Incoming. Fun thread. You may remember my live tweeting a Feb 10th hearing where Facebook and its lawyers received arguably its greatest court beatdown ever for discovery on its Cambridge Analytica cover-up. Transcript just posted in parallel DC suit as evidence. It holds up. /1
Recall Facebook's lawyers (Gibson Dunn) were ordered to bring a "decision maker" from Facebook -> Solanki. "I'll chat with you in a minute." Court then invited plaintiffs to file for sanctions of FB and the partners at Gibson Dunn. Read every word (yellow is mine). It's good. /2
First, the Court goes through a couple examples (app developer investigation and turning over plaintiffs' data) that he describes as "egregious." You can read the invitation for sanctions and see if I was exaggerating the beatdown or not. Again, it's a gem - entertaining. /3
Court slams Gibson Dunn for delaying their own depositions of the plaintiffs which he suggests may also be sanctionable. Then practically begs the plaintiffs to take as much time and length as possible in their documenting for the request for sanctions. /4
I can't even summarize this part when he addresses Facebook's VP of Legal directly. Just read it. Every word. It's pure art. /5
Court makes clear on expected case of discovery going forward and orders the contents of Facebook's app audit to be turned over in 21 days. Very clearly. This is the one they've been fighting to keep privileged in DC. /6
And then this is the part where the Court suggests the plaintiffs take any depositions needed (likely including Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg) asap because they can do them a second time based on discovery. Due to Facebook's horsing around. WOW. /7
And then when Gibson Dunn (Mr Snyder) has the nerve to ask for the same treatment for Facebook, the Court responds "Not necessarily, based on the view I have developed about how Facebook has conducted itself thus far in discovery." /8
That's it. Are you not entertained? A lot more importantly, there are a lot of very, very sensitive documents now being turned over from the cover-up. Press have missed because many have been misled by FB on the merits of the Cambridge Analytica matter. /9
oh, and finally here is the thread I did live, if anyone wants to double check my own interpretation at the time. I tried to treat it fair and accurately based on what the Court was saying. Happy Friday. /eof
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