Dahlstrom v. United States of America et al

Filing 46

ORDER regarding Plaintiff's 39 Motion for a Rule 56(d) Continuance, signed by Judge Robert S. Lasnik. (SWT)

Download PDF
1 2 3 4 5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 6 7 RAJU T. DAHLSTROM, 8 9 10 11 Plaintiff, Case No. C16-1874RSL v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, et al., ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR A RULE 56(d) CONTINUANCE Defendants. 12 13 This matter comes before the Court on “Plaintiff’s Motion to Deny or Continue 14 Defendant United States of America Motion to Dismiss Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1).” 15 Dkt. # 39. The United States seeks dismissal of plaintiff’s claims on the ground that it has 16 not waived sovereign immunity for employment decisions of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian 17 Tribe or enforcement decisions of the Tribe’s Chief of Police. In the alternative, the 18 United States argues that if the Tribe is considered a federal actor and the Federal Tort 19 Claims Act (“FTCA”) applies, the claims are nevertheless barred by the discretionary 20 function exception of the FTCA. The United States also seeks dismissal of plaintiff’s 21 intentional tort claims as barred by § 2680(h) of the FTCA and/or not cognizable under 22 Washington law. 23 Plaintiff argues that a continuance is necessary so that he can take discovery 24 regarding the authenticity of a handbook attached as an exhibit to the United States’ 25 motion (Dkt. # 38-1) and challenge the factual assertions regarding the existence of a 26 ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR A RULE 56(d) CONTINUANCE - 1 1 contract contained in the Declaration of Jerin Falcon (Dkt. # 38-2). Plaintiff makes no 2 effort to show that the handbook will have any material effect on the outcome of the 3 motion. Whether employment decisions are encompassed by a federal contract or 4 agreement under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 5 (“ISDEAA”) is, however, of material importance to defendant’s first argument. The Court 6 will, therefore, exercise its discretion under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d) to DENY the United 7 States’ motion to dismiss on the ground that the Tribe’s employment decisions are not 8 encompassed by a federal contract or agreement under the ISDEAA. 9 Nevertheless, plaintiff has not met his burden under Rule 56(d) of showing that 10 discovery is necessary to respond to the other arguments raised in the motion to dismiss. 11 Those issues can and should be considered at the outset of the case. Plaintiff’s response to 12 the discretionary function and intentional tort arguments is due as currently scheduled on 13 October 30, 2017. 14 15 Dated this 19th day of October, 2017. 16 A 17 Robert S. Lasnik United States District Judge 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR A RULE 56(d) CONTINUANCE - 2

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?