Taylor v. Wilkie et al
Filing
41
ORDER granting in part 29 Motion to Dismiss. Amended Complaint due 6/18/2021. Signed by Judge Robert J. Bryan. Paper copy sent to plaintiff at Lacey address. (JL)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
TOMMY TAYLOR,
CASE NO. 20-5471 RJB
Plaintiff,
v.
DENIS RICHARD MCDONOUGH,
Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs,
et. al.,
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART,
DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO
DISMISS AND SETTING
DEADLINE
Defendants.
THIS MATTER comes before the Court on the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss. Dkt. 29.
The Court has considered the pleadings filed regarding the motion and the remaining file.
On May 18, 2020, the Plaintiff, pro se, filed this case. Dkt. 1. His application to proceed
in forma pauperis was denied (Dkt. 5) and the Plaintiff paid the filing fee. Using a form
complaint, the Plaintiff makes claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C §
12101, et. seq., (“ADA”), the “Civil Rights Act of 1964,” “Title VII of the Civil Rights Act,” 42
U.S.C. § 2000e, et. seq., (“Title VII”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C.
621 to 634 (“ADEA”), and the “AMA.” Dkt. 8.
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 1
1
For the reasons provided below, the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. 29) should be
2
granted, in part, and the Plaintiff should be given leave to file a motion to amend his Complaint.
3
4
I.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Complaint is difficult to follow and contains little detail. The “Statement of Claim”
5
section provides: “1. Disabled veteran, 2. L of retirement benefits, 3. Character assassination.”
6
Id. The Complaint alleges that in March and April of 2008, the Plaintiff was “falsely accused of
7
illegal drug use, given undesirable reassignment, no [sic] provided w/reasonable
8
accommodations after an on the job injury.” Id. The Plaintiff complains of “failure to
9
accommodate [his] disability,” “unequal terms and conditions of [his] employment,” retaliation,
10
11
and “threat of physical violence.” Id.
In the section entitled “Exhaustion of Federal Administrative Remedies,” which
12
provides, “[i]t is my best recollection that I filed a charge with the Equal Employment
13
Opportunity Commission [(“EEOC”)] or my Equal Opportunity counselor regarding the
14
defendant’s alleged discriminatory conduct on,” the Plaintiff indicated: “from calendar year 2008
15
thru [sic] 2013 with at least 3 appeal requests.” Id. The Complaint notes that the EEOC has not
16
issued a Notice of Right to Sue Letter. Id. He seeks damages. Id.
17
On April 22, 2021, the Defendants filed their Motion to Dismiss, arguing that the
18
Complaint should be dismissed pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1), lack of subject matter
19
jurisdiction, 12(b)(6), failure to state a claim, 12(b)(2), lack of personal jurisdiction, and
20
12(b)(5), insufficient service of process. Dkt. 29.
21
22
23
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 2
II.
1
DISCUSSION
2
A. STANDARD ON RULES 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6) MOTIONS TO DISMISS
3
A complaint must be dismissed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) if, considering the factual
4
allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, the action: (1) does not arise under the
5
Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States, or does not fall within one of the other
6
enumerated categories of Article III, Section 2, of the Constitution; (2) is not a case or
7
controversy within the meaning of the Constitution; or (3) is not one described by any
8
jurisdictional statute. Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186, 198 (1962); D.G. Rung Indus., Inc. v.
9
Tinnerman, 626 F.Supp. 1062, 1063 (W.D. Wash. 1986). A federal court is presumed to lack
10
subject matter jurisdiction until plaintiff establishes otherwise. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins.
11
Co. of America, 511 U.S. 375 (1994); Stock West, Inc. v. Confederated Tribes, 873 F.2d 1221,
12
1225 (9th Cir. 1989). Therefore, plaintiff bears the burden of proving the existence of subject
13
matter jurisdiction. Stock West, at 1225. When considering a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule
14
12 (b)(1), the court is not restricted to the face of the pleadings, but may review any evidence to
15
resolve factual disputes concerning the existence of jurisdiction. McCarthy v. United States, 850
16
F.2d 558, 560 (9th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1052 (1989).
17
The United States, as sovereign, is immune from suit unless it consents to be sued. See
18
United States v. Mitchell, 445 U.S. 535, 538 (1980); Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1107
19
(9th Cir. 1995). “The doctrine of sovereign immunity applies to federal agencies and to federal
20
employees acting within their official capacities.” Hodge v. Dalton, 107 F.3d 705, 707 (9th Cir.
21
1997). If a claim does not fall squarely within the strict terms of a waiver of sovereign
22
immunity, a district court is without subject matter jurisdiction. See, e.g., Mundy v. United States,
23
983 F.2d 950, 952 (9th Cir. 1993).
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 3
1
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss may be based on either the lack of a
2
cognizable legal theory or the absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory.
3
Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Department, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). Material allegations
4
are taken as admitted and the complaint is construed in the plaintiff's favor. Keniston v. Roberts,
5
717 F.2d 1295 (9th Cir. 1983). “While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss
6
does not need detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff's obligation to provide the grounds of his
7
entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the
8
elements of a cause of action will not do.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 554-55
9
(2007) (internal citations omitted). “Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief
10
above the speculative level, on the assumption that all the allegations in the complaint are true
11
(even if doubtful in fact).” Id. at 555. The complaint must allege “enough facts to state a claim
12
to relief that is plausible on its face.” Id. at 547.
13
B. PLAINTIFF’S CLAIMS UNDER THE ADA
14
The Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Plaintiff’s ADA claim for lack of subject matter
15
jurisdiction pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) should be granted. The Court does not have
16
subject matter jurisdiction over the Plaintiff’s ADA claim because the United States has not
17
waived sovereign immunity over claims under the ADA. The ADA is inapplicable to the United
18
States or its agencies. 42 U.S.C. § 1211(5)(B)(i)(the federal government is not an “employer”
19
for purposes of the ADA). The Plaintiff fails to demonstrate that the United States has waived
20
sovereign immunity as to his ADA claim or that Court has subject matter jurisdiction over it.
21
Further, the Plaintiff does not allege that any of the other Defendants were his “employer.” The
22
Plaintiff’s ADA claims should be dismissed.
23
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 4
1
C. PLAINTIFF’S CLAIMS UNDER TITLE VII AND ADEA
2
The Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Plaintiff’s claims under Title VII and the ADEA
3
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) should be granted. The Plaintiff has failed to state a claim
4
under either statute. Under Title VII, an employer may not discriminate against a person with
5
respect to her “terms, conditions, or privileges of employment” because of her “race, color,
6
religion, sex, or national origin.” 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a). The ADEA makes it unlawful for an
7
employer:
8
9
to limit, segregate, or classify his employees in any way which would deprive or
tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise
adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual's age.
10
29 U.S.C. § 623(a)(2). The Plaintiff’s Complaint alleges the Plaintiff suffered from disability
11
discrimination. There are no allegations which would support a claim under either Title VII
12
(regarding sex, for example) or the ADEA (age).
13
Further, claims under Title VII or the ADEA cannot be maintained against individual
14
governmental employees except head of agencies in their official capacities. Sommatino v.
15
United States, 255 F.3d 704, 707 n.1 (9th Cir. 2001) (Title VII) and Romain v. Shear, 799 F2d
16
1416, 1418 (9th Cir. 1986) (ADEA). Accordingly, to the extent the Plaintiff asserts Title VII or
17
ADEA claims against the individual Defendants, except Defendant McDonough, in his official
18
capacity, they should be dismissed with prejudice.
19
Moreover, cases bringing Title VII and ADEA claims have prerequisites to filing suit that
20
the Plaintiff has failed to meet. Under Title VII, a “‘charge . . . shall be filed’ with the EEOC ‘by
21
or on behalf of a person claiming to be aggrieved’ within 180 days ‘after the alleged unlawful
22
employment practice occurs.’” Fort Bend County, Texas v. Davis, 139 S.Ct. 1843, 1846
23
(2019)(quoting 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–5(b), (e)(1). Although not jurisdictional, this requirement is a
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 5
1
mandatory “procedural obligation.” Id. The “scope of a Title VII claimant’s court action
2
depends upon the scope of both the EEOC charge and the EEOC investigation.” Sommatino v.
3
United States, 255 F.3d 704, 708 (9th Cir. 2001). If the EEOC decides not to act on the charge,
4
it issues a Notice of Right to Sue Letter. Id. A typical claimant has 90 days to file a civil action
5
after they receive a Notice of Right to Sue Letter. Scott v. Gino Morena Enterprises, LLC, 888
6
F.3d 1101, 1106 (9th Cir. 2018)(citing 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)). Failure to do so may result in
7
dismissal of the claim. Id.
8
9
Federal employees asserting claims of discrimination based on “race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability, or genetic information” follow more complex requirements. 29
10
C.F.R. § 1614.105. First, they must engage in informal consultation with the EEOC or their
11
agency. 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105. If an informal resolution by the EEOC or the agency is not
12
successful, a federal employee must file a formal complaint for decision by an Administrative
13
Law Judge (“ALJ”), and may appeal that decision. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105 and 106. “The
14
employee may file a civil action in federal district court within 90 days of receiving notice of
15
final agency action on the employee’s formal complaint by the ALJ, or after 180 days from the
16
filing of the complaint if no final action has been taken by that time.” Bullock v. Berrien, 688
17
F.3d 613, 616 (9th Cir. 2012)(citing 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16(c); 29 C.F.R. 1614.407(a)-(b)). If
18
either party files an appeal, which is optional, the deadline to file suit is again within 90 days of
19
receiving notice of final agency action on the appeal or after 180 days from the filing of the
20
appeal if no final agency action has been taken by that time. Id.
21
22
Although unlike Title VII, the ADEA does not requiring exhaustion of administrative
remedies with the EEOC, an aggrieved employee is required by the ADEA to notify the EEOC
23
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 6
1
of their intent to file suit at least 30 days before they do so. Bullock, at 617. The ADEA
2
provides,
When the individual has not filed a complaint concerning age discrimination with
the [EEOC] no civil action may be commenced by any individual under this
section until the individual has given the [EEOC] not less than thirty days’ notice
of an intent to file such action. Such notice shall be filed within one hundred and
eighty days after the alleged unlawful practice occurred.
3
4
5
6
29 U.S.C. § 633a(d).
The Plaintiff’s Complaint states that his EEOC charges were filed “from calendar year
7
8
2008 thru [sic] 2013 with at least 3 appeal requests.” Dkt. 8, at 14. The Complaint fails to
9
indicate what charges were filed; there is no indication that those charges related assertions of
10
discrimination of the classes protected by either Title VII (like sex) or ADEA (age). To his
11
Complaint, the Plaintiff attaches an “Investigative Summary and Analysis in the Matter of the
12
EEO Complaint of Discrimination,” dated May 4, 2009, purportedly by the Department of
13
Veterans Affairs, Office of Resolution Management, regarding a charge he filed alleging he had
14
been discriminated against based on his disability. Dkt. 8, at 18-24. The charges stem from an
15
employee drug screening test he was required to take in August of 2008. Id. There is no
16
mention of discrimination as a result of class protected by either Title VII (like sex) or ADEA
17
(age).
18
Based on the allegations in the Complaint and attachments thereto, the Plaintiff failed to
19
include a charge of discrimination which would support a Title VII claim here, like an allegation
20
that he suffered discrimination as a result of his sex. His allegations relate solely to disability
21
discrimination. Moreover, to the extent that the final agency action on his appeal last occurred in
22
2013, as alleged by the Plaintiff, he has failed to timely file his Title VII claim. Over eight years
23
have lapsed after the last appeal was addressed; well beyond the 90 or 180 days the Plaintiff had
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 7
1
to file this case as contemplated by 29 C.F.R. 1614.407. The Plaintiff has failed to allege
2
sufficient facts from which to conclude that he exhausted his administrative remedies or timely
3
filed this case after issuance of a final agency decision on appeal.
4
As to his ADEA claim, the Plaintiff has failed to plead that he notified the EEOC of his
5
intent to file an age discrimination claim within 30 days of filing this case. More importantly, he
6
fails to allege that his ADEA claims relate to age related discrimination events occurred within
7
180 days of that notice. 29 U.S.C. § 633a(d). The Complaint indicates that his claims are based
8
on events from March and April of 2008. Dkt. 8, at 13.
9
10
D. PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM UNDER THE AMA
The Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Plaintiff’s claim under the AMA pursuant to Fed.
11
R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) should be granted. The Plaintiff has failed to identify what he means by
12
“AMA.”
13
E. PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM FOR CHARACTER ASSASSINATION
14
The Plaintiff’s Complaint refers to “character assassination.” Dkt. 8. To the extent he
15
intends to make a claim for libel or slander against the individual defendants, the motion to
16
dismiss this claim should be granted. The Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”) is the exclusive
17
remedy for state law torts committed by federal employees within the scope of their
18
employment. 28 U.S.C. § 2679(b)(1). The FTCA is a limited waiver of sovereign immunity. 28
19
U.S.C. § 1346 (b). The United States has not waived sovereign immunity under the FTCA for
20
claims for libel or slander. 28 U.S.C. § 2680(h).
21
F. MOTION TO DISMISS UNDER RULES 12(b)(2) AND 12 (b)(5)
22
The individual Defendants also move for dismissal of the case against them arguing that
23
the Court doesn’t have jurisdiction over them because they have not been properly served. Dkt.
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 8
1
29. Rule 12(b)(2) allows a party to move to dismiss for “lack of personal jurisdiction;” Rule
2
12(b)(5) allows a party to dismiss for “insufficient service of process.”
3
4
As above, there are multiple grounds for dismissal of the claims against them. The Court
need not reach these alternative grounds for dismissal here.
5
G. AMENDMENT AND CONCLUSION ON MOTION TO DISMISS
6
If a claim is based on a proper legal theory but fails to allege sufficient facts, the plaintiff
7
should be afforded the opportunity to amend the complaint before dismissal. Keniston v.
8
Roberts, 717 F.2d 1295, 1300 (9th Cir. 1983). If the claim is not based on a proper legal theory,
9
the claim should be dismissed. Id. “Dismissal without leave to amend is improper unless it is
10
clear, upon de novo review, that the complaint could not be saved by any amendment.” Moss v.
11
U.S. Secret Service, 572 F.3d 962, 972 (9th Cir. 2009).
12
In his second response, the Plaintiff references the Rehabilitation Act. Dkt. 39. The
13
Rehabilitation Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of disability, 29 U.S.C. §
14
791, and applies to the federal government, See Walton v. U.S. Marshals Serv., 492 F.3d 998,
15
1005 (9th Cir. 2007). “A federal employee filing a claim of disability discrimination under the
16
Rehabilitation Act must first exhaust administrative remedies available under Title VII.”
17
Yonemoto v. Shinseki, 3 F. Supp. 3d 827, 841 (D. Haw. 2014). Based on the allegations in the
18
Complaint, it appears that the Plaintiff has failed to timely file this case. It appears that he did
19
not file this case within 90 days of the final agency action or after 180 days from the filing of his
20
last appeal if no final agency action has been taken by that time as required by 29 C.F.R.
21
1614.407.
22
23
Moreover, the Plaintiff should be aware that the statute of limitations for claims under the
Rehabilitation Act in the state of Washington is three years. See Ervine v. Desert View Reg'l
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 9
1
Med. Ctr. Holdings, LLC, 753 F.3d 862, 869 (9th Cir. 2014)(noting that the statute of limitations
2
for Rehabilitation Act claims is “provided by analogous state law”); Antonius v. King County,
3
153 Wash.2d 256, 262 (2004)(claim under the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which
4
prohibits disability discrimination, must be brought within three years). As pointed out by the
5
Defendants, it appears that the statute of limitations may have lapsed; but, that is not wholly clear
6
at this point.
7
Accordingly, the Plaintiff should be granted permission to file a motion to amend his
8
complaint to add a claim under the Rehabilitation Act if he has such a claim in light of the
9
conditions reference herein. His motion to amend the complaint, if any, must include a proposed
10
amended complaint and be filed by June 18, 2021. The Plaintiff should specifically state the
11
date of the filing of his last appeal with his agency and the date of the final agency action. The
12
Plaintiff should not attempt to replead his claims under the ADA, Title VII, ADEA, AMA or for
13
“character assassination.” Responses and replies should be filed in accordance with the Local
14
Rules of Western District of Washington.
15
The Defendants’ motion to dismiss (Dkt. 29) should be granted, in part. The Plaintiff’s
16
claim under the ADA should be dismissed with prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction;
17
the United States, the Plaintiff’s employer, has sovereign immunity from suit. The Plaintiff’s
18
claims under Title VII and the ADEA should be dismissed for failure to state a claim. The
19
Plaintiff did not plead discrimination covered by those statutes and did not meet the statutory
20
preconditions to suit. The Plaintiff’s claim for “AMA” should be dismissed because he has
21
failed to identify the legal basis for the claim. To the extent he asserts a claim for libel or
22
slander, as “character assassination,” that claim should be dismissed with prejudice because the
23
United States has not waived sovereign immunity as to that claim.
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 10
1
2
3
4
Plaintiff should be aware that failure to file a motion to amend his complaint will result in
dismissal of the case.
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
The Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. 29) IS GRANTED IN PART AS
STATED HEREIN; and
The deadline for the Plaintiff to file a Motion to Amend Complaint, if any, IS
JUNE 18, 2021.
The Clerk is directed to send uncertified copies of this Order to all counsel of record and
to any party appearing pro se at said party’s last known address.
Dated this 26th day of May, 2021.
A
ROBERT J. BRYAN
United States District Judge
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS AND SETTING DEADLINE - 11
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?