Eric Coomer, Ph.D. v. Make Your Life Epic, LLC, d/b/a Thrive Time Show, et al.

Denver, Colorado civil litigation lawyers represented the parties.



Joseph Oltmann was properly served with a subpoena and ordered by the district court to appear and testify at a deposition. Oltmann was not a party to the underlying civil lawsuit but a material witness. Oltmann initially complied and appeared for his deposition, which was held in the jury room at a federal courthouse in Denver. However, after a few hours, Oltmann departed the courthouse without being released from the subpoena or court authorization and thereafter failed to appear for the remainder of the deposition. Instead, he returned to his home and began broadcasting an online podcast boasting about fleeing the deposition and commenting disparagingly about the magistrate judge presiding over the deposition.

Following a hearing and briefing, the district court held Oltmann to be in civil

contempt of court (Contempt Order). As part of the Contempt Order, the district court levied a $1,000 per day fine against Oltmann until he complied with court orders, and also ordered that he pay attorney’s fees and costs.