These documents are/were non-copyright, open source public record as of October 12 2002.
We are releasing them under our right to report news and freedom of speech. 

 

Docket as of August 16, 2002 5:17 pm Web PACER (v2.4)



U.S. District Court

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta

CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 00-CV-775

Baffa, et al v. Papanier, et al

Filed: 03/24/00
Assigned to: Judge Horace T. Ward
Jury demand: Plaintiff
Demand: $0,000
Nature of Suit: 820
Lead Docket: None
Jurisdiction: Federal Question
Dkt # in USDC/ND/CA-San Fra. : is C99-05155 CRB
Cause: 15:1125(a) False representation-goods sold-interstate commer




LIGHTHOUSE SANCTUARY YOUTH        John P. Costello, phv
FOUNDATION, INC., a nonprofit     Law Offices of John P. Costello
corporation                       331 J Street
     plaintiff                    Sacramento, CA 95814
 [term  03/30/01]                 916-441-2234

JOE BAFFA                         John P. Costello, phv
aka                                [term  06/29/00] 
Rocky Scarfone                    (See above)
     plaintiff                    [COR LD NTC]

                                  Joe Baffa
                                  [COR LD NTC] [PRO SE]
                                  1426 Web Gin House Road
                                  Lawrenceville, GA 30045
                                  770-736-6890

   v.

TOM PAPANIER, an individual       Stephen Andrew Yaklin
aka                               [COR LD NTC]
Tom Papania                       Brock Clay Calhoun Wilson &
dba                               Rogers
God's Saving Grace Ministries     49 Atlanta Street
     defendant                    Marietta, GA 30060-8611
                                  770-422-1776

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, an entity    Daniel Arthur Kent
believed to be a nonprofit         [term  11/30/00] 
corporation                       Below Address Terminated on 3/11/02
     defendant                    770-980-3431 Direct
 [term  11/30/00]                 [COR LD NTC]
                                  Joseph Windsor Ozmer, II
                                   [term  11/30/00] 

                                  Below Address Terminated on 2/28/02
                                  [COR LD NTC]
                                  Hartman Simons Spielman & Wood
                                  6400 Powers Ferry Road, N.W.
                                  Fourth Floor
                                  Atlanta, GA 30339
                                  770-955-3555

                                  Roger R. Myers, phv
                                   [term  04/20/00] 
                                  [COR LD NTC]
                                  Lisa M. Sitkin, phv
                                   [term  04/20/00] 
                                  [COR LD NTC]
                                  Steinhart & Falconer
                                  333 Market Street
                                  Suite 3200
                                  San Francisco, CA 94105-2150
                                  415-777-3999

THE CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING        Joseph M. Beck
NETWORK, an entity believed to     [term  05/19/00] 
be a non-profit corporation       [COR LD NTC]
     defendant                    Richard Charles Henn, Jr.
 [term  05/19/00]                  [term  05/19/00] 
                                  [COR LD NTC]
                                  Kilpatrick Stockton
                                  1100 Peachtree Street
                                  Suite 2800
                                  Atlanta, GA 30309-4530
                                  404-815-6500

                                  Christine M. Morgan, phv
                                   [term  05/04/00] 
                                  [COR LD NTC]
                                  Morgan W. Tovey, phv
                                   [term  05/04/00] 
                                  [COR LD NTC]
                                  Crosby Heafey Roach & May
                                  Two Embarcadero Center
                                  P.O. Box 7936
                                  Suite 2000
                                  San Francisco, CA 94111
                                  415-543-8700





DOCKET     PROCEEDINGS



DATE     #                   DOCKET     ENTRY


3/24/00  1       COMPLAINT filed and summons(es) issued; w/jury demand.
                 (complaint filed on 12/3/99 in USDC ND CA) (er)
                 [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  12      NOTICE OF MOTION by dft Focus on the Family to transfer
                 venue, or in the alternative, to dismiss plas' federal
                 claims with brief in support. (motion file on 2/14/00 in
                 USDC ND CA) (er) [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  13      MOTION by dft Tom Papanier to transfer venue, or in the
                 alternative, to dismiss plas' federal claims with brief
                 in support.     (motion filed on 2/14/00 in USDC ND CA) (er)
                 [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  14      NOTICE AND MOTION by dft Christian Broad to transfer venue
                 with brief in support.  (motion filed on 2/14/00 in USDC
                 ND CA) (er) [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  15      DECLARATION by Andrew Freeman on behalf of dft Christian
                 Broadcast in support of [14-1] motion to transfer venue.
                 (declaration filed on 2/14/00 in USDC ND CA) (er)
                 [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  16      DECLARATION by Christine M. Morgan on behalf of dft
                 Christian Broadcast in support of [14-1] motion to transfer
                 venue.  (declaration filed on 2/14/00 in USDC ND CA) (er)
                 [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  17      NOTICE OF MOTION by dft Christian Broadcast to dismiss
                 with brief in support. (motion filed on 2/14/00 in USDC ND
                 CA) (er) [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  18      APPENDIX of U.S. Patent Quarterly cases by dft Christian
                 Broadcast in support of [17-1] motion to dismiss. (appendix
                 filed on 2/14/00 in USDC ND CA) (er) [Entry date 04/10/00]


3/24/00  19      STIPULATION AND ORDER [12-1] [13-1] [14-1] to transfer case
                 to the Northern District of Georgia. (order file on
                 03/10/00 in USDC ND CA) (er) [Entry date 04/14/00]


3/24/00  --      Original file, certified copy of transfer order and docket
                 sheet received from USDC ND CA, Civil Action No. C 99-05155
                 CRB, Ntc. to counsel & Clerk, USDC ND CA. (er)
                 [Entry date 04/14/00]


4/6/00   20      MOTION to withdraw by John P. Costello as attorney for
                 Lighthouse Sanctuary and Joe Baffa with brief in support.
                 (er) [Entry date 04/11/00] [Edit date 04/14/00]


4/20/00  21      Certification of Consent to Substitution of Counsel for dft
                 Focus on the Family. Daniel A. Kent replacing attorney
                 Roger R. Myers and Lisa M. Sitkin for dft Focus on the
                 Family. (er) [Entry date 04/21/00]


4/20/00  --      Added attorney for Focus on the Family: Daniel Arthur Kent.
                 (er) [Entry date 05/08/00]


5/1/00   --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on [20-1] motion to
                 withdraw by John P. Costello as attorney for Lighthouse
                 Sanctuary and Joe Baffa (er) [Entry date 05/01/00]


5/3/00   22      Notice of certificate of consent to withdraw by plas'
                 counsel, John P. Costello.  Pla Joe Baffa a/k/a Rocky
                 Scarfone will appear pro se on behalf of himself and on
                 behalf of Lighthoused Santuary Youth Foundation, Inc. (er)
                 [Entry date 05/10/00]


5/4/00   23      Certification of Consent to Substitution of Counsel for
                 defendant Christian Broadcast Network. Joseph M. Beck, and
                 Richard Charles Henn Jr. replacing attorney Christine M.
                 Morgan and attorney Morgan W. Tovey for Christian Broadcast
                 Network. (bek) [Entry date 05/05/00]
                 [Edit date 05/10/00]


5/8/00   24      AMENDMENT TD COMPLAINT by plas;  w/JURY DEMAND. (er)
                 [Entry date 05/10/00]


5/9/00   25      CONSENT ORDER extending thru 5/24/00 w/in which dft Focus
                 on the Family answer to [1-1] plas' complaint; approved by
                 dep/clerk. Answer due 5/24/00 for dft Focus on the
                 Family (cc) (er) [Entry date 05/10/00]


5/10/00  26      MOTION by dft Tom Papanier to dismiss pla's complaint
                 with brief in support. (er) [Entry date 05/15/00]
(Plaintiff Decision)

5/19/00  27      SUBMITTED by PLAINTIFF Stipulation of dismissal with prejudice
                 as to dft The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.; approved by
                 dep/clerk.  (cc) (er) [Entry date 05/23/00]


5/24/00  28      MOTION by dft Focus on the Family to dismiss with brief
                 in support. (er) [Entry date 05/25/00]


5/30/00  29      ANSWERS TO MANDATORY DISCLOSURES by plaintiffs (bsm)
                 [Entry date 05/31/00]


5/30/00  30      Response by plaintiffs to [26-1] motion to dismiss pla's
                 complaint (bsm) [Entry date 05/31/00]


6/1/00   31      MOTION by dft Tom Papanier to dismiss pla Joe Baffa's
                 amendment to complaint. (er) [Entry date 06/02/00]


6/2/00   --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on [26-1] motion to
                 dismiss pla's complaint by dft Tom Papanier. (er)
                 [Entry date 06/02/00]


6/2/00   32      RESPONSE by pla to [28-1] dft Focus on the Family's motion
                 to dismiss with brief in support. (er) [Entry date 06/05/00]


6/16/00  33      Reply Brief by defendant Focus on the Family in support of
                 [28-1] motion to dismiss (als) [Entry date 06/19/00]


6/22/00  34      ANSWER by plas to Focus on the Familys' reply brief in
                 support of [28-1] motion to dismiss (er)
                 [Entry date 06/27/00]


6/27/00  35      RESPONSE by pla Joe Baffa to [31-1] dft Tom Papania's
                 request to dismiss pla Joe Baffa's amendment to complaint.
                 (er) [Entry date 06/30/00]


6/27/00  36      MOTION by pla Joe Baffa to extend time to answer to [31-1]
                 dft Tom Papania's motion to dismiss pla Joe Baffa's
                 amendment to complaint with brief in support. (er)
                 [Entry date 06/30/00]


6/29/00  37      ORDER by Judge Horace T. Ward GRANTING [20-1] motion to
                 withdraw by John P. Costello as attorney for plas;
                 DEFERRING ruling on [26-1] [28-1] [31-1] pending motions
                 until further notice. (cc & to pla Scarfone and Lighthouse
                 by cert.mail, rrr) (er) [Entry date 07/03/00]


6/29/00  --      Terminated submissions. (er) [Entry date 07/03/00]


7/6/00   --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on [36-1] motion to
                 extend time to answer to [31-1] dft Tom Papania's motion to
                 dismiss pla Joe Baffa's amendment to complaint (er)
                 [Entry date 07/06/00]


7/7/00   --      Certified mail receipt green card returned re: [37-1] order
                 as to Rocky Scarfone. (er) [Entry date 07/11/00]


7/10/00  --      Certified mail receipt green card returned re: [37-1] order
                 as to Lighthouse Sanctuary (er) [Entry date 07/12/00]


7/13/00  38      RESPONSE by pla Joe Baffa to [31-1] dft Tom Papania's
                 motion to dismiss pla Joe Baffa's amendment to complaint.
                 (er) [Entry date 07/17/00]


7/13/00  39      Notification to appear and represent himself pro se by pla
                 Joe Baffa. (er) [Entry date 07/17/00]


7/13/00  40      MOTION by pla Lighthouse Sanctuary to dismiss Lighthouse
                 Sanctuary Youth Foundation as a pla. (er)
                 [Entry date 07/17/00]


8/2/00   --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on [40-1] pla's motion to
                 dismiss Lighthouse Sanctuary Youth Foundation as a pla.
                 (file in chambers) (er) [Entry date 08/02/00]
                 [Edit date 08/02/00]


10/2/00  --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on [26-1] motion to
                 dismiss pla's complaint, [28-1] motion to dismiss, [31-1]
                 motion to dismiss pla Joe Baffa's amendment to complaint.
                 (FILE IN CHAMBERS) (dfb) [Entry date 10/02/00]
(Plaintiff Decision)


11/30/00 41      SUBMITTED by Plaintiff: Notice of dismissal with prejudice of 
                 dft Focus on the Family by plas. (er) [Entry date 12/05/00]


3/30/01  42      ORDER by Judge Horace T. Ward, DEFERRING ruling on dft
                 Papanier's motion to dismiss the complaint; DISMISSING as
                 being MOOT [28-1] motion to dismiss by Focus on the Family;
                 DISMISSING AS MOOT [31-1] dft Papanier's motion to dismiss
                 pla Joe Baffa's amendment to complaint; DISMISSING AS MOOT
                 [36-1] pla Baffa's motion to extend time to answer to [31-1]
                 dft Tom Papanier's motion to dismiss pla Joe Baffa's
                 amendment to complaint; GRANTING [40-1] pla Lighthouse
                 Santuary Youth Foundation, Inc.'s motion to dismiss them as
                 a pla.  (cc) (er) [Entry date 04/02/01]
                 [Edit date 08/06/01]


8/16/01  43      MOTION by plaintiff Joe Baffa to extend time to file
                 [24-1] amended complaint, and/or for the court to accept
                 pla's amended complaint filed with this motion with brief
                 in support. (lme) [Entry date 08/21/01]


8/30/01  --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on [26-1] motion to
                 dismiss pla's complaint by dft Tom Papanier.  (file in
                 chambers) (er) [Entry date 08/30/01]


9/18/01  --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on the [43-1] motion to
                 extend time to file [24-1] amended complaint and [43-2]
                 motion for court to accept pla's amended complaint filed
                 with this motion.  (file in chambers) (aaq)
                 [Entry date 09/18/01]


9/28/01  44      ORDER by Judge Horace T. Ward GRANTING the [43-1] motion to
                 extend time to file [24-1] amended complaint and the [43-2]
                 motion for the court to accept pla's amended complaint filed
                 with this motion. The Clerk is directed to file the amended
                 complaint. Further, defendant Papania's [26-1] motion to
                 dismiss pla's complaint is DENIED. Answer to amended
                 complaint due 10/8/01 for defendants. (cc by CRD) (aaq)
                 [Entry date 09/28/01] [Edit date 09/28/01]


9/28/01  45      AMENDED COMPLAINT by plaintiff; jury demand. (aaq)
                 [Entry date 09/28/01]


9/28/01  --      Terminated submissions. (aaq) [Entry date 09/28/01]


10/18/01 46      MOTION by defendant Tom Papanier to dismiss plaintiff Joe
                 Baffa Amended Complaint with brief in support. (aaq)
                 [Entry date 10/19/01]


11/7/01  --      SUBMITTED to Judge Horace T. Ward on the [46-1] motion to
                 dismiss plaintiff Joe Baffa's Amended Complaint. (aaq)
                 [Entry date 11/07/01]


11/30/01 --      Motion HEARING set for 12/13/01 at 11:15 [46-1] motion to
                 dismiss plaintiff Joe Baffa Amended Complaint, c/served by
                 ctdep (faxed and mailed) (bh) [Entry date 12/03/01]


12/13/01 47      Oral argument held before Judge Horace T. Ward on [46-1]
                 motion to dismiss plaintiff Joe Baffa Amended Complaint.
                 Court took motion under advisement. (fms)
                 [Entry date 12/14/01]


12/17/01 --      Steno notes of proceedings held 12/13/01  before Judge
                 Horace T. Ward , by  Court Reporter Lois D. Phillips. (syh)
                 [Entry date 12/17/01]
(Plaintiff Wins)


7/24/02  48      ORDER by Judge Horace T. Ward GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING
                 IN PART [46-1] motion to dismiss; the motion is DENIED as
                 to the copyright infringement claim (Count I); the motion
                 is GRANTED as to the Lanhman Act claim (Count II); and the
                 motion is DENIED as to the fraudulent misrepresentation
                 claim (Count III); dft is directed to answer the amdcmp
                 within 20 days from the receipt of this order. (cc) (kt)
                 [Entry date 07/24/02]


8/15/02  49      ANSWER to amended complaint [45-1] by Tom Papanier. (kt)
                 [Entry date 08/16/02]
_______________________________________________________________________________
 
From pages on an old website about Focus On The Family and CBN published
by Rock Scarfone (Author of Father Figure/House of Cards):
 
 

The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.
April 4, 2000

John P Costello

RE: Lighthouse Sanctaury Youth Foundation, Inc, et al V. Tom Papanier, et al.

Dear Mr Costello:

    We received a letter last month [april 4, 2000, the author had written more then one] from your client Mr. Scarfone a copy of which is enclosed herewith. Mr. Scarfone suggests in the letter that he is amenable to some form of church-based dispute resolution process, in lieu of continuing the civil action in Atlanta. Please advise at your earliest opportunity whether you still represent Mr. Scarfone in the above matter and if so, whether we are free to contact him concerning his proposal. We look forweard to hearing from you and thank you for your consideration.

 

very truly yours,

Joseph F. Fitzpatrick
Associate General Councel  

 

So, Mr. Joseph F. Fitzpatrick, the associate General Council for Pat Robertson and CBN contacted the Author's attorney and asked if they could take up the request by the Author for a Church Based Resolution. The Author was only happy to receive this letter, for he TRULY did not desire to harm those great men of respect, honor and tradition. Little did he know it was just another of the many traps and pitfalls of dealing with Christian Men In Power.

And, not long after, Mr. Dobson's camp did the same.

Soon a resolution was accomplished, neither side would admit to anything nor would they be held liable, all information as concerned them, Dobson et al. Pat Robertson et al, would be removed from pages in the control of the Author, and financial compensation for the cost of the eleven months of battle would be offered the author. A pittance when compared to even one of Tom's weekly speaking engagement revenue, but then again, the Author states TODAY that he wants Justice, and does NOT care about the financials, though this has cost him dearly. 

The Author of Father Figure/House Of Cards BELIEVED that they, these men, would cease support and use their GREAT powers to work "under the table", as it is said, behind the scenes to assure that those who did not know would know about Tom. 

As far as having the case dismissed for being frivolous or that it was a nuisance suit, just read our page and you decide if the facts are not the facts. For the ONLY claim that Tom has made in over 3 years is that the Author has no right to copyright his life story, and that the Author stole his name for this page...
[The page referred to is www.tompapania.com, a site where the Author first published his findings against Tom -- a domain name now owned by Tom.]

These and other important points were pointed out to everyone. Yet, after the filing of the case, things just got worse. 

Well, with Pat and Dobson out of the picture, the Author took over the case and went after Tom, that was what was both reasonable and ethic, even to the Christian Bible! Always offering Tom the ability to withdraw by simply removing the content used from the Author's book and manuscript, the Author battled the case.





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