Nwabue v. Suny at Buffalo/University Medical Services et al

Filing 22

DECISION AND ORDER GRANTING Plaintiff's Motion to Vacate with respect to the addition of University Medical Resident Services, P.C. and DENYING it in all other respects; GRANTING Plaintiff's 17 Motion for Leave to File a Missing "Exh ibit A" ; DENYING Plaintiff's 18 Motion that the Clerk Certify Fact to the U.S. Attorney General as irrelevant to this action; GRANTING Plaintiff's 19 Motion for Leave to File an Affirmation; DIRECTING the Clerk of the Court to re- open this case; GRANTING Plaintiff Leave to File an Amended Complaint against only UMRS within 30 days of the date of this Order; AMENDING this Court's prior 14 Decision and Order consistent with the foregoing analysis; DIRECTING, the Clerk of the Court, upon the filing of an Amended Complaint to cause the United States Marshal Service to serve copies of the summons and the Amended Complaint on University Medical Resident Services, P.C., without requiring payment from Plaintiff. Signed by William M. Skretny, Chief Judge U.S.D.C. on 12/12/2011. (MEAL)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

ROGERS NWABUE,
Plaintiff,

v.

DECISION AND ORDER
10-CV-163S

SUNY AT BUFFALO/UNIVERSITY
MEDICAL SERVICES,
Defendant.

1.

Pro se Plaintiff, Rogers Nwabue, a former medical school resident at the

State University of New York at Buffalo Medical School (“UB”), presently brings four
motions before this Court. Nwabue styles his claims for relief as seeking (1) to vacate this
Court’s previous Decision and Order, which granted Defendant UB’s Motion to Dismiss
(Docket No. 14); (2) leave to file an Exhibit; (3) that the “Clerk Certify Fact to the U.S.
Attorney General”; and (4) Leave to File an Affirmation. For the following reasons,
Nwabue’s motion to vacate is granted in part and denied in part, his motion to file an exhibit
and an affirmation is granted, and his motion to “certify fact” is denied.
2.

By way of background, on March 1, 2010, Nwabue brought suit against four

defendants alleging that they discriminated against him in violation of the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq. (“ADEA”) and New York
Human Rights Law §§ 290-297. (Docket No. 1.) He defined those defendants as follows:
SUNY at Buffalo/University Medical Services, John Yeh, M.D., Roseanne Berger, M.D.,
and Jane Harszlak, Ph.D. (Id.) On April 12, 2010, the Honorable Richard J. Arcara

dismissed the individual defendants from this action. (Decision and Order, Docket No. 3.)
Subsequently, on November 1, 2011, this Court granted UB’s motion to dismiss for lack
of subject matter jurisdiction on sovereign immunity grounds. (Docket No. 14.)
3.

Cognizant of the distinct disadvantage that pro se litigants face, this Court has

read Nwabue’s submissions carefully and liberally, and has interpreted them to raise the
strongest arguments that they suggest. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.
Ct. 594, 30 L. Ed. 2d 652 (1972); Burgos v. Hopkins, 14 F.3d 787, 790 (2d Cir. 1994)
Accordingly, this Court construes Nwabue’s motion to vacate as an application under
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“Fed R. Civ. P.”) 59(e) and 60(b). See Gonzalez v. Lee,
No. 10 Civ. 3366, 2011 WL 5825766, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 15, 2011) (noting that motions
for reconsideration may be brought pursuant to Rules 59(e) and 60(b)).
3.

A motion for reconsideration is appropriate under Rule 59(e) when the

moving party believes that the court overlooked important “matters or controlling decisions”
that would have influenced the prior decision. Shamis v. Ambassador Factors Corp., 187
F.R.D. 148, 151 (S.D.N.Y. 1999). Reconsideration is not a proper tool to repackage and
relitigate arguments and issues already considered by the court in deciding the original
motion. See United States v. Gross, No. 98–CR–0159, 2002 WL 32096592, at *4 (E.D.N.Y.
Dec. 5, 2002). Nor is it proper to raise new arguments and issues. See Lehmuller v. Inc.
Vill. of Sag Harbor, 982 F. Supp. 132, 135 (E.D.N.Y. 1997). Reconsideration may only be
granted when the Court did not evaluate decisions or data that might reasonably be
expected to alter the conclusion reached by the Court. See Wechsler v. Hunt Health Sys.,
186 F. Supp. 2d 402, 410 (S.D.N.Y. 2002).
4.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b) provides relief from a judgment for, inter alia, mistakes,
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inadvertence, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, and fraud. Rule 60(b)
provides “extraordinary judicial relief” that is “invoked only upon a showing of exceptional
circumstances.” Nemaizer v. Baker, 793 F.2d 58, 61 (2d Cir. 1986). Accordingly, granting
Rule 60(b) relief is “disfavored.” Empresa Cubana Del Tabaco v. Gen. Cigar Co., 385 Fed.
Appx. 29, 31 (2d Cir. 2010). Strict application of these rules also “prevent[s] the practice
of a losing party examining a decision and then plugging the gaps of the lost motion with
additional matters.” Polar Int'l Brokerage Corp. v. Reeve, 120 F. Supp. 2d 267, 268-69
(S.D.N.Y.2000). The moving party may not use a motion for reconsideration to advance
new facts, arguments, or theories that were available, but not previously presented to the
Court. See Graham v. Sullivan, No. 86 Civ. 163, 2002 WL 31175181, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Sept.
23, 2002); Leonard v. Lowe's Home Ctrs., Inc., No. 00 Civ. 9585, 2002 WL 548745, at *2
(S.D.N.Y. April 12, 2002).
5.

As an intitial matter, Nwabue’s motion with respect to Judge Arcara’s April

12, 2010 Order is denied as untimely. Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 59(e), a motion seeking to
alter a judgment must be filed within 28 days of the judgment. Further, under Fed. R. Civ.
P. 60(c)(1), a motion seeking relief from an order on the grounds of mistake, newly
discovered evidence, or fraud must be filed within a reasonable time, but no longer than
a year. Because Nwabue filed this motion on November 14, 2011, more than a year after
Judge Arcara’s April 2010 decision, it is denied for failure to comply with each Rule’s
temporal limitations. Further, even if this Court considered the merits of Nwabue’s motion,
it would fail. Nwabue points to no facts that warrant such a remedy, and this Court will not
reconsider issues already briefed, examined, and decided simply because Nwabue is
dissatisfied with the decision. See Nemaizer, 793 F.2d at 61.
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6.

However, Nwabue’s motion is timely with respect to this Court’s October 31,

2011 Decision. As noted above, in that Decision, this Court granted UB’s motion to dismiss
for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Nwabue argues that this Court erred in finding that
UB was protected by the precepts of sovereign immunity. In his motion, however, Nwabue
merely re-asserts his contention that Congress abrogated state sovereign immunity for
ADEA claims. Like his initial opposition to UB’s motion to dismiss, Nwabue is unable to
point to any authority that casts doubt on the Supreme Court’s clear ruling in Kimel v.
Florida Board of Regents, 528 U.S. 62, 120 S. Ct. 631, 145 L. Ed. 2d 522 (2000), which
held that Congress does not have the power to strip state’s of their sovereign immunity in
the context of alleged ADEA violations. His motion on this ground amounts to an appeal
and is therefore denied. See Nemaizer, 793 F.2d at 61.
7.

In his motion to vacate, Nwabue also seeks to reinstate his state law claims

against UB. However, because this Court’s previous decision – finding that UB cannot be
sued under the ADEA – remains in effect, this Court, under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3)
declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Nwabue’s state law claims as to UB.
See United Mine Workers of Am. v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715, 726, 86 S. Ct. 1130, 16 L. Ed.
2d 218 (1966) (“Certainly, if the federal claims are dismissed before trial, . . . the state
claims should be dismissed as well.”). Therefore, his motion on this ground is also denied.1
8.

Nwabue also claims that the “real party of interest,” is not UB but University

Medical Resident Services, P.C. (“UMRS”). Although it is unclear in his complaint and

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Nwabue has m ade no showing that this action belongs in federal court on diversity grounds. See
Herrick Co. Inc., v. SCS Com m c’ns, Inc., 251 F. 3d 315, 324 (2d Cir. 2001) (“[T]he party invoking diversity
jurisdiction continues to bear . . . the burden of persuasion in establishing specific initial dom iciles that
support the existence of diversity jurisdiction.”)

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moving papers, it appears that UMRS is a separate entity from UB.2 On August 27, 2008,
Nwabue and UMRS entered into a “Medical Resident Employment Agreement”
(“Agreement”). (Docket No. 17.) This Agreement, brought to this Court’s attention for the
first time through Nwabue‘s “Motion for Leave to File Missing ‘Exhibit A’,” filed November
14, 2011, details Nwabue’s rights and responsibilities as a resident in “UB’s resident
training program directed by the UB Program Director.” (See Agreement, p. 1.) Despite
referring throughout his complaint to a singular “Defendant,” it appears that Nwabue has
now realized that these two entities (UB and UMRS) are indeed distinct. Nwabue now
argues that his claim was not meant to be lodged against UB and UMS as one body, but
against UB and UMS separately. His argument, while certainly late, is not entirely without
merit: in his form ADEA complaint, Nwabue specifically named “SUNY at Buffalo/University
Medical Services” as a party. Of course, this is not UMRS’ proper title and Nwabue
improperly combined these two entities. But it is plausible that he meant to include UMRS
as a separate party, especially considering the new evidence demonstrating Nwabue and
UMRS had a contractual relationship.
9.

Because of the confusion fostered by Nwabue in combining these two

entities, Judge Arcara, in his April 2010 Decision, ordered the United States Marshal to
serve copies of the summons and complaint upon UB alone. Therefore, UMRS was never
served with a summons and complaint. Nwabue presumably remained confused about the
2

It appears that Nwabue rem ains confused about the relationship between UMRS and UB, and he
provides no definitive evidence that they are distinct. However, this Court has previously treated these two
entities as separate and each party has previously acknowledged this fact. See, e.g., Nayak v. Pivarunas,
No. 07 Civ. 248, 2011 W L 917387 at *1, n. 4 (W .D.N.Y. Mar. 15, 2011). According to papers filed by
UMRS in that case, it is a professional service corporation which serves as the form al em ployer of
residents enrolled in training program s sponsored by UB. Id.

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relationship between UMRS and UB, and never raised any objections when UMRS was not
served. Consequently, UB was the only party to respond and, after granting its motion to
dismiss, this Court closed the case.
10.

In the light of the above, Nwabue seeks to re-open his case and assert his

ADEA and New York Human Rights claims against UMRS. Although the post-judgment
relief that Nwabue seeks has been called “extraordinary” and is only granted upon a
showing of “exceptional circumstances,” see Nemaizer, 793 F.2d at 61, this is not an
ordinary set of events. In fact, since UB’s dismissal from the case will remain, granting
Nwabue’s motion will essentially have the limited effect of tolling the statute of limitations
on his claim against UMRS. Therefore, considering Nwabue’s pro se status, and the
Second Circuit’s preference for determining disputes on the merits, Nwabue’s motion for
reconsideration with respect to adding UMRS as a party is granted. See, e.g., Shah v. New
York State Dep’t. of Civil Serv., 168 F.3d 610, 615 (2d Cir. 1999) (considering the effect
of default, the court noted the preference in this Circuit for district courts to reach judgment
on the merits).
11.

Further, throughout his complaint, Nwabue indiscriminately refers to a

“Defendant.” Thus, for a significant portion of the complaint, it is unclear about whom he
intends to refer when making allegations. This has two consequences: first, it means that
this Court cannot, at this stage, conclude that Nwabue has not stated a claim against
UMRS – if he means to include UMRS under this broad heading of “Defendant,” then a
claim against it can proceed; second, it means that Nwabue has not complied with Fed R.
Civ. P. 8(a)(2).
12.

Fed R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) is intended “to give the adverse party fair notice of the
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claim asserted so as to enable him to answer and prepare for trial,” and to avoid
“[u]nnecessary prolixity in a pleading [that] places an unjustified burden on the court and
the party who must respond to it[.]’” Salhuddin v. Cuomo, 861 F.2d 40, 42 (2d Cir. 1988)
(quoting 5 Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 1281
at 365 (1969)). Because Nwabue has not identified defendants with any particularity, or
even mentioned UMRS in the body of his complaint, he has failed to meet this burden.
Considering Nwabue’s pro se status once again, this Court will grant Nwabue leave to file
an amended complaint – naming only UMRS as a defendant – to clarify these matters. If
filed, the amended complaint must comply with the requirements of Rule 8(a)(2) or become
subject to dismissal with prejudice.
***
IT HEREBY IS ORDERED, Plaintiff’s Motion to Vacate (Docket No. 16) is
GRANTED with respect to the addition of University Medical Resident Services, P.C. as
a party and DENIED in all other respects.
FURTHER, that Plaintiff’s motion for Leave to File a Missing “Exhibit A” (Docket No.
17) is GRANTED.
FURTHER, that Plaintiff’s Motion that the Clerk Certify Fact to the U.S. Attorney
General (Docket No. 18) is DENIED as irrelevant to this action.
FURTHER, that Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to File an Affirmation (Docket No. 19)
is GRANTED.
FURTHER, that the Clerk of the Court shall re-open this case.
FURTHER, that Plaintiff is granted Leave to File an Amended Complaint against
only UMRS within 30 days of the date of this Order.
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FURTHER, that this Court’s prior Decision and Order (Docket No. 14) is amended
consistent with the foregoing analysis.
FURTHER, that if Plaintiff files an Amended Complaint, because he is proceeding
in forma pauperis, the Clerk of the Court is directed to cause the United States Marshal
Service to serve copies of the summons and the Amended Complaint on University
Medical Resident Services, P.C., without requiring payment from Plaintiff.
SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 12, 2011
Buffalo, New York
/s/William M. Skretny
WILLIAM M. SKRETNY
Chief Judge
United States District Court

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