Ferron v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs et al

Filing 5

ORDER that Plaintiff's 2 MOTION (application) to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is granted. The Complaint and this action are dismissed without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The Clerk of Court must enter a judgment of dismissal without prejudice. The docket shall reflect that the Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 24(a)(3)(A), that any appeal of this decision would not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge G Murray Snow on 07/27/11.

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1 WO SC 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 10 11 John Emmanuel Ferron, 12 Plaintiff, 13 vs. 14 Department of Veterans Affairs, et al., 15 Defendants. 16 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) No. CV 11-1201-PHX-GMS (MEA) ORDER 17 Plaintiff John Emmanuel Ferron, who is confined in the Eloy Detention Center (EDC), 18 a Corrections Corporation of America facility1 in Eloy, Arizona, has filed a pro se Complaint 19 and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (Doc. 1, 2.) The Court will dismiss the 20 Complaint and this action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. 21 I. Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis and Filing Fee 22 Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis will be granted. (Doc. 2.) This 23 action was opened as a “prisoner” civil rights case and referred to the Court’s staff for review 24 pursuant to LR Civ. 72.1(b). A “prisoner” is statutorily defined as “any person incarcerated 25 or detained in any facility who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated 26 27 28 1 EDC holds immigration detainees pursuant to contract with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). See http://www.cca.com/facility/eloydetention-center (Last visited July 5, 2011). 1 delinquent for, violations of criminal law or the terms and conditions of parole, probation, 2 pretrial release, or diversionary program.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(h); 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(h). That 3 is, a “prisoner” is a person who is “currently detained as a result of accusation, conviction, 4 or sentence for a criminal offense.” Agyeman v. INS, 296 F.3d 871, 885, 886 (9th Cir. 2002) 5 (citing Page v. Torrey, 201 F.3d 1136, 1139-40 (9th Cir. 2000)). An alien pending 6 deportation proceedings, which are civil rather than criminal in nature, is not a “prisoner,” 7 so long as the alien is not also facing criminal charges. Id. at 885-87. 8 At the time Plaintiff commenced this action, he was in the custody of Immigration and 9 Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an immigration detainee and not in connection with pending 10 criminal proceedings.2 Plaintiff is not, therefore, a “prisoner” within the meaning of 28 11 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a)(2), 1915A, or 42 U.S.C. § 1997e, and he is not subject to the incremental 12 fee payment requirement of § 1915(a)(2). Plaintiff otherwise qualifies to proceed in forma 13 pauperis. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis will be 14 granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). 15 II. Statutory Screening of In Forma Pauperis Complaints 16 The Court is required to screen complaints brought in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C. 17 § 1915(e)(2). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff has raised 18 claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon which relief may 19 be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 20 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). 21 A pleading must contain a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 22 pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Rule 8 does not 23 demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, the-defendant- 24 2 25 26 27 28 On March 26, 2009, Plaintiff was sentenced to 39 months in prison followed by three years on supervised release after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of social security fraud, identity theft, and aggravated identity theft in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B) and 18 U.S.C. §§ 102(a)(7) and 1028A(a) in the District Court for the District of Alaska. See United States v. Ferron, No. CR07-0142-JWS, doc. 50 (D. AK Mar. 26, 2009). Plaintiff was released from prison in September 2010 to ICE custody on September 27, 2010. Id.,doc. 74 at 4, ex. 3. -2- 1 unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). 2 “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 3 statements, do not suffice.” Id. 4 “[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a 5 claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 6 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual content 7 that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the 8 misconduct alleged.” Id. “Determining whether a complaint states a plausible claim for 9 relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial 10 experience and common sense.” Id. at 1950. Thus, although a plaintiff’s specific factual 11 allegations may be consistent with a constitutional claim, a court must assess whether there 12 are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id. at 1951. 13 But as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has instructed, courts 14 must “continue to construe pro se filings liberally.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 (9th 15 Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less stringent standards 16 than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 17 94 (2007) (per curiam)). 18 If the Court determines that a pleading could be cured by the allegation of other facts, 19 a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal of the 20 action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The Court 21 should not, however, advise the litigant how to cure the defects. This type of advice “would 22 undermine district judges’ role as impartial decisionmakers.” Pliler v. Ford, 542 U.S. 225, 23 231 (2004); see also Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1131 n.13 (declining to decide whether the court was 24 required to inform a litigant of deficiencies). Because this Court lacks subject matter 25 jurisdiction, Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed without leave to amend and this case will 26 be dismissed. 27 III. 28 Complaint Plaintiff alleges two counts concerning the termination of veteran benefits by the U.S. -3- 1 Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Plaintiff sues the DVA; the Secretary of the DVA; 2 Teri McArtor, a Service Center Manager at the DVA Office in Seattle, Washington; and 3 Monty E. Stokes, a Seattle Resident Agent of the “O.I.G.”3 at the Seattle DVA Office. 4 Plaintiff seeks reinstatement of benefits retroactive to the date of termination. 5 Plaintiff indicates that his veteran benefits were terminated prior to his arrest and 6 prosecution discussed above. In Count I, he alleges that Defendant Stokes sent a letter to the 7 Department of the Navy informing it that Plaintiff had stolen the identity of Clyde Anthony 8 Steele and joined the Navy using that identity, which constituted fraud pursuant to 38 C.F.R. 9 3.901.4 Plaintiff contends that Stokes’ letter was untrue and that Stokes wrongfully provided 10 11 12 3 Plaintiff apparently refers to the Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General, which investigates health care fraud. See http://www.oig.hhs.gov/about-oig/ about-us/index.asp (Last visited July 6, 2011). 13 4 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Section 3.901(a) defines “fraud” as: An act committed when a person knowingly makes or causes to be made or conspires, combines, aids, or assists in, agrees to, arranges for, or in any way procures the making or presentation of a false or fraudulent affidavit, declaration, certificate, statement, voucher, or paper, concerning any claim for benefits under any of the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (except laws relating to insurance benefits). (Emphasis added). Plaintiff contends that he did commit fraud concerning any claim for benefits. However, 38 C.F.R. § 3.14(b) provides that: Where an enlistment is voided by the service department because the person did not have legal capacity to contract for a reason other than minority (as in the case of an insane person) or because the enlistment was prohibited by statute (a deserter or person convicted of a felony), benefits may not be paid based on that service even though a disability was incurred during such service. An undesirable discharge by reason of the fraudulent enlistment voids the enlistment from the beginning. 26 27 28 (Emphasis added). See Rucker v. Secretary of the Army, 702 F.2d 966 (11th Cir. 1983) (enlistment under an assumed name was fraudulent); Haines v. United States, 453 F.2d 233 (3d Cir. 1971) (failure to disclose juvenile record basis for court martial for fraudulent enlistment). -4- 1 that information to the Navy, which resulted in the termination of benefits to him. In Ground 2 Two, Plaintiff alleges that his veteran benefits were terminated without “any notification,” 3 which he appealed, and that his letters concerning the appeal were ignored. 4 IV. Lack of Jurisdiction 5 Plaintiff seeks relief with respect to the termination of veteran benefits. DVA 6 decisions affecting veteran benefits are subject to a specific process of judicial and appellate 7 review. In general, to challenge the denial or termination of benefits, a veteran must file a 8 claim with the regional office, or agency of original jurisdiction, within the DVA. If 9 dissatisfied with the resolution of his claim, the claimant may then appeal that decision to the 10 Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). 38 U.S.C. §§ 7104(a) & 7105(d). If dissatisfied after 11 review by the BVA, the veteran can then appeal the decision to the United States Court of 12 Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). 38 U.S.C. §§ 7252 & 7261. The CAVC has 13 “exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions of the [BVA,]” and it has authority to “affirm, 14 modify, or reverse a decision of the [BVA] or to remand the matter, as appropriate.” 38 15 U.S.C. § 7252(a). In turn, a decision of the CAVC is subject to appellate review as provided 16 under 38 U.S.C. § 7292. 38 U.S.C. § 7252(c). Under § 7292, the United States Court of 17 Appeals for the Federal Circuit has “exclusive jurisdiction” to review decisions of the 18 CAVC, 38 U.S.C. § 7292(c), and is vested with the “power to affirm or, [ ... ] to modify or 19 reverse the decision of the [CAVC] or to remand the matter, as appropriate.” 38 U.S.C. 20 § 7292(e)(1). Finally, a veteran can seek review of the final judgment of the Federal Circuit 21 by seeking certiorari with the United States Supreme Court as provided in 28 U.S.C. § 1254. 22 38 U.S.C. § 7292(c). 23 Judicial review of DVA decisions concerning benefits are strictly limited to the appeal 24 procedures outlined above. Except for circumstances not at issue here, the Secretary’s 25 decisions “shall be final and conclusive and may not be reviewed by any other official or by 26 any court” under 38 U.S.C. § 511. Section 511 “precludes judicial review in Article III 27 28 -5- 1 courts of VA decisions affecting the provision of veterans’ benefits[.]” Price v. United 2 States, 228 F.3d 420, 421 (D.C. Cir. 2000). 3 Plaintiff claims that the DVA wrongfully terminated his benefits and that his attempts 4 to appeal the termination, which he does not describe, were ignored. Because adjudication 5 of Plaintiff’s claims requires a determination whether the DVA acted properly in terminating 6 his benefits, this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s claims. 38 U.S.C. 7 § 511; see Price, 228 F.3d at 421; Larrabee by Jones v. Derwinski, 968 F.2d 1497, 1499 (2d 8 Cir. 1992); Hicks v. Veterans Admin., 961 F.2d 1367, 1370 (8th Cir. 1992); see also 9 Veterans for Common Sense v. Shinseki, No. 08-16728, 2011 WL 1770944, at *20-21, 29 10 (9th Cir. May 10, 2011) (finding suit brought by veterans organization seeking prospective 11 additional or substitute procedural safeguards in connection with scheduling mental health 12 care reviews fell outside the reach of § 511(a), unlike a claim brought by individual veteran 13 for denial of VA benefits). 14 Because this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s claims, the 15 Complaint and this action will be dismissed without prejudice. See Price, 228 F.3d at 422; 16 see also Broudy v. Mather, 460 F.3d 106, 115 (D.C. Cir. 2006). As discussed above, there 17 is a process for seeking review of the termination of benefits by filing an appeal to the BVA. 18 If dissatisfied with the ruling of the BVA, a claimant may appeal to the CAVC pursuant to 19 38 U.S.C. § 7252. If dissatisfied with the CAVC decision, the claimant may appeal to the 20 United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 7292. Finally, 21 a claimant may seek certiorari if he is dissatisfied with the decision of the Federal Circuit. 22 IT IS ORDERED: 23 (1) Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is granted. (Doc. 2.) 24 (2) The Complaint (Doc. 1) and this action are dismissed without prejudice for 25 lack of subject matter jurisdiction. 26 (3) The Clerk of Court must enter a judgment of dismissal without prejudice. 27 (4) The docket shall reflect that the Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 28 § 1915(a)(3) and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 24(a)(3)(A), that any appeal of this -6- 1 2 decision would not be taken in good faith. DATED this 27th day of July, 2011. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 -7-

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