Krecz v. Google Inc.
Filing
32
FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Carolyn K. Delaney on 1/4/2021 RECOMMENDING the 31 Motion to Reopen Case be denied. Referred to Judge John A. Mendez. Objections due within 14 days after being served with these Findings and Recommendations. (Tupolo, A)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11
JOSEPH KRECZ,
12
No. 2:18-cv-01585-JAM-CKD PS
Plaintiff,
13
v.
14
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
GOOGLE, INC., et al.,
15
(ECF No. 31)
Defendants.
16
Presently before the court is plaintiff’s “Motion to request reversal” of this court’s order
17
18
and judgment dismissing his employment discrimination action in this closed case.1 (ECF
19
No. 31.) The motion is taken under submission pursuant to Local Rule 230(g), and the
20
undersigned recommends DENYING the motion.
In 2018, plaintiff brought this action alleging that Google, Inc., and other related
21
22
defendants systematically refused to address his numerous applications for employment with
23
Google, based upon age, disability, and national-origin discrimination. (See generally, ECF
24
Nos. 1, 16.) In February 2019, having previously allowed plaintiff to amend the complaint, the
25
undersigned recommended dismissing the action against Google for failure to state a claim, and
26
dismissing the action against the other defendants for failure to exhaust administrative remedies.
27
28
1
Because plaintiff appears pro se, this case proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to E.D. Cal.
L.R. 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
1
1
(ECF No. 24.) In an order and judgment signed on June 3, 2019 (entered on June 4, 2019) the
2
district judge assigned to this case adopted the findings and recommendations in full and
3
dismissed the action without leave to amend. (ECF Nos. 29, 30.) The case was closed on June 4,
4
2019.
5
Over one year later, on December 14, 2020, plaintiff filed the instant motion. (ECF
6
No. 31.) Plaintiff cites no rule of federal procedure in support of the motion, but the motion is
7
styled a “MOTION to request reversal” of the June 3, 2019 dismissal order and to “Request to
8
enter judgment” against Google, Inc. (Id. at 1.) Accordingly, the court construes the motion as a
9
Rule 60(b) motion for relief from a judgment or order.
10
The sole basis cited for the motion is a “new letter” from Google to the Equal
11
Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), which plaintiff claims to have “just seen” in
12
November 2020. (ECF No. 31 at 1.) Plaintiff attaches an annotated copy of a January 23, 2014
13
statement Google submitted to the EEOC in response to plaintiff’s previously filed charge of
14
discrimination. (Id. at 3-8.) Plaintiff argues that this letter proves that Google misled the EEOC
15
and this court and shows that Google cannot establish a “good faith” or “reasonable
16
consideration” of his employment applications. (Id. at 1.)
17
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) governs the reconsideration of final orders of the
18
district court. Rule 60(b) permits a district court to relieve a party from a final order or judgment
19
on grounds of: “(1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered
20
evidence . . . ; (3) fraud . . . of an adverse party; (4) the judgment is void; (5) the judgment has
21
been satisfied . . . ; or (6) any other reason justifying relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b). A motion
22
under Rule 60(b) must be made “within a reasonable time,” and for reasons (1)-(3) “no more than
23
a year after the entry of the judgment or order” being contested. Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(c)(1).
24
To the extent plaintiff seeks relief under Rule 60(b)(2) by claiming the letter as newly
25
discovered evidence, the motion is untimely for failure to file within a year of the entry of
26
judgment. See id. Plaintiff’s motion—filed some 18 months after judgment was entered—is also
27
untimely under Rule 60(b)(6), the catch-all provision. See Hogan v. Robinson, 2009 WL
28
1085478, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 22, 2009) (Rule 60(b)(6) motion “filed over 18 months after
2
1
judgment was entered, and over two years after Plaintiffs were put on notice of the facts and
2
circumstances upon which they rely[ ]” was untimely). But more importantly, plaintiff has failed
3
to show the “extraordinary circumstances” necessary to obtain relief under Rule 60(b)(6). See
4
Fantasyland Video, Inc. v. County of San Diego, 505 F.3d 996, 1005 (9th Cir. Cal. 2007).
5
Notwithstanding plaintiff’s characterization, the January 2014 letter contains no indication of foul
6
play in Google’s defense of this case, nor does it suggest any discriminatory animus against
7
plaintiff. To the contrary, the letter describes in great detail how plaintiff’s numerous job
8
applications simply were not considered because he did not meet the qualifications of the various
9
postings. Plaintiff’s motion is thus both untimely and fails to provide any reason—let alone
10
11
12
extraordinary circumstances—warranting relief from final judgment.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that plaintiff’s request to reopen this
case (ECF No. 31) be DENIED.
13
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge
14
assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen (14)
15
days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written
16
objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned
17
“Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections
18
shall be served on all parties and filed with the court within fourteen (14) days after service of the
19
objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may
20
waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th
21
Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991).
22
Dated: January 4, 2021
_____________________________________
CAROLYN K. DELANEY
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
23
24
25
26
19.1585.krec
27
28
3
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?