DELTA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, in its Individual Capacity and as Initial Member of DELTA FUNDING RESIDUAL EXCHANGE COMPANY, LLC, Plaintiff, v. JAMES E. MORRISON et al., Defendants. DELTA FUNDING RESIDUAL EXCHANGE COMPANY, LLC, et al., Plaintiffs, v. DELTA FINANCIAL CORPORATION et al., Defendants. DELTA FUNDING RESIDUAL EXCHANGE COMPANY, LLC, Plaintiff, v. KPMG LLP, Defendant Supreme Court, Nassau County August 17, 2006 Counsel Delta Financial Corp., by Eugene Licker, Esq., Loeb & Loeb, New York, David Cohen, Esq., Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, Pittsburg, PA, M. Allan Hyman, Esq., Certilman, Ballin Adler & Hyman, East Meadow, for KPMG. Dennis Tracey, Esq., Hogan & Hartson, New York, for Delta Funding Residual Exchange Co. LLC, and James Morrison and Delta Funding Residual Management, Inc. Daniel Malone, Esq., Ross Hirsch, Esq., and Marc Stein of Dechert, LLP, New York, and Christopher A. Byrne, Esq., Christopher A. Byrne, PC, Washington, D.C. Warshawsky, Ira B., Justice OPINION OF THE COURT *605 BACKGROUND Delta Financial Corporation (“DFC”) filed a lawsuit against Defendants James Morrison, Delta Funding Residual Exchange Company, LLC, and its management company, Delta Funding Residual Management, Inc. (collectively hereinafter known as “LLC”) after LLC allegedly withheld certain monies allegedly due DFC. LLC thereafter commenced an action for approximately $110,000,000.00 for, among other things, fraud with regard to an exchange of assets between LLC and DFC in and about August, 2001 (the “2001 Exchange”). In or about July 2004, LLC commenced an action against the accounting firm of KPMG (“KPMG”) for approximately $110,000,000.00 with regard to KPMG's alleged misconduct in connection with an **910 audit of DFC that was related to the 2001 Exchange. All matters have been consolidated before the Honorable Ira B. Warshawsky, Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, Commercial Division. Familiarity with the facts is assumed and only relevant facts will be restated when necessary. E–DISCOVERY DISPUTE Currently at issue, among numerous discovery disputes in these matters, are three categories of electronic documents, which LLC seeks discovery: 1) Non-e-mail electronic documents which LLC claims were not captured by DFC's search process; 2) E-mails which LLC claims were not captured by DFC's ninety-day back-up tapes; and 3) E-mails from January 1, 1999 through *606 July 12, 2000 (collectively, the “Outstanding Issues”). Counsel for all parties and the discovery referee assigned to mediate discovery, Michael Cardello, Esq., conducted a conference to address these issues as well as other discovery issues. At the conclusion of the conference, during which the parties were able to resolve a number of outstanding discovery issues, the discovery referee directed counsel for the parties to submit briefs on the Outstanding Issues that remained unresolved despite the efforts made during the conference. Counsel for LLC and DFC have submitted their respective briefs on the Outstanding Issues[1]. Although Michael Cardello, Esq. has been appointed to mediate discovery issues, the Court has determined that a formal decision by the Court is warranted. Having considered all the submissions of the parties, the Court decides the Outstanding Issues as set forth below. LLC's Arguments for Further Discovery of DFC's Electronic Data LLC contends that it is entitled to discovery of the requested electronic documents because they are relevant to the issues in the case. LLC cites Zubulake v. UBS Warburg LLC (Zubulake I), 217 F.R.D. 309 (S.D.N.Y.2003) for the proposition that regardless of the purpose for creating backup tapes, “as long as the data is accessible, it must be produced.” Zubulake I, 217 F.R.D. at 321–22. LLC claims that DFC's electronic data is in an accessible form even if resides on back-up tapes. LLC states that the restoration of DFC's relevant backup tapes, other than the e-mails sought by LLC that predates January 1, 2000, has already been done.[2] Therefore, LLC argues that there will be limited additional costs associated with restoration process as the majority of the restoration has already been accomplished. Citing Zubulake v. UBS Warburg, LLC (Zubulake III), 216 F.R.D. 280, (S.D.N.Y.2003), LLC argues because much of the data has already been restored to accessible form, i.e., hard disks, the usual rules of discovery apply and DFC's electronic data must be searched for relevant and responsive documents. *607 LLC further contends that with the restoration already accomplished, the search process can take place by the application of DFC's search terms to sift through the restored data for non-duplicative and relevant documents. LLC stated that it will initially pay the cost of this process and has offered to begin each search with a sampling, to the extent possible, to ascertain whether a full search is a worthwhile endeavor. **911 LLC contends that it is entitled to have the additional searches run because DFC's prior production of electronic documents have clearly yielded responsive, highly probative documents and that LLC's current search request seeks to capture fundamentally similar documents to the documents already produced by DFC. LLC also argues that it is neither obligated to identify specific documents missing from prior productions nor need to demonstrate that a gold mine lies within the universe of yet-to-be searched documents to have the searches run. DFC's Arguments That No Further Discovery of Electronic Data is Warranted Conversely, DFC argues that no further discovery of electronic data should be required as DFC's backup tapes are maintained for disaster recovery purposes, not storage of electronic information for routine retrieval[3]. DFC cites the Sedona Principles for Electronic Document Production, Principle 8 (July 2005 Version) for the proposition that backup tapes maintained for disaster recovery purposes should not be searched as part of discovery unless the requesting party can demonstrate “a need and relevance that outweigh the cost, burden, and disruption of retrieving and processing the data from such sources”. Moreover, DFC states that recent case law reflects that because of the difficulty of producing useful information from back-up tapes and duplicative nature of information on back-up tapes, the responding party does not have an automatic duty to produce information on all its backup tapes. In addition, DFC cites numerous cases to support its proposition that backup tapes are not subject to broad routine discovery and argues that it should not be compelled to restore and search its backup tapes in the absence of a proper showing that the backup tapes are likely to result in the production of any relevant documents *608 not already produced. DFC contends that despite the production of thousands of responsive e-mails by DFC to LLC, many of which were sent to and from Mr. Morrison, to date, LLC has failed to make any showing that any relevant e-mails were missing from the DFC production. DFC concludes by stating that it has voluntarily searched its backup tapes for e-mails between June 12, 2000[4] and June 30, 2002 to and/or from its key employees who were involved in the valuation process which is the subject of the litigation, that the search terms used in the initial filter were quite broad, and that all responsive, non-privilege documents from that effort have been produced to LLC. Therefore, no additional searches of DFC's electronic documents are warranted. Should the Court Permit Further Discovery Of DFC's Electronic Data? While this court is not controlled by the Fed.R.Civ.P., it finds them and the caselaw interpreting them instructive and quite useful, especially in light of the absence of CPLR guidance. This Court's reliance upon Federal caselaw interpreting Rule 34 of Fed.R.Civ.P. is not without precedent. See e.g., Weiller v. New York Life Ins. Co., 6 Misc.3d 1038(A), 800 N.Y.S.2d 359 (N.Y.Sup.2005); Ball v. State, 101 Misc.2d 554, 421 N.Y.S.2d 328 (Ct.Cl.1979). In fact, “CPLR 3120 is indirectly based upon **912 Rule 34 of Fed.R.Civ.P.” Ball, 421 N.Y.S.2d at 331 n. 3. “It is clear that the language of the CPLR has been interpreted by the Courts of this State so as to be virtually parallel to the Federal provision.” Ball, 421 N.Y.S.2d at 332. Recent New York State cases on disclosure of electronic records have expressly cited to the Federal cases on electronic discovery. See 3 N.Y. Prac., Com. Litig. in New York State Courts § 23:10; see also, Weiller, supra; Etzion v. Etzion, 7 Misc.3d 940, 796 N.Y.S.2d 844 (Nassau Sup.2005); Travelers Indemnity Co. v. C.C. Controlled Combustion Insulation Co., Inc., 2003 WL 22798934 (N.Y.City Civ.Ct.2003); Credit Risk Monitor.Com v. Samuel Fensterstock and Global, N.Y.L.J., August 30, 2004, P.20, Col. 1 (Warshawsky, J., Supreme Court, Nassau County). “Under Rule 34 [of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure], a party may request discovery of any document, ‘including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, photorecords and *609 other data compilations.’ ” Zubulake v. UBS Warburg LLC, 217 F.R.D. 309 (S.D.N.Y.2003), citing Fed.R.Civ.P. 34(a). Interestingly, the Advisory Committee Note to Fed.R.Civ.P. 34 states that the “inclusive description” of the term document “accords with changing technology.” See Zubulake, 217 F.R.D. at 317. “It makes clear that Rule 34 applies to electronics [sic] data compilations.” Rowe Entertainment, Inc. v. William Morris Agency, Inc., 205 F.R.D. 421 (S.D.N.Y.2002). Therefore, “[e]lectronic documents are no less subject to disclosure than paper records.” Rowe Entertainment, Inc., 205 F.R.D. at 428. This is true not only of electronic documents that are currently in use, but also of documents that may have been deleted and now reside only on backup tapes. See Zubulake, 217 F.R.D. at 317, citing Antioch Co. v. Scrapbook Borders, Inc., 210 F.R.D. 645, 652 (D.Minn.2002) (it is a well-accepted proposition that deleted computer files whether they may be e-mails or otherwise are discoverable.) Therefore, LLC would be entitled to discovery of the requested documents if they were relevant to the issues in the action. However, the caveat to this principle is that the demands for additional searches of electronic documents are not without limitation as the request for additional searches must also be reasonably likely to lead to the discovery of relevant evidence. In other words, a demanding party must have some basis that is not pure conjecture, for its assertion that additional searches may lead to the discovery of relevant documents. LLC's Request to Search Additional Non E–Mail Electronic Documents of DFC LLC claims that DFC performed a substandard search for non e-mail electronic documents, and therefore, there are documents which were not captured by DFC search process. Thus, LLC is requesting that the restored data[5] from DFC's non e-mail backup tapes be searched and DFC's search terms applied, so to allow the discovery of any non-duplicative, responsive documents. LLC argues that the basis for the requested search is DFC's purported shortcomings with regard to: (1) its purported failure to issue a proper litigation hold; and (2) DFC's purported failure, in response to LLC's document request, to coordinate *610 and organize a comprehensive search, supervised by outside counsel, of non e-mail electronic documents. LLC argues that these deficiencies require that **913 additional searches be permitted to discover the full universe of relevant documents. Specifically, LLC argues that DFC's outside counsel, as of June 24, 2005, had not issued or overseen the dissemination of a written “litigation hold” for potential relevant documents. LLC also claims that two witnesses from DFC, Dawn Ceccarini and Eric Schencman, DFC's Director of IT since April, 2005, testified that they were unaware of any written or oral litigation hold that they were directed to observe with regard to this present litigation or disputes that reasonably would have been anticipated to lead to litigation. In addition, LLC alleges that DFC's collection of relevant documents that existed on the servers as of the commencement of the litigation was deficient. LLC argues that DFC collected non-email documents in late 2003 by asking individuals likely to have responsive documents in hard copy or electronic form to review their records. LLC claims that outside counsel apparently played no role in this process as the collection was coordinated by Ms. Ceccarini and overseen by Marc Miller, a named defendant in this action. LLC further states that search terms were not used and DFC has not even suggested there was a quality control process or a set of guidelines in place that would assure the completeness or the consistency of the process. LLC concludes by stating that in light of DFC's lack of retention policy and manifestially unreliable collection process, additional searches for non-e-mail documents is necessary. On the other hand, counsel for DFC argues that DFC has searched all relevant servers for responsive documents so there is no need to go to the extraordinary step of searching backup tapes for other kinds of documents. DFC further argues that because LLC has failed to make any showing that any documents are, in fact, missing from the production already produced, LLC should not be permitted to conduct additional searches. DFC states that its policy with regard to company records, i.e., electronic non e-mail documents, is that the records are never routinely deleted. Rather, DFC's policy is to maintain documents, other than e-mails, on shared servers, which have already been searched for relevant documents in response to LLC's document demands. Counsel for DFC contends that a search of backup tapes should only be resorted to in the event that the requesting party *611 can demonstrate a need in relevance to outweigh the costly, and time consuming burden of producing electronic documents from disaster recovery tapes. DFC claims that the LLC has already obtained tens of thousands of documents from DFC and has made no showing that there are any gaps in the production or other reasons to believe that significant records have yet to be produced. DFC, therefore, argues that under the circumstances, there is no basis for ordering further searches for non e-mail documents. Court's Ruling on Additional Searches of DFC's Non E-mail Documents Applying the principles of Zubulake I to the facts of this case, and in particular, to LLC's request for a search of restored backup tapes for non e-mail electronic documents not captured by DFC, the best solution to this issue is set forth in McPeek v. Ashcroft, 202 F.R.D. 31 (D.D.C.2001), as cited by Judge Scheindlin in Zubulake I, which states: Given the complicated questions presented [and] the clash of policies I have decided to take small steps and perform, as it were, a test run. Accordingly, I will order DOJ [Department of Justice] to perform a backup restoration of the e-mails attributable to Diegelman's computer **914 during the period of July 1, 1998 to July 1, 1999. The DOJ will have to carefully document the time and money spent in doing the search. It will then have to search in the restored e-mails for any document responsive to any of the plaintiff's request for production of documents. Upon the completion of the search, the DOJ will then file a comprehensive, sworn certification of the time and money spent and the results of the search. Once it does, I will permit the parties an opportunity to argue why the results and the expenses do or do not justify any further search. McPeek, 202 F.R.D. at 34. Although not binding precedent, the Court is in agreement with the logic in Zubulake I. Thus, the Court directs the responding party, DFC, to search and produce responsive documents from a small sample of the restored data of non e-mail documents. LLC will be permitted to choose a total of four months of restored data for the search process. Counsel for LLC shall notify Counsel for DFC which particular months of restored data it wants searched for relevant and responsive documents. After DFC has searched the hard drives for the months chosen *612 by LLC for responsive documents, applied a de-duplication process and reviewed any relevant documents for privilege, DFC shall produce relevant, non-privileged documents. Because the Court is not entirely convinced that relevant and responsive documents will be found, LLC will be initially responsible for one hundred percent of the costs and expenses of the search process, de-duplication process, as well as attorneys' fees and costs for the privilege review process. In addition, Counsel for DFC shall prepare an affidavit detailing the results of its search, which among other things, shall include the number of responsive documents found and the costs and expenses associated with the processes including but not limited to attorneys fees for privilege review. This affidavit will assist the Court in determining whether a full search is necessary and whether further cost-shifting is warranted. It should be noted that if it is found from the sampling of restored data that a de minimis number of documents have been found that are relevant and responsive to the demands by LLC, DFC will be permitted to make an application to the Court for LLC to reimburse DFC for an additional ten percent of all of the costs and expenses to compensate DFC for its ten percent stake in the LLC. As we all know, every dollar that is spent by LLC in this action, ten cents is arguably coming from the pockets of DFC as it a ten percent stakeholder in the LLC. LLC's Request to Search E–Mails That LLC Claims Were Not Captured By DFC's Ninety Day Backup Tape Search According to LLC, DFC did not search all monthly email backup tapes for the period of July 12, 2000 through June 30, 2002. Instead, LLC claims that DFC searched a selection of tapes made approximately ninety days apart. LLC alleges that DFC's approach falls short because it failed to search for all accessible data. LLC argues that this approach did not capture any e-mails that were saved on monthly backup tapes not searched by DFC but then double-deleted before the creation of the backup tapes subject to DFC's search, i.e., the ninety day tapes. LLC further states that given that two of the tapes not searched by DFC were created in or about May 1, 2001 and July 2, 2001, respectively—periods in time containing the analysis and representations leading up to the 2001 Exchange—it is important for searches be conducted for double-deleted documents. Moreover, LLC asserts that because the backup **915 tapes at issue have already been restored, all that would be required would be for a technical consultant at LLC's expense in the first instance, to *613 run DFC's search terms through the restored data, and then run a de-duplication process to remove documents already produced by DFC. On the other hand, DFC claims that there is no need for a review of monthly tapes as DFC has already searched every day between July 12, 2000 and June 30, 2002 for responsive e-mails. DFC explains that e-mails ordinarily remain on DFC's computer system for ninety days. Therefore, when backup tapes are made which are less than ninety days apart, they will contain duplicative e-mails. Thus, a search of any monthly interim tape will likely contain virtually only information that is duplicative of the prior and subsequent ninety day tape. DFC argues that for any non-duplicative documents to be on interim tapes i.e., monthly backup tapes, relevant documents would have to have been affirmatively deleted from the parties' “In Box” between when the ninety day tapes were run. Because backup tapes also backup individuals' “Trash” folders, the relevant documents would have to have been further affirmatively deleted from the “Trash” folders. DFC further claims that even if an e-mail was affirmatively deleted from both places, i.e., “In–Box” and “Trash”, it is still not going to exist on an interim monthly backup tape unless it existed before the interim backup tape was run but then was affirmatively deleted in both places before the next ninety day backup tape was run. DFC contends that LLC has made no showing that any of these three seemingly unlikely events occurred, much less than all of them occurring in a rare combination that would leave a relevant e-mail on a backup tape that has not already been searched. The Court's Ruling on LLC's Request to Search Monthly Backup Tapes Although the Court is mindful that there is a theoretic possibility that relevant information may exist on a monthly backup tape that was not captured on a ninety day tape, it is not enough to justify a full search of all the monthly back-up tapes. However, the proximity of the two months that LLC specifically mentions, namely, May 1, 2001 and July 2, 2001, raise the odds that there is a possibility that relevant information may be contained on those monthly tapes that were not contained on the ninety day tapes which were searched by DFC. However, those odds are not raised very high because a certain set of events, as discussed above, must occur before any relevant documents will be found on the monthly tapes that are not already on the ninety day tapes. In fact, LLC's supporting papers do not even set forth any showing *614 that there are any missing e-mails from the production by DFC. However, given the time frame of the two months that LLC specifically requests the restored data to be searched, May 1, 2001 and July 2, 2001 and its proximity to the 2001 Exchange, the Court directs a sample search of these two months only, applying DFCs search terms to the restored data, and a de-duplication process to take place. After the search terms are run and the de-duplication process has occurred, DFC shall review all relevant documents for privilege. After the review process has occurred, Counsel for DFC shall prepare an affidavit detailing the results of its search, i.e., the number of responsive documents found from the restored data and the costs and expenses associated with the process, including but not limited to attorney fees. The affidavit will assist the Court in determining whether a full search of restored data is necessary and whether further cost-shifting is **916 warranted. All other requests for a review and search of restored data with regard to the period between July 12, 2000 and June 30, 2002 are hereby denied at this time. Once again, because the Court is not entirely convinced that relevant documents will be found, LLC shall initially bear one-hundred percent of the expense of the running of the DFC search terms, the de-duplication process, as well as the attorneys' fees and costs incurred by DFC in its review for privilege. As stated above, if in fact, it is determined after the running of the search terms and de-duplication process that there is a de minimis amount of documents found that have not already been produced, DFC shall be permitted to make an application to the Court for LLC to reimburse DFC an additional ten percent of the overall costs and expense to reflect its ten percent stake in the LLC as similarly set forth above. LLC Request to Search for E-mails From January 1, 1999 Through July 12, 2000 LLC requests that DFC apply terms to search its e-mails dating from January 1, 1999 through July 12, 2000 to derive any potentially responsive documents for review. LLC argues that its initial document request asks for responsive documents from January 1, 1999. LLC contends that DFC's response to the document request stated that as a general matter, it did not object to the starting date for the search period. However, LLC claims that DFC searched for non e-mails documents and hard copies dating back from January 1, *615 1999 but only searched for responsive e-mails beginning on or about July 12, 2000, a date that LLC states has no particular bearing on this action. LLC argues that the 1999 time frame is important because the reasons for the 2001 Exchange were neither isolated events nor were unique to 2001. Rather, LLC contends that the 2001 Exchange was the end point of steps that DFC had been attempting since the beginning of 1999 in response not only to financial difficulties that existed in 1999 and thereafter, but in response to conditions that affected its excess cash flow certificates since 1999. LLC states that events occurring in the course of this continuum of time are central to the issues in the litigation, i.e., how far and at what time did the certificates decline in value; what did DFC know regarding critical economical factors that effected the evaluation of its certificates; when did it know that information; and what did DFC do or not do in response to that information. LLC alleges that DFC has categorically refused to search for the e-mails and attachments from the period preceding July 12, 2000. LLC claims that the universe of pre-July 12, 2000 emails is untapped and would, if searched, be a source of responsive and relevant documents. However, DFC alleges that the time period covered by DFC's searches was reasonable in that it searched backup tapes for e-mails between July 12, 2000 and June 30, 2002. DFC argues that the 2001 Exchange occurred in August, 2001 and any relevant projections were made as of March, 2001, and therefore, searching for documents prior to July 12, 2000 would not have produced any relevant documents that were responsive to the demands set forth by LLC. DFC argues that counsel for LLC is confusing the issues of underwriting with the issues of good faith projections. DFC states that whether or not DFC or any lender has sufficiently underwritten its loans does not bear on whether or not it made good faith projections or, as is at **917 issue in this case, whether or not it knowingly lied about projected performances. DFC contends that it does not oppose or resist reasonable discovery about projections or the basis for those projections but it does oppose further unrestricted and seemingly unending discovery about the origination of those loans not implicating the later projections. Therefore, DFC argues that LLC is not entitled to discovery of back-up tapes from January 1, 1999 through July 12, 2000 because there is no *616 reasonable likelihood that the relevant documents would be found on those tapes. The Court's Ruling on LLC's Request to Search for E–Mails of DFC from January 1, 1999 through July 12, 2000 The Court finds that because DFC has produced responsive documentation as far back as January 1, 1999, it is possible that responsive e-mails may be found on the backup tapes from that timeframe.[6] Therefore, the Court directs a sampling of three monthly backup tapes from the period of January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999 to be chosen by LLC. Thereafter, the three back up tapes are restored, a search will be conducted for responsive documents based upon the application of DFC's search terms, a de-duplication process shall be run and a review for privilege performed. In addition, LLC shall choose two months of restored data from January 1, 2000 through July 12, 2000 to be searched, de-duplicated, and reviewed for privilege. Initially, LLC shall bear one hundred percent of the cost of this process, which includes the costs and expenses of restoration, search, de-duplication processes and attorneys' fees and costs with regard to the review of the documents for privilege. At the conclusion of the process, DFC shall prepare an affidavit detailing the results of the search conducted, i.e., the number of responsive documents found along with the costs and expenses including but not limited to attorneys' fees associated with the restoration, search, de-duplication, and review processes. This will allow the Court to determine if a full search is necessary and if further cost-shifting is warranted as well. CONCLUSION In summary, the Court orders that: (1) with regard to the LLC's request for additional searches of DFC's non-email documents, LLC will be permitted to choose a total of four months of restored data which DFC is directed to search, apply its search terms, and produce responsive, non-privileged documents. DFC shall prepare an affidavit detailing the results of its searches, as well as the time and money spent on the process. (2) With regard to the search of DFC's monthly backup tapes, DFC shall search the restored data for May 1, 2001 and July 1, 2001 and produce all responsive, non-privileged documents. DFC shall prepare an affidavit detailing the results of its search, as *617 well as the time and money spent on the process. All other requests for additional searches of the monthly backup tapes whether restored or otherwise are denied at this time. (3) With regard to LLC's request to search for responsive e-mails from January 1, 1999 through July 12, 2000, DFC shall restore, search for, and produce responsive, non-privileged documents for a total of three monthly backup tapes from 1999 selected by LLC. In addition, LLC shall choose two months of restored data **918 from January 1, 2000 through July 12, 2000 that shall be searched by DFC and relevant, non-privileged documents produced. DFC shall then prepare an affidavit detailing the results, as well as the time and money spent on the process. (4) It is further Ordered that LLC shall initially bear one hundred percent of the costs of the restoration, search, de-duplication, and review processes for all its requests. After the Court's review of the affidavits submitted by DFC, the Court will determine if more expansive searches are necessary and if further cost-shifting is warranted. Footnotes [1] Counsel for KPMG did not submit a brief to Mr. Cardello as the Outstanding Issues involved a discovery dispute between DFC and LLC, and did not involve KPMG. [2] It is the Court's understanding that DFC's backup tapes covering e-mails and non e-mail documents dating back to January, 2000 have been restored and transferred to hard drive. [3] As stated earlier, according to LLC, the relevant back-up tapes of DFC, other than e-mails that pre-date January 1, 2000, have already been restored and the information resides on hard drives that are in the possession of the discovery referee, Michael Cardello, Esq. [4] Notwithstanding the citation to June 12, 2000 as the start date for the search, it is the Court's understanding that the correct date is, in fact, July 12, 2000. [5] As stated earlier, according to LLC, the relevant back-up tapes of DFC, other than e-mails that pre-date January 1, 2000, have already been restored and the information resides on hard drives that are in the possession of the discovery referee, Michael Cardello, Esq. [6] It is the Court's understanding that only e-mails from January 1, 2000 through July 12, 2000 have been restored and e-mails from 1999 have not been restored and still remain on back-up tapes.