Bradley v. Hankins, et al
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER: 1) Bradley's claim that Sandra Zavodny prevented him for getting a prison job, which he brings in her official capacity is DISMISSED; 2) Clerk shall send Bradley a Civil Rights Complaint, In Forma Pauperis Applicatio n, and Certificate of Inmate Acct; 3) If Bradley would like to pursue a claim against Zavodny in her individual capacity he may do so. He must complete and file his complaint. He must pay the $400 filing fee or 1) have Certificate of Inmate Acct certified by prison staff, 2) complete the In Forma Pauperis Application, and 3) file both of them; 4) This matter is stricken from the docket; 5) A judgment shall be entered. Signed by Judge David L. Bunning on 5/2/2017.(TJZ)cc: COR, Bryce Bradley via US Mail w/ EDKY Form 520, AO240, EDKY Form 523.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
NORTHERN DIVISION
AT COVINGTON
CIVIL ACTION NO. 17-73-DLB
BRYCE JACOBS BRADLEY
vs.
PLAINTIFF
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
SANDRA ZAVODNY
DEFENDANT
*** *** *** ***
Inmate Bryce Jacobs Bradley, proceeding without an attorney, filed a civil rights
action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. # 1). In his Complaint, Bradley indicated
that he was suing Defendants Jason Hankins, Christopher Hankins, and Sandra
Zavodny, all employees of the Grant County Jail, only in their official capacities. (Doc. #
1 at 2).
The Court conducted a preliminary review of Bradley’s Complaint and determined
that he improperly alleged multiple distinct claims against the different defendants in
one case. (Doc. # 3). While the Court resolved one of those claims, it severed the
remaining claims from Bradley’s Complaint and directed the Clerk of the Court to open
new civil actions in which those unrelated claims could be resolved. (Doc. # 3).
This case is one of those new civil actions, and it involves only Bradley’s claim
against “Classification Officer Sandra Zavodny” in her official capacity. (Doc. # 1 at 2,
5-6; Doc. # 3 at 1). Bradley claims that Zavodny prevented him from getting a prison
job. (Doc. # 1 at 5-6). Since Bradley is suing Zavodny only in her official capacity, his
claim is essentially against the Grant County Jail itself. Lambert v. Hartman, 517 F.3d
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433, 439-40 (6th Cir. 2008); Alkire v. Irving, 330 F.3d 802, 810 (6th Cir. 2003).
However, the Grant County Jail is not liable merely because it employs Zavodny;
instead, Zavodny’s actions must have been directly attributable to a policy or custom of
her employer. See Monell v. New York City Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 691
n.55 (1978). Here, Bradley does not claim that any policy or custom of the Grant
County Jail prompted Zavodny’s alleged actions in this case. Therefore, Bradley’s claim
against Zavodny in her official capacity fails to state a claim upon which relief may be
granted. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss that claim. That said, to the extent that
Bradley would like to pursue a claim against Zavodny in her individual capacity, Bradley
may do so by filing a new complaint with this Court. Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED as follows:
(1)
Bradley’s claim that Sandra Zavodny prevented him from getting a prison
job, which he brings against her in her official capacity, is DISMISSED;
(2)
The Clerk of the Court shall send Bradley a form Civil Rights Complaint
[EDKY Form 520], an Affidavit of Assets/In Forma Pauperis Application [Form AO-240],
and a Certificate of Inmate Account [EDKY Form 523];
(3)
If Bradley would like to pursue a claim against Zavodny in her individual
capacity, he may do so. However, he must complete and file his complaint using the
court-supplied complaint form. He must also either pay the $400.00 in required filing
and administrative fees or (1) have the Certificate of Inmate Account [EDKY Form 523]
certified by prison staff, (2) complete the Affidavit of Assets/In Forma Pauperis
Application [Form AO-240], and (3) file both of them with the Court;
(4)
This matter is STRICKEN from the active docket; and
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(5)
A Judgment shall be entered contemporaneously with this Order.
This 2nd day of May, 2017.
K:\DATA\ORDERS\ProSe\17-73 Order dismissing claim.wpd
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