Mandala
Mandala v. California Law Enforcement Ass'n
Opinion
Opinion
Otero, J.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR REMAND; [Docket No. 18] AND DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT [Docket No. 21]
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Christopher Mandala’s Motion for Remand, filed December 3, 2007, and Defendant California Law Enforcement Association’s (“CLEA”) Motion for Summary Judgment, filed December 4, 2007. The parties filed oppositions and replies to both Motions. The Court found these matters suitable for disposition without oral argument and vacated the hearings set for January 14, 2008. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 78(b). Because CLEA’s disability plan is not governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), Mandala’s Motion to Remand is GRANTED and CLEA’s Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED as moot.
I. BACKGROUND
In 1998, while serving as a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department (the “LAPD”), Mandala was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Mandala submitted disability claims to the LAPD and LAPD’s workers compensation carrier. As a member of the Los Angeles Police Protective League (“LAPPL”), Mandala had previously elected to enroll in the CLEA Long Term Disability Plan (the “Plan”).