it had authority to compel Sheridan and Sciarra to submit to oral depositions notwithstanding their compliance with the 1984 judgment.15 Initially, the court held that the Government had standing to apply for discovery without the trustee's approval. Relying upon the petitioners' continuing status as defendants to the 1984 action, and the broad authority granted by the RICO statute to effectuate appropriate relief, the court concluded that Sheridan and Sciarra could indeed be required to give testimony. An order memorializing the court's respective dispositions was executed on February 8, 1988.

17

On February 9, 1988, the petitioners sought a stay of the court's order pending appeal. Observing that the importance of effectuating the objectives contained in the 1984 judgment outweighed any harm that petitioners might suffer by giving testimony, the courtdenied the application. Sheridan and Sciarra filed a notice of appeal on February 10, 1988. On February 16, the petitioners again applied for a stay and for a writ of mandamus, this time to the court of appeals.16 On February 18, we denied petitioners' application and referred all subsequent motions to a merits panel.

18

On February 19, the petitioners, citing Judge Ackerman's bias against them, refused to comply with the district court's discovery order. After a hearing, Judge Ackerman held both Sheridan and Sciarra in contempt, but deferred the issue of sanctions for three days. On February 22, Sheridan agreed to testify, but upon Sciarra's continued refusal to obey the order, Judge Ackerman imposed a civil sanction of $500 per day which he stayed for twenty-four hours. On February