Ocean-Oil Expert Witness, Inc. v. Ashton O'Dwyer

JERRY E. SMITH, Circuit Judge: *

Ashton O’Dwyer, pro se, appeals a default judgment granted to Ocean-Oil Expert Witness, Inc. (“Ocean-Oil”), after his answer was stricken as a contempt sanction. Because the use of inherent power was appropriate in light of O’Dwyer’s bad faith and wilful abuse of the judicial process, we affirm.

I

O’Dwyer was a New Orleans attorney who obtained the services of Hector Pazos, a marine engineer, in connection with claims his clients made relating to Hurricane Katrina. O’Dwyer was later suspended in disciplinary proceedings, presided over by United States District…