Bank of LA v. FDIC ( 2020 )


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  • Case: 20-60380     Document: 00515686737         Page: 1     Date Filed: 12/28/2020
    United States Court of Appeals
    for the Fifth Circuit                          United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    FILED
    December 28, 2020
    No. 20-60380                      Lyle W. Cayce
    Summary Calendar                         Clerk
    Bank of Louisiana,
    Petitioner,
    versus
    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
    Respondent.
    Petition for Review of an Order of the
    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    FDIC-12-489(b), FDIC-12-479(k)
    Before Haynes, Willett, and Ho, Circuit Judges.
    Per Curiam:*
    The Bank of Louisiana petitions for review of a decision and order
    issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Board, which
    concluded that the Bank violated various banking laws and regulations. The
    Bank argues that the Administrative Law Judge that issued the order was
    *
    Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this
    opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited
    circumstances set forth in 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4.
    Case: 20-60380      Document: 00515686737          Page: 2     Date Filed: 12/28/2020
    No. 20-60380
    never properly appointed by the FDIC Board of Directors. But the Board
    passed a resolution doing just that in July 2018. To the extent the Bank argues
    that this resolution was somehow inadequate, that argument is forfeited for
    lack of adequate briefing. See Fed. R. App. P. 28(a)(8); United States v.
    Scroggins, 
    599 F.3d 433
    , 446–47 (5th Cir. 2010) (“It is not enough to merely
    mention or allude to a legal theory.”); L & A Contracting Co. v. S. Concrete
    Servs., 
    17 F.3d 106
    , 113 (5th Cir. 1994) (“[Appellant] cites no authority in its
    one-page argument . . . however, and we consider the challenge abandoned
    for being inadequately briefed.”).
    The Bank also argues that the order is moot because subsequent bank
    examinations suggest the Bank remedied its violations. The order imposes a
    civil money penalty and includes a cease-and-desist requirement. The money
    penalty keeps the controversy alive, even if the Bank has come into
    compliance. See, e.g., Reich v. Occupational Safety & Health Review Comm’n,
    
    102 F.3d 1200
    , 1202 (11th Cir. 1997) (“[C]laims for money do not become
    moot as a result of the defendants’ acts following the occurrence giving rise
    to the claims”); Chesapeake Bay Found., Inc. v. Gwaltney of Smithfield, Ltd.,
    
    890 F.2d 690
    , 696 (4th Cir. 1989) (“[T]he [money] penalty factor keeps the
    controversy alive between plaintiffs and defendants in a citizen suit, even
    though the defendant has come into compliance”).                 Nor does a
    discontinuation of illegal practices render an FDIC cease-and-desist order
    moot. See First Nat’l Bank v. Comptroller, 
    697 F.2d 674
    , 683 (5th Cir. 1983);
    Bank of Dixie v. FDIC, 
    766 F.2d 175
    , 178 (5th Cir. 1985).
    Alternatively, the Bank argues that it erroneously filed its petition for
    review with this court and asks us to transfer the case to the United States
    District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. We have twice rejected
    this argument. See Bank of Louisiana v. FDIC, 807 F. App’x 360, 362 (5th
    Cir. 2020) (“Because district courts lack jurisdiction to review FDIC
    enforcement orders, and because 28 U.S.C. § 1631 permits transfer only to a
    2
    Case: 20-60380     Document: 00515686737          Page: 3   Date Filed: 12/28/2020
    No. 20-60380
    transferee court that would have jurisdiction to hear the case, we deny the
    Bank’s motion to transfer to the United States District Court for the Eastern
    District of Louisiana.”); Bank of Louisiana v. FDIC, 
    919 F.3d 916
    , 924 (5th
    Cir. 2019) (“The Bank wisely concedes that the section 1818 scheme displays
    Congress’ intent to preclude district court jurisdiction over claims against
    the FDIC arising out of enforcement proceedings. Our precedent virtually
    compels that concession.”).
    We deny both the Bank’s petition for review and request to transfer
    the case.
    3