Baldi v. Mueller et al

Filing 16

Judge Douglas P. Woodlock: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER entered denying 5 Motion for Entry of Default; denying 6 Motion for Order to effect service; denying 9 Motion for Recusal; denying 9 Motion to Change Venue, directing dismissal of this case and certifying that any appeal by Plaintiff of the dismissal of this action would not be taken in good faith. Plaintiff is prohibited from reasserting any claims that were raised in this action indirectly or directly, and failure to comply with this directive may result in the imposition of sanctions, including monetary sanctions and an order enjoining him from further litigation in this Court absent prior permission of a judicial officer. (Woodlock, Douglas)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS JOHN A. BALDI, ) ) ) v. ) ) ROBERT S. MUELLER, III, ET AL., ) Defendants. ) Plaintiff,

C.A. No.09-10320-DPW

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER March 23, 2010 I. INTRODUCTION Plaintiff John A. Baldi ("Baldi"), a resident of Melrose, Massachusetts, filed this Bivens action1 alleging violations of constitutional rights by Robert S. Mueller, III, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"); several FBI special agents; and two unknown agents. He also names as a defendant

Susan M. Bateman, an official court reporter for the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. asserts that all of the defendants have conspired amongst themselves and/or with other state and federal officials to violate his civil rights. individual capacity. In essence, Baldi reiterates claims previously raised in a civil action before Judge Rya W. Zobel. Agents, Civil Action No. 07-10361-RWZ. See Baldi v. Boston FBI That action was dismissed He sues each defendant in an Baldi

See Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971) (establishing a cause of action enabling plaintiffs to seek judicial relief against federal officers for violations of constitutional rights).

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on April 25, 2007 by Judge Zobel for failure to state cognizable claims in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). and Order (Docket No. 4). Although the Complaints are not identical, Baldi reasserts the same basic allegations in this action, and has simply altered the wording, but has not changed the underlying substance of his claims. In acting on the matters raised in the current matter, I See Memorandum

draw upon Judge Zobel's memorandum in the earlier case. Specifically, Baldi asserts that the Boston office of the FBI has a history of conspiring with criminals, as exemplified in the Whitey Bulger matter, and the Judge Fairbanks matter.2 ¶ 13. Compl. at

Baldi also alleges the FBI failed to prosecute crimes by

high ranking federal and state officials who are said to have been closet homosexuals supplied with minor and non-minor prostitutes by Craig Spence.3 Id. at ¶ 7. He claims the failure

of the FBI to prosecute, and its assistance in concealing, the Whitey Bulger is a notorious fugitive and mobster wanted for racketeering, murder, money laundering, conspiracy to commit other crimes. The late Judge John Fairbanks was a New Hampshire judge and attorney who was sanctioned for extreme misconduct in misappropriation of substantial amounts of monies from clients' funds. He was criminally indicted, and thereafter became a fugitive, assumed a fake identity, and years later, committed suicide in Las Vegas. The matter undermined public confidence in the supervision of the state bar and the Professional Conduct Committee, prompting the enactment of legislation to prevent similar misconduct by the release of materials concerning Judge Fairbanks. In 1989, Craig Spence, a Washington lobbyist, was the subject of a scandal which involved a federal investigation into a homosexual child prostitution ring whose clients included highlevel officials in the Reagan and Bush administrations. 2
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criminal acts has "allowed some of the criminal conspirators to advance to the United States Supreme Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Senate, the United States

Attorneys Offices for the Districts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as various State courts and State offices." Id. at ¶ 15. Baldi claims that on or about August 11, 2008, he went to the Boston FBI Office and provided an unknown male duty agent with copies of a criminal complaint, to be given to certain agents. Also at some point in 2008 prior to August 11, 2008,

Baldi met with an unknown female agent at the FBI Boston Office and provided her with information regarding ongoing and past criminal acts and violations by federal and state officials, as well as a criminal complaint against United States Attorney Michael Sullivan, and United States District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns, alleging violations of his constitutional rights.4 He claims he was told that the agents were instructed not to investigate judges. Count One alleges a violation of Baldi's Fifth Amendment property rights to an occupation, namely, the practice of law.5 In another case in this Court, Judge Stearns dismissed Plaintiff's challenge to the denial of his admission to the bar, Baldi v. Barshak, Civil Action No. 04-12511-RGS. Baldi is a law school graduate who passed the 2003 Massachusetts Bar examination. As a result of his involvement in certain civil and criminal matters in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the Board of Bar Overseers questioned whether he possessed the requisite moral character for admission to the 3
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He seeks $6 million from all defendants except Susan M. Bateman. He also seeks $10 million from the defendants for violating his due process rights with respect to real property.6 In addition,

Baldi also seeks injunctive relief in the form of a Court Order to the Boston FBI Office, the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, and all of the defendants directing that they cease and desist in the failure to prosecute valid criminal complaints against federal and state officials, and to act on his criminal complaints either by prosecution. Baldi seeks to have this action reassigned to a judge from the Second Circuit because he claims criminal acts were committed by judges within the First Circuit and the Districts of

Massachusetts bar. See Baldi v. Barshak, Civil Action No. 0412511-RGS (dismissal of suit against members of the Board of Bar Examiners for denial of admission to the Bar); Baldi v. Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, et al., Civil Action No. 0410198-JLT (dismissed for lack of jurisdiction over Baldi's challenge to proceedings regarding admission to the Bar). While this real property issue is not entirely clear, a review of PACER public records indicates that Baldi had previously filed a civil action in the Superior Court (Merrimack County) in the State of New Hampshire, which was removed to the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire (Concord). See Baldi v. Brown, et al., 1:07-cv-00024-SM (removed January 31, 2007)). Pleadings in that action reveal that Baldi has been involved in extensive litigation stemming from his action in writing a letter to the New Hampshire environmental officials DES alleging that a Ronald Brown ("Brown") used soil taken from Baldi's property and used it to fill wetlands illegally. Brown thereafter sued Baldi for libel, and an Order for attachment of Baldi's property was perfected by the county sheriffs. Baldi, in turn, sued the sheriffs and numerous others, alleging, inter alia, procedural due process violations, and cruel and abusive treatment. 4
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Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Further, he requests that Judge

Zobel be excluded from involvement in this action, and claims that because she denied him in forma pauperis status in his earlier lawsuit, this could be construed as an affirmative act to conceal a federal felony. Baldi paid the $350.00 filing fee for this action and summonses issued.7 Thereafter, Baldi filed several motions which

are pending, including: (1) a Motion for Entry of Default as to defendant Bateman (Docket No. 5); (2) a Motion for an Order to Compel the United States Marshal to serve defendants (Docket No. 6); and (3) a Motion for Recusal and Motion to Change Venue (Docket NO. 9). I first address the threshold question raised by

the motion for recusal and venue change before addressing the various shortcomings in plaintiff's case and ultimately dismissing the matter. II. DISCUSSION A. The Motion for Recusal and for Change of Venue

Baldi seeks my recusal in this action and a change of venue to what he terms the "Second Circuit District Court in Hartford, Connecticut" and for any appeals to be heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The grounds for this motion are that

each and every judge on the First Circuit Court of Appeals is a

Because Baldi was not appearing in forma pauperis, this action was not initially subject to the statutory screening requirements pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). 5

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potential witness, as are all the judges and United States Attorneys within the Districts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Because I fall in this class and apparently because

he has mistaken me for Judge Woodcock of the District of Maine, a member - as I am not - of the Judicial Council for the First Circuit, he seeks my recusal specifically. I find that Baldi's

request for recusal and/or a change of venue to be without foundation. Mere assignment to perform judicial duties within a

regional circuit in which a plaintiff's earlier judicial initiatives, before other judges, have proved unsuccessful is an inadequate basis for recusal. Accordingly, his Motion for

Recusal and for Change of Venue (Docket No. 9) is DENIED. B. The Motion for Entry of Default

Baldi claims that on March 5, 2009, defendant Bateman was served in hand by an authorized process server, and that she has not filed any response to the Complaint. that a default enter against her. The United States Attorney has filed a Memorandum in Opposition to the motion for default, under 28 U.S.C. § 517, which permits the government to file a response where the government has an interest. In the opposition, the government Consequently, he asks

contends that Baldi failed to comply with Rule 4(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in that he has failed to serve the United States Attorney's Office, the United States Attorney General, and the agency, citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2). 6 The

United States Attorney, for his part, seeks dismissal of the Complaint for failure to make timely service. Baldi argues that Rule 4(i)(3), and not Rule 4(i)(2), is applicable, and that Rule 4(i)(3) does not require service on the United States Attorney or agency. Rule 4(i)(3) provides that where an officer or employee of the United States (such as defendant Bateman) is sued in an individual capacity in connection with duties performed on behalf of the United States, "a party must serve the United States and also serve the officer or employee under Rule 4(e)[serving within a judicial district], (f)[serving in a foreign country], or (g)[serving a minor or incompetent person]." 4(i)(3)(brackets added). Fed. R. Civ. P.

Thus, in order to perfect service,

Baldi was required to serve Bateman and to serve the United States. Under Rule 4(i)(1) service of the United States is made

by delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to the United States Attorney for the district where the action is brought ..., or sending a copy by registered or certified mail to the civil process clerk at the United States attorney's office, see Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)(A)(I) and (ii), and sending a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the United States Attorney General at Washington, D.C., see Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)(B), and if the action challenges an order of a non-party agency or officer of the United States, by sending a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the agency or officer. See Fed.

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R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)(C). Here, I find Baldi has not sufficiently demonstrated that he has complied with the requirements of Rule 4(i)(3). Therefore, I

will DENY his Motion for Entry of Default (Docket No. 5). C. The Motion for an Order Compelling U.S. Marshal to Serve Defendants

Baldi seeks an Order pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(b)(iii) for the United States Marshal Service on the grounds that only that agency can gain access to the FBI defendants to effect service. He claims he sent Waiver of Service forms to the

defendants, to no avail. Prompted by Baldi's request for an Order directing service by the United States Marshal, I have conducted a thorough review of the record of this case. After review of this matter, I find

that it would be a waste of judicial resources to grant Baldi's request because this action is wholly frivolous in nature, and sua sponte dismissal is warranted.8 A district court may dismiss a complaint sua sponte, regardless of whether or not payment of the filing fee has been received, where the allegations contained in the complaint, taken in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, are patently meritless and beyond all hope of redemption.
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Gonzalez-Gonzalez

I will not dismiss for lack of service because the defendants have not filed any affirmative motion, and the request for dismissal contained in the opposition as to default of Bateman is insufficient. In any event, I find that dismissal on the merits is the proper resolution of this case. 8

v. United States, 257 F.3d 31, 37 (1st Cir. 2001) if it is "crystal clear that the plaintiff cannot prevail and that amending the complaint would be futile," a dismissal sua sponte is appropriate) (citations omitted); cf., Bell v. Hood, 327 U.S. 678, 682-83 (946)(observing that dismissal for lack of subjectmatter jurisdiction may result if the federal claim "clearly appears to be immaterial and made solely for the purpose of obtaining jurisdiction or ... is wholly insubstantial and frivolous."). See, Bustos v. Chamberlain, 2009 WL 2782238, *2

(D.S.C. 2009)(noting that the court has inherent authority "to ensure a plaintiff has standing, that subject matter jurisdiction exists, and that a case is not frivolous") citing, inter alia, Mallard v. United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296, 307-308 (1989); Pillay v. INS, 45 F.3d 14, 16-17 (2d Cir. 1995)(where a § 1915 screening was not applicable because a pro se party paid the filing fee, the Court still had inherent authority "wholly aside from any statutory warrant" to act sua sponte); and Rolle v. Berkowitz, 2004 WL 287678, *1 (S.D.N.Y. 2004)(sua sponte dismissal in fee-paying pro se case is warranted where the claims presented no arguably meritorious issue to consider). See also Gaffney v. State Farm Fire and Cas.

Co., 294 Fed. Appx. 975, 977 (5th Cir. 2008)(unpublished decision stating: "This court has on numerous occasions recognized the inherent authority of a district court to dismiss a complaint on its own motion for failure to state a claim."); Torres-Alamo v.

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Puerto Rico, 502 F.3d 20 (1st Cir. 2007)(discussing court's inherent authority to dismiss for reasons prescribed in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b)); Otoki Group, Inc. V. Gibraltar, P.R. Inc., 16 Fed. Appx. 3 (1st Cir. 2001). In this case, I recognize that Baldi's pro se pleadings must be construed generously, even though he possesses a law degree. Hughes v. Rowe, 449 U.S. 5, 9 (1980); Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972); Instituto de Educacion Universal Corp. v. U.S. Dept., 209 F.3d 18, 23 (1st Cir. 2000). However, even under a

generous reading, this action must be dismissed because, as with the prior suit before Judge Zobel, Baldi's Complaint fails to comport with the pleading requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2)(requiring a plaintiff to include "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief."). Although he makes generalized allegations of public scandals and unspecified crimes committed against others, he fails to provide any reasonable nexus to his personal grievances. merely alleges a violation of a constitutional right by reasserting the allegations of the failure of the defendant FBI agents to prosecute crimes (leading to the alleged elevation of federal and state judges and other officials). He does not link Baldi

the action of any FBI agents to any specific deprivation of a constitutional right he claims he suffered as a result. Further,

Baldi makes reference to scandals that occurred over a decade

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ago.

He fails to provide any time-frame for the alleged

deprivations to him, and therefore the timeliness of the claims is questionable. Moreover, he fails to identify the specific

agents he claims participated in the alleged constitutional deprivations. He makes no allegations against court reporter

Bateman that are supported by any underlying facts comprehensibly alleged, nor can I reasonably infer that there are any nonfrivolous allegations raised against her to support a Bivens claim. In addition, as noted by Judge Zobel in Baldi's prior suit, to the extent Baldi seeks to hold FBI officials such as Director Robert S. Mueller, III liable for the actions of FBI agents, such claims also fail. Bivens liability. Respondeat superior is not a viable theory of Capozzi v. Dep't of Transp., 135 F. Supp. 2d

87, 98 (D. Mass. 2001) (citing Ruiz Rivera, 209 F.3d at 28). Finally and most fundamentally, Baldi's assertion that the FBI agents are personally liable to him because of their failure to have crimes investigated and prosecuted, his claims are not plausible because private citizens lack a judicially cognizable interest in the prosecution or non-prosecution of another. See,

e.g., Linda R.S. v. Richard D., 410 U.S. 614, 619 (1973); accord Nieves-Ramos v. Gonzalez, 737 F. Supp. 727, 728 (D. P.R. 1990)(same). Thus, any asserted consequences that flow from the

failure to investigate or prosecute (such as the alleged elevation of federal and state judges) do not state cognizable

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federal claims upon which relief may be granted.9 In short, I find that Baldi's Complaint is wholly frivolous and that no reasonable person could suppose this case to have any merit. Moreover, because Judge Zobel has previously advised

Baldi of the applicable case law with respect to his claims concerning the failure to prosecute, I find that the continued assertion of these claims amounts to vexatious and abusive litigation. In light of the above, I will dismiss this action sua sponte, with prejudice and will certify that any appeal of this dismissal would not be taken in good faith.10
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Baldi is

As Judge Zobel noted in her Memorandum and Order, Baldi's factually unsupported claims that federal and state judges are conspirators with the FBI agents do not state plausible claims for deprivation of his constitutional rights. Mere assertions, without more, are insufficient, and Baldi's use of conclusory terms such as "conspirator" or "conspiracy" are unavailing. While Baldi alleges a vast conspiracy, general allegations of conspiracy to violate civil rights are not sufficient to meet the pleading requirement to assert plausible claims of a conspiracy. Rather, the allegations must set forth what part each defendant had in the alleged conspiracy, i.e., it must set forth the "who did what to whom and why." Columbus v. Biggio, 76 F. Supp. 2d, 43, 52 (D. Mass. 1999) ("Although pleading standards are minimal, the First Circuit requires `more than conclusions or subjective characterizations.'") citing Dewey v. University of New Hampshire, 694 F. 2d 1, 3 (1st Cir. 1982), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 944 (1983). "To present an adequate conspiracy claim, there must be allegations of a common understanding between the conspiring parties." Dickinson v. Flanagan, 893 F.2d 1338 (Table), 1990 WL 1421, *1 (9th Cir. 1990)(unpublished decision)(citation omitted). Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) "[a]n appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith." Id. Similarly, under Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(3), a party who has been permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in the district court may proceed on appeal in 12
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prohibited from reasserting any claims that were raised in this action, either indirectly or directly, and failure to comply with this directive may result in the imposition of sanctions, including monetary sanctions and an order enjoining him from further litigation in this Court absent prior permission of a judicial officer. III. CONCLUSION AND ORDER Based on the foregoing, it is hereby Ordered that: 1. Plaintiff's Motion for Recusal and Motion for Change of Venue (Docket No. 9) is DENIED both as to recusal and as to change of venue; Plaintiff's Motion for Entry of Default (Docket No. 5) is DENIED; Plaintiff's Motion for an Order to Compel the United States Marshal to Serve Defendants (Docket No. 6) is DENIED; This action is DISMISSED sua sponte with prejudice; Plaintiff is prohibited from reasserting any claims that were raised in this action, either indirectly or directly, and failure to comply with this directive may result in the imposition of sanctions, including monetary sanctions and an order enjoining him from further litigation in this Court absent prior permission of a judicial officer; and

2. 3. 4. 5.

forma pauperis without further authorization, unless the district court certifies that the appeal is not taken in good faith. Id. (emphasis added). "[T]he applicant's good faith is established by the presentation of any issue that is not plainly frivolous." Ellis v. United States, 356 U.S. 674 (1958) (per curiam); see also Wooten v. District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, 129 F.3d 206, 208 (D.C. Cir. 1997). A complaint is "frivolous" if "it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact." Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). That is the case here. For the reasons set forth herein, I find that any appeal would not deserve additional judicial attention. 13

6.

The Court CERTIFIES that any appeal by Plaintiff of the dismissal of this action would not be taken in good faith.

SO ORDERED.

/s/ Douglas P. Woodlock DOUGLAS P. WOODLOCK UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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