UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT EASTERNDISTRICTOFLOUISIANA SANDRAWHEELERHESTER Plaintiff, CIVILACTIONNUMBER: JUDGE: MAGISTRATE: COMPLAINT CIVILRIGHTSACTION (42U.S.C.sec.

1983) DECLARATORYAND INJUNCTIVERELIEF JURYDEMAND

VERSUS

MITCHELLJ.LANDRIEU, individually,andinhisofficial capacityasMayoroftheCity ofNewOrleans,CITYOFNEWORLEANS, RONALW.SERPAS,individually andinhiscapacityasSuperintendent ofPolice,NewOrleansPoliceDepartment, NEWORLEANSPOLICEDEPARTMENT, PAULNOEL,individuallyandinhiscapacity asCommanderofthe2ndDistrictNewOrleans PoliceDepartment,RANNIEMUSHATT, CommanderofthePublicIntegrityBureau HERMANSHUSHAN,LieutenantoftheFOB ReservesDivision,RAYMONDBOSEMAN, LieutenantoftheFOBReservesDivision, WONDELLSMITH,SergeantoftheISB MayorsSecurityYOLANDAJENKINS, Sergeantofthe6thDistrict,MUNISHTANWAR, policeofficerofthe2ndDistrict,HEATHERKOUTS, CaptainofISBAdministrativeSupport NANCYPARKER,policeofficeroftheFOB 2ndDistrict,ROBERTW.KIRTON, policeofficer,RHETTCHARLES, SergeantwiththeNewOrleansPolice Department,WILLIAMROUSSELL,
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JEWISHCOMMUNITYCENTER, RICHARDF.CORTIZAS,individuallyandin HiscapacityastheNewOrleansCityAttorney, GERALDARCHER,individuallyandinhis capacityasAssistantCityAttorney ROBERTDROUANT,individuallyandinhis capacityasanAttorneyfortheCityofnewOrleans, JANEDOE,individuallyandinher capacityasaNursefortheOrleansParishSheriffs Office,JOHNDOE,individuallyandinhis capacityasaDeputySheriffoftheOrleansParish SheriffsOffice,MARLINN.GUSMAN,individually andinhiscapacityasSheriffofOrleansParish, andRICHARDWILLIAMS,individually andinhiscapacityasLieutenantinthePublic IntegrityBureau.

COMPLAINT NOWINTOCOURT,inproperperson,comesplaintiff,SANDRAWHEELERHESTER, whorespectfullyrepresents:

I.

INTRODUCTION

This action arises under the First, Fourth, Fifth,andFourteenth AmendmentstotheUnitedStates

Constitutionunderfederallaw,specifically,42U.S.C.1983and1988underLouisiana.
II.

JURISDICTIONANDVENUE

1. JurisdictionofthisCourtisinvokedpursuantto28U.S.C.1331,1343,2201,and

2202,and42U.S.C.Section1983,1985,1986,and1988.Thisactionisfurtherinstituted pursuanttotheFourth,Fifth,Eighth,andFourteenthAmendmentstotheUnitedStates Constitution.Supplementaljurisdictionisinvokedastomatterscognizableunderthe

ConstitutionandlawsofthestateofLouisiana,particularly,butnotexclusively,La.Civil CodeAnn.Arts.2315,2316,and2320. III.PARTIES

1. Plaintiffhereinis: a. SANDRAWHEELERHESTER,apersonofthefullageofmajorityanddomiciled

inthestateofLouisiana.
2. Defendantshereinare: a. MITCHELLJ.LANDRIEUis,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,was,theduly

electedMayoroftheCityofNewOrleans.Heisbeingsuedindividuallyandinhis officialcapacity.
b. CITYOFNEWORLEANS,abodycorporateandpoliticalsubdivisionofthe

stateofLouisianaisabletosueandbesuedinitsownname.
c. RONALW.SERPAS,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,was,thedulyappointed

SuperintendentofPolicefortheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment.Heissued individuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.
d. NEWORLEANSPOLICEDEPARTMENT,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,

was,thelawenforcementagencyfortheCityofNewOrleans.
e. PAULNOEL,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasthedulyappointed

Commanderofthe2ndDistrictNewOrleansPoliceDepartment.Heissued individuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.

f.

RANNIEMUSHATT,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasthedulyappointed CommanderofthePublicIntegrityBureaufortheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment. Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.

g. HERMANSHUSHAN,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasaLieutenantofthe

FOBReservesDivision.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.
h. RAYMONDBOSEMAN,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasaLieutenantin

theFOBReservesDivision.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.
i.

WONDELLSMITH,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasaSergeantofthe ISBMayorsSecurity.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.

j.

YOLANDAJENKINS,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasaSergeantofthe 6thDistrict.Sheissuedindividuallyandinherofficialcapacity.

k. HEATHERKOUTS,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasthedulyappointed

CaptainofAdministrativeSupport.Sheissuedindividuallyandinherofficial capacity.
l.

NANCYPARKER,was/is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,aPoliceOfficerIIof the2ndDistrictoftheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment.Sheissuedindividuallyand inherofficialcapacity.

m. MUNISHTANWAR,was/is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,aPoliceOfficerof

the2ndDistrictoftheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment.Heissuedindividuallyandin hisofficialcapacity.
n. ROBERTW.KIRTON,was/is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,aPoliceOfficer

ofthe2ndDistrictoftheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment.Heissuedindividuallyand inhisofficialcapacity.
o. RHETTCHARLES,was/is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,aPoliceOfficerofthe

2ndDistrictoftheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment.Heissuedindividuallyandinhis officialcapacity.
p. WILLIAMROUSSELL,was/isandatalltimesrelevanthereto,theownerof

BrightMomentsandactedasmoderatorforthemayorscommunitymeetingheldat theJewishCommunityCenteronAugust13,2012.Heissuedindividually.
q. JEWISHCOMMUNITYCENTER,aprivatelyowned,multipurpose

communitycenter,locatedat5342St.CharlesAve.,usedforconcerts,lectures, plays,andotheractivities.
r.

RICHARDF.CORTIZAS,was,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,theCity AttorneyfortheCityofNewOrleans.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficial capacity.

s. ROBERTDROUANT,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wastheCityAttorney

fortheCityofNewOrleans.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.
t.

GERALDARCHER,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wastheAssistant AttorneyfortheCityofNewOrleans.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficial capacity.

u. JANEDOE,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasanursefortheOrleansParish

SheriffsOffice.Sheissuedindividuallyandinherofficialcapacity.

v. JOHNDOE,is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasasheriffoftheOrleansParish

SheriffsOffice.Heissuedindividuallyandinhisofficialcapacity.
w. MARLINN.GUSMANwas/is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,thedulyelected

SheriffofOrleansParish.Heisbeingsuedinhisofficialcapacity.
x. RICHARDWILLIAMS,was/is,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,theinvestigating

officerinthePublicIntegrityBureau.
y. ABCINSURANCECOMPANYis,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasaliability

insurerfortheCityofNewOrleans.
z. XYZINSURANCECOMPANYis,andatalltimesrelevanthereto,wasaliability

insurerforNewOrleansSheriffsOffice.
III.

FACTS

1. BornandraisedinNewOrleans,Louisiana,SandraWheelerHester,alsoknownasThe

18Wheelerhas,fordecades,beenthemostardentandstridentcriticofcorruptand ineffectivegovernmentinthestateofLouisiana,particularlyinthecityofNewOrleans.
2. Her criticisms, protests, lawsuits and the like were primarily aimed at the local parish school

board, the New Orleans City Council, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Mayors Office.
3. From June 2000 to August 26, 2005 (the Friday before HurricaneKatrinastruck), theplaintiff

produced and hosted TheHesterReport,aonehourcommercialfreeweeklytelevisionshow on Cable Access T.V. The program was wellknown in the community for its lambasting of local,state,andfederalelectedofficials.

4. On February 26, 2012 Trayvon Martinanunarmed17yearoldteenagerwasshotandkilledin

Sanford,Florida.
5. On March 1st, 2012 Justin Sipp was shot and killed by New Orleans police officers. His

brothertheunarmedEarlSippwasalsoshotbyNewOrleansPolice.
6. On March 7, 2012, the unarmed Wendell Allen was murderedbyNewOrleansPoliceOfficer

JoshuaColclough.
7. The plaintiffs only son Richard Armand Hester was born in the same year as Justin Sipp and

Wendell Allen. As of August 2012, when the incident(s) took place, allthreewere21yearsof age.
8. This fact caused the plaintiff to publically call defendant Landrieu a murderer at Wendell

Allens funeral. This reaction wasreportedbyLatonyaNortonofWDSUNewsandairedthat night(thedayofSaidfuneral).

9. In response to the unjustifiable killings of these young black males the plaintiff, and other

activists, calledfortheimmediatefiringofdefendantpolicesuperintendentRonalW.Serpasand therecallofdefendantMayorMitchellJ.Landrieu.

10. OnoraboutAugust13,2012,plaintiffattendeda firstinaseriesofcommunity meetingsheldby

the defendant Mayor at the Jewish Community Center located at 5342 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. The purpose of the meeting was to give the publicanopportunityto meet and ask questions ofthevariousdepartmentheads(ofNewOrleanscitygovernment)and theirstaff,andmakecommentsregardingtheMayorsproposed2013budget.
11. Plaintiff arrived one hour in advance of the community meeting inorder tocollecthandoutsand

askquestionsofthevariousdepartmentheads.
12. The defendantmayoropenedthemeetingbyexplainingrepeatedlythat,Thisis notmymeeting,

itisyourmeeting.
13. At 6:00 pm the defendant William Rouselle a political operative, acting as the moderator

explained the procedure for citizens wishing to speak. The procedure was to fill out a speaker cardandsubmitittoadesignatedperson.
14. Immediately after defendant Rouselle called plaintiffs name to speak the crowd started hissing

andbooingattemptingtoshoutherdown.
15. The defendant mayor got up from his seat, put his arm around plaintiffs shoulder and,

addressing angry crowd, stated, Ms. Hester is myfriendandIamwillingtosithereallnightto hearwhatshehastosay.

16. The mayor knew this comment would only incite the angry mob, which grew more turbulent,

and began to stand up and uproariously heckle the Plaintiff. One standing and jeering citizen shouted to the Plaintiff: Go back where you came from! Despite Plaintiffs insistence she be allowedtomakehercommentsuninterrupted,thecrowdgrewmoreunruly.
17. AtnotimedidDefendantmoderatorRoussellcallthemeetingtoorder. 18. Plaintiff filled out a speaker card, waited after numerous speakers were called to speak, even

though she arrived and filled out her speaker card before them all. At no time did plaintiff interrupt the previous speakers or disrupt the meeting in any way. Then suddenly and without warning,thedefendantmayorshouted,Getthatoutofhere.
19. At which time nearly twenty (20) uniformed and ununiformed New Orleans police officers

converged on and surrounded plaintiff in Gestapolike fashion and asked plaintiff to leave the meeting.
20. Whenaskedwhyshe wasbeingaskedtoleavethepublicmeetingplaintiffwasgivennoanswer.

Plaintiff then shouted to defendant superintendent of police who sat and witnessed the whole event to call off his officers, the defendant superintendent didnotrespondbutinstead squirmed inhisseat.
21. Then suddenly and without warning plaintiff was told she was under arrest. Whenaskedwhy,

she no response. Plaintiff was handcuffed, arrested and taken out of the Jewish Community Centerundertheglareoftremendousnewscoverage.
22. While being transported to central lockup defendant officers constantlyharassedandridiculed

plaintiff,makingdisparagingcommentsaboutheradvocacy.
23. Upon arrival to central lockup, defendant officers forcibly removed plaintiff from the car

causing her to fallontheground. Plaintiffsatonthegroundforwhatseemedlikehourswithher handshandcuffedbehindherback.

24. The handcuffs were placed so tightly on the plaintiffs wrist that she was in excruciating pain.

The plaintiff asked several times that the cuffs be loosened or that she be cuffed in the front. Upon hearing the plaintiffs plea, the officer, Sergeant Yolanda Jenkins, sarcastically remarked totheplaintiff,Isthatintheconsentdecree?
25. Defendant transporting officers asked several police officers toassistingetting plaintiffinsideof

CentralLockUp.
26. Severallocaltelevisionnewsstations,printmedia,and radiostationswerepresent andrecorded

theincidentfromstarttofinish.
27. Once at central lockup plaintiff was forcibly taken from the squad car and was made to sit on

thegroundforhoursbeforethetransportingofficersdefendants.
28. Plaintiff was forcibly removed from the squad car and made sit in the street for hours before

defendant officers Jenkins, Parker, Tanwar and employed torturous methods to carry plaintiff intocentrallockup.
29. Plaintiffs wrist were so severely swollen that the arresting officers were unable to remove the

cuffs.Theyhadtoberemovedaftermucheffortandpainbythedeputysheriff.
30. Plaintiff was refused medical treatment by officers Jenkins, Parker, Jane Doe nurse, and John

Doedeputysheriffdespiteobviousinjuriesandelevatedbloodpressure.
31. Plaintiffwasrefusedmedicaltreatmentforelevatedbloodpressureanddiabeticcondition.

V.CAUSESOFACTION VIOLATIONOFTHEFIRSTAMENDMENT TOTHEU.S.CONSTITUTION42U.S.C.1983, VIOLATIONOFTHELOUISIANA CONSTITUTION2,3,7,9,12,13,25

32. TheDefendantsactions,excludingJaneDoenurse,JohnDoedeputysheriff,andMarlon

Gusman,attheJewishCommunityCenterwereanunconstitutionalabridgmentofPlaintiffs FirstAmendmentRights.
33. TheDefendantLandrieuviolatedtheFreeSpeechclauseoftheFirstAmendment,bycreatinga

publicforumandallowingsomespeech,andcensoringothers.

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VIOLATIONOFTHEFIRST,FIFTH, EIGHTH,ANDFOURTEETH AMENDMENTSTOTHEU.S.CONSTITUTION 42U.S.C.1983

34. DefendantofficersviolatedtheFirst,Fifth,Eighth,andFourteenthAmendmentstotheUnited

StatesConstitution,42U.S.C.1983andLa.Civ.CodeAnn.Arts.2315and2316byusing excessiveforceonPlaintiff,farinexcessofthatrequiredunderthecircumstances,andinflicting cruelandunusualpunishmentuponher.

35. Defendantofficers,andallofthem,violatedtheFirst,Fifth,andFourteenthAmendmentstothe

UnitedStatesConstitution,42U.S.C.1983andLa.Civ.CodeAnn.Arts.2315,byfailingto preventeachotherfromviolatingPlaintiffsconstitutionalandstatutoryrights.
36. Defendants,andallofthem,violated,42U.S.C.1985and1986byconspiringtodeprive

Plaintiffofhercivilrightsandfailingtopreventsaidconspiracy,deprivation,andthedamages resultingtherefrom,respectively.
37. Defendants,andallofthem,violatedLa.Civ.CodeAnn.2315and2316byinjuringPlaintiff

knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligently.
38. Defendants,andallofthem,violatedPlaintiffsrightsunderstatelaw,includingtherightstobe

freefromassaultandbattery,falsearrest,falseimprisonment,andmaliciousprosecution.
39. ThearrestingofficersviolatedtheFifthAmendmentoftheConstitutionasappliedtothestates

throughtheFourteenthAmendment,andtheequalprotectionclauseoftheFourteenth Amendment.

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40. Specifically,Defendants,andallofthem: a. Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlydeprivedPlaintiffofherlibertyunder

coloroflawwithnovalidjustification
b. Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlyusedforceinasituationandunder

circumstancesnotrequiringtheuseofforce,bringingabouttheinjuriessustainedbyPlaintiff
c. Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlycausedPlaintifftosuffer,bothphysically

andpsychologically
d. Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlyorchestrated,conducted,condoned,

ratifiedand/orparticipatedintheapplicationofexcessiveforceandtheinflictionofcrueland unusualpunishmentonPlaintiff
e. Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlyendangeredPlaintiffslifeandaggravated

hisinjuriesbybringingPlaintiffdirectlytoOrleansParishPrisonwithoutfirstgiving appropriatemedicaltreatmentforherinjuries,includingmonitoring.Defendantsknewor shouldhaveknownthatinsodoing,theyendangeredPlaintiffslifeandaggravatedher injuries.Insodoing,DefendantsexhibitedadeliberateindifferencetowardsPlaintiffs seriousmedicalneeds

f.

Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlygavefalseversionsofthefactsand circumstancessurroundingthearrest,including,butnotlimitedto,theallegationsthat Defendantshadprobablecauseforarrest,onDefendant,andthatPlaintifftofalsearrest andmaliciousprosecution

g. Knowingly,intentionally,recklessly,ornegligentlygavefalseversionsforthefactsand

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circumstancessurroundingthearrest,Defendantsconspiredtoanddidinfactattemptto coverupthefactsandcircumstancessurroundingthearrestandtorture.Insodoing, Defendantsconspiredtoanddidinfactattempttocoverupthefactsandcircumstances surroundingthearrest,prosecution,andtorture

h. EachhadanaffirmativedutytopreventeachotherfromviolatingPlaintiffsconstitutional

andstatutoryrights.Infailingtodoso,theyviolatedPlaintiffsrightspursuantto42U.S.C. 1983,La.Civ.CodeAnn.Art.2315,andtheFourthandFourteenthAmendmentstothe UnitedStatesConstitution.

41. Specifically,DefendantsCityofNewOrleans,Landrieu,Serpas,andtheNewOrleansPolice

Department:
a. Hadandpresentlyhavecustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresofnegligentlyand

inadequatelyhiring,training,supervising,andretainingpoliceofficers.Saidnegligentand inadequatehiring,training,supervision,andretentionofsaidDefendantsgaverisetothe constitutionalandstatutoryviolationssetforthherein

b. Condoned,ratified,approvedand/orotherwiseacquiescedintheabuseofPlaintiff c. Condoned,ratified,approvedand/orotherwiseacquiescedinthecoverupofthefacts

andcircumstancessurroundingtheabuseandarrestofPlaintiff
d. Condoned,ratified,approvedand/orotherwiseacquiescedinthemaliciousprosecution

ofPlaintiff
e. MaintainedandcurrentlymaintainanatmospherewithintheNewOrleansPolice

Departmentand/ortheirrespectivedivisionsthereof,whichencouragesofficial

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lawlessnessamongthepoliceofficers,thekindofwhichisdirectlyresponsibleforthe abuseandarrestofPlaintiff
f.

AreliablefortheactionsofDefendantspoliceofficersundertheprincipleof respondeatsuperior.

g. Failedtotrain,supervise,anddisciplineDefendantsthefailurewhichgaverisetothe

abuse,arrest,andmaliciousprosecutionofPlaintiff
42. Specifically,DefendantLieutenantWilliams: a. Intentionally,knowingly,recklesslyfailedtoaccuratelyinformPlaintiffofherrights

withregardstothePIBinvestigation,contributingtoprolongationofmalicious prosecution,andcausingPlaintifftoincuradditionalexpenseinclarifyingand exercisingPlaintiffslegalrights

b. IntentionallyfailedtoinvestigatePlaintiffscomplaintinatimely,thorough,and

unbiasedmanner,contributingtoprolongationofthemaliciousprosecution,and causingPlaintifftoincuradditionalexpenseinclarifyingandexercisingPlaintiffs legalrights.

43. Specifically,DefendantsCityofNewOrleans,Serpas: a. Hadandpresentlyhavecustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresthat

substantiallydiscouragecitizenallegationsofpoliceabuse,andthusencourage officiallawlessnessamongNewOrleansPoliceDepartmentofficers
b. Hadandpresentlyhavecustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresthatencourage

falsearrestsandmaliciousprosecutionsbysignificantlyreducingthelikelihoodthata

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policeofficerwhounjustifiablyabuseacitizenwillbeheldaccountablebyPIBwhen thepoliceofficerarrestsandchargestheindividualhehasabusedforresistingarrest orbatteryonanofficer.Saidcustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresgave incentivestoDefendantpoliceofficerstoarrestandmaliciouslyprosecutePlaintiff afterabusingherandledDefendantpoliceofficerstodoso

c. Hadandpresentlyhavecustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresthatprevented

atimelyandunbiasedPIBinvestigationintotheseallegations,andthusunnecessarily prolongedthemaliciousprosecutionagainstPlaintiff
d. Hadandpresentlyhavecustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresthatrequire

potentialcomplainantstoprovideatapedstatementsdetailingthesameeventsat issueinanongoingcriminalprosecutionofcomplainantbeforePlaintiffisgiventhe protectionsofaPIBinvestigation,orinthealternative,hadcustoms,policies, practices,andproceduresthatcreateareasonablebeliefinpotentialcomplainants thatthesameistrue.Saidcustoms,policies,practices,andproceduresviolated PlaintiffsFifthAmendmentrighttoequalprotectionsofthelaw. PRAYERFORRELIEF WHEREFORE,PlaintiffpraysthattheCourt:

a. EnteradeclaratoryjudgmentthattheaforementionedfactsandpracticesofDefendants

areinviolationoftheConstitutionandthelawsoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandthe stateofLouisiana.

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b. EnterjudgmenthereininfavorofPlaintiff,andagainstDefendants,awardingherspecial,

general,punitiveandnominaldamagesinanamountdeemedfairandequitable.
c. Enterjudgmenthereinpermanentlyenjoiningtheaforementionedpoliciesandpractices

ofDefendantsasviolativeoftheConstitution,thelawsoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica andthelawsofthestateofLouisianaandrequiringDefendantstoimmediatelytake stepstoremediatetheaforementionedfactsandcustoms.

d. AwardPlaintiffthecostofthislitigation,togetherwithreasonableattorneysfees,if

appropriate,pursuantto42U.S.C.sec.1988. TRIALBYJURY
44. Plaintiffrequestsatrialbyjuryastoallissuessotriable.

Respectfullysubmitted:

________________________ SandraWheelerHester PlaintiffProSe 737VourayDriveApt.A Kenner,Louisiana70065 (504)9096300 Email:thehesterreport@yahoo.com

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VERIFICATION I,SandraWheelerHester,Plaintiffproseinthewithinaction,hasreadthefacts containedinthecomplaintandaffirmthattheyaretruetothebestofmyinformationandbelief.

_____________________________ Sworntoandbeforeme,Notary,this

________day of August 2013

_____________________________

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