of thousands

    of pages of documents, many of which were originally produced to Chevron in Section 1782

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    22/36

    16

    proceedings across the United States. See id. 3, 6, 41(ii) (noting the voluminous record and

    information Chevron obtained in part through 1782 petitions).

    In a 72-page opinion, the court rejected defendants claim that Chevron was launching an

    impermissible collateral attack upon the decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction in

    Ecuador. . . . Id. 44, 48. The court noted that it was not impressed with [DeLeons and

    Torvias] submissions that the [Lago Agrio Court] at first instance disregarded the Calmbacher

    and Cabrera reports and was not convinced that the Ecuadorian courts considered Chevrons

    allegations either at trial or on appeal. Id. 48(i), (xvi). The court noted that [i]f the Appeal

    court in Ecuador had before it anything like the evidence which has been put before me, it is

    indeed surprising on the face of it that at the least a rehearing [on Chevrons fraud allegations in

    the Lago Agrio litigation] was not ordered and that it is difficult to envisage how [Chevron]

    could have properly and fairly contested the [Lago Agrio] proceedings if its allegations of

    wholesale corruption of the judiciary and Government [of Ecuador] are true. Id. 48(vi), (ix).

    This ruling paves the way for Chevron to seek discovery in advance of trial.

    C. The Enforcement ProceedingsAs part of the ongoing scheme to defraud Chevron, Patton Boggs proposed a multi-

    jurisdictional strategy for expeditiously delivering the Aguinda Plaintiffs [LAPs] their due

    recovery. RICO Opinion at 167 (alteration in original). The strategy called for attacking

    Chevron on multiple fronts in the United States and abroad in order to leverage the

    expense, risks, and burden to Chevron of defending itself in multiple jurisdictions to achieve a

    swift recovery, most likely by precipitating a settlement. Id. at 167-168. In pursuit of this

    strategy, the LAPs are already seeking enforcement of the Ecuadorian judgment against

    subsidiaries of Chevron in multiple jurisdictions, and plan to file enforcement actions in others.

    Id. at 293.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    23/36

    17

    For example, on June 27, 2012, the LAPs filed an action against Chevron in the Superior

    Court of Justice (STJ) in Brasilia, Brazil, for recognition of the Ecuadorian judgment. Ex. 80. On

    March 11, 2013, Chevron filed its opposition to the LAPs request for exequatur of the Lago Agrio

    judgment. Champion Dec. 75. Chevron has also submitted several supplemental petitions to

    provide the STJ with new evidence as it is produced. The action remains pending, and is expected

    to take several years to resolve. Similarly, on November 21, 2012, the LAPs filed an exequatur

    complaint in Argentinas National Civil Trial Court 61 against Chevron for recognition of the

    Ecuadorian judgment. Ex. 81. On February 27, 2014, Chevron filed an opposition to the LAPs

    exequatur request. Champion Dec. 76. On March 11, 2014, an apostilled copy of the RICO

    judgment was filed in the Argentine enforcement proceedings attached to a 38-page filing

    highlighting the key overlap between the courts findings of fact and Chevrons allegations of

    fraud in its opposition to the LAPs exequatur request. Champion Dec. 77. The action is

    ongoing.

    Furthermore, the LAPs maintain a list of approximately 30 potential countries that

    recognize foreign judgments and where Chevron has assets and have vowed to file enforcement

    actions in these countries as necessary to ensure that the full amount of the judgment can be

    satisfied. Ex. 74 at 2.

    III. ARGUMENTTo obtain discovery under 28 U.S.C. 1782, the applicant must satisfy the statutory

    requirements as well as certain discretionary factors. The discovery Chevron seeks is highly

    relevant to the Gibraltar proceeding and the Enforcement Proceedings, and meets the minimal

    showings required by 1782. Chevrons request is narrowly tailored to obtain only those

    documents not previously produced in response to subpoenas to H5 in connection with the RICO

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    24/36

    18

    action. Chevron also seeks depositions of Nicolas Economou, Julia Brickell, and a deponent

    from H5 to provide testimony pursuant to Rule 30(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

    A. The Information Sought Is Highly Relevant and Presumptively Discoverable UnderSection 1782

    Where the information sought is relevant, it is presumptively discoverable under

    Section 1782. In re Bayer AG, 146 F.3d 188, 196 (3d Cir. 1998) (relevant evidence is

    presumptively discoverable under 1782 . . . .). Since 2009, Chevron, the LAPs, and the

    Republic of Ecuador all have sought Section 1782 discovery from multiple sources in aid of

    ongoing Ecuadorian litigation, as well as related international arbitration between the Republic

    of Ecuador and Chevron, including before this Court. SeeIn re Application of Chevron Corp.,

    736 F. Supp. 2d 773 (S.D.N.Y. 2010);In re Application of Chevron Corp., 749 F. Supp. 2d 141

    (S.D.N.Y. 2010). All of Chevrons applications that have been decided to date have been

    granted. Ex. 75.

    As discussed above, the discovery sought here is highly relevant to the Gibraltar

    proceeding and the Enforcement Proceedings because of H5s involvement in and knowledge of

    securing funding from DeLeon, as well as H5s involvement in and knowledge of the creation

    and use of Amazonia to facilitate funding and distribution of judgment proceeds. H5 is likely to

    have additional important information, for example, regarding DeLeons knowledge for purposes

    of the Gibraltar proceeding. Although H5 was soliciting and negotiating funding from DeLeon

    and Torvia, it also was involved in a number of the key aspects of the underlying fraud,

    including the obstruction of the Stratus 1782 proceedings, the cleansing process, and the public

    pressure campaign. H5 likely can speak to what information was shared with DeLeon while he

    was making his investment decisions, and the information and explanations shared with DeLeon

    when evidence of the frauds began to emerge in 2010 and when various courts decided that there

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    25/36

    19

    was prima facie evidence of crime/fraud. Accordingly, H5, Economou and Brickell are likely to

    have information relevant to DeLeon and Torvias knowledge of or reckless indifference

    regarding the fraud in the Lago Agrio and related litigations.

    B. The Requested Discovery Meets the Statutory Requirements of Section 1782Discovery under 28 U.S.C. 1782 is proper if: (1) directed at someone found within the

    District; (2) intended for use before a foreign tribunal; (3) based upon the application of a person

    interested in the foreign proceeding; and (4) not disclosing privileged materials. The discovery

    Chevron seeks in the present application satisfies each requirement.

    1.

    H5, Economou, and Brickell Are All Found Within this District and theDiscovery Sought Is Intended for Use Before a Foreign Tribunal

    Both Economou and Brickell live in Manhattan and, accordingly, can be found in this

    district. See In re Campania Chilena de Navegacion, No. 03 CV 5382 (ERK), 2004 WL

    1084243, at *4 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2004) (finding that physical presence in New York satisfied

    1782s requirement that the target reside or be found in the district);see also In re Edelman, 295

    F.3d 171, 179 (2d Cir. 2002) (holding that a witness who does not reside in New York may be

    found in the district merely by being served with a subpoena there);In re Oxus Gold PLC,

    MISC No. 06-82-GEB, 2007 WL 1037387, at *3-4 (D.N.J. Apr. 2, 2007) (holding that a resident

    of Russia who lived two months a year in New Jersey was found within that district).

    Similarly, H5 is found in the Southern District of New York. A corporation is

    found in a district where it conducts systematic and continuous activities. See In re

    Godfrey, 526 F. Supp. 2d 417, 422 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (citing Hans Smit,American Assistance to

    Litigation in Foreign and International Tribunals: Section 1782 of Title 28 of the U.S.C.

    Revisited, 25 Syracuse J. Intl L. & Com. 1, 10 (1998)). Courts considering 1782 petitions

    against corporations have held that a corporation is found in a district when the corporation

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    26/36

    20

    would be subject to personal jurisdiction in the district. See In re Application of Inversiones y

    Gasolinera Petroleos Valenzuela, S. de R.L., No. 08-20378-MC, 2011 WL 181311, at *8 (S.D.

    Fla. Jan. 19, 2011) ([S]ince it is undisputed that Exxon is subject to personal jurisdiction in this

    District by virtue of its continuous and systematic activities, the undersigned concludes that

    Exxon is found here within the meaning of section 1782.) (footnote omitted).

    H5s continuous and systematic contacts with Manhattan plainly satisfy this requirement.

    To assess whether a foreign corporation has maintained . . . continuous and systematic contacts

    with New York, courts focus on, among other factors: whether the company has an office in the

    state, whether it has any bank accounts or other property in the state, whether it has a phone

    listing in the state, whether it does public relations work there, and whether it has individuals

    permanently located in the state to promote its interests. Sandoval v. Abaco Club on Winding

    Bay, 507 F. Supp. 2d 312, 315-16 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (quoting Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum

    Co., 226 F.3d 88, 98 (2d Cir. 2000)). In Wiwa,the Second Circuit held that the presence of an

    Investor Relations office in New York City sufficed to confer jurisdiction. Wiwa, 226 F.3d at 99.

    Much like the defendant in Wiwa, H5 has a New York office (located at 340 Madison Avenue,

    New York, New York). Ex. 76. This office has individuals permanently located in the state to

    promote H5s interests, including the companys Executive Managing Director and General

    Counsel, Julia Brickell, and its Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Economou. Ex. 57; Ex. 26 at

    7. As H5s engagement with the LAPs confirms, the company offers consulting services out of

    its New York office. Ex. 26 at 7. And as that agreement further demonstrates, H5 has availed

    itself of the protections of New York law by choosing to apply it in binding arbitrations with its

    clients. Id. Thus, H5 is a business that may be found in this district. See Metro. Life Ins. Co.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    27/36

    21

    v. Robertson-Ceco Corp., 84 F.3d 560, 572-73 (2d Cir. 1996) (holding that a business had

    continuous and systematic contacts with Vermont even without physical presence in the state).

    And the discovery Chevron seeks is for use in proceedings before foreign tribunals: the

    Supreme Court of Gibraltar and the Enforcement Proceedings which the LAPs have filed and

    plan to file in multiple foreign jurisdictions. See, e.g.,Intel,542 U.S. at 258, 124 S. Ct. at 2479.

    The fact that certain of the Enforcement Proceedings have yet to be filed is of no consequence.

    InIntel, the Supreme Court held that section 1782(a) does not limit the provision of assistance

    to pending adjudicative proceedings and that 1782(a) requires only that a dispositive ruling

    . . . be within reasonable contemplation. Id.at 253-254, 258-259, 2476-77, 2479-80;see also,e.g.,In re Oxus Gold PLC, 2007 WL 1037387, at *6 (D.N.J. Apr. 2, 2007) (noting the

    petitioners claims that it has made plain its intention to pursue litigation and holding that

    [t]he fact that any information elicited pursuant to the Section 1782 Order may not be

    immediately presented to the foreign courts does not compel that the Section 1782 Order be

    vacated); In re Application of Winning (HK) Shipping Co. Ltd., No. 0922659MC, 2010 WL

    1796579 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 30, 2010) (granting application for use in foreign and international

    arbitration proceedings that Petitioner intendedto commence). Here, there is no question that

    additional enforcement actions to be filed by the LAPs are within reasonable contemplation.

    See, e.g., RICO Opinion at 292-93; Ex. 74 at 2.

    2. Chevron Is an Interested PersonAs the claimant in the Gibraltar proceeding and a party to the Enforcement Proceedings

    (as well as a party to potential future enforcement actions), Chevron is an interested person. In

    re Strand Invs. Ltd., No. 09-21985-CIV., 2009 WL 2225536, at *1 (S.D. Fla. July 24, 2009)

    (interested person includes parties to international proceedings);In re Oxus Gold PLC, No.

    MISC 06-82-GEB, 2007 WL 1037387, at *7 (D.N.J. Apr. 2, 2007) (The Supreme Court inIntel

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    28/36

    22

    held that the text of 1782(a), upon the application of any interested person, plainly reaches

    beyond the universe of persons designated litigant.) (internal quotation marks and citation

    omitted). Accordingly, the statutory prerequisites for discovery under 28 U.S.C. 1782 are met.

    3. The Discovery Sought Is Not PrivilegedThe requested discovery is not privileged. First, documents created before October 21,

    2010 are subject to the waiver imposed on Donziger in the Chevron Section 1782 proceeding

    against him because Donziger has possession, custody, or control over documents in H5s

    possession and should have produced them in response to Chevrons subpoena. See In re

    Chevron Corp., 749 F. Supp. 2d 170, 185 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (finding that each and everyprivilege claim with respect to the documents sought by [Chevrons] subpoenas has been

    waived); Chevron Corp. v. Donziger,No. 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 1012, at *14 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 12,

    2013) (This Court finds that Donziger controlled the documents in Garrs possession and

    therefore waived privilege as to all of them.).

    Second, in this subpoena, Chevron largely seeks documents related to financing and

    distribution of judgment proceeds. These documents do not represent legal advice, United

    States v. Mejia, 655 F.3d 126, 132 (2d Cir. 2011), nor do they represent Donzigers or the LAPs

    legal theories and strategy [developed] with an eye toward litigation, cf.United States v.

    Adman, 134 F.3d 1194, 1196 (2d Cir. 1998) (internal quotation marks omitted). Consequently,

    they are not protected by either the attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine.

    Third, even if these documents contained any privileged material, such material was

    disclosed to non-privileged third-parties: the various funders of Donzigers and the LAPs

    scheme. While these funders may share a commercial interest with Donziger and the LAPs in

    seeing that their scheme can continue, such interest is insufficient to create the identical legal

    interest necessary to provide for a joint-defense privilege. See United States v. Ghavami, 882 F.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    29/36

    23

    Supp. 2d 532, 53738 (S.D.N.Y. 2012); SR Intl Bus. Ins. Co. v. World Trade Ctr. Prop. LLC,

    No. 01 CIV 9291 (JSM), 2002 WL 1455346, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. July 3, 2002).

    4. The Crime-Fraud Exception AppliesThis Court has already held that the crime-fraud exception applies to specific categories

    of documents related to the underlying fraudulent scheme against Chevron. To the extent H5 has

    documents in those categories and has not already produced them to Chevron, they too are

    subject to the crime-fraud exception. Where there is probable cause to believe that a fraud or

    crime has been committed by someone and that the communications in question were in

    furtherance of the fraud or crime, no privilege or work product protection exists. Chevron Corpv. Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 905 at 6 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 15, 2013) (internal marks and emphasis

    omitted). Probable cause exists where a prudent person has a reasonable basis to suspect the

    perpetration or attempted perpetration of a crime or fraud, and that the communications were in

    furtherance thereof. Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 1012 at 17-18 (S.D.N.Y.

    April 12, 2013) (internal marks omitted).

    There is little doubt that crime and/or fraud was committed here, and that H5s work and

    communications were in furtherance of aspects of the scheme.4 For example, H5 participated in

    4 Numerous other courts have also found that the crime-fraud exception to privilege applies to

    documents related to the LAPs fraudulent and extortionate scheme. See Chevron Corp. v.Salazar, 275 F.R.D. 437, 455 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (Chevron has thus carried its burden ofdemonstrating that the crime-fraud exception applies to the creation of the Calmbacherreport, the Cabrera report, and the cleansing memos.);In re Chevron Corp.(Kamp 1782),

    Civil Nos. 10-MC-21JH/LFG, 10MC22 J/LFG., 2010 WL 9545704, at *7 (D.N.M. Sept.13, 2010) (finding that . . . discussions trigger the crime-fraud exception, because they relateto corruption of the judicial process, the preparation of fraudulent reports, the fabrication ofevidence, and the preparation of the purported expert reports by the attorneys and theirconsultants);In re Chevron Corp.(E-Tech 1782), No. 10-cv-1146-IEG (WMc), 2010 WL3584520, at *6 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 10, 2010)) (upholding Magistrate Judges application ofcrime-fraud exception because [t]here is ample evidence in the record that the EcuadorianPlaintiffs secretly provided information to Mr. Cabrera, who was supposedly a neutral court-appointed expert, and colluded with Mr. Cabrera to make it look like the opinions were his

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    30/36

    24

    the obstruction of the Stratus 1782 proceeding, and also helped recruit funders such as Burford

    using misrepresentations and lies of omission. See RICO Opinionat 167,supra Sections II.A.2,

    II.A.5. In the RICO Opinion, this Court held by a preponderance of the evidence that the LAPs

    engaged in obstruction in the Stratus 1782 proceeding, RICO Opinion at 38889, and that there

    is not much doubt that Donziger misled Burford either by misstating or failing to disclose

    material facts in his determination to raise money to pay for the litigation, id. at 175.5

    Furthermore, while there is evidence that H5 was aware of the fraud, such a finding is not

    necessary to establish applicability of the crime-fraud exception. In re Grand Jury Subpoena

    Duces Tecum Dated Sept. 15, 1983, 731 F.2d 1032, 1038 (2d Cir. 1984) (holding that

    communications in furtherance of a crime or fraud are properly excluded from the scope of the

    privilege even if the attorney is unaware that his advice is sought in furtherance of such an

    own); Chevron Corp. v. Page, No. RWT-11-1942, Hearing Tr. at 11:2-24 (D. Md. Aug. 31,2011) (Ex. 78) (applying crime-fraud exception to documents held by LAPs representativeAaron Page).

    5 Among the conduct to which the crime-fraud exception could potentially be found applicable

    here is the cleansing expert scheme, in which H5 was an active participant. Section II.A.3,supra. This Court previously declined to apply the crime-fraud exception to that scheme inthe context of denying Patton Boggs motion to quash the discovery subpoena served on it byChevron before the RICO trial, finding insufficient factual basis at that earlier stage,despite whatever questionable conduct may have been done to convince the Ecuadoriancourt to permit their filing. Chevron Corp. v. Donziger, 11 Civ. 0691, Dkt. 905 at 64(S.D.N.Y. Mar. 15, 2013). Chevron submits that the full evidentiary record since adduced atthe RICO trial supports application of the crime-fraud exception to the cleansing expertscheme. Indeed, that evidence established that the cleansing experts themselves were misledin order to procure the reports that the co-conspirators with whom H5 was working on thisproject then submitted to the Ecuadorian court as cover for the Cabrera fraud and the

    resulting huge damages figure ultimately awarded there. As this Court found in its opinion:Westenberger of Patton Boggs and Donziger told employees of the Weinberg Group thatCabrera wrote the report and was an independent expert. . . ., and that [t]he WeinbergGroup was not told that Cabrera had met with the LAPs representatives without the LagoAgrio courts knowledge or that Stratus had worked with the LAPs lawyers to write theReport under Cabreras name. RICO Opinion at 178;see also id. at 262 (Donziger did notinform the Weinberg Group or the cleansing experts that Cabrera had not beenindependent). And H5 was unquestionably involved in this cleansing expert process.Indeed, it was Brickell who sent the Weinberg Group the Cabrera Report. Ex. 38.

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    31/36

    25

    improper purpose.); United States v. Kerik, 531 F. Supp. 2d 610, 617 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) ([T]he

    statements would still be admissible under the crime-fraud exception, even where, as here, the

    attorney was not a knowing participant in the crime or fraud in question.).

    C. Discretionary Factors Also Heavily Favor the Requested DiscoveryThe Supreme Court has directed district courts to consider four additional factors in

    exercising their discretion to grant a Section 1782 application: (1) whether the person from

    whom discovery is sought is a party in the foreign proceeding; (2) the receptivity of the foreign

    tribunal to federal-court assistance; (3) whether the request conceals an attempt to circumvent

    foreign proof-gathering restrictions; and (4) whether the request is unduly intrusive or

    burdensome. See Intel, 542 U.S. at 264-65, 124 S. Ct. at 2483;In re Heraeus Kulzer, GmbH,

    No. 09-MC-00017, 2009 WL 2981921, at *2 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 11, 2009), vacated on other grounds

    by390 F. Appx 88 (3d Cir. 2010);In re Oxus, 2007 WL 1037387, at *3-4 (D.N.J. Apr. 2, 2007).

    As detailed below, each factor weighs in favor of granting the requested discovery.

    1. H5, Economou, and Brickell Are Not Parties to the Gibraltar Proceeding orthe Enforcement Actions

    One discretionary factor is whether the parties from whom discovery is sought are parties

    to the foreign litigation at issue. Intel Corp., 542 U.S. at 264, 124 S. Ct. at 2483;In re Roz

    Trading Ltd., Case No. 1:06-cv-02305-WSD, 2007 WL 120844, at *2 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 11, 2007)

    (Respondent is not a party to the arbitration, and on this ground alone the firstIntelfactor is

    satisfied.). The parties to be subpoenaed here, H5 and two of its executives, are not parties to

    the Gibraltar proceeding or the Enforcement Proceedings. This is not a situation where [a]

    foreign tribunal has jurisdiction over those appearing before it, and can itself order them to

    produce evidence. Intel, 542 U.S. at 264, 124 S. Ct. at 244. The status of H5 as a United States

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    32/36

    26

    resident under the jurisdiction of this Court thus weighs heavily in favor of granting this

    Application.

    2. The Foreign Tribunal Is Receptive to Federal Court Assistance UnderSection 1782

    Section 1782 discovery also is appropriate here because the Gibraltar Supreme Court can

    receive and act upon Section 1782 discovery in accordance with its own rules of evidence.

    Receptivity is not a question of whether the foreign court would permit discovery in this or any

    other particular case; instead, it is an inquiry into whether a foreign legal system would reject

    evidence obtained with the aid of section 1782. In re Application. of OOO Promnefstroy, No.

    M 19-99 (RJS), 2009 WL 3335608, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 15, 2009) (emphasis in original);see

    also In re Bayer AG, 146 F.3d 188, 196 (3d Cir. 1998);Euromepa S.A. v. R. Esmerian, Inc., 51

    F.3d 1095, 1100 (2d Cir. 1995) (burden is on party opposing Section 1782 discovery to prove

    lack of receptivity). To show lack of receptivity, a party must provide authoritative proof that

    the foreign tribunal would reject the evidence sought under Section 1782. See Promnefstroy,

    2009 WL 3335608, at *7. No such authoritative proof exists here.

    Rather, the Gibraltar court is receptive to this discovery as it has already reviewed and

    considered thousands of pages of evidence from both Chevron and Defendants DeLeon and

    Torvia, much of which was obtained through prior Section 1782 discovery proceedings. Ex. 1 at

    6, 41(ii) (stating [t]he bundles [of document submitted by the parties] contain thousands of

    pages of documents, including pleadings, statements and judicial and economic authorities on a

    wide range of legal issues. I have read them all at least once and discussing the evidence

    uncovered by Chevron in various Section 1782 proceedings).

    Furthermore, there is no evidence that the courts in Brazil and Argentina would be

    unreceptive to Section 1782 discovery. See, e.g.,In re IPC Do Nordeste, LTDA, for an Order

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    33/36

    27

    Seeking Discovery Under 28 U.S.C. 1782, No. 12-50624, 2012 WL 4448886 (E.D. Mich. Sept.

    25, 2012) (internal quotations omitted) ([T]here is . . . no conclusive evidence that a Brazilian

    court would be unreceptive to materials discovered here.) ;Pott v. Icicle Seafoods, Inc., 945 F.

    Supp. 2d 1197, 1200 (W.D. Wash. 2013) (noting a lack of evidence that an Argentinian court

    would be unreceptive to Section 1782 discovery).

    3. This Application Is an Attempt to Obtain Probative and Relevant Evidencefor a Foreign Proceeding and Does Not Circumvent Foreign Proof-Gathering

    Restrictions

    The third discretionaryIntelfactor, whether the applicant is attempting to circumvent

    foreign proof-gathering restrictions, is meant to preclude bad faith misuse of the process. There

    is no requirement for an applicant to seek discovery of the materials from the foreign tribunal

    before filing a Section 1782 application. Intel, 542 U.S. at 253, 124 S. Ct. at 2476 (We now

    hold that 1782(a) does not impose . . . a [foreign-discoverability] requirement.);see also

    Minatec Fin. S. .R.L. v. SI Grp. Inc., No. 1:08-CV-269 (LEK/RFT), 2008 WL 3884374, at *8

    (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 18, 2008);In re Bayer, 146 F.3d at 196 (Indeed, a quasi-exhaustion

    requirement . . . has been rejected by those courts that have addressed it.).

    Every court to have considered Chevrons prior Section 1782 applications, including this

    Court, has found that Chevrons requests for discovery into the ongoing fraud are made in good

    faith and are not an attempt to circumvent foreign restrictions. See, e.g.,In re Application of

    Chevron Corp., 709 F. Supp. 2d 283, 293 (S.D.N.Y. 2010), aff'd sub nom., Chevron Corp. v.

    Berlinger, 629 F.3d 297 (2d Cir. 2011) (finding that respondents argument that Chevron

    attempted to circumvent foreign proof-gathering restrictions is without merit);In re Chevron

    Corp., 753 F. Supp. 2d 536, 54041 (D. Md. 2010);In re Veiga, 746 F. Supp. 2d 8, 25 (D.D.C.

    2010) (There is no evidence in the record none that would lead this Court to believe that

    Applicants have sought to circumvent the proof-gathering procedures or policies of the foreign

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    34/36

    28

    tribunals or otherwise brought their applications in bad faith.);In re Application of Chevron

    Corp., No. 1:10-MI-0076-TWT-GGB, 2010 WL 8767265, at *4 (N.D. Ga. Mar. 2, 2010)

    ([T]here is nothing before this court to suggest that Chevron is attempting to conceal an attempt

    to circumvent foreign proof-gathering restrictions.);In re Application of Chevron Corp., No.

    4:10-mc-134, 2010 WL 8814519, at *1 (S.D. Tex. Apr. 5, 2010) (The Court finds that the

    Application does not conceal an attempt to circumvent foreign proof gathering restrictions, and

    the discovery is not being sought in bad faith.). Furthermore, Gibraltar is a nation with

    comparable rules to assist parties in obtaining evidence for use in foreign proceedings. See

    Gibraltar Act No. 1948-10 (Evidence Act) 911 (addressing applications for assistance in

    obtaining evidence in foreign civil proceedings in another court outside of Gibraltar). Moreover,

    Chevrons requests for discovery in aid of the Enforcement Proceedings are also made in good

    faith and are not an attempt to circumvent foreign restrictions. See, e.g.,In re Application for an

    Order for Judicial Assistance in a Foreign Proceeding in the Labor Court of Brazil, 466 F.

    Supp. 2d 1020, 1032 (N.D. Ill. 2006) (finding application for discovery under Section 1782 was

    not an attempt to circumvent Brazilian proof-gathering restrictions and that this factor supports

    granting the discovery request.). Accordingly, this factor also weighs in Chevrons favor.

    4. The Discovery Is Neither Unduly Burdensome Nor IntrusiveChevrons discovery requests are neither unduly burdensome nor intrusive. See London

    v. Does 1-4, 279 F. Appx 513, 515 (9th Cir. 2008). The proposed subpoena requests documents

    relating to H5s involvement in and knowledge of securing funding from DeLeon and Torvia, as

    well as documents related to the underlying fraudulent conduct that H5 and DeLeon furthered

    with their assistance to and funding of the LAPs. To the extent the subpoena overlaps with prior

    subpoenas, it is limited to categories of documents most relevant to the Gibraltar proceeding that

    H5 may not have previously produced, and documents related to the underlying fraud that post-

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    35/36

    29

    date the prior subpoenas and that H5 did not previously produce or log in response to those

    subpoenas, i.e., documents which were created or received after November 30, 2012. Compare

    Exs. 3-4 with Exhibit A.

    The proposed depositions are amply justified. Economou refused to testify numerous

    times during his Count 9 deposition in response to questions about H5s knowledge of and

    participation in key aspects of the scheme. There is no genuine dispute that issues such as H5s

    participation in the Cabrera fraud, the cleansing experts, and negotiation of funding agreements

    from DeLeon and others go to the heart of a criminal enterprise that resulted in the procurement

    of a fraudulent judgment. While Economou was deposed in the Count 9 action, that deposition

    was restricted to topics relevant to that proceeding, and H5s interactions with and knowledge

    relating to DeLeon and Torvia were not a focus. In addition, the documents produced to date

    show that Julia Brickell, who was not previously deposed, was also involved in these activities

    and is an important source of information. The Court should permit these depositions, as well as

    a deposition of a deponent from H5 pursuant to Rule 30(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil

    Procedure, to proceed. The Court should also rule that, to the extent any claim of privilege is

    raised, the crime/fraud exception should apply to prevent H5 from continuing to contribute to the

    LAPs ongoing efforts to obstruct and conceal the true extent of the outrageous misconduct at the

    heart of the Lago Agrio litigation, the Gibraltar proceeding, and the Enforcement Proceedings.

    In short, Chevron has tailored its requests to seek only those materials relevant to the

    Gibraltar proceeding and enforcement actions, and obtaining this discovery from H5 is crucial to

    Chevrons efforts to uncover further evidence of an ongoing fraud and its financing. See

    London, 279 F. Appx at 515 (no undue burden [g]iven the need for the evidence, and the

    minimal invasion required where 1782 request tailored narrowly).

  • 5/26/2018 h5

    36/36