Case: Ligaya Ronduen v. The Geo Group, Inc.

5:23-cv-00481 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: March 20, 2023

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This is a case about the alleged improper use of a toxic chemical at Adelanto Immigration Detention Facility. On March 20, 2023, seven individuals currently and formerly detained at Adelanto Detention Center (“Adelanto” or “the Facility”) filed this putative class action in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiffs sued The GEO Group (“GEO”, the owner and operator of the facility in which they were detained) under state law. Represented by the Social Justice Legal Foundation, the plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages. They also sought to certify a class of “[a]ll persons who were detained at Adelanto Detention Center between February 2020 through April 2021 that were exposed to HDQ Neutral” ("detained class”). The case was assigned to Judge Dale S. Fischer and Magistrate Judge Kenly Kiya Kato.

The plaintiffs alleged that GEO had improperly used a toxic chemical at Adelanto from February 2020 through April 2021. Specifically, they claimed that the defendant, in response to COVID-19, had sprayed a powerful aerosol chemical called HDQ Neutral throughout the facility. While it was used as a cleaning disinfectant before the pandemic, the plaintiffs alleged that GEO had significantly changed the manner and frequency of its use beginning in February 2020. Due to the continued exposure, the plaintiffs allegedly suffered from a variety of negative side effects.

The plaintiffs asserted that: (1) GEO was negligent in its use of HDQ neutral and breached its duty to the plaintiffs; (2) GEO committed battery by intentionally harming the plaintiffs through their spraying of HDQ Neutral; (3) GEO controlled the premises of the Adelanto facility at all times and created a hazardous condition on the premises through the spraying of HDQ neutral; (4) GEO concealed its improper use of HDQ Neutral and failed to fulfill the special duty owed to inform the plaintiffs of the improper use; (5) GEO made false representations to the public and the plaintiffs about its use of HDQ Neutral and also about the lack of PPE available to protect plaintiffs from the toxic chemical; and (5) GEO made false representations to both the public and the plaintiffs about its use of HDQ Neutral and intended for them to rely on those misrepresentations. They claimed that all of these actions violated California state law.

On April 3, 2023, the case was transferred to Judge Jesus G. Bernal and referred to Magistrate Judge Shashi H. Kewalramani for all further proceedings.

As of April 16, 2023 this case was ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Rhea Sharma (4/16/2023)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 5:23-cv-00481	Class Action Complaint for Damages Ronduen v. The Geo Group, Inc.	March 20, 2023	March 20, 2023 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67052361/ligaya-ronduen-v-the-geo-group-inc/

Last updated Aug. 29, 2023, 5:28 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT Receipt No: ACACDC-34990110 - Fee: $402, filed by Plaintiffs Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Carlos Castillo, Somboon Phaymany, Yolanda Mendoza, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo. (Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Carlos Castillo(pty:pla), Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena(pty:pla), Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Cesar Hernandez Carrillo(pty:pla), Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Yolanda Mendoza(pty:pla), Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Somboon Phaymany(pty:pla), Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Ligaya Ronduen(pty:pla), Attorney Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Morales added to party Miriam Scheetz(pty:pla))(Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 03/20/2023)	March 20, 2023	March 20, 2023 Clearinghouse
2	CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. (Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 03/20/2023)	March 20, 2023	March 20, 2023 PACER
3	Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening),,, 1 filed by Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. (Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 03/20/2023)	March 20, 2023	March 20, 2023 PACER
4	NOTICE of Related Case(s) filed by Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. Related Case(s): 22-cv-4014-JGB; 17-cv-2514-JGB; 20-cv-768-TJH; 0-cv-590-JGB (Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 03/20/2023)	March 20, 2023	March 20, 2023 RECAP
5	Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli counsel for Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. Adding Vanessa M. Domenichelli as counsel of record for Plaintiffs for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiffs LIGAYA RONDUEN; CARLOS CASTILLO; MIRIAM SCHEETZ; CESAR HERNANDEZ CARRILLO; WILFREDO GONZALEZ MENA; SOMBOON PHAYMANY; and YOLANDA MENDOZA. (Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Carlos Castillo(pty:pla), Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena(pty:pla), Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Cesar Hernandez Carrillo(pty:pla), Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Yolanda Mendoza(pty:pla), Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Somboon Phaymany(pty:pla), Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Ligaya Ronduen(pty:pla), Attorney Vanessa M Domenichelli added to party Miriam Scheetz(pty:pla))(Domenichelli, Vanessa) (Entered: 03/21/2023)	March 21, 2023	March 21, 2023 PACER
6	Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez counsel for Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. Adding Alyssa Martinez as counsel of record for Plaintiffs for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiffs LIGAYA RONDUEN; CARLOS CASTILLO; MIRIAM SCHEETZ; CESAR HERNANDEZ CARRILLO; WILFREDO GONZALEZ MENA; SOMBOON PHAYMANY; and YOLANDA MENDOZA. (Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Carlos Castillo(pty:pla), Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena(pty:pla), Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Cesar Hernandez Carrillo(pty:pla), Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Yolanda Mendoza(pty:pla), Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Somboon Phaymany(pty:pla), Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Ligaya Ronduen(pty:pla), Attorney Alyssa Carmen Martinez added to party Miriam Scheetz(pty:pla))(Martinez, Alyssa) (Entered: 03/21/2023)	March 21, 2023	March 21, 2023 PACER
7	Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Amelia Piazza counsel for Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. Adding Amelia Piazza as counsel of record for Plaintiffs for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiffs LIGAYA RONDUEN; CARLOS CASTILLO; MIRIAM SCHEETZ; CESAR HERNANDEZ CARRILLO; WILFREDO GONZALEZ MENA; SOMBOON PHAYMANY; and YOLANDA MENDOZA. (Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Carlos Castillo(pty:pla), Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena(pty:pla), Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Cesar Hernandez Carrillo(pty:pla), Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Yolanda Mendoza(pty:pla), Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Somboon Phaymany(pty:pla), Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Ligaya Ronduen(pty:pla), Attorney Amelia Piazza added to party Miriam Scheetz(pty:pla))(Piazza, Amelia) (Entered: 03/21/2023)	March 21, 2023	March 21, 2023 PACER
8	Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Shubhra Shivpuri counsel for Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz. Adding Shubhra Shivpuri as counsel of record for Plaintiffs for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Plaintiffs LIGAYA RONDUEN; CARLOS CASTILLO; MIRIAM SCHEETZ; CESAR HERNANDEZ CARRILLO; WILFREDO GONZALEZ MENA; SOMBOON PHAYMANY; and YOLANDA MENDOZA. (Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Carlos Castillo(pty:pla), Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena(pty:pla), Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Cesar Hernandez Carrillo(pty:pla), Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Yolanda Mendoza(pty:pla), Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Somboon Phaymany(pty:pla), Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Ligaya Ronduen(pty:pla), Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri added to party Miriam Scheetz(pty:pla))(Shivpuri, Shubhra) (Entered: 03/21/2023)	March 21, 2023	March 21, 2023 PACER
9	NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to District Judge Dale S. Fischer and Magistrate Judge Kenly Kiya Kato. (jtil) (Entered: 03/22/2023)	March 22, 2023	March 22, 2023 PACER
10	NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (jtil) (Entered: 03/22/2023)	March 22, 2023	March 22, 2023 PACER
11	Notice to Counsel Re Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge. (jtil) (Entered: 03/22/2023)	March 22, 2023	March 22, 2023 PACER
	Notice of Assignment to United States Judges (CV-18) - optional html form	March 22, 2023	March 22, 2023 PACER
12	STANDING ORDER FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE DALE S. FISCHER upon filing of the complaint by Judge Dale S. Fischer. If a party would be entitled to attorneys fees, counsel are referred to the Order Re Fees found on Court's website under Judge Fischer's Procedures and Schedules contained in the Judge's Requirements tab. Read all Orders carefully. They govern this case and differ in some respects from the Local Rules. COUNSEL ARE ORDERED TO PROVIDE A MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPY OF THE COMPLAINT, NOTICE OF REMOVAL, AND ANY OTHER INITIATING DOCUMENTS. (rfi) (Entered: 03/23/2023)	March 23, 2023	March 23, 2023 PACER
13	21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening), 1 as to Defendant The Geo Group, Inc. (jtil) (Entered: 03/23/2023)	March 23, 2023	March 23, 2023 PACER
14	PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Carlos Castillo, Somboon Phaymany, Yolanda Mendoza, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, upon Defendant The Geo Group, Inc. served on 3/23/2023, answer due 4/13/2023. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Defendant The Geo Group, Inc.'s Agent for Service Corporate Creations Network, Inc. in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service.Original Summons returned. (Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 03/24/2023)	March 24, 2023	March 24, 2023 PACER
15	Certification and NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz, (Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 03/27/2023)	March 27, 2023	March 27, 2023 PACER
16	ORDER RE TRANSFER PURSUANT TO GENERAL ORDER 21-01-Related Case- filed. Related Case No: 5:17-cv-02514 JGB(SHKx). Case transferred from Judge Dale S. Fischer and Magistrate Judge Kenly Kiya Kato to Judge Jesus G. Bernal and Magistrate Judge Shashi H. Kewalramani for all further proceedings. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judge 5:23-cv-00481 JGB(SHKx). Signed by Judge Jesus G. Bernal (rn) (Entered: 04/03/2023)	April 3, 2023	April 3, 2023 PACER
17	STANDING ORDER upon filing of the complaint by Judge Jesus G. Bernal. (ima) (Entered: 04/06/2023)	April 6, 2023	April 6, 2023 PACER
18	PROOF OF SERVICE filed by Plaintiffs Carlos Castillo, Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, Cesar Hernandez Carrillo, Yolanda Mendoza, Somboon Phaymany, Ligaya Ronduen, Miriam Scheetz, re Initial Order upon Filing of Complaint - form only 17, Transferring Case purs GO 21-01 (Related Case)(CV-34), 16 served on April 7, 2023. (Gonzalez Morales, Maria) (Entered: 04/11/2023)	April 11, 2023	April 11, 2023 PACER