Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Aguillard

MEMORANDUM OPINION

JOHN V. PARKER, Chief Judge.

For the second time in this litigation, the Court is called upon to determine the status of Odessa Natural Corporation (“Odessa”). In an opinion dated June 18, 1980, in Civil Action 80-183-A, the Court held that Odessa is not an indispensable person within the meaning of Rule 19, Fed.R.Civ.P., regarding the subject matter of that action. Now we must decide whether the joinder of Odessa as a defendant in the other two actions was “fraudulent” and for the purpose of preventing federal jurisdiction.

The Facts

Briefly, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. (“Chevron”),…