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Answer:
A Court authorized the Notice because you have a right to know about a pending lawsuit and about all of your options before the Court makes a ruling in this matter. The Notice explains the lawsuit and your legal rights.
The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas is overseeing this case. The case is know as Murphy v Gospel for Asia, Inc., et al., Case No. 5:17-cv-05035-TLB. The people who sued are called the Plaintiffs. The people and entities that got sued are called the Defendants, who, in this case, are Gospel for Asia, Inc., Gospel for Asia-International, K.P. Yohannan, Gisela Punnose, Daniel Punnose, David Carroll, and Pat Emerick (collectively "GFA").
Answer:
In a class action, one or more people called class representatives (in this case, Garland Murphy D. Murphy, III, M.D. and Phyllis Murphy) sue on behalf of a group or a “class” of people who have similar claims. In a class action, the court resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class.
Answer:
This lawsuit claims that GFA misdirected funds designated for specific charitable projects the donors selected. The Defendants deny they violated any law and/or committed any wrongdoing. The Court has not determined who is right.
Answer:
The Court decided that everyone who fits this description is a member of the Class:
All Persons in the United States who donated money to GFA from January 1, 2009 through September 10, 2018 for Project Codes 1000-4900. Excluded from the Class are unknown donors; Defendants, their subsidiaries, affiliates, and employees, all persons who make a timely election to be excluded from the Class; governmental entities; the Special Discovery Master appointed in the case; and the Judge to whom this case is assigned and his/her immediate family.
Answer:
No. If you decide to remain in the Class, the lawsuit will continue to be prosecuted on your behalf, and you will be notified with regard to any settlement, trial result, or judgment that affects your interests as a Class Member.
Answer:
If you remain in the Class, you will be bound by the results of this lawsuit as to the issues identified in the Notice, whether the results are favorable or unfavorable.
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If you remain in the Class, you will have the right to share in any monetary recovery, if any, obtained for the Class.
Answer:
Generally, no. Class Members may be asked to complete a “claim form” when the case is concluded.
Answer:
You have a choice of staying in the Class or deciding to “opt out”, or be excluded from the Class. The Court will exclude from the Class any person who requests to be excluded. If you decide to opt out of the Class, you will not be bound by the results of this lawsuit, whether favorable or unfavorable, and you will not share in any recovery that may be obtained for the Class. By opting out you will retain any claims you may have against GFA, subject to limitations periods and other defenses that may apply.
Answer:
The Court has appointed Marc R. Stanley and Martin Woodward of Stanley Law Group, and Woodson W. Bassett III and James Graves of Basset Law Firm LLP to be the attorneys representing the Class. They are called “Class Counsel.” Tom Mills of Mills and Williams, LLP also serves as Of Counsel. You will not be charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer in this case, you may hire one at your expense.
Answer:
At no time will you be obligated to pay any litigation expenses or costs of Class Counsel. Class Counsel attorneys' fees and costs will be determined by the Court.
Answer:
To exclude yourself from this lawsuit, you must mail or otherwise deliver a letter (or request for exclusion) stating that you want to be excluded from Murphy v. Gospel For Asia, Inc., Case No. 5:17-cv-05035-TLB, to the address below. Please do not contact the Court directly. Your letter or request for exclusion must include your name, your address, your signature, the name and number of this case, and a statement that you wish to be excluded. You must mail or deliver your exclusion request postmarked no later than January 28, 2019 to:
Murphy v Gospel for Asia
c/o Class Administrator
PO Box 58548
Philadelphia, PA 19102-8548
Answer:
No. Unless you exclude yourself, you give up any right to sue the Defendant for the claims in this lawsuit.
Answer:
No. If you exclude yourself, you will not be eligible to receive any benefits from this lawsuit should they become available.
Answer:
Yes, you can do either. If you choose to opt out, you may have your own attorney represent you in this case by filing an appearance on your behalf, but you will be responsible for paying that attorney. If you choose to opt out, you may file your own separate lawsuit. However, if you decide to bring an individual lawsuit, there is a risk that certain defenses will bar that suit.
Answer:
It is difficult to know how long it will take for this case to conclude. There is a possibility that the case will be resolved without a trial. Otherwise, Class Counsel will have to prove Plaintiffs’ claims at trial. During the trial, evidence will be presented to help a jury or the judge decide whether Plaintiffs or Defendants should prevail. There is no guarantee that Plaintiffs will win or that they will recover any money for the Class.
Answer:
Yes. If you remain in the Class, you will receive notice from Class Counsel of any significant changes to the Class, dismissal, compromise, or final judgment if it affects you as a Class Member. You can also check the Documents section of this website for any significant case developments.
Answer:
For more information please continue to check this website or call 1-844-367-8894. You may also write with questions to:
Murphy v Gospel for Asia
c/o Class Administrator
PO Box 58548
Philadelphia, PA 19102-8548
