PAUL L. FRIEDMAN, District Judge.
This matter is before the Court on defendants' motion to dismiss and on plaintiff's motion to amend his complaint. After careful consideration of the parties' papers, the attached exhibits, and the relevant statutes and case law, the Court will grant defendants' motion and will deny plaintiff's motion as futile.
Plaintiff Michael Tabman is a former Special Agent In Charge of the Minneapolis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. See Complaint ("Compl.") ¶ 2. In August 2006, Special Agent Harry Samit, whose work plaintiff oversaw, informed the FBI Office of Professional Responsibility ("OPR") that plaintiff had retaliated against Mr. Samit in response to certain protected disclosures that Mr. Samit had made. See Compl. ¶ 12; Mot., Statement of Facts ("Def. Facts") ¶ 4. In response to this allegation, FBI OPR opened an investigation. See Compl. ¶ 12; Def. Facts ¶ 4. On January 2, 2007, the investigation concluded with a recommendation that plaintiff be dismissed from FBI service. See Compl. ¶ 19; Def. Facts ¶ 5. Plaintiff retired from the FBI in March 2007. See Def. Facts ¶ 7.
Plaintiff filed suit on December 19, 2008, naming as defendants the FBI and FBI Deputy Director John Pistole in his individual capacity.
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, with the ability to hear only cases entrusted to them by a grant of power contained in either the Constitution or in an act of Congress. See, e.g., Beethoven.com LLC v. Librarian of Congress, 394 F.3d 939, 945 (D.C.Cir.2005); Hunter v. District of Columbia, 384 F.Supp.2d 257, 259 (D.D.C.2005). On a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the plaintiff bears the burden of establishing that the Court has jurisdiction. See Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence v. Ashcroft, 339 F.Supp.2d 68, 72 (D.D.C.2004). In determining whether to grant a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the Court must construe the complaint in the plaintiff's favor and treat all well-pled allegations of fact as true. See Jerome Stevens Pharms., Inc. v. FDA, 402 F.3d 1249, 1253-54 (D.C.Cir.2005). The Court need not accept unsupported inferences or legal conclusions cast as factual allegations. See Primax Recoveries, Inc. v. Lee, 260 F.Supp.2d 43, 47 (D.D.C.2003). Under Rule 12(b)(1), the Court may dispose of the motion on the basis of the complaint alone or it may consider materials beyond the pleadings, "as it deems appropriate to resolve the question whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case." Scolaro v. D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, 104 F.Supp.2d 18, 22 (D.D.C.2000).
Summary judgment "should be rendered if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits [or declarations] show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." FED.R.CIV.P. 56(c). See also Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247-48, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Holcomb v. Powell, 433 F.3d 889, 895 (D.C.Cir.2006). "A fact is `material' if a dispute over it might affect the outcome of a suit under the governing law; factual disputes that are `irrelevant or unnecessary' do not affect the summary judgment determination." Holcomb v. Powell, 433 F.3d at 895 (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505). An issue is "genuine" if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505;
The nonmoving party's opposition, however, must consist of more than mere unsupported allegations or denials and must be supported by affidavits, declarations or other competent evidence, setting forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. FED. R. CIV. P. 56(e); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). He is required to provide evidence that would permit a reasonable jury to find in her favor. See Laningham v. United States Navy, 813 F.2d 1236, 1242 (D.C.Cir.1987). If the nonmovant's evidence is "merely colorable" or "not significantly probative," summary judgment may be granted. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 249-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505; see Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007) ("Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, there is `no genuine issue for trial.'") (quoting Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986)). To defeat a motion for summary judgment, a plaintiff must have more than "a scintilla of evidence to support his claims." Freedman v. MCI Telecommunications Corp., 255 F.3d 840, 845 (D.C.Cir. 2001).
Plaintiff alleges that the FBI violated a liberty interest protected by the Fifth Amendment guarantee of procedural due process in the way that it investigated him and decided to remove him from the FBI. See Compl. ¶¶ 41-46. He asserts that he "was deprived of a liberty interest without a fair opportunity to affect the judgment or result affecting his employment and benefits at the FBI." See id. ¶ 42. Plaintiff asserts that the FBI's actions have "deprived and will continue to deprive Plaintiff of opportunities of continued activity in his chosen profession of federal employment." Plaintiff continues, "the FBI has stigmatized Plaintiff and will continue to effectively publicly stigmatize his reputation and impart a `status change' upon him that implicates and will continue to implicate his liberty interests." See id. ¶ 45.
Through these allegations, plaintiff seeks to assert what is known as a due process "stigma" claim. See Holman v. Williams, 436 F.Supp.2d 68, 79 (D.D.C. 2006). The Supreme Court, in Board of Regents v. Roth, suggested that a protected liberty interest may be violated where there is an adverse employment action by the government and "a stigma or other disability [] foreclosed [the plaintiff's] freedom to take advantage of other employment opportunities." Bd. of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 573, 92 S.Ct. 2701, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972). See also O'Donnell v. Barry, 148 F.3d 1126, 1140-41 (D.C.Cir. 1998). As the court of appeals has explained, "[t]he Constitution protects an individual's `right to follow a chosen trade or profession' without governmental interference.... Government action that has the effect of `seriously affecting, if not destroying' a plaintiff's ability to pursue his chosen profession ... or `substantially reducing
When the government has infringed upon a person's protected liberty interest, the person has a due process right to notice and an opportunity to refute the charges against him or her and to clear his or her name. See Peter B. v. CIA, 620 F.Supp.2d 58, 71 (D.D.C.2009) (citing Doe v. U.S. Dep't of Justice, 753 F.2d 1092, 1102 (D.C.Cir.1985)). In this case, the government has proffered evidence that plaintiff was afforded just such an opportunity. When OPR completed its investigation of plaintiff, it provided him with a letter detailing the charges against him, the evidence supporting them, and the recommendation that he be dismissed. See Mot., Ex A (letter from OPR to plaintiff dated Jan. 2, 2007). At the conclusion of the letter there are six paragraphs entitled "Procedural Protections." See Ex. A. at 6-7. As stated in the letter, plaintiff was permitted to request a review of the material relied upon by OPR; he and/or his attorney were permitted to provide a written response to the proposed action, including reference to documentary or other exculpatory evidence; and he was permitted to request an oral presentation of his position. See id. at 6-7. According to defendants, plaintiff did not avail himself of any of these protections, choosing instead to retire. See Mem. at 31. Plaintiff's opposition brief does not dispute defendants' assertions that he did not pursue the process offered to him, and the Court will treat this assertion as undisputed for the purpose of this motion.
The process offered by the FBI in its January 2, 2007 letter to plaintiff was constitutionally adequate. It stated what the proposed action was—to remove plaintiff— and provided the reasons for that proposal in some detail. Plaintiff was offered the opportunity to respond in a meaningful way, either in writing or orally, with evidence, and with the assistance of an attorney. As the "essential requirements of due process ... are notice and an opportunity to respond," plaintiff has not been deprived of his rights under the due process clause. See Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532, 546, 105 S.Ct. 1487, 84 L.Ed.2d 494 (1985). See also Tabb v. District of Columbia, 605 F.Supp.2d 89, 97 (D.D.C.2009). The Court will grant judgment for defendants on Count Three of plaintiff's complaint, the procedural due process claim.
The United States is immune from suit unless it waives its sovereign immunity through an act of Congress. See F.D.I.C. v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 475, 114 S.Ct. 996, 127 L.Ed.2d 308 (1994). The Federal Tort Claims Act provides such a waiver in civil damages actions based on "injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment[.]" 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b); see F.D.I.C. v. Meyer, 510 U.S. at 475, 114 S.Ct. 996 (FTCA waived sovereign immunity of the United States for "certain torts committed by federal employees"). A waiver of sovereign immunity, however, must be "strictly construed, in terms of its scope, in favor of the sovereign." Tri-State Hosp. Supply Corp. v. United States, 341 F.3d 571, 575 (D.C.Cir.2003) (quoting Dep't of Army v. Blue Fox, Inc., 525 U.S. 255, 261, 119 S.Ct. 687, 142 L.Ed.2d 718 (1999)). A party bringing suit against the United States bears the burden of proving that the government has unequivocally waived its immunity for the type of claim involved. See Tri-State Hosp. Supply Corp. v. United States, 341 F.3d at 575. The burden is on a party asserting jurisdiction under the FTCA to demonstrate that the claim asserted is the kind permitted by statute and that the conduct giving rise to the action occurred within the scope of the government employee's employment. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b), 2680.
Defendants maintain that the United States has not waived sovereign immunity in this case because the acts challenged by plaintiff fall within the discretionary function exception to the FTCA, one of several exceptions to the FTCA's waiver of sovereign immunity. See 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a). The FTCA provides that the jurisdiction given to district courts under 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1) does not apply in cases where a claim is:
28 U.S.C. § 2680(a). See also Hayes v. United States, 539 F.Supp.2d 393, 399-400 (D.D.C.2008). As the Supreme Court explained in United States v. Gaubert, 499 U.S. 315, 324, 111 S.Ct. 1267, 113 L.Ed.2d 335 (1991), the rationale behind the discretionary function exception is that "when established governmental policy, as expressed or implied by statute, regulation, or agency guidelines, allows a Government agent to exercise discretion, it must be presumed that the agent's acts are grounded in policy when exercising that discretion." "In such cases, there is no waiver of sovereign immunity and the government is protected from suit. By contrast, if there is no discretionary function involved, the United States has waived its sovereign immunity and the federal district courts have subject matter jurisdiction over the claim." Hayes v. United States, 539 F.Supp.2d at 400.
The Supreme Court has established a two-part test for determining whether the government conduct challenged by a plaintiff falls under the discretionary function exception. See United States v. Gaubert, 499 U.S. at 322-23, 111 S.Ct. 1267 (citing Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. 531, 536-37, 108 S.Ct. 1954, 100 L.Ed.2d 531 (1988)). First, a court must look to the
The acts that form the basis for this lawsuit are the FBI's investigation of plaintiff and its subsequent proposed removal of him from the FBI. In general, personnel decisions by a government employer are considered discretionary under the FTCA and therefore immune from judicial review. Gustave-Schmidt v. Chao, 226 F.Supp.2d 191, 197 (D.D.C.2002) (quoting Beebe v. WMATA, 129 F.3d 1283, 1287 (D.C.Cir.1997)) ("[d]ecisions concerning the hiring, training and supervision [of a sovereign entity's] employees are discretionary in nature, and thus immune from judicial review" under the FTCA). So too are many decisions by agency officials to investigate personnel—just as the decision to initiate a criminal prosecution has long been considered a discretionary function, "agency officials performing certain functions analogous to those of a prosecutor" are not subject to suit under the discretionary function exception to the FTCA. Sloan v. United States Dep't of Housing and Urban Development, 236 F.3d 756, 760 (D.C.Cir.2001) (quoting Butz v. Economou, 438 U.S. 478, 515, 98 S.Ct. 2894, 57 L.Ed.2d 895 (1978)). See also Gray v. Bell, 712 F.2d 490, 515-16 (D.C.Cir.1983).
Plaintiff concedes that established case law makes clear that decisions whether or not to initiate prosecution are discretionary within the meaning of the FTCA's discretionary function exception, see Opp. at 8, but he notes that certain categories of prosecutorial misconduct may be "removed sufficiently from the decision to prosecute so that the discretionary function clause would not provide any protection." Gray v. Bell, 712 F.2d at 515. Plaintiff argues that his case is similar to the type of prosecutorial misconduct described in Gray v. Bell because in their investigation of him, "defendants breached an affirmative duty to conduct themselves in a manner that is fair, impartial, and affords the Plaintiff the protections he is entitled to under the Constitution." Opp. at 8. This, he says, amounted to non-discretionary tortious conduct. See id. at 6.
In order to succeed under Gray, plaintiff "must allege that the defendant `breached a duty sufficiently separable from the decision-making function to be non-discretionary and outside the exception.'" Gustave-Schmidt v. Chao, 226 F.Supp.2d at 199 (quoting Gray v. Bell, 712 F.2d at 515-16). Plaintiff attempts to do so by arguing that defendants violated standards for investigation established by three documents: (1) "Quality Standards for Investigations" promulgated
Where the investigator's conduct during an investigation is "inextricably tied" to the overall discretionary decision to investigate and then prosecute a plaintiff, such actions are included within the discretionary function exception to FTCA jurisdiction. See Gustave-Schmidt v. Chao, 226 F.Supp.2d at 199. This conclusion is true "even if there was an `improper, tortious, and constitutionally defective manner in which the investigation was carried [out].'" Id. (quoting Gray v. Bell, 712 F.2d at 515-16). See also Shuler v. United States, 531 F.3d 930, 935 (D.C.Cir.2008) ("the discretionary function immunizes even government abuses of discretion"). As in Gustave-Schmidt v. Chao, 226 F.Supp.2d at 199, plaintiff's allegations about the deficiencies of the investigation are inextricably intertwined with the outcome of the investigation and the discretionary decision to propose his removal. Plaintiff's claim against the United States for intentional infliction of emotional distress therefore is barred by the discretionary function exception to the FTCA. The Court will dismiss Count One for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
Plaintiff seeks money damages for a constitutional tort—deprivation of procedural due process rights—from Mr. Pistole in his individual capacity. See Compl. ¶ 36. See Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, 403 U.S. at 389, 91 S.Ct. 1999. See also Correctional Services Corp. v. Malesko, 534 U.S. 61, 66-68, 122 S.Ct. 515, 151 L.Ed.2d 456 (2001); Scinto v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, 608 F.Supp.2d 4, 8 (D.D.C.2009). Defendants move to dismiss on the grounds that plaintiff never properly served Mr. Pistole and for failure to state a Bivens claim.
Rule 4(i)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that to sue an officer or employee of the United States in his or her individual capacity in connection with duties performed on the behalf of the United States, a plaintiff must serve both the United States and the officer or employee as an individual. Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(i)(3). Rule 4(e) requires that an individual within a judicial district of the United
Plaintiff requests that if the Court finds that service was inadequate, it grant the plaintiff an extension of time to effect proper service. See Opp. at 24. Doing so in this case would be futile, however, because the Court has already found that plaintiff's procedural due process rights were not violated in this case. See supra at 101-02. Plaintiff's allegations against Mr. Pistole are based on the same alleged deprivation—plaintiff's asserted liberty interest in not being stigmatized by the loss of his employment. See Compl. ¶¶ 34-40. Plaintiff does not assert any allegations regarding Mr. Pistole's conduct to suggest that he was deprived of any additional liberty or property interest or that raise a different theory of his procedural due process claim. Having already concluded that judgment should be granted in favor of the FBI on plaintiff's procedural due process claim because plaintiff was offered constitutionally adequate process, the Court would reach the same conclusion with regard to plaintiff's allegations against Mr. Pistole. There therefore is no reason to permit plaintiff additional time to serve Mr. Pistole properly or to permit him to amend his complaint. The Court will dismiss Count Two of plaintiff's complaint.
For the reasons stated above, the Court will dismiss Counts One and Two of plaintiff's complaint and will grant summary judgment for the defendants on Count Three of the complaint. An Order to accompany this Opinion will issue this same day.
