The insurer’s Motion to Compel the production of the insured’s income tax returns was partially successful after the court limited the number of years for which returns would be produced. Pittman Assets MSSC, L.L.C. v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2026 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 182049 (E.D. La. Sept. 17, 2026).

Pittman’s property was insured by Scottsdale and was damaged by Hurricane Ida. Pittman submitted a claim to Scottsdale. Counsel for Girod Titling Trust sent a letter to Scottsdale demanding that Scottsdale honor Girod’s asserted right to be included as a payee on all checks for insurance proceeds as a loss payee, mortgagee, and/or additional insured under the Pittman policy.

After mediation, Scottsdale issued a check for $710,000.00 to Pittman and Girod. Pittman rejected the check because it included Girod as a payee.

Pittman filed a Motion to Compel Scottsdale to Deposit Settlement Funds into the Court’s Registry. Pittman claimed that Scottsdale’s failure to fund the settlement had severe consequences because without the funds to repair the Hurricane Ida damages, Pittman was unable to escape losing the property by a foreclosure. The motion was denied.

Now, Scottsdale sought Pittman’s tax returns from 2016 through the present in relation to Pittman’s allegation that Scottsdale’s failure to fund the settlement sent its property into foreclosure.

Pittman’s complaint alleged that it suffered damages due to Scottsdale’s failure to fund the settlement agreement. In the opposition to Scottsdale’s Motion to Compel, Pittman asserted that it was unable to repair the Hurricane Ida damages and ultimately lost the property in a foreclosure. Pittman argued these statements did not place its financial position at issue. The court determined this argument was specious.

Therefore, Pittman was ordered to produce tax returns, but only for 2020 to the present.