Meeker

I. INTRODUCTION

Benjamin Meeker obtained a default judgment against Guogiang Chen on his complaint for civil extortion, unfair business practices, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Chen moved to set aside that judgment, arguing the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over him. The trial court denied Chen’s motion, finding both that his supporting evidence was inadmissible and that there existed a proper basis for personal jurisdiction. Chen challenges that ruling on appeal but fails to establish any error. We therefore affirm.

II. BACKGROUND

On November 6, 2019, Meeker sued Chen for civil extortion, unfair business practices, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional

distress.1 The complaint alleged that Chen, a New York resident, attempted to extort Meeker, a California resident, by emailing two letters to Meeker in 2019 regarding their joint Hawaiian business venture and a related

Hawaiian lawsuit.

After being served by publication,3 Chen failed to answer the complaint or otherwise defend the action in the time required by law. The trial court entered Chen’s default on June 28, 2021, followed by a default judgment in favor of…