Sultaana v. Corrigan et al

Filing 295

Order: Defendants' motion to revoke Plaintiff Sultaana's IFP status and declare him a vexatious litigator (ECF Doc. 201 ) is DENIED. The defendants' motion for an extension of time to file response/reply (ECF Doc. 252 ) is G RANTED. Plaintiff's motions to terminate and suspend deposition (ECF Doc. 233 ), compel Jerman (ECF Doc. 235 ); strike all of the defendants' filings after October 18, 2019 (ECF Doc. 237 ); strike attachment number 2 to document 232 ( ECF Doc. 238 ); strike document 229 (ECF Doc. 240 ); provide a photograph of Williamson (ECF Doc. 263 ); order that he be allowed to wear civilian clothing (ECF Doc. 264 ); ordering Lebanon Correctional Institution to provide him with special l aw library access (ECF Doc. 272 ); motion for reconsideration (ECF Doc. 288 ); and motion to strike the defendants' notice of intent to use his deposition (ECF Doc. 291 ) are DENIED. Plaintiff's motion for the clerk to forward him a cop y of the subpoena order (ECF Doc. 284 ) is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to send Plaintiff Sultaana a copy of the subpoena order (ECF Doc 258 ) to Sultaana when it sends him a copy of this order. IT IS SO ORDERED. Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Parker on 11/27/2019. (D,JJ)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
HAKEEM SULTAANA,
Plaintiff,
v.
JOHN JERMAN, et al.,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No. 1:15-cv-382
JUDGE DONALD C. NUGENT
MAGISTRATE JUDGE
THOMAS M. PARKER

ORDER

Yet again, several motions are before the court. These include: (1) defendants John
Jerman and Richard Williamson’s “motion to revoke [in forma pauperis (“IFP”)] status [and]
declare [Sultaana] vexatious” (ECF Doc. 201); (2) plaintiff Hakeem Sultaana’s “motion to
terminate and suspend deposition” (ECF Doc. 233); (3) Sultaana’s “motion to compel” defendant
Jerman to be sworn under oath in Sultaana’s presence at deposition (ECF Doc. 235); (4)
Sultaana’s “motion to strike all of defendants’ filings filed on or after October 18, 2019, for lack
of service” (ECF Doc 237); (5) Sultaana’s “motion to strike attachment number 2 pertaining to
document number 232” (a copy of the proposed joint notice that defendants attached to their
October 24, 2019, status report) (ECF Doc. 238); (6) Sultaana’s “motion to strike defendants
document 229 [October 24, 2019, status report] for lack of service and scandalous matters” (ECF
Doc. 240); (7) the defendants’ “motion for extension of time until 11/18/19 to file response/reply
to 238 motion to strike, 237 motion to strike” (ECF Doc. 252); (8) Sultaana’s “motion to provide
true identity of defendant Richard Williamson via photograph” (ECF Doc. 263); (9) Sultaana’s

“motion for order for civilian clothing” (ECF Doc. 264); (10) Sultaana’s “emergency motion for
non-party Lebanon Correctional Institution to provide Sultaana access to law library to prepare
trial brief” (ECF Doc. 272); (11) Sultaana’s “motion for clerk to forward document number 258”
(ECF Doc. 284); (12) Sultaana’s “emergency motion for reconsideration and motion to vacate
this court’s November 25, 2019, order” (ECF Doc. 288); and (12) Sultaana’s “motion to strike
defendant’s notice of intent to use the deposition at trial” (ECF Doc. 291)
I.

Motion to Revoke IFP Status and Declare Vexatious
The defendants argue that the court should revoke Sultaana’s IFP status and declare him a

vexatious litigator. ECF Doc. 201 at 4-7. They assert that the court should revoke Sultaana’s
IFP status and dismiss his case “immediately” because: (1) his motion for summary judgment
(ECF Doc. 199) and petition for writ of mandamus (ECF Doc. 200) are frivolous filings; and
(2) he “has filed before in federal court and lost.” ECF Doc. 201 at 4-5. Further, the defendants
ask that the court declare Sultaana a vexatious litigator and bar him from filing any action or
document in federal court “[t]o stem Plaintiff’s tide of pro se litigation.” ECF Doc. 201 at 6.
The defendants note that: (1) retired Magistrate Judge Greg White barred Sultaana as a vexatious
litigator from making additional filings in a habeas case; (2) the Ohio Court of Appeals and the
Ohio Supreme Court have both declared Sultaana a vexatious litigator and barred him from filing
new actions without approval; and (3) other judges have warned Sultaana against a pattern of
frivolous, unintelligible, and unnecessary filings. ECF Doc. 201 at 5. The defendants conclude
that “[i]t is unbelievable that [Sultaana] has been repeatedly declared vexatious by multiple
judges of this district, and panels of the Sixth Circuit, yet he is allowed to perpetually file
frivolous submission and writs at no cost to him.” ECF Doc. 201 at 7.

2

Sultaana responds that the defendants’ motion should be denied because the Sixth Circuit
found that his claim against Jerman and Williamson was not frivolous and granted him leave to
proceed IFP. ECF Doc. 215 at 2. Further, Sultaana contends that the defendants have not
pointed any frivolous filings that would support revoking his IFP status and declaring him
vexatious. ECF Doc. 215 at 2. Specifically, Sultaana asserts that: (1) his motion for summary
judgment was not frivolous because it was filed pursuant to the now-vacated scheduling order;
and (2) his petition for writ of mandamus cannot be said to have been dismissed as frivolous
because it is still pending before the Sixth Circuit. ECF Doc. 215 at 2-5.
A.

Revocation of IFP Status

Federal courts “have long been authorized to revoke a prisoner’s ability to proceed in
forma pauperis upon determining that the litigant was taking unfair advantage of IFP
procedures.” Wilson v. Yaklich, 148 F.3d 596, 603 (6th Cir. 1998). The Prison Litigation
Reform Act (“PLRA”) made the exercise of this authority mandatory in one scenario: when “the
prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought
an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it
[was] frivolous, malicious, or fail[ed] to state a claim . . .” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g); see also Wilson,
148 F.3d at 603 (stating that the PLRA “merely codifie[d]” federal courts’ existing authority).
The defendants have not pointed to any “actions or appeals” by Sultaana, which would
support revocation of his IFP status under § 1915(g). Here, Sultaana’s motion for summary
judgment is not an action or an appeal. Even if his motion for summary judgment were an
action, however, Sultaana filed it when he believed – based on an order by this court – that this
court would entertain summary judgment motions. See ECF Doc. 172 (vacated order setting a
deadline for dispositive motions). Sultaana’s pending mandamus petition also does not qualify

3

as a strike under § 1915(g), because it has not been dismissed at all, let alone dismissed as
frivolous, malicious, or for failure to state a claim. CM/ECF for 6th Cir. Case No. 19-3911.
Finally, the fact that Sultaana has “lost” in federal court before does not, on its own, justify such
a severe sanction as revoking IFP status or dismissing a case. Cf. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) (omitting
an language requiring a court to revoke IFP status when a plaintiff has “lost” cases). And it
would be bizarre for this court to restrict an indigent plaintiff merely for losing a case.
Independent review of Sultaana’s other activities before this court and the Sixth Circuit
also does not clearly indicate three strikes justifying revocation of Sultaana’s IFP status.
Sultaana has filed six petitions for habeas corpus, along with related appeals and mandamus
petitions. CM/ECF for N.D. Ohio Case Nos. 1:12-cv-3117, 1:14-cv-1235, 1:14-cv-1382, 1:15cv-1963, 1:16-cv-571, 1:16-cv-2884; CM/ECF for 6th Cir. Case Nos. 13-4127, 15-3051, 163388, 16-3301, 16-3299, 18-3425, 16-3146, 16-3414, 18-3424, 18-3812, 19-3252. Of those, two
were dismissed for failure to state a claim under Habeas Rule 4 (Case Nos. 1:12-v-3117 and
1:14-cv-1235); one was dismissed as improvidently filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (Case No.
1:14-cv-1382); two were dismissed for failure to exhaust state remedies (Case Nos. 1:15-cv-1963
and 1:16-cv-571); and one was dismissed because the claims it raised were non-cognizable or
procedurally defaulted (Case No. 1:16-cv-2884). The Court of appeals denied a certificate of
appealability in each case, except for the appeal from the dismissal of Sultaana’s § 2241 petition
which was dismissed for want of prosecution. CM/ECF for 6th Cir. Case Nos. 13-4127, 153051, 16-3388, 16-3301, 16-3299, 18-3425. Sultaana has also filed two other civil actions,
which were dismissed under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A for failure to state a claim. CM/ECF for N.D.
Ohio Case Nos. 1:17-cv-2501 and 1:18-cv-67; see also CM/ECF for 6th Cir. Case Nos. 18-3008
and 19-3373 (dismissing Sultaana’s appeals for want of prosecution).

4

It is clear that Sultaana’s civil actions – N.D. Ohio Case Nos. 1:17-cv-2501 and 1:18-cv67 – are both strikes under § 1915(g) because they were dismissed for failure to state a claim.
Less clear is whether any of Sultaana’s previous habeas dismissals qualify as strikes. See Moore
v. Dewiltz, No. 3:19-cv-1329, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 151386, at *2-3 (N.D. Ohio, Aug. 23,
2019) (“[A]t least three district-court decisions in this Circuit have indicated that habeas
dismissals cannot be strikes. Sedlak v. Holder, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18021 (E.D. Mich. 2015);
Daniel v. Lafler, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65190 (E.D. Mich. 2009); and Cohen v. Corr. Corp. of
Am., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93459 (N.D. Ohio 2009). So have the Courts of Appeals of several
other Circuits. See, e.g., Jones v. Smith, 720 F.3d 142, 146 (2d Cir. 2013). This Court
respectfully disagrees.”). Luckily, this Court need not take a position regarding the ostensible
conflict within this court on whether habeas dismissals count as strikes because the defendants
have not argued that point. See Glidden Co. v. Kinsella, 386 F. App’x 535, 544 & n.2 (6th Cir.
2010) (indicating that arguments not raised before a magistrate judge are waived). In the
absence of controlling authority on this issue, the court will defer to caution – in favor of
Sultaana’s access to the courts and against the extraordinary sanction of declaring him a threestrikes violator – and will assume that Sultaana’s habeas dismissals do not count as strikes under
§ 1915(g). Thus, the defendants’ motion to revoke Sultaana’s IFP status (ECF Doc. 201) is
DENIED.
B.

Vexatious Status

“A district court has ‘inherent authority’ to impose sanctions based on a litigant’s bad
faith, contemptuous conduct, and conduct that ‘abuses the judicial process.’” Bonds v. Daley,
No. 18-5666, 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 14863, at *8 (6th Cir., May 17, 2019) (citing First Bank of
Marietta v. Hartford Underwriters Ins., 307 F.3d 501, 516 (6th Cir. 2002), and Chambers v.

5

NASCO, Inc., 501 U.S. 32, 44-45 (1991)). Among the available sanctions are: (1) dismissal of
the lawsuit; and (2) “an injunctive order to prevent prolific litigants from filing harassing and
vexatious pleadings.” Id. (citing Chambers, 501 U.S. at 45; Feathers v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc.,
141 F.3d 264, 269 (6th Cir. 1998); and Filipas v. Lemons, 835 F.2d 1145, 1146 (6th Cir. 1987).
The court recognizes that other courts have declared Sultaana a vexatious litigator in
other cases. See, e.g., Sultaana v. Sloan, No. 1:16-cv-2884, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70410 (N.D.
Ohio, April 26, 2018); Sultaana v. Sloan, No. 1:15-cv-1963, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24623 (N.D.
Ohio, Feb. 17, 2016); In re Sultaana, 36 N.E.3d 188 (Ohio 2015). Nevertheless, previous
declarations and restrictions to Sultaana’s filing status in other cases do not, alone, provide a
good reason for declaring Sultaana a vexatious litigator in this case or any future case. The
defendants must point to some justification within this case – such as a harassing or malicious
motion. Cf. Bonds v. Daley, 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 14863, at *8. Yet, they have not. See ECF
Doc. 201 at 6-7. The only “justification” internal to this case that the defendants have identified
in their motion is Sultaana’s pro se status. See ECF Doc. 201 (“To stem Plaintiff’s tide of pro se
litigation . . .”). Was this apostrophe correctly placed? Surely, the defendants cannot mean that
every indigent litigant who represents himself should be declared a vexatious litigator. And,
although Sultaana has made a stunning number of filings after the remand from the court of
appeals, the court is – and must be – more tolerant than what defendants propose. 1 At this time,
the defendants have not presented a compelling reason why the court should exercise its
discretion to impose such an extreme sanction as declaring Sultaana vexatious and restricting his

1

The court notes that pro se litigants can actually be quite effective. For example, in 1978, Samuel Sloan
argued pro se before the U.S. Supreme Court, with Harvey Pitt as opposing counsel on behalf of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. See SEC v. Sloan, 436 U.S. 103 (1978). In a 9-0 decision, the
Supreme Court ruled in Sloan’s favor. Id.

6

ability to file. 2 Accordingly, the defendants’ motion to declare Sultaana a vexatious litigator
(ECF Doc. 201) is DENIED.
II.

Motions Related to October 25, 2019, Deposition
Next, are Sultaana’s motions related to the October 25, 2019, deposition – his “motion to

terminate and suspend deposition” (ECF Doc. 233), “motion to compel” Jerman to be sworn
under oath in Sultaana’s presence at deposition (ECF Doc. 235); and “motion to provide true
identity of defendant Richard Williamson via photograph” (ECF Doc. 263). In his motion to
terminate and suspend the deposition, Sultaana alleges that the defendants acted in bad faith and
“oppress[ed]” him by: (1) refusing to be sworn under oath in his presence; (2) objecting to his
deposition questions; and (3) refusing to show Williamson’s face during the deposition. ECF
Doc. 233 at 1-3; ECF Doc. 235; ECF Doc. 263. Further, Sultaana asserts that the no joint notice
of deposition was filed because the defendants refused to communicate with him. ECF Doc. 233
at 2. Sultaana asks that the court order that: (1) the deposition may be continued; (2) Jerman be
compelled to be sworn under oath in Sultaana’s presence and to answer Sultaana’s questions
about his exhibits; and (3) the defendants be required to produce a photograph of Williamson to
prove Williamson’s identity. ECF Doc. 233 at 2-3; ECF Doc. 235; ECF Doc. 263. 3
The defendants respond that Sultaana’s motions should be denied because: (1) the failure
to file a joint notice was due to Sultaana’s limited availability and lack of cooperation;
(2) Jerman and Williamson appeared for deposition and were sworn in by the court reporter;

2

Sultana is already on notice that malicious filings will not be tolerated, given his prior designations as a
vexatious litigator.
3
Sultaana also claims that the defendants told him that they would not provide him a copy of the
deposition transcript, and that the court reporter would provide it only after he pays the fee. ECF Doc.
233 at 2. He requests that the court order the parties to stipulate to the custody of the deposition
transcripts. ECF Doc. 233 at 3. The Court addressed the issue of deposition transcript fees in its
November 15, 2019, order. See ECF Doc. 265 (explaining that, if Sultaana wishes to obtain a copy of the
transcripts, he must pay the court reporter’s fee).

7

(3) Sultaana did not produce supplemental documents as ordered or identify the documents he
wished to use at deposition; and (4) Sultaana voluntarily terminated the deposition of Williamson
before the purported video issue (causing Sultaana to not be able to see Williamson) could be
resolved. ECF Doc. 239 at 1-2.
The gravamen of Sultaana’s motion is that he wishes to have another opportunity to
depose the defendants. This would require modification of the scheduling order, setting the
deadline for depositions. See ECF Doc. 214. And to persuade this court to grant such a motion,
Sultaana must show good cause. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4) (“A schedule may be modified
only for good cause and with the judge’s consent.”).
Sultaana has not met this burden. To begin, any defect in the notice of deposition is
moot, because the record demonstrates that Sultaana, Jerman, and Williamson appeared for the
October 25, 2019, deposition. See ECF Doc. 233; ECF Doc. 239; cf. Shutte v. Thompson, 82
U.S. 151, 161 (1872) (“[F]ormal errors and defects in taking depositions may be waived.”); Selin
v. Snyder, 7 Serg. & Rawle 166, 172 (Penn. 1821) (“It is incumbent on the party who offers a
deposition in evidence, to prove that it was taken according to notice, unless the adverse party
attended, in which case any defect of notice is cured.”); Southern K.R. Co. v. Robbins, 43 Kan.
145, 147 (1890) (“[N]otice is only given to furnish the opposing party an opportunity to appear,
and therefore the appearance waives a defect in the notice.”. Moreover, Sultaana forfeited any
argument challenging the substance of the deposition or his ability to take the defendants’
depositions when he voluntarily terminated his deposition session. Although Sultaana now
asserts that the defendants did not participate in the deposition in good faith, he has offered no
evidence to support this assertion. See generally ECF Doc. 233. And it is nearly axiomatic that
a court need not accept unsupported or conclusory statements as true. Cf. Alexander v.

8

CareSource, 576 F.3d 551, 560 (6th Cir. 2009) (“Conclusory statements unadorned with
supporting facts are insufficient to establish a factual dispute . . .”). Finally, Sultaana has not
pointed to any authority requiring deponents be put under oath in an opponent’s presence, or
authorizing the court to require a deponent produce a picture of himself after the deposition. See
ECF Doc. 233; ECF Doc. 235; ECF Doc. 263; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 30 (requiring only that the
court reporter administer the oath on the record). Accordingly, Sultaana’s “motion to terminate
and suspend deposition” (ECF Doc. 233), “motion to compel” Jerman to be sworn under oath in
Sultaana’s presence at deposition (ECF Doc. 235); and “motion to provide true identity of
defendant Richard Williamson via photograph” (ECF Doc. 263) are DENIED.
III.

Defendant’s Motion to Extend Deadline
The defendants moved to extend the deadline to file a response to Sultaana’s motions to

strike to November 18, 2019. ECF Doc. 252. Sultaana never opposed the motion. See generally
CM/ECF for N.D. Ohio Case No. 1:15-cv-382. The defendants’ motion to extend the deadline to
file a response to Sultaana’s motions to strike (ECF Doc. 252) is GRANTED.
IV.

Motions to Strike
Sultaana moves to strike all of the defendants’ filings after October 18, 2019, for lack of

service, based on a claim that he never received anything from the defendants. ECF Doc. 237.
He also seeks to strike “attachment number 2” from his “certificate filing” (ECF Doc. 232),
which is a copy of the proposed joint notice from the defendants’ October 24, 2019 status report.
ECF Doc. 238. Sultaana states that he never attached that document to his “certificate filing,”
and that he did not endorse the defendants’ proposed joint notice. ECF Doc. 238. Sultaana also
seeks to strike the defendants’ October 24, 2019, status report for lack of service and because the
defendants did not file their “proposed joint notice” within the deadline the court set for filing a

9

joint notice of deposition. ECF Doc. 240. Finally, Sultaana seeks to strike the defendants’
notice of intent (ECF Doc. 279) to use Sultaana’s deposition at trial. ECF Doc. 291. The
defendants respond that Sultaana’s motions to strike should be denied because: (1) they served
him with copies of their filings via mail and, at Sultaana’s request, e-mail; and (2) any defects in
the notice of deposition were mooted or waived because Sultaana appeared for his deposition.
ECF Doc. 257; ECF Doc. 266.
The court may strike improvident filings based on its inherent authority to manage its
own docket. Cf. American Civil Liberties Union of Ky. v. McCreary Cnty., 607 F.3d 439, 451
(6th Cir. 2010) (“[B]ased on the district court’s power to manage its own docket, the court had
ample discretion to strike Defendants’ late renewed motion for summary judgment.”).
Sultaana’s motions to strike the defendants’ status report (ECF Doc. 229) and the
proposed joint notice of deposition attached to his “certificate filing” (ECF Doc. 232-2) are both
related to the issue of whether Sultaana received notice for the October 25, 2019, deposition. As
discussed above, any issues related to that matter are moot because Sultaana, Jerman, and
Williamson appeared for the depositions. See Page 8, supra. Further, to the extent Sultaana
seeks to strike all of the defendants’ filings after October 18, 2019, he has not shown why this
court should exercise its discretion to strike those filings. A review of the record shows that,
between October 18, 2019, and Sultaana’s motion to strike, the defendants filed five documents:
(1) a notice of attorney appearance (ECF Doc. 226); (2) a notice of proposed subpoena (ECF
Doc. 227); (3) a pre-deposition status report (ECF Doc. 229); (4) a supplemental notice of
deposition (ECF Doc. 230); and (5) a post-deposition status report (ECF Doc. 231). Each of
those documents, except the supplemental notice of deposition, recites that it was mailed to
Sultaana at Lebanon Correctional Institution. ECF Doc. 226 at 2; ECF Doc. 227 at 2; ECF Doc.

10

229 at 3; ECF Doc. 231 at 2. The supplemental notice of deposition recites that it was sent to
Sultaana’s e-mail address, as he had requested during the October 4, 2019, telephone conference.
ECF Doc. 230; see also ECF Doc. 214. Sultaana has not provided any support for his
proposition that he was not served via mail or a manner of his choosing (e-mail). And, again,
any defect in the service of the documents related to the deposition is moot. See Page 8, supra.
Finally, Sultaana’s motion to strike (ECF Doc. 291) the defendants’ notice of intent to
use Sultaana’s deposition at the December 2, 2019 trial is moot because the court has continued
the trial date and no new trial date has been set. See ECF Doc. 282.
The court declines to exercise its discretion to strike any of the documents Sultaana seeks
to strike. Accordingly, Sultaana’s motions to strike (ECF Doc. 237; ECF Doc. 238; ECF Doc.
240; ECF Doc. 291) are DENIED.
V.

Motion for Order for Civilian Clothing
Sultaana seeks an order allowing him to wear civilian clothing at trial. ECF Doc. 264. In

McElwain v. Harris, the District of New Hampshire was confronted with a defendant-prisoner’s
motion to wear civilian clothing at a civil trial. No. 1:05-cv-93, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21856, at
*10-13 (D.N.H., Apr. 18, 2006). The court noted that courts must avoid practices that might
undermine the fairness of the trial and that prisoners may not be required to wear identifiable
prison garb during criminal trials. Id. at *10-11 (collecting cases). The court also noted that the
Courts of Appeals that addressed whether restraints were permitted at civil trial have permitted
them when necessary to maintain safety. Id. at *12 (collecting cases). The court concluded that,
unlike restraints, prison attire served no safety policy and would serve only to undermine the
defendant’s right to a fair trial on damages stemming from her homicide. Id. at *12. Arguably,
Sultaana faces greater danger than the McElwain prisoner faced – his status as a prisoner is

11

unrelated to his claim and requiring him to wear prison attire would effectively be admitting
character evidence against him. The potential juror bias here would be inescapable. To the
extent that Sultaana actually seeks to be provided with civilian clothing, however, he has not
pointed to any authority that would allow this court to issue such an order. See ECF Doc. 264.
Sultaana’s motion to be allowed to wear civilian clothes at trial (ECF Doc. 264) is GRANTED.
But, if he wishes to wear civilian clothes, he will need to arrange the attire himself.
VI.

Prison Law Library Access
Sultaana also seeks an order that Lebanon Correctional Institution provide Sultaana

access to a law library to prepare a trial brief. ECF Doc. 272. A prisoner’s right to access the
courts includes the right to meaningful law library access but does not guarantee the prisoner
right to any particular hours, unfettered access, or special access. See Thomas v. Campbell, 12 F.
App’x 295, 297 (6th Cir. 2001); see also Walker v. Mintzes, 771 F.2d 920, 932 (6th Cir. 1985)
(Inmates are not guaranteed “some minimum amount of time n the prison law library”). Sultaana
does not alleged that Lebanon Correctional Institution has barred him from accessing the prison
law library within its normal allowances. Moreover, because the court has not ordered Sultaana
to prepare a trial brief, Sultaana cannot show that any inability to prepare a trial brief would
hinder his access to pursue his legal claims. Cf. Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 351 (1996) (an
access-to-the-courts claim based on law library access requires a prisoner to show that his lack of
access “hindered his efforts to pursue a legal claim”). This court sees no reason why it should
order Lebanon Correctional Institution to provide Sultaana with special law library access to
prepare a brief that he has not been ordered to prepare. Sultaana’s motion (ECF Doc. 272) is
DENIED.

12

VII.

Motion for Clerk to Forward Doc. 258
In his “motion for clerk to forward document number 258,” Sultaana states that he has

not received a copy of the court’s November 13, 2019 order (ECF Doc. 258) regarding the
issuance of subpoenas. ECF Doc. 284. The court notes that the order is now vacated;
nevertheless, Sultaana is entitled to a copy of it. See ECF Doc. 293 (vacating subpoena order,
ECF Doc. 258). Accordingly, Sultaana’s motion for the clerk to forward him a copy of that
order is GRANTED.
VIII. Emergency Motion for Reconsideration
Sultaana’s motion for reconsideration urges the court to reconsider its November 25,
2019 order granting the defendants’ motion (ECF Doc. 270) to continue trial and for leave to file
a motion for summary judgment. ECF Doc. 288. Specifically, Sultaana argues that the time for
summary judgment has closed and the court should not have granted the defendants’ motion
without Sultaana having an opportunity to respond to it. ECF Doc. 288. Generally, a motion for
reconsideration requires a movant to show: (1) an intervening change in controlling law; (2) new
evidence that was not available before the challenged order was entered; or (3) that the failure to
reconsider the order would result in a clear error of law or manifest injustice. Cf. Bridgestone
Ams. Tire Operations, LLC v. Pac. Employers Ins. Co., No. 5:11-cv-350, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
26968 (N.D. Ohio, Feb. 27, 2013).
Sultaana’s motion does not point to any changes in controlling law or new evidence;
however, he does – liberally construed – assert that a manifest injustice would occur from not
reconsidering the continuance order. Id.; see ECF Doc. 288. Specifically, Sultaana invokes his
due process rights and claims that the court was required to give him an opportunity to respond
to the motion before ruling upon it. ECF Doc. 288. But Sultaana’s argument misses the mark.

13

Under the federal rules, a court may “without motion or notice” extend time. Fed. R. Civ. P.
6(b). Obviously, under such circumstances a litigant would not be able to oppose the extension
before it is given. Instead, the due process requirement that a litigant be given a meaningful
opportunity to oppose the extension must come after the extension is granted. See Anderson v.
True, No. 15-cv-11703, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122255, at *3-4 (E.D. Mich., Aug. 3, 2017)
(holding that an ex parte enlargement of time did not violate a litigant’s due process rights
because the party had a meaningful opportunity to move for dissolution of the order granting the
enlargement of time). Here, the temporal proximity of trial required the court to act quickly
upon the defendants’ motion to continue, and Sultaana has had the opportunity to move to
reconsider (or reverse) the order granting the continuance. Moreover, Sultaana cannot show that
the court’s order continuing trial has in any way prejudiced him because: (1) Sultaana himself
has sought to extend the trial date for additional motions and preparations; and (2) the
continuance does not prevent Sultaana from litigating his case, but merely gives him and the
defendants more time to do so. See ECF Doc. 169 (motion to reconsider order setting trial date).
Thus, Sultaana cannot show that a manifest injustice has or would occur. Accordingly,
Sultaana’s motion for reconsideration (ECF Doc. 288) is DENIED.
IX.

Summary
To summarize, the defendants’ motion to revoke Sultaana’s IFP status and declare him a

vexatious litigator (ECF Doc. 201) is DENIED. The defendants’ motion for an extension (ECF
Doc. 252) is GRANTED. Sultaana’s motions to terminate and suspend deposition (ECF Doc.
233), compel Jerman (ECF Doc. 235); strike all of the defendants’ filings after October 18, 2019
(ECF Doc. 237); strike attachment number 2 to document 232 (ECF Doc. 238); strike document
229 (ECF Doc. 240); provide a photograph of Williamson (ECF Doc. 263); order that he be

14

allowed to wear civilian clothing (ECF Doc. 264); order Lebanon Correctional Institution to
provide him with special law library access (ECF Doc. 272); motion for reconsideration (ECF
Doc. 288); and motion to strike the defendants’ notice of intent to use his deposition (ECF Doc.
291) are DENIED. Sultaana’s motion for the clerk to forward him a copy of the subpoena order
(ECF Doc. 284) is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to send Sultaana a copy of the subpoena
order (ECF Doc 258) to Sultaana when it sends him a copy of this order.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: November 27, 2019
Thomas M. Parker
United States Magistrate Judge

15