Motion to File Evidence Under Seal in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment
34-2021-00300268-CU-PO-GDS: Kailie Armstrong vs. Lotus Investment Partners LLC 10/28/2025 Hearing on Motion - Other to File Evidence Under Seal in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 54
Tentative Ruling
Defendant Torath Sahotas (Defendant) motion to seal is GRANTED on condition that prior to or at the hearing Defendant conditionally lodges the entirety of the unredacted Declaration of Nicholas R. OBrien-Kovari (Declaration) filed on June 26, 2025. If the entirety of the unredacted Declaration is not conditionally lodged, the Court will deny the motion. If the entirety of the unredacted Declaration is conditionally lodged, the Court will issue the following order.
Defendant moves to seal Exhibit G to the Declaration which includes the Juvenile Court records of Damarea Chaney and Artis Hunter obtained pursuant to a petition under Welfare and Institutions Code section 827. The documents are not to be disclosed to any person except for those listed in the statute.
The Court finds that the Declaration, which contains confidential juvenile records, warrants sealing under CRC Rule 2.550 et seq. Good cause to seal exists since the exhibits to the declaration contain private and sensitive information which warrants protection from public disclosure, the right of public access to this information does not outweigh Damarea Chaney and Artis Hunters interests in protecting the information, the value of the information being shielded will likely be prejudiced if disclosure is not limited, the proposed limit on access is narrowly tailored to only the private and sensitive information contained in the document identified, and there are no less restrictive means to protect the value of the private and sensitive information.
Accordingly, the motion is GRANTED.
The Court notes, however, that Defendant lodged the unredacted copy of Exhibit G, rather than the entire Declaration. The Declaration was filed as a single document, and the Court has no means by which to (electronically) seal certain exhibits that were included within the Declaration.
Thus, prior to or at the hearing Defendant must conditionally lodge the entirety of the unredacted Declaration filed on June 26, 2025.
Defendant has filed a properly redacted version of the Declaration.
This minute order is effective immediately. No formal order or other notice is required. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1019.5
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Moving counsels notice of motion does not provide notice of the Courts tentative ruling system, as required by Local Rule 1.06. Moving counsel is directed to contact Opposing counsels and advise them of Local Rule 1.06 and the Courts tentative ruling procedure and the manner to
34-2021-00300268-CU-PO-GDS: Kailie Armstrong vs. Lotus Investment Partners LLC 10/28/2025 Hearing on Motion - Other to File Evidence Under Seal in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 54
request a hearing. If moving counsel is unable to contact Opposing counsels prior to hearing, moving counsel is ordered to appear at the hearing.
NOTICE:
Consistent with Local Rule 1.06(B), any party requesting oral argument on any matter on this calendar must comply with the following procedure:
To request limited oral argument, on any matter on this calendar, you must call the Law and Motion Oral Argument Request Line at (916) 874-2615 by 4:00 p.m. the Court day before the hearing and advise opposing counsel. At the time of requesting oral argument, the requesting party shall leave a voice mail message: a) identifying themselves as the party requesting oral argument; b) indicating the specific matter/motion for which they are requesting oral argument; and c) confirming that it has notified the opposing party of its intention to appear and that opposing party may appear via Zoom using the Zoom link and Meeting ID indicated below. If no request for oral argument is made, the tentative ruling becomes the final order of the Court.
Unless ordered to appear in person by the Court, parties may appear remotely either telephonically or by video conference via the Zoom video/audio conference platform with notice to the Court and all other parties in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure 367.75. Although remote participation is not required, the Court will presume all parties are appearing remotely for non-evidentiary civil hearings.
The Department 53/54 Zoom Link is https://saccourt-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/my/sscdept53.54 and the Zoom Meeting ID is 161 4650 6749. To appear on Zoom telephonically, call (833) 568-8864 and enter the Zoom Meeting ID referenced above. NO COURTCALL APPEARANCES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Parties requesting services of a court reporter will need to arrange for private court reporter services at their own expense, pursuant to Government code §68086 and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.956. Requirements for requesting a court reporter are listed in the Policy for Official Reporter Pro Tempore available on the Sacramento Superior Court website at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp-6a.pdf. Parties may contact Court- Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore by utilizing the list of Court Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore available at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp- 13.Pdf
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
34-2021-00300268-CU-PO-GDS: Kailie Armstrong vs. Lotus Investment Partners LLC 10/28/2025 Hearing on Motion - Other to File Evidence Under Seal in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment in Department 54
A Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore (CV/E-206) is required to be signed by each party, the private court reporter, and the Judge prior to the hearing, if not using a reporter from the Courts Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore list.
Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk. If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will be forward the form to the Court Reporters Office and an official reporter will be provided.