Updated: 09/30/2026 10:25 AM

U.S. District Court
Southern District of Florida
Docket for Case Number: 0:24-cv-61972-EA

Case Title: TSA,LLC v. Lewis
Assigned To: Judge Ed Artau
Filed: 10/22/24
Terminated:
Nature of Suit: 370 Other Fraud
Cause: 28:2201 Declaratory Judgment

Plaintiff:
TSA,LLC
represented byBrian P. Nally
Reminger Co., L.P.A.
200 Public Square, Suite 1200
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-387-1311
bnally@reminger.com
Zachary Spencer Knoblock
Winget Spadafora Schwartzberg, LLP
14 NE 1st Ave
Suite 600
Miami, FL 33132
3058300600
knoblock.z@wssllp.com
Defendant:
Bert Damian Lewis
represented byBert Damian Lewis
769 Rue Center Court i
Cincinnati, OH 45245
chefdamianlewis@gmail.com
PRO SE
Counter Defendant:
TSA,LLC
represented byBrian P. Nally
Reminger Co., L.P.A.
200 Public Square, Suite 1200
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-387-1311
bnally@reminger.com
Zachary Spencer Knoblock
Winget Spadafora Schwartzberg, LLP
14 NE 1st Ave
Suite 600
Miami, FL 33132
3058300600
knoblock.z@wssllp.com
Counter Claimant:
Bert Damian Lewis
represented byBert Damian Lewis
769 Rue Center Ct. Apt. i
Cincinnati, OH 45245
PRO SE
Case NumberFiledEnteredDocument NumberDocket Text
0:24-cv-61972-EA10/22/2410/22/241COMPLAINT against Bert Damian Lewis. Filing fees $ 405.00 receipt number AFLSDC-17925180, filed by TSA,LLC. (Attachments: # (1) Civil Cover Sheet, # (2) Summon(s), # (3) Exhibit Exhibit A, # (4) Exhibit Exhibit B, # (5) Exhibit Exhibit C, # (6) Exhibit Exhibit D, # (7) Exhibit Exhibit E, # (8) Exhibit Exhibit F, # (9) Exhibit Exhibit G, # (10) Exhibit Exhibit H, # (11) Exhibit Exhibit I)(Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 10/22/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA10/22/2410/22/242Clerks Notice of Judge Assignment to Judge Jose E. Martinez.

Pursuant to 28 USC 636(c), the parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle is available to handle any or all proceedings in this case. If agreed, parties should complete and file the Consent form found on our website. It is not necessary to file a document indicating lack of consent. (nan) (Entered: 10/22/24)

0:24-cv-61972-EA10/22/2410/22/243Summons Issued as to Bert Damian Lewis. (nan) (Entered: 10/22/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA10/22/2410/22/244Bar Letter re: Admissions sent to attorney Brian P. Nally, mailing date October 22, 2024, (pt) (Entered: 10/22/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA10/31/2410/31/245Letter by Bert Damian Lewis. (Address Updated) (ebz) Modified text per chambers to reflect filing on 10/31/2024 (mf). (Entered: 10/31/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA10/31/2410/31/246PAPERLESS ORDER regarding [5] Defendant's 10-30-24 email to the Court. As an initial matter, the Court notes that one of the many attachments to the email, titled "Engagement.pages," was not provided in a format that can be opened by the Court, and therefore could not be included in ECF No. [5]. Although Defendant appears to be proceeding pro se, he remains subject to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and this Court's Local Rules. See Murray v. Archer, No. 22-13155, 2023 WL 6381523, at *2, (11th Cir. Oct. 2, 2023) ("Although we construe pro se complaints liberally, we nevertheless require that pro se litigants adhere to the same governing rules and procedures as litigants represented by attorneys.") (citing Albra v. Advan, Inc., 490 F.3d 826, 829 (11th Cir. 2007)). Defendant is instructed that any further communications with this Court must be limited to properly filed motions that clearly specify the precise relief sought and the legal bases for granting such relief. Any documents provided in connection with such motions must be filed as exhibits and must be clearly related to the motion and necessary for the Court's resolution of the motion. These submissions must be mailed or otherwise delivered to the Clerk's office to be uploaded to the docket. If Defendant continues to email the Court as a means of seeking redress which should be sought via a formal filing, the Court will impose proper sanctions. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 10/31/2024. (knu) (Entered: 10/31/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA11/20/2411/20/247MOTION for Referral to Volunteer Attorney Program by Bert Damian Lewis. (ar24) (Entered: 11/20/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA11/20/2411/20/248Consent by Pro Se Litigant (Non-Prisoner) Bert Damian Lewis to receive Notices of Electronic Filing at email address: chefdamianlewis@gmail.com (ar24) (Entered: 11/20/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA11/22/2411/22/249ORDER ON MOTION FOR REFERRAL TO VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM re [7] Motion for Referral to Volunteer Attorney Program, is DENIED without prejudice. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 11/21/2024. See attached document for full details. (ebz) (Entered: 11/22/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/04/2412/05/2410 MOTION for Referral to Volunteer Attorney Program by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 12/05/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/04/2412/05/2411 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 12/05/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/11/2412/11/2412 MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for Brian P. Nally. Filing Fee $ 250.00 Receipt # AFLSDC-18046053 by TSA,LLC. Responses due by 12/26/2024. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 12/11/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/13/2412/13/2413PAPERLESS ORDER granting [12] Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for Attorney Brian P. Nally. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 12/13/2024. (knu) (Entered: 12/13/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/16/2412/16/2414SUMMONS (Affidavit) Returned Executed on [1] Complaint, with a 21 day response/answer filing deadline pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12 by TSA,LLC. Bert Damian Lewis Date served 12/13/2024, Date answer due 1/2/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) Modified text on 12/16/2024 (ebz). (Entered: 12/16/24)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/31/2401/02/2515 Defendant's ANSWER and Affirmative Defenses to Complaint with Jury Demand, COUNTERCLAIM against TSA,LLC by Bert Damian Lewis. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C, # (4) Exhibit D)(ar24) (Entered: 01/02/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA01/21/2501/21/2516 Plaintiff's MOTION TO DISMISS [15] Answer to Complaint, Counterclaim FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by TSA,LLC. Responses due by 2/4/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 01/21/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA01/21/2501/22/2517 Notice Of Pendency Of Other Actions by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 01/22/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/03/2502/04/2518 MOTION FOR U.S. SEAMAN TO PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYING COSTS by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 02/04/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/03/2502/04/2519 MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AMEND COUNTERCLAIM [15] Answer to Complaint, Counterclaim by Bert Damian Lewis. Responses due by 2/18/2025. (Attachments: # (1) Amended Counterclaim)(ebz) (Entered: 02/04/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/14/2502/14/2520RESPONSE in Opposition re [19] MOTION to Amend/Correct [15] Answer to Complaint, Counterclaim filed by TSA,LLC. Replies due by 2/21/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 02/14/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/18/2502/18/2521 REPLY TO MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AMEND COUNTERCLAIM re DE [20] Response in Opposition to Motion by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 02/18/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA04/17/2504/17/2522 MOTION for Sanctions and Memorandum of Law in Support by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 04/17/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA04/17/2504/17/2523 NOTICE of Filing re [22] MOTION for Sanctions by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 04/17/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA04/17/2504/17/2524NOTICE of Change of Address/Contact Information; by Bert Damian Lewis. (Address Updated) (ebz) (Entered: 04/17/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA04/17/2504/17/2525CASE REFERRED to the Honorable Alicia O. Valle, United States Magistrate Judge, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(b) and the Magistrate Rules of the Local Rules of the Southern District of Florida for a ruling on all pre-trial, non-dispositive matters, and for a Report and Recommendation on all dispositive matters, including any pending motion. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 4/17/2025. (knu) (Entered: 04/17/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/01/2505/01/2526RESPONSE in Opposition re [22] MOTION for Sanctions filed by TSA,LLC. Replies due by 5/8/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 05/01/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/01/2505/02/2527MEMORANDUM in Opposition re [22] MOTION for Sanctions by TSA,LLC. (ls)(See Image DE #26) (Entered: 05/02/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/02/2505/02/2528Clerk's Notice to Filer re [26] Response in Opposition to Motion. Wrong Event Selected; ERROR - The Filer selected the wrong event. The document was re-docketed by the Clerk, see [de#27]. It is not necessary to refile this document. (ls) (Entered: 05/02/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/02/2505/05/2529 REPLY to DE [26] Response in Opposition to Motion for Sanctions by Bert Damian Lewis. (cwc) (Entered: 05/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/02/2505/05/2530DEFENDANT BERT DAMIAN LEWIS' UNSWORN STATEMENT UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY IN SUPPORT OF DE [22] MOTION for Sanctions filed by Bert Damian Lewis. (cwc) (Entered: 05/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/02/2505/05/2531 DEFENDANT'S MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings by Bert Damian Lewis. (cwc) (Entered: 05/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/02/2505/05/2532BERT DAMIAN LEWIS' MEMORANDUM OF LAW OPPOSING CAPTAIN STEPHEN P. PATTEE'S SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 AFFIDAVIT by Bert Damian Lewis. (cwc) (Entered: 05/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/05/2505/05/2533 DEFENDANT BERT DAMIAN LEWIS' MOTION for Order to Show Cause by Bert Damian Lewis. (cwc) Modified Correcting Date Filed on 7/24/2026 (cwc). (Entered: 05/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/16/2505/16/2534RESPONSE in Opposition re [31] MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by TSA,LLC. Replies due by 5/23/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 05/16/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/16/2505/16/2535MEMORANDUM in Opposition re [32] Memorandum Of Law Opposing Captain Stephen P. Patee's September 5, 2024 Affidavit by TSA,LLC. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 05/16/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/16/2505/16/2536MEMORANDUM in Opposition re [33] MOTION for Order to Show Cause by TSA,LLC. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 05/16/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/16/2505/16/2537MEMORANDUM in Opposition re [30] Affidavit in Support of Motion by TSA,LLC. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 05/16/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/19/2505/20/2538 U.S. Seaman Bert Damian Lewis' Reply In Support of May 2, 2025 Motions and Memorandum re [31] MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings, [33] MOTION for Order to Show Cause, [34] RESPONSE in Opposition, [36] MEMORANDUM in Opposition, [37] MEMORANDUM in Opposition filed by Bert Damian Lewis. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit)(ebz) (Attachment 1 replaced on 7/29/2026) (cwc). (Entered: 05/20/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/19/2505/20/2539 Notice of Right to Amend as of Course by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 05/20/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/19/2505/20/2540Notice of Supplemental Authority In Support of Motion re [22] MOTION for Sanctions by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 05/20/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/23/2505/27/2541Second Notice of Supplemental Authority In Support of [22] MOTION for Sanctions by Bert Damian Lewis. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A) (ebz) (Entered: 05/27/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA06/24/2506/24/2542OMNIBUS ORDER ON PENDING MOTIONS: [11] Defendant Lewis' Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs is GRANTED; [18] Defendant Lewis' Motion for Seaman to Proceed Without Prepaying Costs pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1916 and 46 U.S.C. § 2114 is DENIED AS MOOT;[19] Defendant Lewis' Motion for Leave to Amend Counterclaim is GRANTED; [16] Plaintiff TSA's Motion to Dismiss Defendant's Counterclaims is DENIED AS MOOT; [22] Defendant Lewis' Motion for Sanctions is DENIED; [31] Defendant Lewis' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings is DENIED; [37] TSA's Motion to Strike is GRANTED; [32] Defendant Lewis' Memorandum of Law Opposing Captain Stephen P. Pattee's September 5, 2024, Affidavit (construed as a Motion to Strike) is DENIED; [33] Defendant Lewis' Motion for Order to Show Cause is DENIED; [10] Defendant Lewis' Motion for Referral to the VAP is GRANTED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle on 6/24/2025. See attached document for full details. (sd01) (Entered: 06/24/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/08/2507/09/2543AMENDED COUNTERCLAIM against TSA,LLC, filed by Bert Damian Lewis.(ebz) (Entered: 07/09/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/23/2507/23/2544 MOTION to Dismiss with Prejudice [43] Counterclaim by TSA,LLC. Responses due by 8/6/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 07/23/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/23/2507/23/2545 MOTION for Summary Judgment by TSA,LLC. Responses due by 8/6/2025. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 07/23/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/23/2507/23/2546Statement of: Material Facts by TSA,LLC re [45] MOTION for Summary Judgment (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C)(Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 07/23/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/28/2507/28/2547 Corporate Disclosure Statement by TSA,LLC (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 07/28/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/28/2507/29/2548RESPONSE in Opposition re [44] MOTION to Dismiss with Prejudice [43] Counterclaim , [45] MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Bert Damian Lewis. Replies due by 8/4/2025. (ebz) (Entered: 07/29/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/28/2507/29/2549Unsworn Statement Under Penalty of Perjury in Support of Opposition to Plaintiff's July 23, 2025 Motion to Dismiss and Motion for Summary Judgment re [48] RESPONSE in Opposition, [44] MOTION to Dismiss with Prejudice [43] Counterclaim , [45] MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Bert Damian Lewis. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit)(ebz) (Entered: 07/29/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA08/05/2508/05/2550 REPLY in Support of Motion re [45] MOTION for Summary Judgment . filed by TSA,LLC. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 08/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA08/05/2508/05/2551Plaintiff's REPLY in Support of Motion re [44] MOTION to Dismiss with Prejudice [43] Counterclaim . filed by TSA,LLC. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 08/05/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA09/11/2509/12/2552 MOTION for Judicial Notice of Initiation of Related Proceedings before the U.S. Department of Labor by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 09/12/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA09/11/2509/12/2553MEMORANDUM in Support of [52] MOTION for Judicial Notice of Initiation of Related Proceedings before the U.S. Department of Labor by Bert Damian Lewis. (ebz) (Entered: 09/12/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA12/17/2512/17/2554CLERK'S NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT OF CASE. Case reassigned to Judge Ed Artau for all further proceedings. Judge Jose E. Martinez no longer assigned to case as presider. (yar) (Entered: 12/17/25)
0:24-cv-61972-EA01/28/2601/28/2655REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION that [44] Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendant's Amended Counterclaim be granted; and [45] Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment be denied. Objections to R&R due by 2/11/2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle on 1/28/2026. See attached document for full details. (sd01) (Entered: 01/28/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA01/28/2601/28/2656PAPERLESS ORDER DENYING [52] Motion for Judicial Notice of Initiation of Related Proceedings Before the U.S. Department of Labor. Defendant fails to clarify how prior filed litigation pending before the Department of Labor, even if factually related to the claims and defenses in this case, is relevant to the issues before the Court. Accordingly, the undersigned declines to take judicial notice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle on 1/28/2026. (sd01) (Entered: 01/28/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/04/2602/04/2657CLERK'S NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT OF CASE. Case reassigned to Magistrate Judge Jared M. Strauss for all further proceedings. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle no longer assigned to case. (yar) (Entered: 02/04/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/04/2602/04/2658Plaintiff's NOTICE of Non-Objection by TSA,LLC re [55] REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re [44] MOTION to Dismiss with Prejudice [43] Counterclaim filed by TSA,LLC, [45] MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by TSA,LLC (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 02/04/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/05/2602/05/2659PAPERLESS ORDER denying without prejudice [45] Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Ed Artau (mdn) (Entered: 02/05/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA02/05/2602/05/2660PAPERLESS ORDER The Parties are hereby ORDERED to meet and confer in person by Friday, March 6, 2026. At the meet and confer, the parties must in good faith attempt to resolve the action. If the parties are unable to resolve the case, Plaintiff TSA LLC may renew its request for summary relief. If Defendant BERT DAMIAN LEWIS fails to timely and properly respond to any such motion, the Court may grant summary relief as set forth in Sanchez v. ABC Professional Tree Service, No. 21-CV-14223, 2022U.S. Dist. LEXIS 149249 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 19, 2022). Signed by Judge Ed Artau (mdn) (Entered: 02/05/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA03/30/2603/30/2661ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ; granting [44] Motion to Dismiss Defendant Bert Damian Lewis' Amended Counterclaim; Adopting [55] Report and Recommendations. Signed by Judge Ed Artau on 3/30/2026. See attached documentfor full details. (drz) (Entered: 03/30/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA04/17/2604/17/2662 Plaintiff's MOTION for Summary Judgment Renewed by TSA,LLC. Responses due by 5/1/2026. (Attachments: # (1) Statement of Material Facts, # (2) Exhibit A, # (3) Exhibit B, # (4) Exhibit C)(Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 04/17/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/04/2605/05/2663 Request a 90-day Continuance of this matter by Bert Damian Lewis. Responses due by 5/18/2026. (ebz) (Entered: 05/05/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/05/2605/05/2664PAPERLESS SUA SPONTE ORDER re [63] MOTION to Continue filed by Bert Damian Lewis. Plaintiff TSA LLC is hereby ordered to file its response to Defendant Bert Damian Lewis's [63] MOTION to Continue by May 8, 2026, advising as to its opposition or non-opposition to the relief requested therein and the reasons therefor. Plaintiff TSA LLC is also hereby ORDERED to advise in said response whether a formal notice of settlement is appropriate at this time in light of Defendant Bert Damian Lewis's representation that he "previously accepted all of TSA, LLC's settlement terms, immediately pending [his] release from temporary incarceration." [ECF No. 63]. Signed by Judge Ed Artau (mdn) (Entered: 05/05/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA05/08/2605/08/2665RESPONSE in Opposition re [63] MOTION to Continue filed by TSA,LLC. Replies due by 5/15/2026. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Exhibit A)(Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 05/08/26)
0:24-cv-61972-EA07/02/2607/02/2666Plaintiff's REPLY in Support of Motion re [62] Plaintiff's MOTION for Summary Judgment Renewed. Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment filed by TSA,LLC. (Knoblock, Zachary) (Entered: 07/02/26)