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Respondents must produce this data to Mkrtchyan by September 21, 2026. Respondents must reimburse Mkrtchyan $40,000 for the reasonable cost of the forensic examination, by September 30, 2026. Respondents are jointly and severally liable to Mkrtchyan for $8,563 in attorneys' fees, which must also be paid by September 30, 2026. The court defers ruling on the $450,000 contempt fine, pending the respondents' adherence to this order. (Signed by Judge Lee H Rosenthal) Parties notified. (jm4) Modified on 9/18/2026 (jm4). (Entered: 09/18/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/480320402/","id":480320402,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020766/","id":496020766,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/50/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:51:14.612485-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:51:14.612493-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":null,"file_size":null,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"50","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"","acms_document_guid":""}],"date_created":"2026-10-02T10:51:14.596277-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:51:14.601296-07:00","date_filed":"2026-09-18","time_filed":null,"entry_number":50,"recap_sequence_number":"2026-09-18.002","pacer_sequence_number":null,"description":"Minute Entry for MOTION HEARING held before Judge Lee H Rosenthal on 9/18/2026. The court grants Mkrtchyan's motion for a contempt award and his motion to compel production, (Docket Entry No. 46), as stated in detail on the record. The court will separately enter a written order granting the appropriate relief. Appearances: Michael John Wynne, Logan Somera. Ryan P. Hartman. (Court Reporter: Hailey), filed. (jm4) (Entered: 09/18/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/480064423/","id":480064423,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/495753389/","id":495753389,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/60/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-09-30T15:43:10.914550-07:00","date_modified":"2026-09-30T15:43:10.923263-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":null,"file_size":null,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"60","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"179051527262","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"Order","acms_document_guid":""}],"date_created":"2026-09-30T15:43:10.898074-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:51:14.745373-07:00","date_filed":"2026-09-30","time_filed":"16:40:27","entry_number":60,"recap_sequence_number":"2026-09-30.003","pacer_sequence_number":165,"description":"ORDER on Extension granting 59 . Respondents must pay Petitioner the full forensic-examination reimbursement and the fee award no later than 10/15/2026. (Signed by Judge Lee H Rosenthal) Parties notified. (gmh4) (Entered: 09/30/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/480046268/","id":480046268,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/495734827/","id":495734827,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/59/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-09-30T14:40:35.379052-07:00","date_modified":"2026-09-30T14:40:35.385817-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":null,"file_size":null,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"59","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"179051524618","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"Amended Motion","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496025169/","id":496025169,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/59/1/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T11:14:33.099302-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T11:14:55.971843-07:00","sha1":"edf08780a464b9799034aaf7bb4dea57a5c0bae5","page_count":12,"file_size":3209128,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.59.1.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"Case 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 1 of 12\n\nAFFIDAVIT OF STEPHEN P. PAYNE, SR.\nIN RESPONSE TO THE COURT\u2019S SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 ORDER (ECF 58)\n\nSTATE OF TEXAS \u00a7\nCOUNTY OF HARRIS :\n\nBefore me, the undersigned notary public, on this day personally appeared Stephen P.\nPayne, Sr., who, being by me duly sworn, deposed and stated as follows:\n1 My name is Stephen P. Payne, Sr. I am over eighteen years of age, of sound mind, and\ncompetent to make this Affidavit. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated in this Affidavit,\nand they are true and correct.\n2, I am a Respondent in this proceeding. I am also the authorized representative of Linden\nStrategies, LLC; Linden Energy, LLC; Linden Energy Holdings, Inc.; and American LNG\nServices, LLC (together with me, \u201cRespondents\u201d). J am authorized to make this Affidavit on\nbehalf of each entity Respondent.\n3. I make this Affidavit in response to the Court\u2019s September 30, 2026 Order Denying\nWithout Prejudice Respondents\u2019 Motion for Extension of Time to Satisfy Monetary Obligations\n(ECF 58). That Order requires sworn evidence specific to each Respondent addressing: (1) current\nfinancial condition, including total cash and liquid assets in accounts at any financial institution or\non hand; (2) diligent efforts to obtain funds to satisfy the Court\u2019s September 18, 2026 Order (ECF\n52); (3) ability to make a partial payment by September 30, 2026; and (4) anticipated source and\ntiming of additional funds.\n4. I have reviewed the September 18, 2026 Order (ECF 52). The monetary obligation\n\nimposed by that Order is $48,563.00.\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 2 of 12\n\nI. CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION OF EACH RESPONDENT\n\n5. On September 30, 2026, I reviewed the current online banking records for every deposit\naccount still maintained by me or by an entity I control. Those accounts are held at Wells Fargo\nBank. True and correct screenshots of those records, captured on September 30, 2026 at 11:29\na.m., are attached as Exhibits 1 through 4. I have no material cash on hand apart from the account\nbalances stated below.\n\nStephen P. Payne, Sr. (individually)\n\n6. My only personal deposit account is the Wells Fargo Bank account styled \u201cSPP Personal /\nPayne S Everyday Checking,\u201d ending in 9830. As of September 30, 2026, the available balance\n\nin that account is $274.04. A true and correct screenshot is attached as Exhibit 1.\n\nAccount Institution Available balance\n\nSPP Personal / Everyday Checking ...9830 | Wells Fargo Bank $274.04\nCash on hand \u2014 $0.00\nTotal \u2014 Stephen P. Payne, Sr. $274.04\n\nAmerican LNG Services, LLC\n\nhs American LNG Services, LLC maintains an Wells Fargo Bank business checking account\nstyled \u201cALNG Checking,\u201d ending in 4662. As of September 30, 2026, the available balance in\nthat account is $7.73. A true and correct screenshot is attached as Exhibit 2. Recent activity in\nthat account includes ordinary-course card payments and a $200.00 transfer from my personal\n\nEveryday Checking account on September 29, 2026.\n\nAccount Institution Available balance\n\nALNG Checking ...4662 Wells Fargo Bank $7.73\n\nTotal \u2014 American LNG Services, LLC $7.73\n\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 3 of 12\n\nLinden Strategies, LLC\n\n8. Linden Strategies, LLC maintains an Wells Fargo Bank business account ending in 7110.\nAs of September 30, 2026, the available balance in that account is $8.30. A true and correct\nscreenshot is attached as Exhibit 3. A $15.00 transfer from my personal Everyday Checking\n\naccount into the Linden Strategies account was pending on September 30, 2026.\n\nAccount Institution Available balance\nLinden Strategies ...7110 Wells Fargo Bank $8.30\nTotal \u2014 Linden Strategies, LLC $8.30\n\nLinden Energy, LLC and Linden Energy Holdings, Inc.\n\n9, Linden Energy, LLC and Linden Energy Holdings, Inc. do not currently maintain an\naccount at any financial institution. Those entities no longer have a bank account of any kind.\nThere is therefore no cash or liquid asset of either entity \u201cin accounts at any financial institution\nor on hand.\u201d Linden Energy, LLC is defunct for practical purposes and has no operating funds\nwith which to satisfy the September 18 Order.\n\nRelated non-respondent account reviewed\n\n10. In the same review I also examined the Wells Fargo Bank account of Linden Government\nSolutions (styled \u201cLinden Govt Sols\u201d), ending in 0350. That entity is not a Respondent in this\nproceeding. As of September 30, 2026, the available balance in that account is $0.01. A true and\ncorrect screenshot is attached as Exhibit 4. Recent activity in that account consists of $15.00\nmonthly service fees funded by small transfers from Linden Strategies, LLC. I do not offer the\nLinden Government Solutions balance as funds of a Respondent. The payment plan described\nbelow is funded by a client loan to me and by Linden Strategies, LLC receivables.\n\n11. \u2014\u2018 The total cash and liquid assets of the five named Respondents as of September 30, 2026,\n\nis $290.07, as follows:\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 4 of 12\n\nRespondent Cash and liquid assets\n\nStephen P. Payne, Sr. $274.04\nAmerican LNG Services, LLC $7.73\nLinden Strategies, LLC $8.30\nLinden Energy, LLC $0.00 (no account)\nLinden Energy Holdings, Inc. $0.00 (no account)\nTotal \u2014 named Respondents $290.07\n12.\u2018 Apart from the $290.07 shown above, my only asset of material value is my personal\n\nresidence. I have no other liquid investment account, brokerage account, or similar holding\navailable to satisfy the September 18 Order on the timetable set by that Order.\n\nII]. DILIGENT EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FUNDS\n13. After the Court entered the September 18, 2026, Order, I undertook the following efforts\nto obtain funds sufficient to pay the $48,563.00 obligation in the time allowed:\na. I reviewed every deposit account still maintained by me or by any Respondent entity, which\nis the review described in paragraphs 5 through 12 and documented in Exhibits 1 through 4.\nb. I requested loans from several business partners and from potential lenders. None of those\npartners or potential lenders was able to provide the funds needed to pay the full $48,563.00 within\nthe time set by the September 18 Order.\nc. I explored mortgaging or otherwise encumbering my personal residence, which is the only\nasset of material value that I own. I was not able to close a mortgage or home-equity loan in time\nto satisfy the September 18 deadline. A residential mortgage or home-equity transaction could not\nbe originated, underwritten, and funded in time.\nd. I did obtain a short-term loan from an existing client in the amount of $16,188.00, which\n\nis available to be paid today, September 30, 2026, as described in paragraph 16. That loan is not\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 5 of 12\n\nreflected in the Wells Fargo Bank balances in Exhibits | through 4 because those screenshots show\nthe accounts before the loan proceeds are applied to the Court\u2019s Order.\n14. I have not transferred cash or other liquid assets to an insider, family member, or affiliated\nperson for the purpose of avoiding the September 18 Order. The small transfers visible on Exhibits\n1 through 4 \u2014 including a $15.00 transfer from my personal account to Linden Strategies, LLC\nand a $200.00 transfer from my personal account to American LNG Services, LLC \u2014 were\nordinary-course movements to cover operating items and bank fees, not an effort to conceal funds.\nThe reason the full $48,563.00 was not paid by the original deadline is that the cash on hand\n($290.07) and the financing I could obtain in that period were not sufficient to pay the Order in\nfull.\n\nIll. ABILITY TO MAKE A PARTIAL PAYMENT BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2026\n15. Respondents cannot pay the full $48,563.00 today from cash on hand. The named\nRespondents collectively hold $290.07 in deposit accounts. I can, however, make a partial\npayment today from a client loan.\n16. Today, September 30, 2026, I am able to pay $16,188.00, which is one-third of the\n$48,563.00 due under the September 18 Order. That $16,188.00 is the proceeds of a loan from\none of our clients. I will cause that amount to be delivered to Petitioner, through Petitioner\u2019s\ncounsel, upon the Court\u2019s direction or immediately in partial satisfaction of ECF 52.\n17. | The remaining balance after that partial payment is $32,375.00.\n\nIV. ANTICIPATED SOURCE AND TIMING OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS\n\n18. Linden Strategies, LLC has monthly clients that pay on net-15 terms each month. Those\n\nmonthly client payments total $55,000.00.\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 6 of 12\n\n19. Those $55,000.00 in Linden Strategies, LLC receivables are sufficient to cover the\nremaining $32,375.00. I anticipate that those payments will be received in the ordinary net-15\ncycle and that the remaining $32,375.00 can be paid on or before October 15, 2026.\n20. \u2018| therefore respectfully request that the Court accept the $16,188.00 partial payment being\ntendered on September 30, 2026, and extend the deadline to pay the remaining $32,375.00 to\nOctober 15, 2026.\n21. If the Linden Strategies, LLC client payments have not been received in time to pay the\nremaining $32,375.00 by October 15, 2026, I will cause a status report to be filed immediately\nidentifying the amounts collected and the additional steps being taken.\n\nV. CONCLUSION\n22. 1am not asking the Court to set aside the September 18 Order. I am asking for a short,\ndefined period \u2014 through October 15, 2026 \u2014 to finish paying the $48,563.00, after paying one-\nthird of that amount today from a client loan. The Wells Fargo Bank records attached as Exhibits\n| through 4 show why the full amount cannot be paid from cash on hand today.\n23. [ have read this Affidavit. The facts stated in it are within my personal knowledge and are\ntrue and correct.\nFurther Affiant sayeth,not.\n\nStephen P. Payne, Sr.\n\nIndividually and as authorized representative of\nLinden Strategies, LLC; Linden Energy, LLC;\nLinden Energy Holdings, Inc.; and\n\nAmerican LNG Services, LLC\n\nSWORN ACKNOWLEDGMENT\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD__\u2014 Page 7 of 12\n\nSUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this 30M Gay of September, 2026, by Stephen\n\nP. Payne, Sr., who is personally known to me or who produced dru ve Crmse\n\nas identification.\n\nL Diol bm\n\nNotary Public; State of Texas\nMy commission expires: ume 2g _ LO2zF\n\nMARIO GEORGE WALKER\n> Notary 1D #131194018\n\nMy Commission Expires\nJune 28, 2029\n\nan\n\nEXHIBIT 1\nWells Fargo Bank \u2014 SPP Personal / Everyday Checking ...9830\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122 Document 59-1 Filed 09/30/26 in TXSD Page 8 of 12\n\nStephen P. Payne, Sr. | Available balance $274.04 | September 30, 2026\n< QNeedhelp? 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(gmh4) (Entered: 08/09/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/472943666/","id":472943666,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/488394645/","id":488394645,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/47/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-08-01T16:34:56.457805-07:00","date_modified":"2026-08-01T16:34:56.478483-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":null,"file_size":null,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"47","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"179050954951","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"Notice of Setting (FORM, noticing) - Civil","acms_document_guid":""}],"date_created":"2026-08-01T16:34:56.433712-07:00","date_modified":"2026-09-17T11:36:38.119137-07:00","date_filed":"2026-07-31","time_filed":null,"entry_number":47,"recap_sequence_number":"2026-07-31.001","pacer_sequence_number":134,"description":"NOTICE of Setting. Parties notified. Motion Hearing set for 8/20/2026 at 09:40 AM by video before Judge Lee H Rosenthal, filed. (gmh4) (Entered: 08/01/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/471981427/","id":471981427,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/487400333/","id":487400333,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-07-23T21:35:14.532046-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:56:18.382788-07:00","sha1":"2a59cf4877d1e1ed8d1db134cb5bcdacf863d8de","page_count":30,"file_size":489787,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.46.0.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"   Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 1 of 30\n\n\n\n\n                  IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT\n                  FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS\n                           HOUSTON DIVISION\n\n                                      )\nIN RE APPLICATION OF OVIK             )\nMKRTCHYAN FOR AN ORDER TO             )\nTAKE DISCOVERY FOR USE IN             )         Case No. 4:25-mc-1122\nFOREIGN PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO )\n                                                Hon. Lee H. Rosenthal\n28 U.S.C. \u00a7 1782                      )\n                                      )\n                                      )\nOVIK MKRTCHYAN,                       )\n                         Petitioner   )\n                                      )\nv.                                    )\n                                      )\nSTEPHEN P. PAYNE, SR., LINDEN         )\nSTRATEGIES, LLC, LINDEN ENERGY,       )\nLLC, LINDEN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC. )\n& AMERICAN LNG SERVICES, LLC,         )\n                                      )\n                         Respondents. )\n                                      )\n\n                  PETITIONER OVIK MKRTCHYAN\u2019S\n         REPORT REGARDING RESPONDENTS\u2019 CONTEMPT, AND\n      MOTION FOR CONTEMPT AWARD AND TO COMPEL PRODUCTION\n\n\n\n                                      Ryan P. Hartman (Attorney-in-Charge)\n                                      Tex. Bar No. 24050727 / S.D. Tex. Bar 608056\n                                      ARNOLD & PORTER KAYE SCHOLER LLP\n                                      811 Main Street, Suite 1800\n                                      Houston, Texas 77002\n                                      Telephone: (713) 576-2438\n                                      Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\n\n                                      Counsel for Petitioner Ovik Mkrtchyan\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122                    Document 46                Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                    Page 2 of 30\n\n\n\n\n                                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS\n\nSUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ....................................................................................................... 1\nNATURE AND STAGE OF PROCEEDINGS ............................................................................... 2\n   1. Petitioner Seeks Discovery About an Ongoing Campaign Against Him ............................... 2\n   2. Respondents Fail to Comply with Petitioner\u2019s Subpoenas or Serve Objections ................... 4\n   3. The September 2, 2025 Order (ECF 12): The Court Orders Respondents to Produce\n      Responsive Documents After They Fail to Comply with the Subpoenas .............................. 4\n   4. The October 9, 2025 Order (ECF 23): The Court Orders Respondents to Produce\n      Responsive Documents After They Fail to Comply with the September 2 Order ................. 4\n   5. The January 9, 2026 Contempt Order (ECF 35): The Court Holds Respondents in\n      Contempt After They Fail to Comply with Both Orders ....................................................... 5\n   6. The February 17, 2026 Examination Order (ECF 45): The Court Orders a Forensic\n      Examination of Payne\u2019s Phone .............................................................................................. 6\nSUMMARY OF THE FORENSIC EXAMINATION .................................................................... 6\n   1. Data Was Deleted From Payne\u2019s Phone After He Received the Subpoenas and the Court\u2019s\n      February 17, 2026 Examination Order .................................................................................. 6\n   2. Respondents Still Have Not Served a Privilege Log ............................................................. 8\n   3. The Examiner Located at Least 20 Responsive, Undisclosed WhatsApp Messages ............ 9\nSTATEMENT OF ISSUES TO BE RULED ON BY THE COURT .............................................. 9\n   1. Issue No. 1: When Did Respondents Purge their Contempt? ................................................ 9\n   2. Issue No. 2: What Contempt Fines and Compensatory Relief Are Appropriate? ................ 10\n   3. Issue No. 3: Did Respondents Waive Privilege Over the Data on Payne\u2019s Phone by Failing\n      to Serve a Complete Privilege Log? .................................................................................... 10\nARGUMENT ................................................................................................................................ 11\n   1. Respondents Did Not Purge Their Contempt Until March 6, 2026 ..................................... 11\n   2. The Court Should Impose the Contempt Fines and/or Order Payne to Reimburse the Costs\n      of the Examination, and Enter an Order on its Prior Attorneys\u2019 Fees Award ...................... 18\n   3. The Court Should Find Respondents Waived Privilege Over the Data on Payne\u2019s Phone,\n      and Compel Its Production................................................................................................... 20\nCONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 25\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122                     Document 46                Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 3 of 30\n\n\n\n\n                                                 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES\n\nCases                                                                                                                             Page(s)\n\nAmerican Airlines, Inc. v. Allied Pilots Ass\u2019n,\n   228 F.3d 574 (5th Cir. 2000) ........................................................................................ 9-10, 19\n\nCalsep A/S v. Dabral,\n    84 F.4th 304 (5th Cir. 2023) .................................................................................................. 22\n\nCook v. Ochsner Foundation Hospital,\n   559 F.2d 270 (5th Cir. 1977) ................................................................................................. 10\n\nEEOC v. BDO USA, L.L.P.,\n   876 F.3d 690 (5th Cir. 2017) ........................................................................................... 10, 21\n\nHaddonfield Foods, Inc. v. Southern Hens, Inc.,\n   2023 WL 2449632 (S.D. Miss. Jan. 5, 2023) ........................................................................ 24\n\nIn re Texas Automobile Dealers Ass\u2019n,\n     2003 WL 21911333 (5th Cir. July 25, 2003)......................................................................... 23\n\nMotion Industries, Inc. v. Superior Derrick Services, LLC,\n   2016 WL 760776 (E.D. La. Feb. 26, 2016)........................................................................... 24\n\nNance v. Thompson Medical Co.,\n   173 F.R.D. 178 (E.D. Tex. 1997) .......................................................................................... 24\n\nNorman Bridge Drug Co. v. Banner,\n   529 F.2d 822 (5th Cir. 1976) ........................................................................................... 10, 19\n\nRobinson v. Texas Automobile Dealers Ass\u2019n,\n   214 F.R.D. 432 (E.D. Tex. 2003) ..................................................................................... 23-24\n\nRogge v. Bandera Falls Property Owner\u2019s Ass\u2019n,\n   2009 WL 10713559 (W.D. Tex. Aug. 11, 2009) ................................................................... 10\n\nShillitani v. United States,\n    384 U.S. 364 (1966) ................................................................................................................ 9\n\nUnited States v. United Mine Workers of America,\n    330 U.S. 258 (1947) ................................................................................................................ 9\n\nUnited States v. Zolin,\n    491 U.S. 554 (1989) .............................................................................................................. 25\n\nStatutes\n\n28 U.S.C. \u00a7 1782 ........................................................................................................................ 2, 4\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122                    Document 46               Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                   Page 4 of 30\n\n\n\n\nRules\n\nFed. R. Civ. P. 45(d)(2)(B) ....................................................................................................... 4, 20\n\nFed. R. Civ. P. 45(e)(2)(A)(ii) ...................................................................................................... 20\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 5 of 30\n\n\n\n\n       Petitioner submits this report under the Court\u2019s February 17, 2026 order (the \u201cExamination\n\nOrder\u201d) (ECF 45), which requires that Petitioner \u201csubmit a filing to this Court addressing: whether\n\nthe Examiner located additional materials responsive to the subpoenas that were not previously\n\nproduced by Respondents, whether Respondents have purged their contempt, and if so, when.\u201d\n\nECF 45 at 3. Petitioner further moves the Court for an order (i) determining the date on which\n\nRespondents purged their contempt, (ii) setting the related contempt fines and ordering\n\nreimbursement of Petitioner\u2019s attorneys\u2019 fees and forensic examination expenses, and (iii)\n\ncompelling Payne to produce certain documents identified in the examination over which he claims\n\nprivilege, but for which he has failed to supply a privilege log.\n\n                                 SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT\n\n       The forensic examiner located additional materials that Respondents should have produced\n\nin response to Petitioner\u2019s subpoenas and the Court\u2019s orders. Contrary to Respondents\u2019 January 12,\n\n2026 affidavits claiming that they had no more responsive documents (ECF 36), the examiner\n\nlocated at least 20 unproduced WhatsApp messages responsive to the subpoenas and the Court\u2019s\n\nJanuary 9, 2026 order granting Petitioner\u2019s motion for contempt (the \u201cContempt Order\u201d).\n\nRespondents thus did not purge their contempt until, at the earliest, March 6, 2026, when the\n\nexaminer collected those messages from Respondents.\n\n       The Court should impose the resulting fine under its Contempt Order and/or award\n\nPetitioner the $40,000 cost of the forensic examination required to obtain these documents.\n\nMoreover, the Court\u2019s Contempt Order awarded Petitioner his attorneys\u2019 fees and asked Petitioner\n\nto submit proof of the amount. Petitioner did so and the Court should award $8,563 in fees.\n\n       Additionally, Respondents still have not served a privilege log for the messages on Payne\u2019s\n\nphone. Months before the forensic review, Respondents served an incomplete privilege log on\n\n\n\n\n                                                  1\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122           Document 46           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD       Page 6 of 30\n\n\n\n\nOctober 2, 2025, that did not include any of those messages. Moreover, the Court ordered\n\nRespondents to serve a log for any data from the forensic review over which they assert privilege\n\nwithin 14 days of the examiner\u2019s delivery of the data to Respondents\u2014i.e., by June 5, 2026. ECF\n\n45 at 3. Respondents still have not done so or otherwise substantiated their privilege claims.\n\n       Thus, Petitioner respectfully asks that the Court (i) find that Respondents did not purge\n\ntheir contempt until March 6, 2026; (ii) order Payne to pay the $450,000 contempt fine to the Court\n\nand/or reimburse Petitioner for the $40,000 cost of the forensic examination, and award $8,563 in\n\nattorneys\u2019 fees; and (iii) either find that Respondents waived privilege over the responsive\n\ndocuments on Payne\u2019s phone and order their production or, alternatively, require Respondents to\n\nsubmit the documents for in camera review and provide a detailed privilege log substantiating\n\neach privilege claim, including evidence of an attorney-client relationship with Stoyan Baumeyer\n\nand Brian Ettinger that covers each document.\n\n                          NATURE AND STAGE OF PROCEEDINGS\n\n    1. Petitioner Seeks Discovery About an Ongoing Campaign Against Him\n\n       On June 16, 2025, Petitioner filed his Application to take discovery under 28 U.S.C.\n\n\u00a7 1782. ECF 1. The Application sought discovery for use in pending and contemplated foreign\n\nproceedings related to an ongoing campaign against Petitioner.\n\n       Specifically, Petitioner brought two proceedings in England over libelous articles: one\n\nagainst the owners of the London Post, an online hosting platform that, despite its name, is a\n\nRussian disinformation site, and another against public-relations consultant Radha Stirling, who\n\noperates several websites and has worked for Uzbek cement magnate Ulugbek Shadmanov. 1 The\n\nLondon Post and Stirling published libelous content about Petitioner and his business associates\u2014\n\n\n1\n The complaint against Stirling has now been refiled in Australia, where she claims to reside currently.\nThe complaint against the London Post\u2019s owners remains pending in England.\n\n\n                                                   2\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 7 of 30\n\n\n\n\nincluding false accusations of criminal conduct\u2014as part of a broader campaign to harm Petitioner.\n\nThe campaign began after Petitioner refused Shadmanov\u2019s request to use his U.S. connections to\n\nplace individuals on the U.S. sanctions list. It proceeded in two phases:\n\n        Unlawful detention (January 2024 to April 2024): First, the campaign arranged for\n\nPetitioner\u2019s unlawful detention in Uzbekistan in early 2024. Officials confined Petitioner to a tiny\n\ncell and tried to coerce fabricated confessions and money from him. He was released nearly three\n\nmonths later and was never convicted of any crime.\n\n        Disinformation (April 2024 to present): Second, shortly after Petitioner was released\n\nfrom detention in April 2024, Shadmanov\u2019s group launched a disinformation campaign aimed at\n\nharming him and engineering his rearrest. Respondents were participants in that campaign\u2014along\n\nwith the defendants in the foreign proceedings and others\u2014and thus possess information about its\n\nefforts. Specifically:\n\n    \u2022   In August 2024, Payne sent a false and disparaging letter to Uzbekistan\u2019s President\n        and its Ambassador in Washington, D.C., accusing Petitioner of criminal conduct.\n        ECF 2 at 11; ECF 4 \u00b6 42. Notably, in a recent Houston arbitration against Payne, in\n        which one of Petitioner\u2019s companies prevailed on all claims, the tribunal found that\n        \u201cPayne \u2026 betrayed Mkrtchyan by sending [this] disparaging letter \u2026 falsely\n        accusing Mkrtchyan of serious misdeeds and criminal activity,\u201d and that \u201c[t]he\n        justifications Payne offered to explain the \u2026 letter do not withstand scrutiny.\u201d Ex.\n        9, Arbitration Award \u00b6\u00b6 185-86. 2\n\n    \u2022   Payne\u2019s allegations closely tracked those contained in a letter and report that Joe\n        Fleming and his company Straife, LLC\u2014then working for Shadmanov\u2014had\n        secretly transmitted just one week earlier to Uzbekistan\u2019s President and\n        Ambassador through a U.S. law firm. See ECF 4 \u00b6 43. That firm has since retracted\n        the allegations and apologized to both the President and Petitioner. Ex. 13.\n\n    \u2022   The allegations in both documents also closely track the allegations published\n        beginning several weeks later by the London Post and Stirling that are the subject\n        of Petitioner\u2019s foreign libel proceedings. ECF 4 \u00b6 43.\n\n2\n The tribunal also found that Payne\u2019s \u201cwritten witness statements contained numerous falsehoods on\nmaterial points,\u201d and that Payne\u2019s associate Logan Somera \u201calso admitted to several false and\nmisleading assertions in his written witness statements.\u201d Ex. 9 at 10 n. 1.\n\n\n                                                 3\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 8 of 30\n\n\n\n\n       Petitioner therefore sought discovery under Section 1782 from Respondents regarding their\n\nparticipation in the campaign for use in the foreign proceedings.\n\n   2. Respondents Fail to Comply with Petitioner\u2019s Subpoenas or Serve Objections\n\n       On June 18, 2025, the Court granted Petitioner\u2019s Section 1782 Application. ECF 7. On June\n\n19, Petitioner served Respondents with document subpoenas. ECF 8-2. Respondents did not\n\nproduce documents by the subpoenas\u2019 July 21 compliance deadline; nor did they serve objections\n\n(or a privilege log) within fourteen days of service (July 3). Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(d)(2)(B). After\n\ninquiries from Petitioner\u2019s counsel, Payne belatedly produced a one-page document on July 22.\n\nECF 8 at 1. The other Respondents ignored the subpoenas entirely. Id.\n\n   3. The September 2, 2025 Order (ECF 12): The Court Orders Respondents to Produce\n      Responsive Documents After They Fail to Comply with the Subpoenas\n\n       After Respondents failed to comply with the subpoenas, the Court granted Petitioner\u2019s\n\nmotion to compel and set a September 23, 2025 deadline for Respondents to produce \u201call\n\ndocuments and information responsive to the Subpoenas.\u201d ECF 12 at 2.\n\n   4. The October 9, 2025 Order (ECF 23): The Court Orders Respondents to Produce\n      Responsive Documents After They Fail to Comply with the September 2 Order\n\n       Respondents produced 175 pages of documents but never informed Petitioner whether the\n\nproduction was complete and did not serve a privilege log. ECF 26 at 3. Instead, on September 24,\n\none day after production was due, Respondents filed a motion for in camera review of withheld\n\ndocuments (ECF 16 at 2), and on October 2, they served an untimely and incomplete privilege log\n\n(ECF 20-3). On October 9, the Court denied Respondents\u2019 motion for in camera review and set an\n\nOctober 12 deadline for Respondents to \u201ccomply fully\u201d with the September 2 Order \u201cby producing\n\nall documents and information responsive to the subpoenas.\u201d ECF 23 at 1-2. The Court warned\n\nthat noncompliance would trigger a show-cause contempt hearing. Id. at 2.\n\n\n\n                                                4\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD      Page 9 of 30\n\n\n\n\n   5. The January 9, 2026 Contempt Order (ECF 35): The Court Holds Respondents in\n      Contempt After They Fail to Comply with Both Orders\n\n       Respondents did not comply. On October 28, 2025 (more than two weeks after the order\u2019s\n\ndeadline), Respondents finally produced certain documents but continued to withhold others. ECF\n\n26 at 4. On December 11, Petitioner filed a motion for contempt. ECF 26.\n\n       On January 9, 2026, the Court found Respondents in conditional contempt for failing to\n\ncomply with its September 2, 2025 and October 9, 2025 orders. The Contempt Order allowed\n\nRespondents to purge the contempt by \u201cproducing all paper and electronic documents in their\n\npossession, custody, or control responsive to the subpoenas\u201d by January 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ECF\n\n35 at 2-3. The Court specifically required Respondents to produce the following categories of\n\nresponsive documents that Petitioner contended Respondents were withholding:\n\n   a. all documents and communications related to [Payne\u2019s] August 2024 letter\n      titled \u201cAMENDMENT TO PREVIOUS LETTER\u201d referenced in Petitioner's\n      Memorandum (ECF 2 at 8);\n\n   b. all responsive documents and communications with Straife LLC or Joe\n      Fleming, including but not limited to responsive messages between Respondents\n      or their officers, directors, agents, employees, or representatives, on one hand, and\n      Straife LLC or Joe Fleming, on the other hand;\n\n   c. all responsive communications between Respondent Payne and Logan Somera,\n      or among any other officers, directors, agents, employees, or representatives of any\n      or all of the Respondents;\n\n   d. all responsive documents and communications from other messaging platforms\n      beyond Payne's email such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and text messages;\n      and\n\n   e. all responsive documents and communications between Respondents and\n      Thomas Rowley.\n\nId. (emphasis added). If Respondents failed to comply, the Court would impose a fine on Payne of\n\n$5,000 per day that would increase to $10,000 per day and continue until the contempt was purged.\n\nId. at 3. The order also awarded Petitioner his fees and costs for bringing the motion. Id.\n\n\n\n                                                 5\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122           Document 46      Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 10 of 30\n\n\n\n\n        After the Court issued its order, Respondents filed a \u201cresponse\u201d to Petitioner\u2019s contempt\n\nmotion and attached supporting affidavits from Payne, Payne\u2019s associate Logan Somera, and\n\nRespondents\u2019 counsel, each dated January 12, 2026. ECF 36, 36-1, 36-2, 36-3. Payne and Somera\n\nstated that Respondents did not have documents responsive to the Contempt Order\u2019s five document\n\ncategories. ECF 36-1 at 1; 36-2 at 1.\n\n    6. The February 17, 2026 Examination Order (ECF 45): The Court Orders a Forensic\n       Examination of Payne\u2019s Phone\n\n        Respondents\u2019 affidavits revealed their failure to run key search terms, apparent spoliation,\n\nand assertions that no responsive documents existed despite Payne\u2019s contrary arbitration testimony.\n\nSee ECF 38 at 1-2. Petitioner therefore moved to compel forensic examination of any phones Payne\n\nused from September 1, 2023, forward. Id. at 10-12. The Court set a February 17 hearing and\n\nordered Payne to testify, but Respondents agreed to the examination shortly beforehand. ECF 40,\n\n44. On February 17, the Court entered the agreed Examination Order requiring that Respondents\n\ndeliver Payne\u2019s devices to an examiner, who would image and review them and deliver potentially\n\nresponsive data to Respondents for privilege review. ECF 45 at 2-3. Respondents then had 14 days\n\nto serve a privilege log, after which they and the examiner were to \u201cpromptly release\u201d all unlogged\n\ndata and findings to Petitioner. Id. at 3.\n\n                      SUMMARY OF THE FORENSIC EXAMINATION\n\n    1. Data Was Deleted From Payne\u2019s Phone After He Received the Subpoenas and the\n       Court\u2019s February 17, 2026 Examination Order\n\n        A forensic examination was conducted by FTI Consulting (\u201cFTI\u201d). Although the forensic\n\nexamination could identify some deletion activity, it could not consistently recover content once\n\ndeleted. The available evidence nevertheless shows that data was deleted from Payne\u2019s phone\n\n\n\n\n                                                 6\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD       Page 11 of 30\n\n\n\n\nbefore he surrendered it to the examiner\u2014including after service of the June 2025 subpoenas and\n\nafter entry of the Court\u2019s Examination Order.\n\n        First, as explained in Petitioner\u2019s contempt briefing, Payne testified in a December 2025\n\narbitration that he had continued to use a 90-day auto-delete function for text messages on his\n\nphone and had manually deleted messages, even after first anticipating litigation in September\n\n2024. See ECF 38 at 7-9. The forensic examiner\u2019s May 4, 2026 report (the \u201cFTI Report\u201d)\n\nconfirmed that Payne continued to employ automated deletion on his WhatsApp messages through\n\nthe examination (e.g., setting messages with Logan Somera to delete after 90 days). Ex. 1 at 8.\n\n        Second, the Report explains that on February 25, 2026, approximately a week after the\n\nCourt issued the February 17 Examination Order requiring delivery of Payne\u2019s phone, someone\n\ndownloaded three \u201ccleanup applications\u201d\u2014CCleaner, AVG Cleaner, and SD Maid SE\u2014before\n\ndeleting them and other content a few days later. Id. at 4-6. In particular, FTI analyzed deletion\n\nevents on the phone from February 22, 2026 to March 1, 2026 (slightly before and after the\n\napplication installations) and found the following deletions:\n\n    \u2022   five application usage log entries across WhatsApp, Chrome, and Zengo (a\n        cryptocurrency app);\n    \u2022   two call log entries from WhatsApp;\n    \u2022   eight web browsing cookies;\n    \u2022   four applications, including CCleaner, SD Maid, and AVG Cleaner, and a\n        cryptocurrency wallet;\n    \u2022   ten instant messages across Facebook and Facebook Messenger.\n\nId. at 5-6. Official product materials state that CCleaner \u201ccan delete application cache, browser\n\nhistory, clipboard content, old call logs and more\u201d; 3 that AVG Cleaner \u201cmonitors and cleans\u201d a\n\n\n\n\n3\n CCleaner for Android, CCleaner, https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner-android (last visited July 22,\n2026), Ex. 3.\n\n\n                                                 7\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 12 of 30\n\n\n\n\nphone\u2019s \u201cbrowsing history, call history, and text messages\u201d; 4 and that SD Maid SE\u2019s \u201ccore purpose\n\nis freeing up space and removing unwanted data.\u201d 5\n\n    2. Respondents Still Have Not Served a Privilege Log\n\n       On March 6 and April 8, 2026, FTI forensically collected data from Payne\u2019s mobile phone\n\nand later reviewed it for potential responsiveness using 31 agreed search terms. 6 Ex. 1, FTI Report\n\nat 1-2, 6. On April 24, FTI delivered this data to Respondents so that they could review it for\n\nprivilege before its release to Petitioner. Ex. 6, Email at 2. Respondents did not serve a privilege\n\nlog by the May 8 deadline (i.e., 14 days after FTI delivered the data (ECF 45 at 3)), and the data\n\nwas not produced to Petitioner at that time. See Ex. 6. Instead, Respondents\u2019 counsel sent a one-\n\npage letter which generally asserted \u201cprivilege as to any communications between Stephen Payne\n\nand Stoyan Beaumeyer [sic].\u201d Ex. 7, May 8, 2026 Letter.\n\n       Then on May 15, three weeks after FTI\u2019s delivery of potentially responsive data,\n\nRespondents stated for the first time that they opposed production of any documents, on the ground\n\nthat an unspecified number of text messages identified in the review were not responsive. Ex. 8,\n\nEmail at 41. Although the Examination Order granted FTI \u201cdiscretion\u201d to determine what is\n\n\u201cpotentially responsive\u201d (ECF 45 at 2-3), Petitioner agreed to Respondents\u2019 request that FTI\n\nconduct a second review using more restrictive criteria. Ex. 8, Email at 38.\n\n       On May 22, FTI completed this review and delivered a smaller set of \u201capproximately\n\n1,074\u201d text messages to Respondents for privilege review, requesting that they provide their\n\n\n4\n  AVG Cleaner for Android, AVG, https://www.avg.com/en-us/avg-memory-cleaner (last visited July\n22, 2026), Ex. 4.\n5\n  SD Maid 2/SE, SD Maid 2/SE, https://sdmse.darken.eu/ (last visited July 22, 2026), Ex. 5.\n6\n  During FTI\u2019s initial collection on March 6, FTI could not collect data from Payne\u2019s Threema and\nSignal messaging applications. Ex. 1, FTI Report, at 2. Payne stated that he could not recall his\nThreema login credentials. Id. Payne then falsely \u201casserted that Signal fell outside of the scope of the\nsubpoena and left with the device.\u201d Id. On April 8, FTI conducted a successful manual collection of\ndata from the Signal application. Id. However, FTI could not access Threema without the password.\n\n\n                                                   8\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD       Page 13 of 30\n\n\n\n\nprivilege log by May 27. Id. at 28. However, rather than provide a log allowing Petitioner to assess\n\nthe privilege claim, Respondents emailed the undersigned and FTI to generally assert privilege\n\nover \u201call communications between Steve [Payne] and Stoyan [Baumeyer]\u201d and \u201call messages with\n\nBrian Ettinger.\u201d Id. at 16, 41. Respondents\u2019 correspondence did not identify or describe the\n\nmessages over which they asserted privilege, supply the basis for the privilege, or provide dates or\n\na complete list of parties to those messages. Id. 7 On May 28, FTI provided Petitioner with a\n\nproduction of all messages except those over which Respondents had asserted privilege.\n\n       To date, Respondents still have not served Petitioner with a privilege log describing the\n\ndata from Payne\u2019s phone that they are withholding, despite the Examination Order requiring a log\n\nwithin 14 days of FTI\u2019s data delivery (ECF 45 at 3) and the undersigned\u2019s further requests for one\n\non at least four occasions. Ex. 8, Email at 2, 11, 17, 47.\n\n    3. The Examiner Located at Least 20 Responsive, Undisclosed WhatsApp Messages\n\n       Finally, as explained in more detail below, the examiner located at least 20 previously\n\nunproduced WhatsApp messages that were responsive to the subpoenas and the Contempt Order.\n\n              STATEMENT OF ISSUES TO BE RULED ON BY THE COURT\n\n    1. Issue No. 1: When Did Respondents Purge their Contempt?\n\n       \u201cThere can be no question that courts have inherent power to enforce compliance with their\n\nlawful orders through civil contempt.\u201d Shillitani v. United States, 384 U.S. 364, 370 (1966)\n\n(citations omitted); see also Am. Airlines, Inc. v. Allied Pilots Ass\u2019n, 228 F.3d 574, 585 (5th Cir.\n\n2000) (contempt sanctions are appropriate to \u201ccoerce the defendant into compliance with the\n\ncourt\u2019s order\u201d or \u201ccompensate the complainant for losses sustained\u201d) (quoting United States v.\n\nUnited Mine Workers of Am., 330 U.S. 258, 303-04 (1947)). A district court\u2019s decisions in a\n\n\n7\n  Payne also asserted privilege over messages with his spouse. Id. at 41. Based on his representation\nthat they are irrelevant, Petitioner does not at this time seek their production or in camera review.\n\n\n                                                  9\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122            Document 46      Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 14 of 30\n\n\n\n\ncontempt proceeding are generally reviewed for abuse of discretion. Id. at 578 (citations omitted).\n\nFactual findings\u2014including about whether a litigant has purged contempt\u2014will be upheld unless\n\nclearly erroneous. Id. at 582.\n\n   2. Issue No. 2: What Contempt Fines and Compensatory Relief Are Appropriate?\n\n       Compensatory civil contempt reimburses the injured litigant for losses and expenses caused\n\nby the contemnor\u2019s noncompliance, including expenses \u201creasonably and necessarily incurred in\n\nthe attempt to enforce compliance.\u201d Norman Bridge Drug Co. v. Banner, 529 F.2d 822, 827 (5th\n\nCir. 1976). The Court has broad discretion to award such relief based on the losses caused by the\n\ncontemptuous conduct. Am. Airlines, Inc., 228 F.3d at 585-86; see also Cook v. Ochsner Found.\n\nHosp., 559 F.2d 270, 272 (5th Cir. 1977).\n\n   3. Issue No. 3: Did Respondents Waive Privilege Over the Data on Payne\u2019s Phone by\n      Failing to Serve a Complete Privilege Log?\n\n       Failure to serve a timely or complete privilege log may result in waiver, \u201cwhere a court\n\nfinds that the failure results from unjustified delay, inexcusable conduct, or bad faith.\u201d EEOC v.\n\nBDO USA, L.L.P., 876 F.3d 690, 697 (5th Cir. 2017) (citation omitted); see also Rogge v. Bandera\n\nFalls Prop. Owner\u2019s Ass\u2019n, 2009 WL 10713559, at *3 (W.D. Tex. Aug. 11, 2009) (holding that\n\n\u201c[f]ailure to provide a privilege log\u201d supporting generalized privilege objections waives privilege)\n\n(citation omitted).\n\n       District courts have \u201cbroad and considerable discretion\u201d in determining whether a litigant\n\nhas waived privilege, and that factual determination is reviewed for abuse of discretion. BDO USA,\n\nL.L.P., 876 F.3d at 696-97 (citations omitted). Whether a district court used the correct legal\n\nstandard in that determination is reviewed de novo. Id. at 697-98 (citations omitted).\n\n\n\n\n                                                10\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 15 of 30\n\n\n\n\n                                           ARGUMENT\n\n    1. Respondents Did Not Purge Their Contempt Until March 6, 2026\n\n        Contrary to Respondents\u2019 sworn affidavits (see ECF 36-1, 36-2), the forensic examination\n\nrevealed that for nearly a year, Respondents had been withholding responsive WhatsApp\n\nmessages. Those messages evidence Respondents\u2019 involvement in the conspiracy and include\n\ninformation falling under the five document categories in the Court\u2019s Contempt Order:\n\n    \u2022   At least ten unproduced WhatsApp messages revealing that Payne disseminated\n        and discussed one of the defamatory articles at issue in Petitioner\u2019s foreign\n        proceedings;\n\n    \u2022   At least five unproduced WhatsApp messages revealing Respondents\u2019 apparent\n        efforts to monitor Petitioner and his associates\u2019 activities during the time period of\n        the campaign; and\n\n    \u2022   At least five unproduced WhatsApp messages corroborating Respondents\u2019\n        connection with the campaign\u2019s ringleader, Shadmanov, during the time period of\n        the campaign.\n\n        Respondents thus did not purge their contempt until at least March 6, 2026, when the\n\nexaminer collected the unproduced WhatsApp messages from Payne\u2019s phone.\n\n        A. Respondents Withheld WhatsApp Messages in which Payne Shares Stirling\u2019s\n           Defamatory Article and Discusses His \u201cSmear Campaign\u201d\n\n        FTI identified at least ten previously unproduced WhatsApp messages in which Payne\n\nshared and discussed a defamatory article that is the subject of Petitioner\u2019s foreign libel lawsuit.\n\nSpecifically, the WhatsApp messages show that Payne shared an article by Stirling, the defendant\n\nin one of the foregoing lawsuits, shortly after the article was published on Stirling\u2019s \u201cDetained in\n\nDubai\u201d website in January 2025. Payne shared a link to the article with at least nine people\n\n(including his associate Somera). The relevant messages are reproduced in the table below: 8\n\n\n\n8\n  The unproduced messages in this table can be found in Exhibit 2, which collects the relevant excerpts\nfrom FTI\u2019s productions and is authenticated by the accompanying declaration.\n\n\n                                                  11\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD           Page 16 of 30\n\n\n\n#       From             To                            Body                                 Timestamp\n                                                                                            - Time\n68      18324736700@     18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     1/24/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Logan [Somera] -              post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   9:23:16\n        Steve Payne      359889222258@s.whatsapp.net   destabilise-us-relations-with-       AM(UTC-6)\n                         Dessi Popov -                 uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n\n69      18324736700@     12166504959@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     1/25/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Nate Sero -                   post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   8:10:22\n        Steve Payne                                    destabilise-us-relations-with-       PM(UTC-6)\n                                                       uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n71      18324736700@     15126945724@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     1/27/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Todd Gallaher -               post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   3:19:30\n        Steve Payne                                    destabilise-us-relations-with-       PM(UTC-6)\n                                                       uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n\n76      18324736700@     13107707351@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     2/11/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Geoff Nordloh -               post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   7:35:22\n        Steve Payne      447880731030@s.whatsapp.net   destabilise-us-relations-with-       AM(UTC-6)\n                         Mike Conroy -                 uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                         18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    s-large\n                         Logan [Somera] -\n\n\n\n\n77      18324736700@     12815131786@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     2/13/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Tanweer Ahmed -               post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   3:53:44\n        Steve Payne      18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    destabilise-us-relations-with-       PM(UTC-6)\n                         Logan [Somera] -              uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n\n78      18324736700@     18328123100@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     2/21/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Monica -                      post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   8:18:43\n        Steve Payne                                    destabilise-us-relations-with-       PM(UTC-6)\n                                                       uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n\n\n\n103     18324736700@     12817254955@s.whatsapp.net    https://www.detainedindubai.org/     1/24/2025\n        s.whatsapp.net   Charlie Sero -                post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   9:23:43\n        Steve Payne                                    destabilise-us-relations-with-       AM(UTC-6)\n                                                       uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n\n\n\n\n                                                 12\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122              Document 46          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD              Page 17 of 30\n\n\n\n #        From               To                               Body                                  Timestamp\n                                                                                                    - Time\n 104      18324736700@       12817254955@s.whatsapp.net       https://www.detainedindubai.org/      5/6/2025\n          s.whatsapp.net     Charlie Sero -                   post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-    6:39:29\n          Steve Payne                                         destabilise-us-relations-with-        PM(UTC-5)\n                                                              uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                              s-large\n\n\n 105      +18324736700       +15126945724                     https://www.detainedindubai.org/      1/27/2025\n          Steve Payne                                         post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-    1:57:18\n                                                              destabilise-us-relations-with-        PM(UTC-6)\n                                                              uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                              s-large\n\n\n          In one of these exchanges dated January 24, 2025, a person to whom Payne sent a link to\n\nthe Stirling article responds, referring to Payne\u2019s involvement in \u201cfunding a smear campaign\u201d:\n\n #          Participants                                  Body                                     Timestamp -\n                                                                                                   Time\n 11552      18324736700@s.whatsapp.net Steve Payne        [Sero]: So they\u2019re mad at you for        1/24/2025\n            12817254955@s.whatsapp.net Charlie            funding a smear campaign?                11:30:06\n            Sero                                                                                   AM(UTC-6)\n\n\n          Several months later in May 2025, Payne sent the article to the same person, while referring\n\nto it as part of a \u201cdeal\u201d that has been going on for a \u201cyear\u201d (i.e., the 2024 time period in which\n\nMkrtchyan alleges that the misinformation part of the campaign started) and that \u201c[w]e\u2019re halfway\n\nthrough right now\u201d:\n\n #          Participants      Body                                                              Timestamp -\n                                                                                                Time\n 11679-     18324736700@      [Payne]: https://www.detainedindubai.org/post/us-lobbyists-       5/6/2025 6:39:29\n 11684      s.whatsapp.net    used-in-plot-to-destabilise-us-relations-with-uzbekistan-and-     PM (UTC-5)\n            Steve Payne       steal-central-asia-s-large\n            (owner)                                                                             through\n                              [Payne]: I guess this happened when you were at SMU\n            12817254955@                                                                        5/6/2025 7:00:45\n            s.whatsapp.net    [Sero]: Yeah you were telling me about that deal                  PM (UTC-5)\n            Charlie Sero\n                              [Sero]: So it ended up working out?\n\n                              [Payne]: Yeah for a year\n\n                              [Payne]: We\u2019re halfway through right now\n\n\n\n\n                                                         13\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 18 of 30\n\n\n\n\n       These unproduced messages further confirm Payne\u2019s involvement in the campaign and\n\nshow Payne disseminating one of the very articles at issue in the foreign litigation. Significantly,\n\nthey even show that Payne disseminated this defamatory article on the same day (January 27, 2025)\n\nthat he was encouraging U.K.-based journalist Thomas Rowley to publish similar false allegations.\n\nEx. 2, row 70.\n\n       The unproduced WhatsApp messages are responsive to several requests in Petitioner\u2019s\n\nsubpoenas (ECF 8-1):\n\n   \u2022   Request 1: All Documents and Communications exchanged with, or relating to\n       . . . Radha Stirling, IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform, Detained in Dubai,\n       Due Process International, or any officers, directors, employees, or agents of those\n       organizations or individuals;\n\n   \u2022   Request 2: All Documents and Communications that refer to or relate to\n       Petitioner;\n\n   \u2022   Request 3: All Documents and Communications that relate to any news articles,\n       blog posts, online content, letters, investigation summaries, or reports\n       regarding Petitioner.\n\nId. at 7-8 (emphasis added). The messages also fall squarely under at least two of the document\n\ncategories in the Court\u2019s January 9 Contempt Order:\n\n   \u2022   Document category (c): all responsive communications between Respondent\n       Payne and Logan Somera, or among any other officers, directors, agents,\n       employees, or representatives of any or all of the Respondents.\n\n   \u2022   Document category (d): all responsive documents and communications from other\n       messaging platforms beyond Payne's email such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram,\n       and text messages.\n\nECF 35 at 2-3 (emphasis added).\n\n       These unproduced messages contradict Respondents\u2019 statements in their January 12\n\naffidavits. For example, Payne stated in his affidavit:\n\n\n\n\n                                                 14\n\f         Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 19 of 30\n\n\n\n\n         \u2022   [in response to document category (c)]: I, Stephen Payne, have no such responsive\n             communications with Logan Somera nor any other officers, directors, agents,\n             employees, or representatives of any or all of the Respondents; and\n\n         \u2022   [in response to document category (d)]: There are no such responsive documents\n             or communications from other message platforms beyond Payne\u2019s emails such as\n             WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and text messages.\n\nECF 36-1 at 1 (emphasis added). These representations were false. 9\n\n             B. Respondents Withheld Other Responsive WhatsApp Messages about Petitioner\n\n             FTI\u2019s data production included other responsive but unproduced WhatsApp messages\n\nabout Petitioner. For example, weeks after Payne sent his false August 23, 2024, letter to\n\nUzbekistan\u2019s President and Ambassador in Washington about Petitioner and his associate Uktam\n\nAripov, he told Somera and another person that \u201c[t]he Uzbek government is starting to come after\n\nuktam\u201d (Ex. 2):\n\n    #        From             To                           Body                          Timestamp -\n                                                                                         Time\n    51       18324736700@     37129208851@s.whatsapp.net   The Uzbek government is       10/16/2024\n             s.whatsapp.net   Edgars Jansons -             starting to come after        8:01:19\n             Steve Payne      18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   uktam                         AM(UTC-5)\n                              Logan [Somera] -\n\n\n             Other unproduced messages reveal that Respondents at times monitored and discussed\n\ninformation about Petitioner and Aripov daily while working for Shadmanov (id.):\n\n    #        From             To                           Body (excerpts)               Timestamp -\n                                                                                         Time\n    85       15128036390@     Participants:                *Monday 06/23*\u2026               6/23/2025\n             s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   \u201cuktam aripov\u201d and \u201covik      8:55:50\n             Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],              Mkrtchyan\u201d - nothing posted   AM(UTC-5)\n                              15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   within the last week/month\n                              Ella Stovall,\n                              18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                              Steve Payne (owner)\n\n    86       15128036390@     Participants:                *Tuesday 06/24*\u2026              6/24/2025\n             s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   \u201cuktam aripov\u201d and \u201covik      8:57:14\n             Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],              Mkrtchyan\u201d - nothing          AM(UTC-5)\n                              15128036390@s.whatsapp.net\n\n9\n    Logan Somera made nearly identical (and false) representations in his affidavit. ECF 36-2 at 1.\n\n\n                                                      15\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 20 of 30\n\n\n\n #        From             To                           Body (excerpts)                Timestamp -\n                                                                                       Time\n                           Ella Stovall,\n                           18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                           Steve Payne (owner)\n\n 87       15128036390@     Participants:                *Wednesday 06/25*\u2026             6/25/2025\n          s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   \u201cuktam aripov\u201d and \u201covik       8:52:32\n          Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],              Mkrtchyan\u201d - nothing           AM(UTC-5)\n                           15128036390@s.whatsapp.net\n                           Ella Stovall,\n                           18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                           Steve Payne (owner)\n\n 92       15128036390@     Participants:                *Thursday 06/26*\u2026              6/26/2025\n          s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   nothing on . . . \u201cuktam        8:47:41\n          Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],              aripov\u201d and \u201covik              AM(UTC-5)\n                           15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   Mkrtchyan\u201d\n                           Ella Stovall,\n                           18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                           Steve Payne (owner)\n\n\n          These unproduced WhatsApp messages further corroborate Respondents\u2019 involvement in\n\nthe campaign, including their continuing efforts to monitor the campaign\u2019s results in Uzbekistan\n\nand elsewhere during the period in which they worked with Shadmanov.\n\n          The messages are responsive to several requests in Petitioner\u2019s subpoenas:\n\n      \u2022   Request 2: All Documents and Communications that refer to or relate to\n          Petitioner;\n\n      \u2022   Request 3: All Documents and Communications that relate to any news articles,\n          blog posts, online content, letters, investigation summaries, or reports\n          regarding Petitioner;\n\n      \u2022   Request 5: All Documents and Communications relating to Petitioner\u2019s detention\n          in Uzbekistan, plans to detain Petitioner and/or charge Petitioner with crimes,\n          or a desire to detain Petitioner and/or charge Petitioner with crimes.\n\nECF 8-1 at 7-8 (emphasis added). The messages also fall under categories (c) and (d) of the\n\nContempt Order, and as explained above, they contradict Respondents\u2019 statements in their January\n\n12 affidavits that they did not have responsive documents. ECF 36-1 at 1; 36-2 at 1.\n\n\n\n\n                                                   16\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD              Page 21 of 30\n\n\n\n\n        C. Respondents Withheld Responsive WhatsApp Messages about Shadmanov\n\n        FTI\u2019s May 28 data production includes at least five unproduced WhatsApp messages about\n\nthe campaign\u2019s ringleader Shadmanov and his company United Cement Group (UCG). The\n\nmessages show that at the same time (indeed, the same day and week) that Respondents were\n\nmonitoring and discussing news about Petitioner, they were also monitoring information about\n\nShadmanov, UCG, UCG\u2019s registered lobbyist (Mercury Public Affairs), the President of\n\nUzbekistan (to whom Payne sent his false August 2024 letter), and the President\u2019s daughter (Ex. 2):\n\n #       From             To                           Body (excerpts)                       Timestamp\n                                                                                             - Time\n 88      18325716091@s    Participants:                @15128036390                          6/25/2025\n         .whatsapp.net    18325716091@s.whatsapp.net                                         6:57:23\n         Logan            Logan [Somera],              Look up FARA [Foreign Agents          PM(UTC-5)\n         [Somera]         15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   Registration Act] or LDA [Lobbying\n                          Ella Stovall,                Disclosure Act] registrants for\n                          18324736700@s.whatsapp.net   United Cement Group or Ulugbek\n                          Steve Payne (owner)          Shadmanov. Should be called\n                                                       Mercury but may have others.\n\n                                                       See if they have any filings on who\n                                                       they met with in USG\n\n 89      18325716091@s    Participants:                Also put together something           6/25/2025\n         .whatsapp.net    18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   outlining the trade between           7:49:44\n         Logan [Somera]   Logan [Somera],              Uzbekistan and the US, where they     PM(UTC-5)\n                          15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   are in trade talks, \u2026\n                          Ella Stovall,\n                          18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                          Steve Payne (owner)\n\n 90      15128036390@s    Participants:                There are no postings of Mercury      6/25/2025\n         .whatsapp.net    18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   affiliation with UCG but on open      7:58:10\n         Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],              secrets, they posted three            PM(UTC-5)\n                          15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   interactions and posted their\n                          Ella Stovall,                lobbying reports. \u2026\n                          18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                          Steve Payne (owner)\n\n 91      15128036390@s    Participants:                And there arnt [aren\u2019t] any current   6/25/2025\n         .whatsapp.net    18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   FARA records that exist for           7:58:44\n         Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],              Mercury Public Affairs in             PM(UTC-5)\n                          15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   connection with United Cement\n                          Ella Stovall,                Group or Shadmanov\n                          18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                          Steve Payne (owner)\n\n\n\n\n                                                 17\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD             Page 22 of 30\n\n\n\n #        From             To                           Body (excerpts)                     Timestamp\n                                                                                            - Time\n 93       18325716091@s    Participants:                \u2026We need to see a rundown of        6/27/2025\n          .whatsapp.net    18325716091@s.whatsapp.net   anything you can find on public     7:48:06\n          Logan [Somera]   Logan [Somera],              officials (Saida Mirziyoyeva,       AM(UTC-5)\n                           15128036390@s.whatsapp.net   Otobek _____, Ulugbek\n                           Ella Stovall,                Shadmanov, President etc) that\n                           18324736700@s.whatsapp.net   have said or have anything to do\n                           Steve Payne (owner)          with TPS, Yangi, or Novo\n\n\n          These unproduced messages about Shadmanov further corroborate Respondents\u2019\n\nconnections to the campaign\u2019s ringleader during the campaign and are responsive to at least two\n\nrequests in Petitioner\u2019s subpoenas:\n\n      \u2022   Request 2: All Documents and Communications that refer to or relate to\n          Petitioner;\n\n      \u2022   Request 4: All Documents and Communications exchanged with, or relating to:\n          Ulugbek Shadmanov; United Cement Group or its affiliates or subsidiaries; or\n          the officers, directors, agents, employees, attorneys, or representatives of the\n          foregoing, including but not limited to Stephen Akard or his firm.\n\nECF 8-1 at 7-8 (emphasis added). They also fall under categories (c) and (d) in the Contempt Order\n\n(ECF 35 at 2-3), and contradict Respondents\u2019 representations in their January 12 affidavits that\n\nthey did not possess responsive documents. ECF 36-1 at 1; 36-2 at 1.\n\n                                                ***\n\n          For these reasons, Payne did not purge his contempt until at least March 6, 2026, when\n\nPayne provided his phone for forensic examination.\n\n      2. The Court Should Impose the Contempt Fines and/or Order Payne to Reimburse the\n         Costs of the Examination, and Enter an Order on its Prior Attorneys\u2019 Fees Award\n\n          The Court\u2019s Contempt Order provided that if Respondents did not produce all responsive\n\ndocuments by January 12, 2026, the Court would fine Payne $5,000 per day beginning that day\n\n(i.e., the third day after the order was entered on January 9), increasing to $10,000 per day\n\n\n\n\n                                                  18\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 23 of 30\n\n\n\n\nbeginning on the tenth day after the order was entered. ECF 35 at 3. Payne\u2019s fine payable to the\n\nCourt for January 12, 2026 through March 6, 2026 is therefore at least $450,000.\n\n       As an alternative or in addition to this, Petitioner asks that the Court require Payne to\n\nreimburse Petitioner for over $40,000 in costs that Petitioner incurred with FTI for its forensic\n\nreview. Decl. of Ryan Hartman \u00b6 14. As noted above, compensatory civil contempt reimburses the\n\ninjured litigant for losses and expenses caused by the contemnor\u2019s noncompliance, including\n\nexpenses \u201creasonably and necessarily incurred in the attempt to enforce compliance.\u201d Norman\n\nBridge Drug Co., 529 F.2d at 827. The Court has broad discretion to award such relief based on\n\nthe losses caused by the contemptuous conduct. Am. Airlines, Inc., 228 F.3d at 585-86 (citations\n\nomitted). Here, the forensic examination at a cost of over $40,000 was made necessary by Payne\u2019s\n\nfailure to produce responsive communications despite the subpoenas and repeated orders\n\ncompelling production\u2014and by his sworn representation that no such communications existed.\n\nThe examination was the means required to secure Payne\u2019s compliance, and it uncovered at least\n\ntwenty responsive WhatsApp messages that he had failed to produce. Because Petitioner would\n\nnot have incurred those costs but for Payne\u2019s contempt, the Court should order Payne to pay them\n\nas compensatory relief.\n\n       Separately, the Contempt Order also required Respondents to pay, jointly and severally,\n\nany expenses, costs, and attorneys\u2019 fees incurred by Petitioner that shall be determined by the Court\n\nafter Petitioner submits his itemized damages. ECF 35 at 3. Petitioner\u2019s counsel submitted a\n\ndeclaration attesting to $8,563 in attorneys\u2019 fees incurred through the January 9 hearing on that\n\nmotion. ECF 41-1 \u00b6 4. Petitioner respectfully asks the Court to enter an order on that amount.\n\n\n\n\n                                                 19\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122           Document 46      Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 24 of 30\n\n\n\n\n    3. The Court Should Find Respondents Waived Privilege Over the Data on Payne\u2019s\n       Phone, and Compel Its Production\n\n        Respondents\u2019 continued failure to serve a privilege log for the data on Payne\u2019s phone more\n\nthan justifies waiver of privilege. Respondents have ignored deadlines under the Rules and the\n\nCourt\u2019s orders, and the undersigned\u2019s repeated requests for a log. In the alternative, if the Court\n\ndeclines to find waiver at this time, Petitioner requests that the Court order Payne to (a) produce\n\nfor in camera review any data on Payne\u2019s phone withheld as privileged (other than messages with\n\nPayne\u2019s spouse), and (b) provide a privilege log and substantiation of the privilege so that\n\nPetitioner can assess the basis for it.\n\n        A. Respondents Did Not Serve A Privilege Log Addressing The Phone\u2019s Data When\n           Their Log Was First Due More Than A Year Ago On July 3, 2025\n\n        A person withholding subpoenaed information based on privilege must serve a privilege\n\nlog \u201cdescrib[ing] the nature of the withheld documents, communications, or tangible things in a\n\nmanner that, without revealing information itself privileged or protected, will enable the parties to\n\nassess the claim.\u201d Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(e)(2)(A)(ii). Respondents\u2019 objections and privilege log were\n\ndue July 3, 2025 (14 days after the subpoenas were served on June 19, 2025). ECF 8-2. See Fed.\n\nR. Civ. P. 45(d)(2)(B). But Respondents provided neither. Instead, they waited until October 2,\n\n2025, to serve a log (ECF 20-3), a month after the Court\u2019s September 2 order (ECF 12) compelling\n\nproduction and three months after their objections were due. Respondents\u2019 October 2 log is the\n\nonly privilege log they have served to date, but it does not address any data from Payne\u2019s phone.\n\n        B. Respondents Also Did Not Serve A Privilege Log Addressing The Phone\u2019s Data By\n           The February 2026 Order\u2019s Applicable Deadlines: May 8 Or June 5, 2026\n\n        Moreover, the Court\u2019s February 17, 2026 order also required that \u201c[w]ithin 14 calendar\n\ndays of [FTI\u2019s] delivery [of the phone\u2019s data to Respondents], Respondents shall provide to the\n\nExaminer and Petitioner a privilege log for any Data over which Respondents assert privilege.\u201d\n\n\n\n                                                 20\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 25 of 30\n\n\n\n\nECF 45 at 3. FTI\u2019s initial delivery of the phone\u2019s data to Respondents occurred on April 24, 2026,\n\nsetting a May 8 deadline for Respondents to serve their log. FTI\u2019s second delivery following re-\n\nreview of the data occurred on May 22, setting a June 5 deadline. 10 In either case, Respondents\u2019\n\nlog is now well overdue.\n\n       Rather than serve a log substantiating their privilege claims, Respondents instead made\n\ntwo broad privilege assertions in a letter and emails to the undersigned: first, Respondents asserted\n\nattorney-client privilege over \u201call communications between Steve [Payne] and Stoyan\n\n[Baumeyer]\u201d (Ex. 7, May 8, 2026 Letter; Ex. 8, Email at 41) and, second, over \u201call messages with\n\nBrian Ettinger\u201d (Ex. 8, Email at 16). Without an actual log identifying the individual messages\n\n(including dates, senders, and recipients) and substantiating the privilege, it is impossible for\n\nPetitioner to assess the privilege. Accordingly, the undersigned has repeatedly requested a log from\n\nRespondents on at least four occasions (Ex. 8, Email at 2, 11, 17, and 47).\n\n       C. Respondents\u2019 Conduct Justifies Waiver\n\n       Respondents\u2019 efforts to frustrate these proceedings constitute the type of \u201cunjustified delay,\n\ninexcusable conduct, or bad faith\u201d that courts in the Fifth Circuit find warrants privilege waiver.\n\nBDO USA, 876 F.3d at 697 (citations omitted). Respondents have repeatedly dragged their feet in\n\ndefiance of the Court\u2019s orders. As noted above, Respondents (i) did not serve objections or a\n\nprivilege log by Rule 45\u2019s July 3, 2025 deadline; (ii) did not produce any documents by the\n\nsubpoenas\u2019 July 21, 2025 deadline; (iii) did not produce \u201call documents and information\n\nresponsive to the subpoenas\u201d by the September 23, 2025 deadline under the September 2 order,\n\nECF 12 at 2; (iv) did not \u201cproduc[e] all documents and information responsive to the subpoenas\u201d\n\n\n10\n   On June 1, 2026, FTI provided Respondents\u2019 counsel with copies of several files previously\nidentified in its production and requested confirmation of any privilege claims. Respondents asserted\nprivilege over one file. Ex. 8, Email at 7. Under the Examination Order, Respondents were required to\nlog that file no later than June 15 (if not earlier on June 5), but failed to do so.\n\n\n                                                 21\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 26 of 30\n\n\n\n\nby the October 12, 2025 deadline under the October 9 order, ECF 23 at 1; (v) did not produce all\n\ndocuments required by the Contempt Order; and (vi) did not serve a privilege log by the May 8 or\n\nJune 5, 2026 deadlines under the Examination Order, ECF 45 at 3. Whatever halting progress has\n\nbeen made toward Respondents\u2019 compliance has come only after repeated entreaties from the\n\nundersigned, the examiner, and the Court. And Payne\u2019s installation of deletion apps after the\n\nCourt\u2019s Examination Order further belies any potential excuse for his habitual noncompliance.\n\n       Respondents have not provided any justification for their conduct. The only conclusion to\n\nbe drawn from Respondents\u2019 unjustified delays and continued non-compliance is that Respondents\n\nare acting in bad faith. See, e.g., Calsep A/S v. Dabral, 84 F.4th 304, 313 (5th Cir. 2023)\n\n(recognizing history of delay, deletion, and non-compliance as basis for bad faith).\n\n       Moreover, Respondents appear to be using their catch-all privilege assertions over \u201call\n\ncommunications\u201d between Payne and Stoyan Baumeyer, or Payne and Brian Ettinger, as a way to\n\nconceal non-privileged information. Notably, in the recent arbitration between Payne and\n\nPetitioner\u2019s company, Payne called Baumeyer as a fact witness but at no point disclosed Baumeyer\n\nas his former or current attorney. Payne\u2019s sworn testimony instead described Baumeyer as a \u201clocal\n\nconsultant\u201d for his projects in Bulgaria and testified that his engagements with him had been\n\nlimited to \u201c[j]ust a couple of things with Bulgaria.\u201d Ex. 10, Arbitration Tr. Excerpts at 514-16. Nor\n\ndid Baumeyer describe himself as Payne\u2019s former or current attorney: Baumeyer testified that he\n\nhad introduced Payne to contacts in Bulgaria and received no compensation other than travel\n\nreimbursement. Ex. 11, Baumeyer\u2019s Arbitration Witness Statement at 4. Indeed, Baumeyer\u2019s\n\ntestimony was that he had worked as Petitioner\u2019s attorney, not Payne\u2019s. Id.\n\n       Similarly, while Ettinger has acted as an attorney for Payne, they also have business\n\ndealings together. Ettinger and Payne formed a consulting company, Team Eagle Consulting LLC,\n\n\n\n\n                                                 22\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 27 of 30\n\n\n\n\nwithin a month of Payne sending his August 2024 letter, and this company also appears to be\n\ninvolved in the campaign against Petitioner. 11\n\n       All of the foregoing suggests that Respondents\u2019 blanket attorney-client privilege claims\n\nover \u201call\u201d communications between Payne and Baumeyer or Ettinger have been made in bad faith,\n\nespecially to the extent that the arbitration concerned the subpoenas\u2019 responsive time period of\n\n\u201cSeptember 1, 2023, forward.\u201d ECF 8-1 at 6. However, because Respondents have still not served\n\na privilege log, it is impossible for Petitioner to assess Respondents\u2019 claims.\n\n       Courts have found waiver on facts less egregious than those here. For example, in Robinson\n\nv. Texas Automobile Dealers Association, the court found that the defendants waived privilege over\n\ncertain documents that they had failed to list in their original privilege log, adding them only after\n\nplaintiffs filed a motion to compel. 214 F.R.D. 432, 456 (E.D. Tex. 2003), vacated in part on other\n\ngrounds by In re Tex. Auto. Dealers Assn., 2003 WL 21911333 (5th Cir. July 25, 2003). The court\n\nexplained:\n\n       While waiver based on such conduct may seem like a harsh penalty, such a policy\n       is necessary to prevent gamesmanship. If a party is allowed to withhold documents\n       without giving opposing parties notice that the documents exist but are being\n       withheld, the opposing party will obviously be unable to contest the validity of a\n       privilege or protection asserted for those documents. Amending the privilege log to\n       fully disclose the scope of withheld documents after a motion to compel documents\n       in the privilege log has already been filed is too late to serve that purpose.\n\nId. Respondents\u2019 misconduct here is even more glaring: not only did they fail to produce any log\n\nuntil October 2, over a month after Petitioner had filed and the Court had ruled on his motion to\n\ncompel (only after the undersigned\u2019s repeated requests for one), Respondents continue to withhold\n\na log identifying the allegedly privileged communications with Baumeyer and Ettinger.\n\n\n11\n   Team Eagle, Team Eagle Signs Agreement with Pakistan for Strategic Political Advocacy and\nEconomic Development Advisory, PR Newswire (Oct. 23, 2024), https://www.prnewswire.com/news-\nreleases/team-eagle-signs-agreement-with-pakistan-for-strategic-political-advocacy-and-economic-\ndevelopment-advisory-302284874.html, Ex. 12.\n\n\n                                                  23\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122           Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 28 of 30\n\n\n\n\n       Likewise, in Nance v. Thompson Medical Company, the court found that the defendant had\n\nwaived work-product protections over certain documents because, although the defendant had\n\nlisted them in its log, it only asserted attorney-client privilege. 173 F.R.D. 178, 183 (E.D. Tex.\n\n1997). The court explained that \u201c[w]aiver of either the attorney-client privilege or the attorney\n\nwork product privilege can also occur when a party fails to state a privilege objection in the\n\n\u2018privilege log\u2019 as required under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(5).\u201d Id. at 182 (citations\n\nomitted). Here, Respondents failed to list the documents entirely. See also Haddonfield Foods, Inc.\n\nv. S. Hens, Inc., 2023 WL 2449632, at *2 (S.D. Miss. Jan. 5, 2023) (finding defendant waived\n\nprivilege over two audio recordings because it did not produce the recordings until after the court\n\nhad sanctioned the defendant for withholding recordings and ordered production); Motion Indus.,\n\nInc. v. Superior Derrick Services, LLC, 2016 WL 760776, at *3 (E.D. La. Feb. 26, 2016) (finding\n\nplaintiff waived privilege because it failed to object to discovery requests until six weeks after the\n\ndeadline and failed to serve a privilege log at that time).\n\n       D. Alternatively, The Court Should Order Respondents to Produce the Allegedly\n          Privileged Materials for In Camera Review and Produce a Privilege Log\n\n       At minimum, the Court should order in camera review of the allegedly privileged\n\ncommunications. Courts faced with inadequate privilege logs may conduct in camera review of\n\nwithheld documents. See, e.g., Robinson, 214 F.R.D. at 438. \u201c[T]he decision whether to engage in\n\nin camera review rests in the sound discretion of the district court. The court should make that\n\ndecision in light of the facts and circumstances of the particular case, including, among other\n\nthings, the volume of materials the district court has been asked to review [and] the relative\n\nimportance to the case of the alleged privileged information . . . .\u201d United States v. Zolin, 491 U.S.\n\n554, 572 (1989).\n\n\n\n\n                                                  24\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 29 of 30\n\n\n\n\n        Here, as explained above, Respondents asserted catch-all claims of attorney-client\n\nprivilege over \u201call communications\u201d with Baumeyer and Ettinger. Ex. 8, Email at 16, 41; Ex. 7,\n\nMay 8, 2026 Letter. However, sworn testimony by Payne and Baumeyer in the recent arbitration\n\nindicates Baumeyer was not acting as Payne\u2019s attorney during the responsive period (or perhaps\n\never), and Payne\u2019s relationship with Ettinger includes both legal and business matters. These\n\ncircumstances justify ordering Respondents to produce the allegedly privileged materials for in\n\ncamera inspection, and provide a log of the privileged communications and evidence of the\n\nprivilege\u2019s applicability.\n\n                                         CONCLUSION\n\n        Petitioner respectfully asks that the Court (i) order Payne to pay the $450,000 contempt\n\nfine to the Court, reimburse Petitioner $40,000 for the cost of the forensic examination, or both;\n\n(ii) award Petitioner $8,563 in attorneys\u2019 fees; (iii) either find that Respondents waived privilege\n\nover the responsive documents on Payne\u2019s phone and order their production, or alternatively,\n\nrequire Respondents to submit the documents for in camera review and provide a detailed privilege\n\nlog substantiating each privilege claim and attorney-client relationship, and (iv) grant Petitioner\n\nany other appropriate relief. A proposed order is attached.\n\n\n Dated: July 23, 2026                       Respectfully submitted,\n\n                                            /s/ Ryan P. Hartman\n                                            Ryan P. Hartman (Attorney-in-Charge)\n                                            Tex. Bar No. 24050727 / S.D. Tex. Bar 608056\n                                            ARNOLD & PORTER KAYE SCHOLER LLP\n                                            811 Main Street, Suite 1800\n                                            Houston, Texas 77002\n                                            Telephone: (713) 576-2438\n                                            Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\n\n                                            Counsel for Petitioner\n\n\n\n\n                                                25\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 30 of 30\n\n\n\n\n                              CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE\n\n       I hereby certify that I attempted to resolve this matter without the necessity of filing a\nmotion, but was unsuccessful for the reasons outlined herein.\n\n                                                   /s/ Ryan P. Hartman\n                                                   Ryan P. Hartman\n\n\n\n                                 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE\n\n       I hereby certify that I caused the foregoing to be filed through the CM/ECF system on\nJuly 23, 2026, which will notify all counsel of record.\n\n                                                   /s/ Ryan P. Hartman\n                                                   Ryan P. Hartman\n\n\n\n\n                                                 26\n\f","ocr_status":2,"date_upload":"2026-10-02T10:56:18.376814-07:00","document_number":"46","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883756","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"Compel AND Contempt","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020932/","id":496020932,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/1/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.294337-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.294345-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":3,"file_size":156033,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"46","attachment_number":1,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883757","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Affidavit Declaration of Ryan Hartman","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020933/","id":496020933,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/2/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.324841-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:56:19.049606-07:00","sha1":"8c8618f7d9cb94f9e037121ac37856ca23ea6ba2","page_count":9,"file_size":428300,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.46.2.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-2   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 1 of 9\n\n\n\n\n                       Exhibit 1\n\f       Case 4:25-mc-01122                  Document 46-2              Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                  Page 2 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\n\n\n                                                         Memorandum\n\n From:             Abbate, Paul; FTI Consulting, Inc. :ag\n Subject:          Mobile Forensics Summary\n Date:             Monday, May 4, 2026\n\n\n\n\n                                                            Summary\nFTI Cybersecurity (\u201cFTI\u201d) was engaged to conduct a forensic acquisition and targeted analysis of a Samsung Galaxy\nZ Fold (Model SM-F966U/IMEI 359207210183420/ IMSI 310260629489322) (\u201cthe device\u201d) to identify potentially\nresponsive data using defined keyword search terms. The engagement was conducted per the terms of the order\nissued in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division granting motion for\nforensic examination, Case 4:25-mc-1122 (\u201cthe Order\u201d) dated February 17, 2026. Analysis was conducted in\naccordance with the provided relevant time for responsiveness, September 1, 2023 through September 1, 2025. On\nMarch 6, 2026 the device was forensically collected using Cellebrite Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED). A\nsecond manual collection of the Signal application was conducted on April 8, 2026.\n\n                                                     Findings Overview\nThe analysis identified responsive communications and images consistent with the defined search criteria. Multiple\nmessaging applications were installed on the device, some with ephemeral messaging enabled 1. Three different\ncleanup applications were installed and subsequently executed on the device on February 25, 2026. These\napplications are capable of deleting temporary files, application data, and other residual artifacts.\n\n                                                     Device Information\nThe examined device was a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (Model SM-F966U/IMEI 359207210183420/ IMSI\n310260629489322), associated with Stephen Payne (\u201cCustodian\u201d). The exact date of manufacture of the device\ncould not be determined from the available data. Model SM-F966U was released to the public for purchase on\napproximately July 25, 2025. Analysis indicates the device was restored from a backup on November 20, 2025. The\nCustodian indicated in a Signal chat with James Bond on November 24, 2025 that he had obtained a new phone in\nthe days before. There is no indication the device was rooted 2.\n\n\n\n\n1 Ephemeral messaging refers to features within certain messaging applications that automatically delete messages after a set period of\n\ntime after they are viewed.\n2 Rooting allows privileged access to a devices operating system enabling modification of system files, installation of unauthorized software,\n\nand removal of built-in security controls.\n                                                                                                                                             1\n\f        Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46-2          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD          Page 3 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\n\n\n\n                                                   Collection\nOn March 6, 2026 the device was forensically collected using Cellebrite Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED).\nA chain of custody was generated and maintained. A full file system extraction was performed, capturing logical and\nfile system data. The extraction produced a Universal Forensic Extraction Device Report (UFDR) file, which serves as\na forensic image of the device. Hash values were generated, and outlined below:\n\n    \u2022    Payne, Stephen\\F00001-1-DA2-E001\\MD\\UFED samsung SM-F966U 2026_03_06\n         (001)\\Manual\\EXTRACTION_FFS 01\\EXTRACTION_FFS.zip\n         MD5 Hash: 8929A85E469610E501CD3AE3AABE3A76\n\n    \u2022    Payne, Stephen\\F00001-1-DA2-E002\\MD\\Payne, Stephen - Telegram.7z\n         MD5 Hash: D85FC6491CE29848AA8C0CC9B3A97353\n\nThe original data was preserved in a forensically sound manner and all subsequent analysis was conducted on a\nverified copy. Verification of the copy was obtained via Hash matching.\nDuring the initial collection certain applications, specifically Signal and Threema, could not be fully decrypted. The\ndevice was returned to the Custodian for the purpose of unlocking the device to sign into these applications for\nvalidation. The Custodian advised FTI he could not remember the login information for Threema, therefore the\napplication data could not be collected. The Custodian asserted that Signal fell outside of the scope of the\nsubpoena and left with the device.\n\n\nOn April 8, 2026, FTI met again with the Custodian for the purpose of a manual collection of Signal application data\nfrom the device. A successful collection of Signal application data was completed:\n\n    \u2022    Payne, Stephen\\F00001-1-DA2-E003\\Manual Pictures and Videos\\Manual Pictures and Videos.7z\n         MD5 Hash: AF0E6BFDDFDE236FD7D31C7DEFFE4729\n\n                                                    Processing\nThe extracted data was processed using Cellebrite Physical Analyzer. The tool parsed and organized data into\nstructured artifact categories, including communications (SMS, chat applications, and email) images, documents,\nand system data. This process enabled efficient review and identification of relevant artifacts.\n\n                                              Messaging Applications\nIn addition to the native SMS messaging, multiple messaging applications were located on the device. The relevant\napplications and an overview of their functionality is noted below.\n\nTelegram\nTelegram is a cloud-based messaging platform with optional end-to-end encrypted \u201csecret chats\u201d. Telegram stores\nmost communications in its cloud infrastructure. As a result, the data present on the device may represent only a\npartial local cache rather than complete capture of user activity. Telegram \u201csecret chats\u201d however are stored locally\n                                                                                                                    2\n\f        Case 4:25-mc-01122              Document 46-2     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD           Page 4 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\non the device. Telegram offers disappearing messages through two methods: auto-delete in regular chats and self-\ndestruct times in secret chats.3 There were several Telegram chats located on the device. All those chats fall outside\nof the provided relevant time of responsiveness.\n\nWhatsApp/WhatsApp Business\nWhatsApp and WhatsApp Business are both owned by Meta and function similarly. Both support \u201cdisappearing\nmessages\u201d 4. Disappearing messages can be set to auto-delete after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. On this device\ndisappearing messages for WhatsApp was set as \u201coff\u201d by default. WhatsApp Business disappearing messages were\nset at 7 days as default.\nSystem generated WhatsApp records indicate that disappearing messages were enabled within specific\nconversations. These records identify the affected chats and the date and time the feature was activated. They are\nnoted in Appendix A.\nAnalysis of the WhatsApp database identified multiple chat records utilizing disappearing message functionality.\nEach record includes a Jabber Identifier (JID), which distinguishes the type of conversation:\n    \u2022    @s.whatsapp.net: Represents individual (one-to-one) chats with a specific user, typically associated with a\n         phone number. However, the identifier may not always correspond to a traditional mobile number, as it\n         can reflect alternative formats such as VoIP-based accounts, business profiles, or system-generated\n         identifiers that do not directly map to a standard dialable number.\n    \u2022    @g.us: Represents group chats, which may include multiple participants. The JID is a group ID, and not a\n         phone number.\nNot all records contain valid values for ephemeral setting timestamp. This is reflected by blank timestamps. This\ncondition indicates:\n    \u2022    The exact time when disappearing messages were enabled is not available in the dataset, or\n    \u2022    The setting was enabled prior to timestamp tracking, during data migration, or within group chats where\n         this metadata is not consistently recorded\nAs a result, while it can be confirmed that disappearing messages are active for these chats, the precise activation\ntime cannot be determined for all records.\n\nThreema\nThreema is an end-to-end encrypted messaging application that minimizes server-side data retention and stores\ndata locally on the device .5 Threema supports message expiration and messages can be configured to delete after\na defined time .6 The Custodian advised FTI he could not remember the login information for the application,\ntherefore the application data could not be collected.\n\nSignal\n\n\n\n\n3 https://telegram.org/blog/now-you-see-me?setln=it\n4 https://faq.whatsapp.com/673193694148537\n5 https://threema.com/en\n6 https://threema.com/en/blog/tidy-up-chats\n\n                                                                                                                    3\n\f       Case 4:25-mc-01122                Document 46-2           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD            Page 5 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\nSignal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging application. Messages are stored locally on the device in encrypted\nform and are not retained by the service provider. Signal supports \u201cdisappearing messages\u201d 7 and when enabled\nmessages automatically delete after a defined time internal. A review of the Signal application settings showed the\ndefault setting for disappearing messages was set to \u201coff\u201d. The setting is applied per chat and can be changed by\nparticipants. A chat with Joseph Flemming had disappearing messages set at one hour. Deleted messages are\nremoved from the user interface and device database.\n\n                                                          Cleanup Tools\n Analysis identified the installation of three \u201ccleanup applications\u201d on the device: CCleaner, AVG Cleaner, and SD\nMaid SE. These applications are designed to improve device performance and storage utilization by removing\ntemporary files, cached data, residual files from uninstalled applications, and other non-essential artifacts. The\napplication data folders for the identified applications were not present in the extracted file system. This may be\nattributable to the applications having been uninstalled prior to extraction, or the applications having cleared their\nown data prior to removal. Despite the absence of these folders, additional artifacts were reviewed to establish\nevidence of installation and usage.\nSD Maid SE\nSD Maid SE, also known as SD Maid 2, is a file management tool for Android that specializes in maintenance. SD\nMaid is used to clear cache and remove residual files from uninstalled applications.8 In a non-rooted device SD Maid\ncannot access the WhatsApp message database or other encrypted databases such as Signal. The Android platform\n\u201cisolates apps from each other and protects apps and the system from malicious apps. To do this, Android assigns a\nunique user ID (UID) to each Android app and runs it in its own process.\u201d. 9\nAnalysis identified search activity within the Google Play Store on February 25, 2026 09:50:12 AM UTC -6 for \u201cSd\nmaid\u201d. A corresponding application installation event was recorded the same day at 09:50:26 AM UTC -6. An\napplication usage log is recorded at 09:50:31 AM UTC -6 with multiple consecutive application usage logs\nimmediately following.\n\nCCleaner\nCCLeaner is a cleaning tool which removes files, clears application caches, and manages storage to speed up devices.\n10It reclaims space by deleting browser history, clipboard content, and residual files. It can also be used to uninstall\n\n\nmultiple applications quickly.\nAnalysis identified search activity within the Google Play Store on February 25, 2026 09:58:47 AM UTC -6 for\n\u201cccleaner\u201d. A corresponding application installation event was recorded on the same day at 09:58:52 AM UTC -6.\nAn application usage log is first recorded at 09:50:57 AM UTC -6 with multiple consecutive application usage logs\nimmediately following. A last updated timestamp was identified as February 28, 2026 10:30:13 AM UTC-6.\n\n\n\n\n7 https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320771-Set-and-manage-disappearing-messages\n8 https://sdmse.darken.eu/#:~:text=SD%20Maid%20SE%20(AKA%20SD,space%20and%20removing%20unwanted%20data.\n9 https://source.android.com/docs/security/app-\n\nsandbox#:~:text=This%20isolates%20apps%20from%20each,it%20in%20its%20own%20process.\n10 https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner-android?srsltid=AfmBOoqzatsD-1GIX2yBIlzBSktsbNi4tKd7NJCqVedbR3Jb0JRd9KZU\n\n                                                                                                                      4\n\f        Case 4:25-mc-01122            Document 46-2        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 6 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\nAVG Cleaner\nAVG Cleaner is a cleaning tool which allows users to remove junk files, uninstall applications, and delete photos and\nvideos. AVG Cleaner can be set to function automatically based on a set schedule. 11\nAnalysis identified search activity within the Google Play Store on February 25, 2026 09:58:20 AM UTC -6 for\n\u201cccleaner\u201d. A corresponding application installation event was recorded on the same day at 09:58:24 AM UTC -6.\nThere were no corresponding application usage logs identified at the time of analysis.\n\n                                                     Deletion Events\nTo identify potential file deletion activity, a timeline view was constructed. The timeline was populated by\naggregating timestamped events across multiple data sources, including file system metadata, MediaStore database\nrecords, download history, and application artifacts. Deleted records recovered from SQLite database free pages\nwere incorporated into the timeline alongside active records to provide a comprehensive chronological view of file\nactivity on the device.\nThe timeline was reviewed for clusters of deletion events, abrupt gaps in file activity, and any correlation between\ndeletion timestamps and other known activity on the device. This methodology allowed for the identification of\nperiods where files may have been deliberately removed, as well as the recovery of file references that would not\nhave been visible through standard parsed artifact views alone.\nUpon analysis of the timeline view, a total of 3,068 artifacts were identified as deleted between 1/7/2024 and\n9/1/2025. It should be noted that artifacts predating 1/1/2024 are not available for review. The deleted artifacts\nare as follows:\n    \u2022    1,029 call log entries, 1,025 of which originated from WhatsApp;\n    \u2022    1 cookie from StubHub.com;\n    \u2022    63 emails;\n    \u2022    1,967 instant messages across the following applications: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Native\n         Messages, WhatsApp, and WhatsApp Business;\n    \u2022    1 location entry;\n    \u2022    1 note; and\n    \u2022    6 searched items.\nDue to the identification of cleaning tool installation, analysis was expanded to 2/22/2026 \u2013 3/1/2026. Within this\ntimeframe, 205 artifacts were identified as follows:\n    \u2022    5 application usage log entries across WhatsApp, Chrome, and Zengo;\n    \u2022    2 call log entries from WhatsApp;\n    \u2022    8 cookies;\n    \u2022    4 deleted applications, three of which were identified as CCleaner, SD Maid, and AVG Cleaner;\n\n\n\n\n11 https://www.avg.com/en-us/avg-memory-cleaner#pc\n\n                                                                                                                   5\n\f       Case 4:25-mc-01122            Document 46-2      Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 7 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\n            o   It should be noted that while the deletion of these applications was confirmed, exact timestamps\n                were not available;\n            o The fourth application was Changelly, a cryptocurrency wallet; and\n   \u2022    10 instant messages across Facebook and Facebook Messenger.\n\n                                                    Analysis\nA targeted forensic analysis was conducted using keyword searches and artifact-based review utilizing a provided\nspecific set of keywords.\n   \u2022    Ovik\n   \u2022    Mkrtchyan\n   \u2022    Uktam\n   \u2022    Aripov\n   \u2022    Ulugbek\n   \u2022    Shadmanov\n   \u2022    Mirziyoyev\n   \u2022    Sidikov\n   \u2022    Sidiqov\n   \u2022    \u201cambassador.sidikov@gmail.com\u201d\n   \u2022    \u201cf.sidiqov@mfa.uz\u201d\n   \u2022    \u201cUnited Cement\u201d\n   \u2022    UCG\n   \u2022    *unitedcementgroup.com\n   \u2022    Akard\n   \u2022    \u201cBose McKinney\u201d\n   \u2022    \u201cLondon Post\u201d\n   \u2022    *london-post.co.uk\n   \u2022    2Trom\n   \u2022    Tokarev\n   \u2022    \u201cMoscow Media\u201d\n   \u2022    Radha\n   \u2022    Stirling\n   \u2022    *radhastirling.com\n   \u2022    IPEX\n   \u2022    \u201c(Interpol and Extradition) Reform\u201d\n   \u2022    \u201cInterpol and Extradition Reform\u201d\n   \u2022    \u201cDetained in Dubai\u201d\n   \u2022    \u201cDue Process International\u201d\n   \u2022    Gor\n   \u2022    Straife\n\nKeyword searches were applied across the dataset to identify potentially responsive content. Identified artifacts\nwere reviewed in context, including full communication threads and associated attachments where applicable.\nSearches were applied in accordance with the provided relevant time for responsiveness, September 1, 2023\n\n\n                                                                                                                   6\n\f      Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-2        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 8 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\nthrough September 1, 2025. Responsive items were tagged and exported in a CSV file format, along with relevant\nmetadata (e.g. date/time, participants, source application, and file path), provided to Counsel.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                                                            7\n\f       Case 4:25-mc-01122      Document 46-2        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD       Page 9 of 9\nPRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL\n\n\n\n\n                               Appendix A: WhatsApp Ephemeral Settings\n\n\n JID                             Display Name                    Setting Enabled Date   Duration\n 120363050847409973@g.us         Overgas SPA Discussion          Unavailable            7 Days\n\n 18324736700-1632582457@g.us     Group Chat -Unavailable         Unavailable            7 Days\n\n 17136281148@s.whatsapp.net      Crhis Caudill                   Unavailable            24 Hours\n\n 359887575609@s.whatsapp.net     Petar Petrov                    Unavailable            90 Days\n\n 905336509411@s.whatsapp.net     Ahmet Oran                      Unavailable            90 Days\n\n 971508121252@s.whatsapp.net     Sheikh Nayan                    Unavailable            7 Days\n\n 15805833656@s.whatsapp.net      Hani Abuhalawa                  Unavailable            7 Days\n\n 12029612292@s.whatsapp.net      Unavailable                     7/13/24 21:37          90 Days\n\n 12028055268@s.whatsapp.net      Congressman Trent Franks        9/18/23 11:30          7 Days\n 380675655121@s.whatsapp.net     Unavailable                     Unavailable            24 Hours\n\n 97451499988@s.whatsapp.net      Unavailable                     Unavailable            7 Days\n\n 17134718880@s.whatsapp.net      Lutfi Hassan                    Unavailable            90 Days\n 120363409185780120@g.us         Gautham Case                    Unavailable            90 Days\n\n 120363415575827489@g.us         Neto-Visa                       Unavailable            90hj Days\n\n 13463228511@s.whatsapp.net      Abar Hashmi                     Unavailable            90 Days\n\n 41792694440@s.whatsapp.net      Stoyan Baumeyer                 Unavailable            90 Days\n\n 16175536204@s.whatsapp.net      HAH                             Unavailable            7 Days\n\n 18325716091@s.whatsapp.net      Logan                           Unavailable            90 Days\n\n 120363420158761739@g.us         Linden Internal                 Unavailable            7 Days\n\n\n\n\n                                                                                                    8\n\f","ocr_status":2,"date_upload":"2026-10-02T10:56:19.048817-07:00","document_number":"46","attachment_number":2,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883758","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 1 - Examiner's Report","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020934/","id":496020934,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/3/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.345662-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:56:19.670911-07:00","sha1":"c9192524383f4ffe938a0d6d58fb4ab162120b4a","page_count":6,"file_size":197233,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.46.3.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-3   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 1 of 6\n\n\n\n\n                       Exhibit 2\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-3           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD           Page 2 of 6\n\n\n\n\n     THE RELEVANT MESSAGES FROM FTI\u2019S MAY 28, 2026 DATA PRODUCTION\n\n                                      Instant Messages Tab\n\n#      From             To                              Body                                  Timestamp\n                                                                                              - Time\n51     18324736700@     37129208851@s.whatsapp.net      The Uzbek government is starting      10/16/2024\n       s.whatsapp.net   Edgars Jansons -                to come after uktam                   8:01:19\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:10/16/2024 8:01:20                                          AM(UTC-5)\n                        AM(UTC-5); Read: 10/16/2024\n                        8:01:20 AM(UTC-5)\n\n                        18325716091@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Logan [Somera] -\n                        Delivered:10/16/2024 8:01:20\n                        AM(UTC-5); Read: 10/16/2024\n                        8:02:22 AM(UTC-5)\n\n68     18324736700@     18325716091@s.whatsapp.net      https://www.detainedindubai.org/      1/24/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Logan [Somera] -                post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-    9:23:16\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:1/24/2025 9:23:17     destabilise-us-relations-with-        AM(UTC-6)\n                        AM(UTC-6); Read: 1/24/2025      uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        9:29:38 AM(UTC-6)               s-large\n\n                        359889222258@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Dessi Popov -\n                        Delivered:1/24/2025 9:23:18\n                        AM(UTC-6); Read: 1/24/2025\n                        9:25:58 AM(UTC-6)\n\n69     18324736700@     12166504959@s.whatsapp.net      https://www.detainedindubai.org/      1/25/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Nate Sero -                     post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-    8:10:22\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:1/25/2025 8:10:25     destabilise-us-relations-with-        PM(UTC-6)\n                        PM(UTC-6); Read: 1/25/2025      uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        8:10:39 PM(UTC-6)               s-large\n\n\n70     18324736700@     447506942410@s.whatsapp.net     Another article from radio for        1/27/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Thomas Rowley -                 Europe, US government-funded...       3:18:33\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:1/27/2025 3:19:38     In the group photo Ovik is the        PM(UTC-6)\n                        PM(UTC-6); Read: 1/27/2025      person to the far left... Obviously\n                        3:44:57 PM(UTC-6)               this is from a few years ago... The\n                                                        notorious Russian mobster is his\n                                                        godfather\n\n                        \"\n\n71     18324736700@     15126945724@s.whatsapp.net      https://www.detainedindubai.org/      1/27/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Todd Gallaher -                 post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-    3:19:30\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:1/27/2025 3:19:32     destabilise-us-relations-with-        PM(UTC-6)\n                        PM(UTC-6); Read: 2/11/2025      uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        4:02:54 PM(UTC-6)               s-large\n\n\n\n\n                                                 1\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-3           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD          Page 3 of 6\n\n\n\n#      From             To                              Body                                 Timestamp\n                                                                                             - Time\n76     18324736700@     13107707351@s.whatsapp.net      https://www.detainedindubai.org/     2/11/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Geoff Nordloh -                 post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   7:35:22\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:2/11/2025 7:35:22     destabilise-us-relations-with-       AM(UTC-6)\n                        AM(UTC-6); Read: 2/11/2025      uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        7:45:16 AM(UTC-6)               s-large\n\n                        447880731030@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Mike Conroy -\n                        Delivered:2/11/2025 7:35:23\n                        AM(UTC-6); Read: 2/11/2025\n                        8:29:59 AM(UTC-6)\n\n                        18325716091@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Logan [Somera] -\n                        Delivered:2/11/2025 7:35:24\n                        AM(UTC-6); Read: 2/11/2025\n                        7:36:29 AM(UTC-6)\n\n\n77     18324736700@     12815131786@s.whatsapp.net      https://www.detainedindubai.org/     2/13/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Tanweer Ahmed -                 post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   3:53:44\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:2/13/2025 3:53:45     destabilise-us-relations-with-       PM(UTC-6)\n                        PM(UTC-6); Read: 2/13/2025      uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        3:54:18 PM(UTC-6)               s-large\n\n                        18325716091@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Logan [Somera] -\n                        Delivered:2/13/2025 3:53:45\n                        PM(UTC-6); Read: 2/13/2025\n                        3:53:53 PM(UTC-6)\n\n78     18324736700@     18328123100@s.whatsapp.net      https://www.detainedindubai.org/     2/21/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Monica - Delivered:2/21/2025    post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-   8:18:43\n       Steve Payne      8:18:49 PM(UTC-6); Read:        destabilise-us-relations-with-       PM(UTC-6)\n                        2/21/2025 8:18:56 PM(UTC-6)     uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                        s-large\n\n\n\n85     15128036390@     Participants:                   *Monday 06/23*\u2026                      6/23/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net      \u201cuktam aripov\u201d and \u201covik             8:55:50\n       Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],                 Mkrtchyan\u201d - nothing posted          AM(UTC-5)\n                        15128036390@s.whatsapp.net      within the last week/month\n                        Ella Stovall,\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n86     15128036390@     Participants:                   *Tuesday 06/24*\u2026                     6/24/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net      \u201cuktam aripov\u201d and \u201covik             8:57:14\n       Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],                 Mkrtchyan\u201d - nothing                 AM(UTC-5)\n                        15128036390@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Ella Stovall,\n\n\n\n\n                                                  2\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-3         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD             Page 4 of 6\n\n\n\n#      From             To                            Body                                  Timestamp\n                                                                                            - Time\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n\n\n\n87     15128036390@     Participants:                 *Wednesday 06/25*\u2026                    6/25/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    \u201cuktam aripov\u201d and \u201covik              8:52:32\n       Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],               Mkrtchyan\u201d - nothing                  AM(UTC-5)\n                        15128036390@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Ella Stovall,\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n88     18325716091@     Participants:                 @15128036390                          6/25/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net                                          6:57:23\n       Logan            Logan [Somera],               Look up FARA [Foreign Agents          PM(UTC-5)\n       [Somera]         15128036390@s.whatsapp.net    Registration Act] or LDA [Lobbying\n                        Ella Stovall,                 Disclosure Act] registrants for\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net    United Cement Group or Ulugbek\n                        Steve Payne (owner)           Shadmanov. Should be called\n                                                      Mercury but may have others.\n\n                                                      See if they have any filings on who\n                                                      they met with in USG\n\n89     18325716091@     Participants:                 Also put together something           6/25/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    outlining the trade between           7:49:44\n       Logan            Logan [Somera],               Uzbekistan and the US, where they     PM(UTC-5)\n       [Somera]         15128036390@s.whatsapp.net    are in trade talks, \u2026\n                        Ella Stovall,\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n90     15128036390@     Participants:                 There are no postings of Mercury      6/25/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    affiliation with UCG but on open      7:58:10\n       Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],               secrets, they posted three            PM(UTC-5)\n                        15128036390@s.whatsapp.net    interactions and posted their\n                        Ella Stovall,                 lobbying reports. \u2026\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n91     15128036390@     Participants:                 And there arnt [aren\u2019t] any current   6/25/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net    FARA records that exist for           7:58:44\n       Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],               Mercury Public Affairs in             PM(UTC-5)\n                        15128036390@s.whatsapp.net    connection with United Cement\n                        Ella Stovall,                 Group or Shadmanov\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n\n\n\n                                                3\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-3          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD              Page 5 of 6\n\n\n\n#      From             To                             Body                                   Timestamp\n                                                                                              - Time\n92     15128036390@     Participants:                  *Thursday 06/26*\u2026                      6/26/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net     nothing on . . . \u201cuktam aripov\u201d        8:47:41\n       Ella Stovall     Logan [Somera],                and \u201covik Mkrtchyan\u201d                   AM(UTC-5)\n                        15128036390@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Ella Stovall,\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net\n                        Steve Payne (owner)\n\n93     18325716091@     Participants:                  \u2026We need to see a rundown of           6/27/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   18325716091@s.whatsapp.net     anything you can find on public        7:48:06\n       Logan            Logan [Somera],                officials (Saida Mirziyoyeva,          AM(UTC-5)\n       [Somera]         15128036390@s.whatsapp.net     Otobek _____, Ulugbek\n                        Ella Stovall,                  Shadmanov, President etc) that\n                        18324736700@s.whatsapp.net     have said or have anything to do\n                        Steve Payne (owner)            with TPS, Yangi, or Novo\n\n103    18324736700@     12817254955@s.whatsapp.net     https://www.detainedindubai.org/       1/24/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Charlie Sero -                 post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-     9:23:43\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:1/24/2025 9:23:45    destabilise-us-relations-with-         AM(UTC-6)\n                        AM(UTC-6); Read: 1/24/2025     uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        11:20:48 AM(UTC-6)             s-large\n\n\n104    18324736700@     12817254955@s.whatsapp.net     https://www.detainedindubai.org/       5/6/2025\n       s.whatsapp.net   Charlie Sero -                 post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-     6:39:29\n       Steve Payne      Delivered:5/6/2025 6:39:30     destabilise-us-relations-with-         PM(UTC-5)\n                        PM(UTC-5); Read: 5/6/2025      uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                        6:57:24 PM(UTC-5)              s-large\n\n\n105    +18324736700     +15126945724                   https://www.detainedindubai.org/       1/27/2025\n       Steve Payne                                     post/us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-     1:57:18\n                                                       destabilise-us-relations-with-         PM(UTC-6)\n                                                       uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-\n                                                       s-large\n\n\n\n\n                                                 4\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-3             Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD              Page 6 of 6\n\n\n\n\n                                              Chat Tab\n\n#        Participants                                 Body                                     Timestamp -\n                                                                                               Time\n11679-   18324736700@s.whatsapp.net Steve Payne       [Payne]:                                 5/6/2025 6:39:29\n11684    (owner)                                      https://www.detainedindubai.org/post/    PM (UTC-5)\n                                                      us-lobbyists-used-in-plot-to-\n         12817254955@s.whatsapp.net Charlie           destabilise-us-relations-with-           through\n         Sero                                         uzbekistan-and-steal-central-asia-s-\n                                                      large                                    5/6/2025 7:00:45\n                                                                                               PM (UTC-5)\n                                                      [Payne]: I guess this happened when\n                                                      you were at SMU\n\n                                                      [Sero]: Yeah you were telling me\n                                                      about that deal\n\n                                                      [Sero]: So it ended up working out?\n\n                                                      [Payne]: Yeah for a year\n\n                                                      [Payne]: We\u2019re halfway through right\n                                                      now\n\n\n\n11552    18324736700@s.whatsapp.net Steve Payne       [Sero]: So they\u2019re mad at you for        1/24/2025\n         12817254955@s.whatsapp.net Charlie           funding a smear campaign?                11:30:06\n         Sero                                                                                  AM(UTC-6)\n\n\n\n\n                                                  5\n\f","ocr_status":2,"date_upload":"2026-10-02T10:56:19.670289-07:00","document_number":"46","attachment_number":3,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883759","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 2 - 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Correspondence","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020939/","id":496020939,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/8/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.486513-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.486524-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":3,"file_size":479153,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"46","attachment_number":8,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883764","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 7 - Correspondence","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020940/","id":496020940,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/9/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.519389-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:56:20.381080-07:00","sha1":"632ae39d24f44700fe844e6f82274162166ab0f0","page_count":49,"file_size":832573,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.46.9.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-9   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 1 of 49\n\n\n\n\n                       Exhibit 8\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 2 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 2:35 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg\n<kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr <Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>;\nMcCollum, Josh <Josh.McCollum@arnoldporter.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n External E-mail\n\nAttorney Wynne,\n\nFollowing up on my message below from June 9th. As indicated, we\u2019ve identified one image,\nmarked \u201cScreenshot_20250114_153157_WhatsApp.jpg,\u201d as designated privilege by your\nteam. Requesting response by close of business tomorrow, June 18th,whether there are\nany other images that you are claiming as privileged. If not, we are prepared to provide the\nbalance of images to appropriate parties at that time.\n\nThanks,\nPaul\n\n\n\n\n                                              1\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122            Document 46-9       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 3 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Sunday, June 14, 2026 10:37 AM\nTo: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nMichael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg\n<kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr <Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>;\nMcCollum, Josh <Josh.McCollum@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\nMichael, I am writing to confirm two things please:\n\n1. Is the examiner now free to release the remaining documents other than the one below\nover which you are claiming privilege?\n\n2. When will we receive your privilege log?\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  2\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 4 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 5:23 PM\nTo: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg\n<kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr <Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>; Hartman,\nRyan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n External E-mail\n\nThank you Logan. The examiner has identified one file labeled\n\u201cScreenshot_20250114_153157_WhatsApp.jpg\u201d in line with what you\u2019ve described below.\nAgain, he is not reviewing content unless absolutley necessary. I wanted to confirm that\nthis captures everything within the image files or, if not, whether there is anything further\nthat is being identified under privilege.\n\n\n\n\n                                              3\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD      Page 5 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>\nSent: Monday, June 8, 2026 5:08 PM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nCc: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Grubb, Andrew\n<Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Steve Payne\n<spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger\n<brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg <kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr\n<Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\nThe images shared include messages with Stoyan which we is under privilege.\n\nThank you,\n\n\n                   Logan Somera\n                   Vice President of Project Development\n                   Linden Strategies\n\n                   O: +1 713.783.7783 | M: +1 832.571.6091\n                   700 Milam, Suite 1300\n                   Houston, TX 77002\n                   Lindenstrategies.com | Lsomera@lindenstrategies.com\n\n\n\n\n                                               4\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122      Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 6 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn Mon, Jun 8, 2026 at 7:11 AM Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nwrote:\n\nMichael and Paul,\n\n\n\nI am checking back on whether this privilege review has been done and FTI is now cleared\nto release the image files? Thanks.\n\n\n\n\n                                            5\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 7 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Monday, June 1, 2026 9:01 PM\nTo: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Hartman, Ryan\n<Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg\n<kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr <Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\n\nThank you, Andrew.\n\n\n\n\n                                               6\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 8 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Monday, June 1, 2026 3:42 PM\nTo: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Hartman, Ryan\n<Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg\n<kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr <Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nGood Afternoon,\n\n\n\nThe images have been uploaded to the secure file share. I will share the link with Heather\nseparately.\n\n\n\nAndrew Grubb\n\nDirector, Cybersecurity\n\n\n\n\nFTI Consulting\n\nT | +1 929.807.7927\n\nAndrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com\n\n\n\n\nwww.fticonsulting.com\n\n\n\n\n                                               7\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 9 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Friday, May 29, 2026 1:14 PM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg <kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr\n<Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nAttorney Wynne,\n\nThe examiner will extract the full images referenced and send by Tuesday COB for your\nteam\u2019s review. Same method as earlier.\n\n\n\n\n                                              8\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9       Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 10 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Friday, May 29, 2026 12:59 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg <kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr\n<Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nThanks, Michael.\n\n\n\nAll - Separately, the 'images' tab of the spreadsheet appears to reference several image\nfiles that are not included. Could the examiner please send these image files to Mr.\nPayne's counsel, without including me or my firm, so that they can be reviewed for privilege\nand then released to us as appropriate?\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  9\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 11 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Friday, May 29, 2026 10:43 AM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Paul Abbate <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Andrew Grubb <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg <kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr\n<Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\n\nRyan,\n\n\n\nI will get with Logan to discuss logistics of traditional privilege log in this somewhat\nunusual setting and circle back.\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       10\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 12 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 11:42 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Paul Abbate <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Andrew Grubb <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg <kogg@gwafirm.com>; Ponomarov, Volodymyr\n<Volodymyr.Ponomarov@arnoldporter.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nMichael,\n\n\n\nCould you please prepare a privilege log of the documents you are withholding under a\nclaim of privilege with the usual information (e.g., date, to, from, cc, bcc, description,\nprivilege)?\n\n\n\nI understand from your emails that there are a large number of messages with Mrs.\nPayne. There is no need to log them individually, if you\u2019ll represent that she and Mr. Payne\nare the only people on them and you log the message with the search hit.\n\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  11\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 13 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 4:48 PM\nTo: Paul Abbate <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Hartman, Ryan\n<Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; Heather Martinez\n<hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Andrew Grubb <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Brian Ettinger\n<brian@brianettinger.com>; Kim Ogg <kogg@gwafirm.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\nMr. Abbate, Linden Energy and Mr. Payne and all related parties object to the production of\nchat items identified bt 619-627, based on attendance-client privilege, common interest\nprivilege, and because they are subject to a strict non-disclosure provision. We are not\nopposed to in camera review. Michael Wynne\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             12\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122     Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 14 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 27, 2026, at 9:48 AM, Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com> wrote:\n\nWill you resend the materials minus Ettinger communications then asap?\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                         13\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 15 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 27, 2026, at 9:45 AM, Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com> wrote:\n\n Thank you all. The messages with Mr Ettinger will be removed under privilege. For the\nbalance, the examiner believes at this stage the current scoping is appropriate, noting that\nhe is not reviewing the individual messages for content but providing a narrow range for\nreview. Would request that any additional assertions of privilege be designated by close of\nbusiness today under the extended deadline, and propose that pending that action, the\nremaining material be released to parties as appropriate under the court order.\n\n\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             14\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122    Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 16 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 26, 2026, at 8:41 PM, Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com> wrote:\n\nThanks, Logan\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                        15\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 17 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 26, 2026, at 6:24 PM, Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com> wrote:\n\n\n\nHi All,\n\n\n\nWe have gone through the messages again, please note that all messages with Brian\nEttinger are also considered privileged. This brings the message log to 1063 messages\nwhich is still a substantial amount. Furthermore, my initial example of the messages\nbetween Steve and Governor Perry with the 5-months in between provide no context for the\nsurrounding messages.\n\n\n\nAre we able to have a copy of the log with a +/- 3 message for context as well as the\nremoval of messages with Brian Ettinger?\n\n\n\nThank you,\n\n\n\n\n                   Logan Somera\n                   Vice President of Project Development\n                   Linden Strategies\n\n\n\n                   O: +1 713.783.7783 | M: +1 832.571.6091\n                   700 Milam, Suite 1300\n                   Houston, TX 77002\n                   Lindenstrategies.com | Lsomera@lindenstrategies.com\n\n\n\n\n                                             16\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 18 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn Fri, May 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nwrote:\n\nMichael,\n\n\n\nThe examiner provided you a full set of documents for review on April 24, nearly a month\nago. Your log of any that should be withheld was due May 8 per the court order. That day,\nthe only communications you identified for withholding were with Stoyan Baumeyer.\n\n\n\nAt that time, the order required you and the examiner to release any documents that were\nnot on the log. Before doing so, the examiner gave you the opportunity to confirm that he\nhad identified the correct communications with Mr. Baumeyer. After several days of delay,\non May 15, you identified for the first time an additional set of communications between\nMr. Payne and his spouse and asked that they be withheld. The examiner confirmed he\nwould withhold them despite the late identification.\n\n\n\nOn May 20, you asked the examiner to consider applying more restrictive parameters to\ncontinuous text message threads that contained one of the 31 agreed search terms within\nthe court order\u2019s date range, in order to reduce the overall volume of surrounding\nmessages. The examiner complied, providing a greatly reduced set of documents this\nmorning and asking you to log any for withholding by COB on May 27.\n\n\n\nAt this point, I have not heard any claim that these remaining messages are privileged \u2013\nonly that a message that appears immediately before another that is responsive to search\nterms is irrelevant and sensitive. The court order left to the examiner the exact process for\nidentifying materials that are \u201cpotentially responsive\u201d before providing them to the\nparties. While I could ask the court to enforce the order and require everything produced\nthat was not identified as privileged by May 8 (or today), I will make a final attempt at\nresolving this without court intervention by proposing the following:\n\n\n\nThe examiner releases to me the subset of documents he provided you today. I will hold\nthese documents as attorneys\u2019 eyes only within my firm and will not share the documents\nwith my client pending agreement or further order from the court. I will review them to see\nif you and I can agree on what should or should not be fully released. I\u2019m not interested in\n\n\n                                             17\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 19 of 49\n\n\n\n\ncompletely irrelevant documents, but without seeing them, I have to rely on the examiner\u2019s\nmethodology. If we can agree on the final set for the examiner to release, the problem is\nsolved. If we can\u2019t agree, we ask the judge to enforce the order and we present documents\nto her under seal as needed. If this is acceptable, please let me and the examiner know\ntomorrow so that I can start reviewing the documents and we can then confer on them\nearly next week.\n\n\n\nSeparately, I understand the examiner provided you a report regarding his examination.\nYou did not assert that the report is privileged. Please confirm the examiner can release a\ncopy of it to me.\n\n\n\nFinally, I don\u2019t appreciate Mr. Payne\u2019s remark that my client has Russian mafia ties. Mr.\nPayne had the opportunity to substantiate that claim at the arbitration and the tribunal\nfound that there was \u201cno credible evidence supporting\u201d this \u201cfals[e]\u201d and \u201cdisparaging\u201d\naccusation.\n\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  18\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9            Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 20 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSent: Friday, May 22, 2026 5:32 PM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nCc: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nMichael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\n\nLiterally the first message was a message with the former Secretary of energy about a confidential nuclear\nfusion project that we are coordinating together add Texas A&M's nuclear science laboratories... I'm sure that\nthe Department of energy would be delighted that your examiner felt that we should hand that over to Uzbek\nNationals with alleged Russian Mafia ties\n\n\n\n\nRegards,\n\n\n\n\n<~WRD3502.jpg>           Stephen Payne\n                         President\n                         Linden Strategies\n                         O: +1 713.783.7783 | M: +1 832.473.6700\n                         lindenstrategies.com | spayne@lindenstrategies.com\n\n\n\n\n                                                     19\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 21 of 49\n\n\n\nOn Fri, May 22, 2026, 5:15 PM Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com> wrote:\n\nThis sounds like a reasonable explanation and approach by the examiner.\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  20\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 22 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Friday, May 22, 2026 4:27 PM\nTo: Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>\nCc: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nHartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\nLogan,\n\n\n\nThe examiner determined based on his experience and generally accepted practice,\nbalancing the need for context with avoidance of under/over inclusiveness among other\nconsiderations, to provide search term hits plus five messages before and five messages\nafter each hit within a given thread. According to the examiner, this yielded a much lower\nnumber of overall communications produced relative to a date range-based approach.\nThere is one exception to this where a broader portion of a communications thread with\none specific individual was included because of the much higher number of search term\nhits within the referenced chain.\n\n\n\nWe are available anytime for further follow-up but otherwise would request that the review\nbe completed, subject to privilege assertions, by this Wednesday, May 27th, COB.\n\n\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             21\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122       Document 46-9          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 23 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 22, 2026, at 3:14 PM, Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com> wrote:\n\n\n\nThe very first message is a communication between Steve and Governor Perry regarding a\nFusion energy project and a trip to A&M University on April 22, 2024. Ovik is not mentioned\nwith Governor Perry until September 5th, 2024, 5 months after the attached message (this\ncommunication was produced so I do not mind mentioning). Should I even continue\nreading the other ~1k messages because clearly the new parameters discussed on\nWednesday were not applied as a message from April 22 has absolutely no context with a\nmessage 5 months later.\n\n\n\nThis Fusion energy project is under consideration with the DOE, White House, and other\nfederal government agencies and should not be applied in this case under the old or new\nparameters... this is exactly the type of confidential information we've repeatedly voiced\nour concern about being shared.\n\n\n\n\n<Screenshot 2026-05-22 at 14.05.40.png>\n\n\n\n\nThank you,\n\n\n\n<~WRD3502.jpg> Logan Somera\n               Vice President of Project Development\n               Linden Strategies\n\n\n\n                    O: +1 713.783.7783 | M: +1 832.571.6091\n                    700 Milam, Suite 1300\n                    Houston, TX 77002\n                    Lindenstrategies.com | Lsomera@lindenstrategies.com\n\n\n\n\n                                             22\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122       Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 24 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn Fri, May 22, 2026 at 1:17 PM Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com> wrote:\n\nReceived. Thank you, Andrew.\n\nI\u2019m downloading the materials now.\n\n\n\nHeather M. Mart\u00ednez\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n(954) 249-2875\n\nhmartinez@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\n\n                                           23\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-9          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 25 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Friday, May 22, 2026 1:00 PM\nTo: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Ryan\nHartman <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nCc: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nHi Heather,\n\n\n\nI\u2019ll share that with you separately.\n\n\n\nAndrew Grubb\n\nDirector, Cybersecurity\n\n\n\n\nFTI Consulting\n\nT | +1 929.807.7927\n\nAndrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com\n\n\n\n\nwww.fticonsulting.com\n\n\n\n\n                                               24\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-9          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 26 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Friday, May 22, 2026 1:57 PM\nTo: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Ryan Hartman <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nCc: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nLogan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve\nPayne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nI can\u2019t seem to put my hands on the link \u2013 kindly share with me again.\n\n\n\nThank you.\n\n\n\nHeather M. Mart\u00ednez\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n(954) 249-2875\n\nhmartinez@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\n\n                                               25\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 27 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Friday, May 22, 2026 12:53 PM\nTo: Ryan Hartman <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nCc: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Grubb,\nAndrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian\nEttinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\nFrom this end, Andrew advised the updated results were sent via Box at approximately\n11am today.\n\n\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             26\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 28 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 22, 2026, at 1:22 PM, Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com> wrote:\n\n\n\nI am not on the Box email so I am confirming this has been sent and Michael/Heather\nreceived it?\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  27\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122       Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 29 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Friday, May 22, 2026 9:39 AM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nCc: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nLogan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve\nPayne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: Correspondence\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\n\nAll,\n\nThe examiner has completed additional work based on our meeting Wednesday, resulting\nin a refined set of extracted communications totaling approximately 1,074. There are no\nnew messages or content within this number - it is a subset of the originally produced\nthirteen thousand plus messages. An updated spreadsheet will be sent to counsel via Box\nat approximately 11am EST today.\n\n\n\nAttorney Wynne,\n\nConfirming again that messages involving Mr. Baumeyer, and separately, between Mr.\nPayne and his wife, have been removed previously, would request that any further\nassertions of privilege within the updated collection be made known by close of business\non Wednesday, May 27th, so we can be in a position to release the balance, as appropriate,\npursuant to the court order.\n\n\n\nThanks,\n\nPaul\n\n\n\n\n                                             28\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 30 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 7:49 PM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Abbate, Paul\n<Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nLogan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve\nPayne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nYes. The discussion would be productive tomorrow. Preferably before 4:00 p.m. CDT as an\nappointment just booked for 4:00 p.m.-4:45 p.m.\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       29\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 31 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6:37 PM\nTo: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nLogan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve\nPayne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nI am available between 1-5 pm ET too. Given that FTI has removed the identified\ncommunications between Mr. Payne and his spouse, and between Mr. Payne and Mr.\nBaumeyer, is there anything we actually need to discuss before FTI releases the remaining\ndocuments? We are now 11 days after the deadline for identifying documents to withhold\nand FTI has agreed to withhold the only documents that Respondents have identified.\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  30\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 32 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6:23 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>;\nGrubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nBrian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\nTomorrow I could do anytime between 1 and 5pm.\n\n\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             31\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 33 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 19, 2026, at 6:57 PM, Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com> wrote:\n\n\n\nAgreed. I invite Steve and Logan to be on that call in the interest of efficiency\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       32\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 34 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 11:23 AM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Ryan Hartman <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>;\nGrubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nBrian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nThe examiner advised that the items are in spreadsheet form and tabbed by item type. The\ntexts are numbered within the tab and therefore identifiable. The messages between\nMr.Payne and his wife have been filtered out and removed. The entire messaging thread\nwas included initially because a search term hit within the thread and the thread fell\nbetween the date range in the court order. The examiner was careful not to look at the\nmessages based on you and your client\u2019s request for sensitive handling. This is part of the\nprocess to identify and remove those items where privilege is asserted.\n\nI recommend we get on a call to further discuss, if necessary, and complete.\n\n\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             33\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 35 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 18, 2026, at 10:10 PM, Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com> wrote:\n\n\n\nMr. Abbate,\n\n\n\nIf the examiner had stayed within the search terms, I do not understand why he would have\nreturned a text about Mr. Payne\u2019s telling his wife he is stopping at a Walmart to take a shit,\nalong with the poop emoji. To what search terms would that be responsive? Who knows\nwhat else is in there. Perhaps Mr. Payne only discussed bowel movements with his wife,\nbut then again, he may have told others. If you had put identifying bates-numbers on these\ndocuments perhaps we could assist. I am not sure what the workable solution is now. A\nprivilege log can be produced when the documents are identifiable. That is not the case\nhere. Your work is not acceptable.\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       34\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD    Page 36 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Monday, May 18, 2026 2:33 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>;\nGrubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nBrian Ettinger <brian@brianettinger.com>; Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nAttorney Wynne,\n\n\n\nAs part of this process, the examiner returned communications threads that contain a\nsearch term and fall within the specifications of the court order, including the date range.\nThis is a standard approach. The examiner also has taken an extremely conservative\napproach to viewing content, as agreed upon, restricting it to himself and even then only as\nnecessary. We can filter out all spousal communications and also separately those with\nMr. Baumeyer. If there are other items that are assessed to fall under privilege, please\nadvise and those can be removed as well.\n\n\n\nThanks,\n\nPaul\n\n\n\n\n                                             35\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 37 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Steve Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>\nSent: Monday, May 18, 2026 12:34 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Abbate, Paul\n<Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Grubb, Andrew\n<Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Brian Ettinger\n<brian@brianettinger.com>\nSubject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nMichael I suggest you tell Mr Hartman and Paul that it's very simple... There are 13,000 text\nmessages that they are including... It was correspondence between me and my wife and\nmany other personal conversations...\n\n\n\nIt's really simple... They have 10 or so search terms involving this Uzbek case if any of the\ntext messages out of the 13,000 don't include the words that they're searching for then\nthey should be removed and I'm sure that of the 13,000 ...99% should be excluded\nbecause they don't include any of the search terms. This is just my personal opinion but\nthis is for you and apartment and Paul to work it out but there seems to be a lot more that\nPaul has identified to turn over that has nothing to do with this case.\n\n\n\nRegards,\n\n\n\n\n<~WRD0003.jpg>        Stephen Payne\n                      President\n                      Linden Strategies\n                      O: +1 713.783.7783 | M: +1 832.473.6700\n                      lindenstrategies.com | spayne@lindenstrategies.com\n\n\n\n\n                                              36\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 38 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn Mon, May 18, 2026, 11:11 AM Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com> wrote:\n\nNo. We are not ready to proceed. I am working with Steve and Logan.\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       37\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 39 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Monday, May 18, 2026 8:23 AM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Paul Abbate <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>; Andrew Grubb <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>;\nLogan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Stephen Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>;\nbrian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: RE: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nGood morning, Michael,\n\n\n\nI am writing to confirm if this addresses your concern so that FTI can proceed.\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  38\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9         Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 40 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Friday, May 15, 2026 4:02 PM\nTo: Paul Abbate <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nCc: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>;\nAndrew Grubb <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera <lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>;\nStephen Payne <spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; brian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: Re: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\nLet me discuss with Mr. Payne and circle back asap\n\nSent from my iPhone\n\n\n\n\n                                             39\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122           Document 46-9           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD        Page 41 of 49\n\n\n\n\nOn May 15, 2026, at 3:39 PM, Abbate, Paul <Paul.Abbate@fticonsulting.com> wrote:\n\n\n\nThank you Attorney Wynne and copy on all.\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve further discussed with Andrew and would propose the following:\n\n\n\n   1. With respect to messages between Mr. Payne and his wife, we can filter, isolate, and remove those\n      as well. We would just need to confirm Mrs. Payne\u2019s telephone number to accomplish this.\n   2. With the messages between Mr. Payne and Mr. Baumeyer, in addition to the previously identified\n      image by hash value, we believe the others can be identified as chat #\u2019s 11819 through 12042, and\n      would be removed for the privilege log also.\n\n\n\n\nLet me know if this would be acceptable and otherwise corresponds to what your team is\nseeing, and if any questions.\n\n\n\nThanks,\n\nPaul\n\n\n\n\n                                                  40\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD     Page 42 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Friday, May 15, 2026 12:35 PM\nTo: Abbate, Paul <paul.abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Hartman, Ryan\n<Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera\n<lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Stephen Payne (spayne@lindenstrategies.com)\n<spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; brian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nMr. Abbate,\n\n\n\nThe one text you provided is a continuation of a conversation that appears to continue after\nthat snippet (a text string) between Steve and Stoyan as his attorney. As there are no bates-\nnumbers you provided, again we cannot create a traditional privilege log. So, again, it is our\nposition that all communications between Steve and Stoyan are privileged.\n\n\n\nAnother matter: there are 13,500 texts as I understand it. Many of those for instance are\nbetween Steve and his wife and have absolutely nothing to do with the issues in any of the\ncases involving Ovik and Uktam. We object to their production outside of privilege because\nthey are non-responsive. Paul, I will address at least one with you offline.\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\n\n                                              41\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 43 of 49\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       42\n\f  Case 4:25-mc-01122        Document 46-9          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD      Page 44 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Abbate, Paul <paul.abbate@fticonsulting.com>\nSent: Friday, May 15, 2026 10:25 AM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>;\nHeather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera\n<lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Stephen Payne (spayne@lindenstrategies.com)\n<spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; brian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: RE: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nAttorney Wynne,\n\n\n\nFollowing up as well, we are in position and prepared to release the data and findings, less\nthe material identified for the privilege log, to appropriate parties pursuant to the court\norder.\n\nIf there are any questions, our team is available at any time for follow-up.\n\n\n\nThanks,\n\nPaul\n\n\n\n\n                                              43\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122             Document 46-9        Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 45 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Friday, May 15, 2026 11:06 AM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Abbate, Paul <paul.abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Heather\nMartinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera\n<lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Stephen Payne (spayne@lindenstrategies.com)\n<spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; brian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nMichael,\n\n\n\nI left a voicemail for you this morning and am checking back on this. The order, copied\nbelow, requires Respondents and the examiner to promptly release all documents over\nwhich Respondents did not claim privilege last Friday. It is now a week later. Please\nconfirm that the examiner may send me all of the documents he has sent to you other than\nthe one identified communication with Mr. Baumeyer.\n\n\n\n\u201c(6) Within 14 calendar days of this delivery, Respondents shall provide to the Examiner\nand Petitioner a privilege log for any Data over which Respondents assert privilege. The\nExaminer and Respondents shall then promptly release to Petitioner any Data and findings\nprovided by the Examiner that are not listed on the log. Should there be any dispute over\nprivilege, the parties may seek relief from the Court if they are unable to resolve the\ndispute.\u201d\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\nHouston, TX 77002\nT: +1 713.576.2438\nRyan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com\nwww.arnoldporter.com | LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n                                                  44\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122                     Document 46-9                 Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                   Page 46 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>\nSent: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 5:04 PM\nTo: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>; Abbate, Paul\n<paul.abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Heather Martinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera\n<lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Stephen Payne (spayne@lindenstrategies.com)\n<spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; brian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: RE: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\n External E-mail\n\n\n\n\nRyan,\n\n\n\nWe are checking. I expect to be able to circle back with you tomorrow afternoon.\n\n\n\n\nMichael J. Wynne\n\n\nGREGOR | WYNNE | ARNEY, PLLC\n\n\n\n4265 San Felipe Street, Ste. 700\n\nHouston, Texas 77027\n\n\n\n(281) 450-7403 \u2013 Cell\n\nmwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\nThis electronic transmission (and/or the documents accompanying it) may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is\n\n\n\n\n                                                                   45\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 47 of 49\n\n\n\nprotected by the attorney-client privilege. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not\nthe intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents\nof this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us by telephone to arrange\nfor the destruction and/or return of the documents.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                       46\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122                      Document 46-9                   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                     Page 48 of 49\n\n\n\n\nFrom: Hartman, Ryan <Ryan.Hartman@arnoldporter.com>\nSent: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 12:48 PM\nTo: Michael Wynne <mwynne@gcfirm.com>; Abbate, Paul <paul.abbate@fticonsulting.com>; Heather\nMartinez <hmartinez@gcfirm.com>\nCc: Grubb, Andrew <Andrew.Grubb@fticonsulting.com>; Logan Somera\n<lsomera@lindenstrategies.com>; Stephen Payne (spayne@lindenstrategies.com)\n<spayne@lindenstrategies.com>; brian@brianettinger.com\nSubject: RE: Correspondence.\n\n\n\n\nMichael,\n\n\n\nTo recap so we are all on the same page, under the Court's order, Respondents had 14\ndays (i.e., until Friday, May 8), to identify and log any documents over which you claim\nprivilege. Your Friday letter identified communications with Stoyan Baumeyer, and in\nparticular, what FTI understands to be a single document listed in Paul's email. If that\nunderstanding is correct, please let us know so that FTI can release the report and the\nremainder of the documents.\n\n\n\n_______________\nRyan Hartman\nPartner | Bio\n\n<image001.png>\n\n\n\n811 Main Street | Suite 1800\n\n\n\n\nThis communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended\nrecipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this\nmessage in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail and delete it from his or her computer.\n___________________________________________\nFor more information about Arnold & Porter, click here:\nhttp://www.arnoldporter.com\n\n\n\n\nConfidentiality Notice:\n\n\n\n\n                                                                      47\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122                    Document 46-9                  Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD                  Page 49 of 49\n\n\n\nThis email and any attachments may be confidential and protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware\nthat any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the e-mail or any attachment is prohibited. If you have received this email in error,\nplease notify us immediately by replying to the sender and then delete this copy and the reply from your system. Thank you for your\ncooperation.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                   48\n\f","ocr_status":1,"date_upload":"2026-10-02T10:56:20.379781-07:00","document_number":"46","attachment_number":9,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883765","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 8 - Correspondence","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020941/","id":496020941,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/10/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.563015-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.563026-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":16,"file_size":1889844,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"46","attachment_number":10,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883766","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 9 - Award Excerpts","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020942/","id":496020942,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/11/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.590074-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:56:22.124767-07:00","sha1":"a45deceb05198924c62b9dd0634dc4dacb2a93d4","page_count":9,"file_size":159517,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.46.11.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 1 of 9\n\n\n\n\n                       Exhibit 10\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 2 of 9\n                                  Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                   12/19/2025\n\n\u00b71 THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL\n\u00b72\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION\n\u00b73\n\u00b74\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 IN THE MATTER OF NRCO ENGINEERING, S.A.,\n\u00b75\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7Claimant,\n\u00b76\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7v.\n\u00b77\u00b7 LINDEN ENERGY, LLC AND STEPHEN P. PAYNE, in his\n\u00b78\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 individual capacity,\n\u00b79\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7Respondents.\n10\n11\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7HEARING\n12\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 December 19, 2025\n13\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Volume 4\n14\n15\n16\n17\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7HEARING taken in the above-styled and\n18 numbered cause on the 19th day of December, 2025,\n19 from 9:04 a.m. to 3:16 p.m., before Laurie\n20 Carlisle, Certified Shorthand Reporter in and for\n21 the State of Texas, reported by computerized\n22 machine shorthand at the offices of the Texas\n23 Justice Center, 4900 Fournace Street, Houston,\n24 Texas.\n25\n\n\n                                Carlisle Reporting\n                           depos@carlislereporting.com\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 3 of 9\n                                  Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                   12/19/2025\n                                                                          Page 467\n\u00b71\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7APPEARANCES\n\n\u00b72 ARBITRATOR:\n\n\u00b73\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Trey Bergman\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 E-mail:\u00b7 trey@bergmanadrgroup.com\n\u00b74\n\n\u00b75 FOR CLAIMANT:\n\n\u00b76\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Ryan P. Hartman\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 ARNOLD & PORTER KAY SCHOLER LLP\n\u00b77\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 700 Louisiana Street, Suite 4000\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Houston, Texas\u00b7 77002\n\u00b78\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Telephone: 713.576.2438\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 E-mail: ryan.hartman@arnoldporter.com\n\u00b79\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Volodymyr Ponomarov\n10\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Sally Pei\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 ARNOLD & PORTER KAY SCHOLER LLP\n11\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 601 Massachusetts Ave. NW\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Washington, DC\u00b7 20001\n12\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Telephone: 202.942.6138\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 E-mail: volodymyr.ponomarov@arnoldporter.com\n13\n\n14 FOR RESPONDENTS:\n\n15\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Michael J. Wynne\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Gerald Bracht\n16\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Adam Weiss\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Kim Ogg\n17\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 GREGOR WYNNE ARNEY, PLLC\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 4265 San Felipe, Suite 700\n18\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Houston, Texas\u00b7 77027\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Telephone: 832.390.2644\n19\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 E-mail: mwynne@gwafirm.com\n\n20\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Brian S. Ettinger\n21\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 LAW OFFICE OF BRIAN ETTINGER\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 16360 Park Ten Place, Suite 115\n22\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Houston, Texas\u00b7 77084\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Telephone: 713.266.1112\n23\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 E-mail: brian@brianettinger.com\n\n24\n\n25\n\n\n                                Carlisle Reporting\n                           depos@carlislereporting.com\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 4 of 9\n                                  Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                   12/19/2025\n                                                                          Page 468\n\u00b71\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7APPEARANCES\n\u00b72\n\u00b73 ALSO PRESENT:\n\u00b74\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Cathy Hodges\n\u00b75\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Heather Martinez\n\u00b76\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Mr. Stephen Payne\n\u00b77\n\u00b78 INTERPRETERS:\n\u00b79\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Gulnara Shipabietdinova\n10\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Lina Safar (via Zoom)\n11\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Ms. Liliya Robinson (via Zoom)\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n\n\n                                Carlisle Reporting\n                           depos@carlislereporting.com\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 5 of 9\n                                  Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                   12/19/2025\n                                                                          Page 469\n\u00b71\n\u00b72\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 INDEX\n\u00b73\n\u00b74 STEPHEN PAYNE{FLUSH}\n\u00b75 Continued Cross-Examination by Mr. Hartman ......470\n\u00b76\n\u00b77 Redirect Examination by Ms. Ogg .................540\n\u00b78\n\u00b79 Recross-Examination by Mr. Hartman ..............607\n10\n11 Redirect Examination by Ms. Ogg .................662\n12\n13 Questions from the Tribunal .....................664\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n\n\n                                Carlisle Reporting\n                           depos@carlislereporting.com                               YVer1f\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 6 of 9\n                                 Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                  12/19/2025\n                                                                         Page 514\n\u00b71 contract.\u00b7 I sent money to them on that.\u00b7 We had a\n\u00b72 contract in Bulgaria with a refinery there.                       I\n\u00b73 received money from them on that.\n\u00b74\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7When was the Bulgaria contract?\n\u00b75\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MS. OGG:\u00b7 Objection, relevance.\n\u00b76\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7Let me ask a different question.\n\u00b77\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Was Mr. Baumeyer -- Stoyan Baumeyer\n\u00b78 in any way involved in that Bulgaria contract?\n\u00b79\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MS. OGG:\u00b7 Objection.\n10\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 ARBITRATOR BERGMAN:\u00b7 If you could\n11 be -- that's a very specific question, and I can\n12 see where the connection is.\u00b7 I'm going to allow\n13 that question to be asked and answered.\n14 Overruled.\n15\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7Would you like me to re-read the\n16 question?\n17\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7I think I understand, yeah.\n18\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Stoyan is -- Stoyan is a good\n19 friend of the president of Bulgaria and introduced\n20 me to him many, many times, and I've used Stoyan\n21 as a local consultant in Bulgaria from time to\n22 time.\n23\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7Are you currently using him, or have\n24 you -- have you used him in the last year as a\n25 local consultant in Bulgaria?\n\n\n                               Carlisle Reporting\n                          depos@carlislereporting.com                               YVer1f\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 7 of 9\n                                 Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                  12/19/2025\n                                                                         Page 515\n\u00b71\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7No.\n\u00b72\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7When is the last time you used him as a\n\u00b73 local consultant?\n\u00b74\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7Probably about two years ago.\n\u00b75\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7How much did you pay him for that work?\n\u00b76\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7I don't think that that's relevant here.\n\u00b77\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7You understand you've offered him as a\n\u00b78 witness in this case?\n\u00b79\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7Yeah.\n10\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7How much have you paid Mr. --\n11\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7Ask him.\n12\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7I'm asking you --\n13\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7I don't know.\n14\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7Do you have any idea of the range?\n15\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MS. OGG:\u00b7 Repetitive.\n16\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 ARBITRATOR BERGMAN:\u00b7 No.\u00b7 The\n17 question hasn't been answered yet.\n18\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7I can't recall.\n19\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 ARBITRATOR BERGMAN:\u00b7 The question\n20 has now been answered.\n21\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7How many different engagements have you\n22 worked on with Mr. Baumeyer in the last, say,\n23 three years?\n24\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7Just a couple of things with Bulgaria.\n25\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7Couple?\u00b7 And you mentioned that there's\n\n\n                               Carlisle Reporting\n                          depos@carlislereporting.com                               YVer1f\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 8 of 9\n                                 Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                  12/19/2025\n                                                                         Page 516\n\u00b71 some connection between Mr. Baumeyer and this work\n\u00b72 with Straife as well?\n\u00b73\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7No.\n\u00b74\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7You said you're doing some work with\n\u00b75 Straife in Bulgaria and that you're using\n\u00b76 Mr. Baumeyer as a local consultant on that work?\n\u00b77\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7Yeah.\u00b7 But they're both subcontractors\n\u00b78 to me in Bulgaria working for a Bulgarian\n\u00b79 refinery.\n10\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 Q.\u00b7 \u00b7What's the nature of that contract?\n11\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MS. OGG:\u00b7 Objection, relevance.\n12\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 ARBITRATOR BERGMAN:\u00b7 Counsel,\n13 respond?\n14\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MR. HARTMAN:\u00b7 He apparently has an\n15 ongoing substantial financial relationship with a\n16 witness in this case who he's offered, and I'd\n17 like to inquire into that for the witness' bias\n18 and credibility.\n19\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 A.\u00b7 \u00b7Years --\n20\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MS. OGG:\u00b7 Just a second.\u00b7 The\n21 question didn't go to the relationship, the\n22 payment or the existence of a contract.\u00b7 It asked\n23 about the purpose of --\n24\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 MR. HARTMAN:\u00b7 If we could not\n25 whisper to the witness while he's on the stand, I\n\n\n                               Carlisle Reporting\n                          depos@carlislereporting.com                               YVer1f\n\f     Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-11     Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 9 of 9\n                                  Hearing, Vol. 4\n                                   12/19/2025\n                                                                          Page 669\n\u00b71 STATE OF TEXAS\n\n\u00b72 COUNTY OF HARRIS\n\n\u00b73\n\n\u00b74\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7REPORTER'S CERTIFICATE\n\n\u00b75\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 HEARING VOLUME 4\n\n\u00b76\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 December 19, 2025\n\n\u00b77\n\n\u00b78\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 I, the undersigned Certified Shorthand\n\n\u00b79 Reporter in and for the State of Texas, certify\n\n10 that the facts stated in the foregoing pages are\n\n11 true and correct.\n\n12\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 I further certify that I am neither attorney\n\n13 or counsel for, related to, nor employed by any\n\n14 parties to the action in which this testimony is\n\n15 taken and, further, that I am not a relative or\n\n16 employee of any counsel employed by the parties\n\n17 hereto or financially interested in the action.\n\n18\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO under my hand and\n\n19 seal of office on this the 2nd day of January,\n\n20 2026.\n\n21\n\n22\n\n23\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7Laurie Carlisle, CSR\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7TX CSR 2205 Exp 2/28/26\n24\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7Firm No. 395\n\u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7 \u00b7CARLISLE REPORTING\n25\n\n\n                                Carlisle Reporting\n                           depos@carlislereporting.com\n\f","ocr_status":1,"date_upload":"2026-10-02T10:56:22.117325-07:00","document_number":"46","attachment_number":11,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883767","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 10 - Transcript Excerpts","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020943/","id":496020943,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/12/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.622302-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:56:24.898563-07:00","sha1":"843370b4ab2a8f8ac00df3815219ab4eb811e30a","page_count":6,"file_size":258799,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.46.12.pdf","filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"Case 4:25-mc-01122   Document 46-12   Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD   Page 1 of 6\n\n\n\n\n                       Exhibit 11\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-12            Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 2 of 6\n\n\n\n\n                              CONFIDENTIAL UNDER ICDR RULES\n\n\n\n    TO THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISPUTE\n                                   RESOLUTION\n\n\n\n                                       IN THE MATTER OF\n\n                                    NRCO ENGINEERINGS.A.,\n\n                                            Claimant,\n\n                                                v.\n             LINDEN ENERGY, LLC AND STEPHEN P. PAYNE, in his individual capacity,\n\n                                          Respondents.\n\n\n\n               SUPPLEMENTAL WITNESS STATEMENT OF STOYAN BAUMEYER\n\n    UNDER THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION'S INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE\n    RESOLUTION PROCEDURES, THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT, AND THE TEXAS\n    ARBITRATION ACT\n\n\n\n    I, Stoyan Baumeyer, am over eighteen (18) years of age, of sound mind, and fully competent\n    to make this supplemental witness statement. I reside at Grande-rue 38A, 1297 Founex,\n    Switzerland.\n\n\n\n   I submit this supplemental statement in response to the witness statements of Mr. Ovik\n   Mkrtchyan and Mr. Uktam Aripov, both dated November 24, 2025. I have reviewed those\n   statements and their exhibits carefully. I provide this statement to clarify certain matters\n   and address specific allegations raised in their testimony.\n\n\n\n   This supplemental statement is based on my personal knowledge and recollection unless\n   otherwise indicated.\n\n\n\n   I. Observations Regarding Mr. Aripov's Role\n\n\n                                                                                             1\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46-12           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD            Page 3 of 6\n\n\n\n\n    Both Mr. Mkrtchyan and Mr. Aripov dispute my description of Mr. Aripov's role in the\n    relationship between Mr. Mkrtchyan and Mr. Payne.\n\n\n\n    Mr. Aripov states that we met only twice, in 2015 and 2018. This is incorrect. We met at\n    least three times: April 2016 in Geneva, July 2016 in Riga, and June 2018 in Washington,\n    D.C.\n\n\n\n    While the num her of in-person meetings was limited, my understanding of Mr. Aripov's role\n    did not derive solely from those encounters.\n\n\n\n    Over many years, and across several matters unrelated to the LNG projects, I repeatedly\n    observed that:\n\n    - Mr. Mkrtchyan involved or referred to Mr. Aripov in ways consistent with an\n    intermediary, and\n\n    - Mr. Payne consistently described Mr. Aripov as the person through whom he\n    communicated with Mr. Mkrtchyan.\n\n\n\n    This pattern persisted for nearly a decade.\n\n\n\n    From 2016 onward, Mr. Payne regularly told me that his communications and instructions\n    from Mr. Mkrtchyan came through Mr. Aripov. Whether this authority was formal or\n    informal, the practical reality was that Mr. Aripov acted as the communication channel\n    between them.\n\n\n\n    Neither Mr. Mkrtchyan nor Mr. Aripov ever informed me that this understanding was\n    incorrect. It is also possible that Mr. Aripov overstated or exceeded his authority, especially\n    given that he was the only communication link at that time. Mr. Mkrtchyan's children\n    became involved only from 2022 onward.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                                                 2\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-12          Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD           Page 4 of 6\n\n\n\n\n    I understand that Mr. Aripov claims he worked for Mr. Payne and that he received a\n    commission from Mr. Payne. This does not exclude the possibility that he also acted, in\n    practice, as an intermediary for Mr. Mkrtchyan thereafter.\n\n\n\n    In my view, his actions ultimately advanced the interests of both Mr. Mkrtchyan and\n    himself.\n\n\n\n    II. My Professional History and the Swiss Criminal Proceedings\n\n\n\n    Mr. Mkrtchyan's witness statement references a Swiss criminal conviction and suggests that\n    it affects my credibility. I therefore provide full context.\n\n\n\n    In 2021, I was convicted in Switzerland for my conduct as an arbitrator in an unrelated\n    factual arbitration. The case concerned whether certain video recordings were authentic.\n    The videos showed former Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah allegedly\n    discussing money laundering with UBS bankers.\n\n\n\n    During the proceedings, counsel informed me that the parties had settled and asked me to\n    sign an award reflecting their agreement I received what I was told was their signed\n    settlement. The award concluded-based on three independent forensic examinations\n    confirmed by Swiss police-that the videos were authentic. The arbitration involved no\n    financial claim, only factual determination. Its total value was circa USO 15,000 (forensic\n    reports and arbitrator's fee).\n\n\n\n    In 2021, the Geneva Criminal Court sentenced me to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended.\n    In 2023, the Court of Appeal reduced this to 365 suspended day-fines. An appeal is pending\n    before the Federal Supreme Court. I was not disbarred and continue to exercise as attorney.\n\n\n\n    Neither court suggested that the forensic reports or videos were manipulated. The case\n    concerned the alleged simulation of arbitration proceedings for political advantage in\n    Kuwait.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                                             3\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122          Document 46-12             Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD         Page 5 of 6\n\n\n\n\n    I disclosed the matter to Mr. Mkrtchyan immediately after my indictment in February 2016.\n    He was fully aware, including that documents relating to him and his companies were\n    seized by police.\n\n\n\n    I do not raise this to excuse my mistake. I exercised poor judgment, relying on counsel's\n    representations without independent verification. However, the incident did not involve\n    dishonesty, fabrication of evidence, or false testimony. I was misled; I was not the deceiver.\n\n\n\n    My testimony in this arbitration is based on events I personally observed and documents\n    the Tribunal can independently verify. I am prepared to address any questions.\n\n\n\n    The repercussions of the case affected my professional life for years because of the media\n    coverage and mostly including difficulties opening bank accounts. Mr. Mkrtchyan knew the\n    reasons for these issues at the time.\n\n\n\n    III. My Representation of Mr. Mkrtchyan and NRCO\n\n\n\n    Both witnesses correctly state that I acted as legal counsel to Mr. Mkrtchyan and NRCO in\n    relation to the 2016 Share Purchase Agreement.\n\n\n\n    My role was limited:\n\n    - I forwarded the draft agreement from Mr. Payne to the directors in Panama for signature.\n\n    - I did not negotiate the terms, which had been agreed before my introduction to the\n    parties.\n\n    - I did not advise on the transaction structure.\n\n\n\n    My only active contribution was introducing Mr. Payne to my contacts in Bulgaria for the\n    LNG business, which resulted in access to major institutions. I received no payment apart\n    from travel reimbursement.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                                                 4\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122         Document 46-12           Filed 07/23/26 in TXSD           Page 6 of 6\n\n\n\n\n    My representation ended in December 2022. I have not represented him or his companies\n    since May 2023.\n\n\n\n    W. Basis for My August 2025 Affidavit\n\n\n\n    In August 2025, Mr. Ettinger sent me questions regarding my knowledge of the\n    relationships among the parties. I responded based on my recollection, as I had not been\n    provided with the underlying documents.\n\n\n\n    My core observation remains unchanged: throughout my involvement, Mr. Aripov acted as\n    an intermediary, and Mr. Payne consistently treated him as having authority to speak for\n    Mr. Mkrtchyan.\n\n\n\n    Whether this constituted legal agency, apparent authority, or practical intermediation is for\n    the Tribunal to determine.\n\n\n\n    V. Conclusion\n\n\n\n    I provide this supplemental statement to clarify my prior testimony. I stand by my\n    observations regarding the role of Mr. Aripov.\n\n\n\n    I declare under penalty of perjury under U.S. and Swiss law that this statement is true and\n    correct\n\n\n\n    Executed this 4 day of December 2025, in Founex, Switzerland.\n\n\n\n\n                                                                                               5\n\f","ocr_status":2,"date_upload":"2026-10-02T10:56:24.897985-07:00","document_number":"46","attachment_number":12,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883768","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 11 - Baumeyer Witness Statement","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020944/","id":496020944,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/13/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.640618-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.640629-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":5,"file_size":401530,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"46","attachment_number":13,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883769","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 12 - Press Release","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020945/","id":496020945,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/14/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.677837-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.677849-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":2,"file_size":165293,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"46","attachment_number":14,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883770","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Exhibit Ex 13 - Letter from Bose McKinney","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/496020946/","id":496020946,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/46/15/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.703040-07:00","date_modified":"2026-10-02T10:54:01.703051-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":4,"file_size":142209,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"46","attachment_number":15,"pacer_doc_id":"179050883771","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Proposed Order","acms_document_guid":""}],"date_created":"2026-07-23T21:35:14.507429-07:00","date_modified":"2026-09-17T11:36:38.086526-07:00","date_filed":"2026-07-23","time_filed":"23:21:25","entry_number":46,"recap_sequence_number":"2026-07-23.001","pacer_sequence_number":131,"description":"MOTION for Contempt, MOTION to Compel Production of Documents Withheld as Privileged( Motion Docket Date 8/13/2026.) by Ovik Mkrtchyan, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Ryan Hartman, # 2 Exhibit Ex 1 - Examiner's Report, # 3 Exhibit Ex 2 - Documents from Payne's Phone, # 4 Exhibit Ex 3 - CCleaner Description, # 5 Exhibit Ex 4 - AVG Description, # 6 Exhibit Ex 5 - SD Maid SE Description, # 7 Exhibit Ex 6 - Correspondence, # 8 Exhibit Ex 7 - Correspondence, # 9 Exhibit Ex 8 - Correspondence, # 10 Exhibit Ex 9 - Award Excerpts, # 11 Exhibit Ex 10 - Transcript Excerpts, # 12 Exhibit Ex 11 - Baumeyer Witness Statement, # 13 Exhibit Ex 12 - Press Release, # 14 Exhibit Ex 13 - Letter from Bose McKinney, # 15 Proposed Order) (Hartman, Ryan) (Entered: 07/23/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/454078797/","id":454078797,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/468986791/","id":468986791,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/45/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-02-17T10:56:50.224905-08:00","date_modified":"2026-04-17T09:24:48.880695-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":null,"file_size":null,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"45","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"179049310246","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"Order AND ~Util - Terminate Deadlines","acms_document_guid":""}],"date_created":"2026-02-17T10:56:50.185513-08:00","date_modified":"2026-04-17T09:24:48.812089-07:00","date_filed":"2026-02-17","time_filed":"12:28:58","entry_number":45,"recap_sequence_number":"2026-02-17.002","pacer_sequence_number":128,"description":"AGREED ORDER ON FORENSIC EXAMINATION granting 44 . The 2/17/2026 evidentiary hearing is cancelled. (Signed by Judge Lee H Rosenthal) Parties notified. (gmh4) (Entered: 02/17/2026)","tags":[]},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/454066767/","id":454066767,"docket":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/dockets/70555904/","recap_documents":[{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/468974123/","id":468974123,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/44/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-02-17T09:50:51.285372-08:00","date_modified":"2026-04-17T09:24:48.726605-07:00","sha1":"","page_count":null,"file_size":null,"filepath_local":null,"filepath_ia":"","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"","ocr_status":null,"date_upload":null,"document_number":"44","attachment_number":null,"pacer_doc_id":"179049308325","is_available":false,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":1,"description":"Stipulation","acms_document_guid":""},{"resource_uri":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/recap-documents/469033914/","id":469033914,"tags":[],"absolute_url":"/docket/70555904/44/1/mkrtchyan-v-payne/","date_created":"2026-02-17T14:09:23.283228-08:00","date_modified":"2026-02-23T04:48:04.133632-08:00","sha1":"d9f79f6033016a540cf42d3aa0fbb428374a28d0","page_count":4,"file_size":159402,"filepath_local":"recap/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.44.1.pdf","filepath_ia":"https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323/gov.uscourts.txsd.2014323.44.1.pdf","ia_upload_failure_count":null,"thumbnail":null,"thumbnail_status":0,"plain_text":"   Case 4:25-mc-01122          Document 44-1       Filed 02/17/26 in TXSD       Page 1 of 4\n\n\n\n\n                       IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT\n                       FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS\n                                HOUSTON DIVISION\n\n                                     )\nIN RE APPLICATION OF OVIK            )\nMKRTCHYAN FOR AN ORDER TO            )\nTAKE DISCOVERY FOR USE IN            )                   Case No. 4:25-mc-1122\nFOREIGN PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO )                        Hon. Judge Lee H. Rosenthal\n28 U.S.C. \u00a7 1782                     )\n                                     )\n                                     )\nOVIK MKRTCHYAN,                      )\n                        Petitioner   )\n                                     )\nv.                                   )\n                                     )\nSTEPHEN P. PAYNE, SR., LINDEN        )\nSTRATEGIES, LLC, LINDEN ENERGY,      )\nLLC, LINDEN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC. )\n& AMERICAN LNG SERVICES, LLC,        )\n                                     )\n                        Respondents. )\n                                     )\n\n     AGREED ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR FORENSIC EXAMINATION\n\n         In consideration of Petitioner and Respondents\u2019 agreement on entry of this order and the\n\nCourt\u2019s file in this matter, the Court hereby ORDERS a forensic examination under the protocol\n\nbelow:\n\n         (1) Within three business days of entry of this order, Petitioner shall identify to\n\n            Respondents three proposed companies (the \u201cProposed Examiners\u201d) to conduct a\n\n            forensic examination of Respondents\u2019 electronic devices. The Proposed Examiners\n\n            shall be companies that confirm that they are not currently working for Petitioner or\n\n            Respondents. The Proposed Examiners shall have at least one person on their staff who\n\f    Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 44-1        Filed 02/17/26 in TXSD       Page 2 of 4\n\n\n\n\n           holds an active U.S. top secret security clearance at whose direction the forensic\n\n           examination will be conducted. Petitioner shall identify that person to Respondents. 1\n\n       (2) Within three business days of Petitioner identifying the Proposed Examiners,\n\n           Respondents shall select one (the \u201cExaminer\u201d) and inform Petitioner of their selection.\n\n       (3) Within three business days of the selection, Respondents shall deliver to the Examiner\n\n           all mobile phones that were used by Respondent Payne at any point during the period\n\n           from September 1, 2023, forward. The Examiner shall promptly create forensic images\n\n           of those phones and return the phones to Respondents.\n\n       (4) The Examiner shall attempt to retrieve from the forensic images any documents,\n\n           communications, or other active or deleted data (collectively, \u201cData\u201d) that the\n\n           Examiner concludes may be responsive to the four subpoenas (including the more\n\n           specific subset of responsive documents identified in the January 9, 2026, order in this\n\n           matter), using search terms and methods that the Examiner deems appropriate for a\n\n           thorough forensic examination and search. The relevant time for responsiveness shall\n\n           continue to be September 1, 2023, through September 1, 2025. Petitioner and\n\n           Respondents may propose search terms to the Examiner, but the Examiner retains\n\n\n\n\n1 The parties do not contend that documents on the devices require this security clearance for\n\nreview as a matter of U.S. law. Rather, this requirement was included at the request of Respondents\nto provide assurance that the review is occurring at the direction of someone with experience\nmanaging confidential information.\n\n\n\n                                                2\n\f   Case 4:25-mc-01122         Document 44-1         Filed 02/17/26 in TXSD        Page 3 of 4\n\n\n\n\n          discretion to conduct the forensic examination and search in the manner it considers\n\n          proper. 2\n\n       (5) The Examiner shall thereafter promptly deliver all the potentially responsive Data and\n\n          other findings to counsel for Respondents for a privilege review.\n\n       (6) Within 14 calendar days of this delivery, Respondents shall provide to the Examiner\n\n          and Petitioner a privilege log for any Data over which Respondents assert privilege.\n\n          The Examiner and Respondents shall then promptly release to Petitioner any Data and\n\n          findings provided by the Examiner that are not listed on the log. Should there be any\n\n          dispute over privilege, the parties may seek relief from the Court if they are unable to\n\n          resolve the dispute.\n\n       (7) Within seven business days after the later of (a) delivery of the non-privileged Data\n\n          and findings, or (b) resolution of any privilege dispute, Petitioner shall submit a filing\n\n          to this Court addressing: whether the Examiner located additional materials responsive\n\n          to the subpoenas that were not previously produced by Respondents, whether\n\n          Respondents have purged their contempt, and if so, when. If the parties disagree over\n\n          this submission, Respondents may respond to it within five business days, and\n\n          Petitioner may reply within three business days. The Court will then rule on whether\n\n          Respondents have purged the contempt and the date on which this occurred. Unless\n\n\n\n\n2 For example, the Examiner may choose to conduct customary examination confirming whether\n\nthe phones appear to be the operative devices associated with Respondent Payne in the relevant\nperiod and data does not appear to have been tampered with.\n\n\n\n                                                3\n\fCase 4:25-mc-01122       Document 44-1        Filed 02/17/26 in TXSD       Page 4 of 4\n\n\n\n\n     otherwise ordered by the Court at that time, the Examiner shall then promptly return\n\n     the original forensic images to Respondents and shall not keep a copy.\n\n  (8) Petitioner shall bear the Examiner\u2019s reasonable fees and expenses in conducting the\n\n     examination.\n\n  (9) Petitioner and Respondents may agree to change any deadlines in this order that do not\n\n     impact the Court by a signed written agreement between their counsel.\n\n  (10)    If it turns out that the search of the phones under the process set out above does\n\n     not yield from an objective perspective significant additional material information that\n\n     might support Petitioner\u2019s allegations, that is, if the affidavits Respondents submitted\n\n     on or about January 12, 2026, turn out to have been substantively accurate,\n\n     Respondents\u2019 contempt will be deemed to have been purged that day and no additional\n\n     fine will be deemed to have accrued. In any event, upon completion of the process set\n\n     out above, the finding of contempt shall be considered to be purged.\n\n\n\n  SO ORDERED on February ______, 2026.\n\n\n\n\n                                                 ________________________________\n                                                             Lee H. Rosenthal\n                                                        United States District Judge\n\n\n\n\n                                          4\n\f","ocr_status":2,"date_upload":"2026-02-17T14:11:23.869715-08:00","document_number":"44","attachment_number":1,"pacer_doc_id":"179049308328","is_available":true,"is_free_on_pacer":null,"is_sealed":null,"document_type":2,"description":"Proposed Order Agreed Order Granting Motion for Forensic Examination","acms_document_guid":""}],"date_created":"2026-02-17T09:50:51.253001-08:00","date_modified":"2026-04-17T09:24:48.672836-07:00","date_filed":"2026-02-17","time_filed":"11:19:59","entry_number":44,"recap_sequence_number":"2026-02-17.001","pacer_sequence_number":126,"description":"STIPULATION re: of All Parties Requesting Entry of Agreed Order Granting Motion for Forensic Examination by Ovik Mkrtchyan, filed. 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Parties notified. Evidentiary Hearing set for 2/17/2026 at 03:00 PM by video before Judge Lee H Rosenthal, filed. HEARING CHANGED TO ZOOM. (gmh4) (Entered: 02/13/2026)","tags":[]}],"entries_total":"https://www.courtlistener.com/api/rest/v4/docket-entries/?count=on&docket=70555904&page_size=40"}