GEORGIOU FAMILY TRUST et al v. RUTHEN et al

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ALBANY DIVISION
GEORGIOU FAMILY TRUST, et al. 	:
:
Plaintiffs, 	:
:
v. 	: 	CASE NO.: 1:22-CV-147 (WLS)
:
PHILLIP RUTHEN, et al. 	:
:
Defendants. 	:
:
ORDER
Before the Court is Defendant Jordan’s Motion for Leave to Allow Witness to Testify
Remotely at the January 21, 2026, hearing (“the Motion”) (Doc. 272). Jordan seeks leave for the
mediator in this matter, now-retired United States District Court Judge Timothy C. Batten to
testify via Zoom. Judge Batten has been subpoenaed to testify in a criminal jury trial in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta on January 20, 2026, with the
possibility of an extension until January 21. Jordan asked Counsel for Plaintiffs and Claimants Tate
and Byrd if they would consent to the motion as to Judge Batten, but they had not responded as
of January 14, 2026. Jordan also requests that a representative of his insurance carrier be allowed
to attend remotely to address any questions the Court or parties might have.
It has long been the Court’s practice to require in-person attendance at hearings.
Although accommodations were necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court has
returned to its longstanding practice of requiring in-person attendance absent a showing of
extraordinary circumstances. However, given the extraordinary circumstances presented by
Judge Batten’s subpoena and distance, the Court will allow his remote testimony for this hearing.
No such circumstances exist, however, for Jordan’s insurance carrier.
Case 1:22-cv-00147-WLS Document 273 Filed 01/15/26 Page 1 of 2

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Accordingly, the Motion is GRANTED-IN-PART and DENIED-IN-PART. Jordan
is directed to contact the courtroom deputy to arrange Judge Batten’s remote appearance.
SO ORDERED, this 15th day of January 2026.
/s/ W. Louis Sands
W. LOUIS SANDS, SR. JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Case 1:22-cv-00147-WLS Document 273 Filed 01/15/26 Page 2 of 2