Meyer v. Haeg et al
Filing
526
ORDER: 1. Plaintiff's Objection to the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation [Doc No. 525] is OVERRULED. 2. The Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated May 26, 2017 [Doc. No. 524] is ADOPTED. 3. Defendant Ekola's Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 448] is GRANTED. 4. Defendants Allan and Diane Lindsay's Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 503] is GRANTED. 5. All claims against J. Does 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 3 8, 39, 47, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, and 91 are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m ). 6. The Report & Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated December 19, 2016 [Doc. No. 435] is ADOPTED. 7. All claims against Defendant Jean Peterson are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 8. Plaintiff's Objection [Doc. No. 444] to the Order of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated December 15, 2016 is DENIED AS MOOT. 9. The Order of December 15, 2016 [Doc. No. 434] is AFFIRMED. (Written Opinion) Signed by Judge Susan Richard Nelson on 9/13/2017. (SMD)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
Harley Dean Meyer,
Case No. 15-cv-2564 (SRN/HB)
Plaintiff,
v.
Virginia Ekola, Attorney, in her official
capacity as an officer of Hennepin County
District Court; Allan Lindsay; Diane
Lindsay; Jean Peterson; and J. Does 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 21, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 47,
53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,
64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,
75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,
86, 87, 88, 89, 90, and 91, in their official
capacities,
ORDER
Defendants.
Harley Dean Meyer, pro se, Naewna Newspaper, % Ladapa Tiwasingha, 96 Moo 3
Vibavadee Randsit Road, Laksi, Bangkok, Thailand 10210, Plaintiff
Richard S. Reeves, 3944 Zenith Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55410, for
Defendant Virginia Ekola
Virginia K. Ekola, 3944 Zenith Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55410, for
Defendants Allan Lindsay and Diane Lindsay
SUSAN RICHARD NELSON, United States District Judge
This matter is before the Court on the Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) of
Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated May 26, 2017 [Doc. No. 524]. Plaintiff Harley Dean
Meyer (“Meyer”) filed Objections to the Report and Recommendation (“Objs.”) [Doc.
No. 525]. For the reasons set forth below, the Court overrules Meyer’s Objections,
adopts the R&R in its entirety, and grants Defendant Ekola’s, Allan Lindsay’s, and Diane
Lindsay’s Motions for Summary Judgment.
Also before the Court is the Report & Recommendation of Magistrate Judge
Bowbeer dated December 19, 2016 [Doc. No. 435]. In the December 19, 2016 R&R,
Magistrate Judge Bowbeer recommended that all claims against Defendant Jean Peterson
be dismissed without prejudice. (Dec. 19, 2016 R&R at 2.)
Meyer did not file any
objections to that Report and Recommendation in the time period permitted.
Accordingly, based on the December 19, 2016 R&R, and all of the files, records and
proceedings herein, the Court adopts the December 19, 2016 R&R and dismisses without
prejudice all claims against Defendant Jean Peterson.
In addition, before the Court is Plaintiff’s Objection [Doc. No. 444] to the Order
of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated December 15, 2016 [Doc. No. 434].
In the
December 15, 2016 Order, Magistrate Judge Bowbeer denied without prejudice Meyer’s
Motion to Appoint Counsel [Doc. No. 417] and his Motion for an Extension of Time
[Doc. No. 418]. In light of the Court’s summary judgment ruling, addressed below,
Meyer’s Objection to the December 15, 2016 Order is denied as moot.
I.
BACKGROUND
The background of this case was set forth in previous orders and is only recounted
here to the extent necessary to rule on Meyer’s Objections. This action involves Meyer’s
eighty-two state and federal claims against twenty-seven named Defendants—including
Defendants Virginia Ekola (“Ekola”), Allan Lindsay (“A. Lindsay”), and Diane Lindsay
(“D. Lindsay”) (collectively, “Defendants”)—and seventy-seven J. Doe Defendants—
2
including those J. Doe Defendants referenced in the caption of this Order. (See First Am.
Compl. (“FAC”) [Doc. No. 136]; Order dated 8/5/2016 (“August 5 Order”) at 5 [Doc.
No. 341].) Meyer was allowed to amend his complaint once—wherein he added more
defendants and claims—but his second attempt, where he again sought to add more
defendants and claims, was denied based on futility, undue delay and prejudice, and his
repeated failures to abide by this Court’s orders, the Local Rules, and the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure. (Id. at 4–5, 16–19.)
All of Meyer’s claims stem from a 2003 child custody dispute between Meyer and
his former wife (V.M.) over their son (J.M.) and related proceedings in Minnesota state
court. (See id. at 7.) Ekola is an attorney who represented V.M. in the divorce and
custody proceedings. In those proceedings, V.M. was granted sole legal and physical
custody over J.M. (Decl. of Allan and Diane Lindsay (“Lindsay Decl.”) [Doc. No. 507],
Ex. 3 [Doc. No. 507-3].) Sometime after 2004, Meyer moved to Thailand, where he
resides to this day.
V.M. named her brother, A. Lindsay, as J.M.’s guardian in her will in 2006.
(R&R at 2–3; Lindsay Decl., Ex. 4 [Doc. No. 507-4].) D. Lindsay is A. Lindsay’s wife.
Later, in 2011, after V.M. was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, she asked A.
Lindsay to help care for J.M. (Aff. of Allan Lindsay at ¶ 5 [Doc. No. 506].) In January
of 2012, V.M. and A. Lindsay executed a “Designated Temporary Custodian Agreement”
(the “Designation Agreement”) that sought to appoint A. Lindsay as co-custodian of J.M.
pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 257B. (Lindsay Decl., Ex. 5 [Doc. No. 507-5].) In it, V.M.
stated that she was suffering from a physically incapacitating disease. (See id. at 2.)
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V.M. explained that she believed Meyer was in Thailand, but did not know his address or
how to contact him other than through an email address, and that Meyer had not seen
J.M. since 2003. (Id. at 1.) The Designation Agreement purported to give A. Lindsay the
authority to make custodial and legal decisions related to J.M. and suggests that the
parties intended it to be effective immediately. (Id. at 2.) It also stated that V.M.
intended for A. Lindsay to be appointed as J.M.’s guardian upon her death, pursuant to
Minn. Stat. § 524.5-201 and other related statutes. (Id.)
Days after the Designation Agreement was signed, V.M. died. (Lindsay Decl., Ex.
6 [507-6].) There is no indication that A. Lindsay ever petitioned a court to have the
Designation Agreement approved.
Instead, on January 20, 2012, he accepted the
guardianship appointment contained in V.M.’s will. (Lindsay Decl., Ex. 7 at 5 [Doc. No.
507-7].)
Less than thirty days after A. Lindsay accepted the appointment in V.M.’s will,
Ekola filed a Petition for Appointment (the “Guardianship Petition”) in Hennepin County
district court. 1 (Id. at 1–3.) The Guardianship Petition was served on Meyer. (Id. at 14–
15; see Lindsay Decl., Ex. 9 [Doc. No. 507-9].) A hearing on the Guardianship Petition
was held in April of 2012 and Meyer attended the hearing and objected to A. Lindsay’s
appointment, arguing that he should be given full legal and physical custody over J.M.
(See Lindsay Decl., Ex. 10 [Doc. No. 507-10].)
The district court granted the
Guardianship Petition, appointed A. Lindsay to serve as guardian “alongside” Meyer, and
explained that Meyer would need to raise his custodial challenges in family court. (See
1
Ekola represented A. Lindsay throughout the guardianship proceedings.
4
id. at 3–4.) Importantly here, the court made the appointment pursuant to Minnesota’s
guardianship statutes, Minn. Stat. § 524.5-202 et seq., with no mention of the
custodianship statutes, Minn. Stat. § 257B et seq., or the Designation Agreement. (See
id. at 2–4.)
Meyer appealed the decision and the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed and
remanded. (Lindsay Decl., Ex. 13 [Doc. No. 507-13].) Specifically, the court found that
although V.M.’s appointment of A. Lindsay in her will was valid and effective upon her
death, that appointment terminated by operation of law when Meyer objected and thus the
probate court could not confirm an appointment that no longer existed. (Id. at ¶¶ 4–5.)
The court of appeals remanded the case to the district court to consider the appointment
of an emergency or temporary guardian for J.M. (Id. at ¶¶ 6–7.) On remand, the district
court appointed A. Lindsay as J.M.’s temporary guardian pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 524.5204(b). ((Lindsay Decl., Ex. 15 [507-15].) Meyer did not appeal this decision.
Generally speaking, Meyer now contends that all of the state court proceedings
surrounding the 2003 custody dispute and 2012 guardianship dispute were fraudulent,
procedurally deficient, involved negligence, and amounted to a civil conspiracy against
him perpetrated by nearly every individual who had any involvement with those
proceedings and the events they addressed. (See FAC; August 5 Order at 7–8.) Meyer
also raises constitutional challenges to the federal government’s provision of financial
incentives to the states, Minnesota’s statutory scheme for appointing guardians, and the
“continuing jurisdiction” provision of Minnesota’s Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
and Enforcement Act. (See FAC at ¶ 545.)
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The R&R recommends granting Defendants’ Motions for Summary Judgment
because Meyer’s claims suffer from one or more of the following deficiencies: (1) they
are based on criminal statutes that do not provide a civil cause of action; (2) Meyer failed
to produce competent admissible evidence that supports one or more elements of the
claim; (3) the claim is time barred and there is no basis for equitable tolling; (4) the Court
is prohibited from considering the claim under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine; or (5) the
claim suffers from a fundamental legal deficiency (e.g., the claim may only be asserted
against a state actor and the Defendant at issue is not a state actor). (R&R at 5–19.) The
R&R also recommends that Meyer’s claims against the unserved J. Doe Defendants be
dismissed without prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). (Id. at
19–24.) The reasons for this recommendation of dismissal are that Meyer failed to show
good cause as to why the J. Doe Defendants remain unserved more than two years after
the case began and because he has not stated plausible claims against them. 2 (See id.)
Finally, the R&R recommends dismissing Meyer’s constitutional challenges for the
following reasons: (1) they fail as a matter of law; and, (2) the Court is prohibited from
considering the claim under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine. (Id. at 24–27.)
Meyer filed a series of objections to the R&R. (See Objs.) Some can be quickly
resolved. First, Meyer alleges that Magistrate Judge Bowbeer and this Court criticize his
lack of evidence without “proving” this “claim.” (Objs. at 2.) Meyer fails to appreciate
that it is not the Court’s place to prove his claims—that responsibility falls to him as the
2
Meyer did not file any objection to this portion of the R&R. (See Objs.) Still, the Court
has carefully reviewed Magistrate Judge Bowbeer’s analysis, finds it to be persuasive and
correct, and thus adopts it here.
6
plaintiff. His failure to state legally cognizable claims and produce competent admissible
evidence, despite more than two years in litigation, is fatal at summary judgment and
requires that his claims be dismissed. See Ingrassia v. Schafer, 825 F.3d 891, 896 (8th
Cir. 2016); Walz v. Ameriprise Fin., Inc., 779 F.3d 842, 844 (8th Cir. 2015). Second,
Meyer makes some general objections to living in a “post-truth era” dominated by “fake
news” and “alternative facts,” which makes it “cumbersome” for him to address
Defendants’ motions and object to the R&R. (Objs. at 3.) The burden on Meyer to
support and defend his claims is a well-established obligation placed on every plaintiff.
Third, some of Meyer’s objections simply reference arguments he made in previous
filings. (See id. at 6, 8, 9, 10.) This Court rejected those arguments and will not
reconsider them here, especially since Meyer presents no reason to do so other than his
disagreement with the prior rulings, which is not a valid objection. See Munt v. Larson,
No. 15-cv-0582 (SRN/SER), 2015 WL 5673108, at *7 (D. Minn. Sept. 23, 2015);
Carlone v. Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers Local 34, No. 14-cv-579
(SRN/JSM), 2014 WL 5438493, at *6 (D. Minn. Oct. 23, 2014).
Meyer’s substantive and specific objections are as follows: (1) a series of
evidentiary challenges to exhibits referenced in the R&R; (2) that some of Meyer’s
constitutional challenges were not properly assessed; and, (3) that a jury should resolve
what Meyer sees as fact disputes. The Court addresses these objections below.
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II.
DISCUSSION
A. Legal Standard
The Court must conduct a de novo review where specific objections are made to a
magistrate judge’s report and recommendation on a dispositive motion. 28 U.S.C. §
636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b); D. Minn. L.R. 72.2(b).
Summary judgment is proper if, drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the
non-moving party, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party
is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
477 U.S. 317, 322–23 (1986); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249–50
(1986); Morriss v. BNSF Ry. Co., 817 F.3d 1104, 1107 (8th Cir. 2016). “Summary
judgment procedure is properly regarded not as a disfavored procedural shortcut, but
rather as an integral part of the Federal Rules as a whole, which are designed ‘to secure
the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action.’” Celotex, 477 U.S. at
327 (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 1).
The party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of showing that the
material facts in the case are undisputed.
Id. at 323.
However, a party opposing
summary judgment “‘may not rest upon the mere allegation or denials of his pleading,
but . . . must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial,’ and
‘must present affirmative evidence in order to defeat a properly supported motion for
summary judgment.’” Ingrassia, 825 F.3d at 896 (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256–
57). “[T]he nonmoving party must ‘do more than simply show that there is some
metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.’” Conseco Life Ins. Co. v. Williams, 620
8
F.3d 902, 910 (8th Cir. 2010) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., v. Zenith Radio
Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986)). Self-serving affidavits alone cannot defeat a properly
supported motion for summary judgment. Conolly v. Clark, 457 F.3d 872, 876 (8th Cir.
2006). Rather, a plaintiff “must substantiate [self-serving] allegations with sufficient
probative evidence that would permit a finding in the plaintiff’s favor.” Davidson &
Assocs. v. Jung, 422 F.3d 630, 638 (8th Cir. 2005). Summary judgment is also proper
where the non-moving party fails “‘to make a showing sufficient to establish the
existence of an element essential to that party’s case . . . .’” Walz, 779 F.3d at 844
(quoting Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322).
B. Evidentiary Objections
Meyer raised a series of boilerplate objections to the evidence that Magistrate
Judge Bowbeer considered when recounting the facts of this case. (See R&R at 3–4 n.1–
4; Pl.’s Objs. to Mag. Judge Bowbeer [Doc. No. 519].) However, these objections—
which Magistrate Judge Bowbeer recommended be overruled—were cursory and
contained no substantive analysis or argument. (See R&R at 3–4 n.1–4; Pl.’s Objs. to
Mag. Judge Bowbeer.) In his Objections to the R&R, Meyer now tries to bolster these
evidentiary objections with additional arguments. (See Objs. at 4–6.) Meyer may not
raise arguments and issues with this Court that he did not clearly present to Magistrate
Judge Bowbeer. See Ridenour v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharm., Inc., 679 F.3d 1062,
1067 (8th Cir. 2012); Hammann v. 1-800 Ideas.com, Inc., 455 F. Supp. 2d 942, 947–48
(D. Minn. 2006).
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Furthermore, even considering the substance of these new arguments, the Court
finds them to be without merit. Meyer’s new arguments fall into two categories. First,
he contends that some of the evidence is unreliable because it contains information he
believes is inaccurate, “assumes facts not in evidence,” or is irrelevant. (Objs. at 4–5.)
Meyer claims that he has submitted evidence to support these objections, but does not
point to any in the record. (See Objs. at 4.) Meyer’s bald assertions—and even selfserving affidavits—cannot defeat Defendants’ properly supported Motions for Summary
Judgment. See Conolly, 457 F.3d at 876.
Moreover, some of Meyer’s assertions are simply incorrect. For instance, he
believes the state court opinions regarding A. Lindsay’s guardianship over J.M. are
irrelevant because “[t]he allegations against the Defendants all took place prior” to those
proceedings. (Objs. at 5.) However, this position is directly contradicted by the fact that
the state court guardianship proceedings dealt with the exact same factual circumstances
on which Meyer’s current claims are based—the appointment of A. Lindsay as J.M.’s
guardian in 2012. (See, e.g., FAC at ¶¶ 469–75, 622–32, 695–99.)
Second, some of Meyer’s evidentiary objections are premised on the validity of
his legal arguments concerning the constitutionality of Minnesota’s guardianship laws.
(See Objs. at 4.) As described below, Meyer’s legal theories are incorrect and thus these
objections lack merit.
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C. Objections Related to Meyer’s Constitutional Challenges
1. Minnesota’s Guardian and Custodianship Statutes
Meyer claims that the R&R’s analysis of his constitutional challenge to
Minnesota’s guardianship statutes was incomplete because it did not consider Minn. Stat.
§ 257B et seq. (Objs. at 6–7.) These statutes set the procedures for designating a
custodian for a minor. See Minn. Stat. § 257B et seq. Meyer admits that he never cited
or referenced Minn. Stat. § 257B in his First Amended Complaint. (See Objs. at 6.) He
now argues that these statutes are unconstitutional because they allow for custodians to
be appointed without notice to the non-designating parent or court “oversight.” (Id. at 7.)
Meyer’s challenge to Minnesota’s custodianship statutes fails as a matter of law
for at least two reasons. First, Meyer lacks standing to bring his challenge—and this
Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over his claim—because there is no connection
between the injuries he allegedly suffered and the custodianship statutes. See Hughes v.
City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 840 F.3d 987, 992 (8th Cir. 2016) (holding that Article III
standing requires, in relevant part, “a sufficient causal connection between the injury and
the conduct complained of”).
A. Lindsay initially assumed guardianship over J.M.
pursuant to the appointment contained in V.M.’s will and by operation of Minn. Stat. §
524.5-202, not the Designation Agreement or any of Minnesota’s custodianship statutes.
He was later appointed as J.M.’s temporary guardian by the district court pursuant to
Minn. Stat. § 524.5-204(b). Since the custodianship statutes found in Minn. Stat. § 257B
played no part in this process, Meyer lacks standing, and this Court lacks subject matter
jurisdiction to consider his claim.
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Second, Meyer’s claims lack legal merit. A properly designated custodian gains
the authority to act for the child only after a “triggering event” (e.g., the designating
parent’s death, incapacitation, debilitation, etc.) and upon court approval of the
designation.
See Minn. Stat. § 257B.06, subd. 1, 4.
Before a court approves a
custodian’s designation, the non-designating parent must be given notice. Minn. Stat. §
257B.05, subd. 2. Moreover, “[t]he commencement of a co-custodian’s or custodian’s
authority . . . does not, by itself, divest a parent or legal custodian of any parental or
custodial rights.” Minn. Stat. § 257B.06, subd. 5. Meyer presents no authority, nor can
the Court find any, that suggests these procedures are constitutionally deficient.
Moreover, even assuming that the Designation Agreement was ineffective, because it did
not contain a triggering event or because Meyer was never given notice of the document,
this fact is irrelevant to his claims because A. Lindsay assumed custody over J.M. based
on the guardianship appointment in V.M.’s will, not the Designation Agreement or
Minnesota’s custodianship statutes.
To the extent that Meyer objects to the R&R’s analysis of his due process
challenge to Minnesota’s guardianship statutes, those objections are without merit.
Minnesota allows a parent to appoint a guardian for his/her child by will. Minn. Stat. §
524.5-202(a). That appointment is effective upon the parent’s death. Minn. Stat. §
524.5-202(c). However, within thirty days, the guardian must file a notice of acceptance
of appointment with the court, a process that requires notice be given to the nonappointing parent and any other person having care and custody over the minor. Minn.
Stat. § 524.5-202(d). That notice must include a statement concerning the right of those
12
notified to terminate the appointment. Id. Until the court confirms the appointment, the
non-appointing parent may terminate the appointment by simply filing written objections.
Minn. Stat. § 524.5-203. The filing of such objections is considered a petition to appoint
an emergency or temporary guardian. See id.; Minn. Stat. § 524.5-204 (describing the
procedures for the appointment of an emergency or temporary guardian).
The process just described is precisely what Meyer experienced, with the minor
exception that the state probate court initially failed to recognize that Meyer’s objection
to A. Lindsay’s appointment terminated it by operation of law—an error that was quickly
remedied on appeal. See supra Part I. Meyer offers no authority, and the Court cannot
find any, that supports his contention that this process is constitutionally deficient.
2. Minnesota’s Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
Meyer challenges the procedures used to determine whether a state court may
exercise continuing jurisdiction over a child custody matter under Minn. Stat. §
518D.202(a). (FAC at ¶ 545.C.) Meyer claims that this statutory provision violates the
Equal Protection Clause because it allows courts to accept “weak” evidence, such as
affidavits. (Id.) The R&R recommended dismissing this claim because § 518D.202(a)
did not create any suspect classifications and thus did not implicate equal protection
concerns. (R&R at 26–27.) Meyer now objects that the R&R is “incomplete” because he
was “treated differently from the rest.” (Objs. at 7.) Meyer makes no effort to explain
how he was treated differently from anyone else or how Minn. Stat. § 518D.202(a) was
used to treat him unequally. Meyer’s objection is therefore overruled and the Court
13
adopts the thorough analysis of the R&R in rejecting his constitutional challenge to this
statute.
D. Objections Related to Alleged Fact Disputes
Meyer argues that the R&R improperly decided issues he sees as disputed
questions of fact that should be resolved by a jury. (See Objs. at 8–11.) Primarily, Meyer
contends that there are fact disputes related to whether equitable tolling might save many
of his claims that are otherwise time-barred. (See id. at 8–9.) The R&R rejected Meyer’s
arguments related to equitable tolling because he failed to show that he diligently pursued
his claims, or that Defendants made any efforts to conceal those claims from him. (R&R
at 8–10, 11.) The failure to produce competent, admissible evidence is distinct from
those situations where such evidence creates a fact question. Meyer’s failure to produce
evidence that supports equitable tolling—such as false or misleading statements by
Defendants, or matters outside his control that prevented him from discovering his
claims—is fatal at this stage of litigation and requires that his time-barred claims be
dismissed. See Ingrassia, 825 F.3d at 896; Walz, 779 F.3d at 844; Henderson v. Ford
Motor Co., 403 F.3d 1026, 1033 (8th Cir. 2005). This Court previously addressed
Meyer’s similar arguments related to equitable tolling and incorporates that reasoning by
reference. (See August 5 Order at 13–15.)
III.
ORDER
Based on the submissions and the entire file and proceedings herein, IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED that:
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1. Plaintiff’s Objection to the Magistrate’s Report and Recommendation [Doc No.
525] is OVERRULED.
2. The Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated May 26,
2017 [Doc. No. 524] is ADOPTED.
3. Defendant Ekola’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 448] is GRANTED.
4. Defendants Allan and Diane Lindsay’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No.
503] is GRANTED.
5. All claims against J. Does 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 47, 53,
54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75,
76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, and 91 are DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m).
6. The Report & Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer dated December 19,
2016 [Doc. No. 435] is ADOPTED.
7. All claims against Defendant Jean Peterson are DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE.
8. Plaintiff’s Objection [Doc. No. 444] to the Order of Magistrate Judge Bowbeer
dated December 15, 2016 is DENIED AS MOOT.
9. The Order of December 15, 2016 [Doc. No. 434] is AFFIRMED.
LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY.
Dated: September 13, 2017
s/Susan Richard Nelson
SUSAN RICHARD NELSON
United States District Judge
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