Opinion
No. 2:10-cv-0965 KJM KJN P
02-12-2013
LUIS ARMENTERO, Plaintiff, v. K.L. DICKINSON, et al., Defendants.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I. Introduction
Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding without counsel and in forma pauperis, with an action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action is proceeding on plaintiff's claims that defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan ordered plaintiff's transfer in retaliation for his filing a lawsuit against them, and that defendant Sinkovich attempted to cover-up the alleged retaliation by misprocessing plaintiff's grievances. (Dkt. No. 34.) Defendants move for summary judgment. As set forth more fully below, this court finds that the motion for summary judgment should be granted.
II. Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment
A. Legal Standard for Summary Judgment
Summary judgment is appropriate when it is demonstrated that the standard set forth in Federal Rule of Civil procedure 56 is met. "The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 was revised and rearranged effective December 10, 2010. However, as stated in the Advisory Committee Notes to the 2010 Amendments to Rule 56, "[t]he standard for granting summary judgment remains unchanged."
Under summary judgment practice, the moving party always bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any," which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (quoting then-numbered Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c).) "Where the nonmoving party bears the burden of proof at trial, the moving party need only prove that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case." Nursing Home Pension Fund, Local 144 v. Oracle Corp. (In re Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig.), 627 F.3d 376, 387 (9th Cir. 2010) (citing Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 325); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 Advisory Committee Notes to 2010 Amendments (recognizing that "a party who does not have the trial burden of production may rely on a showing that a party who does have the trial burden cannot produce admissible evidence to carry its burden as to the fact"). Indeed, summary judgment should be entered, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 322. "[A] complete failure of proof concerning an essential element of the nonmoving party's case necessarily renders all other facts immaterial." Id. at 323.
Consequently, if the moving party meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the opposing party to establish that a genuine issue as to any material fact actually exists. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). In attempting to establish the existence of such a factual dispute, the opposing party may not rely upon the allegations or denials of its pleadings, but is required to tender evidence of specific facts in the form of affidavits, and/or admissible discovery material in support of its contention that such a dispute exists. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 n.11. The opposing party must demonstrate that the fact in contention is material, i.e., a fact that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law, see Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); T.W. Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass'n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987), and that the dispute is genuine, i.e., the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party, see Wool v. Tandem Computers, Inc., 818 F.2d 1433, 1436 (9th Cir. 1987).
In the endeavor to establish the existence of a factual dispute, the opposing party need not establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor. It is sufficient that "the claimed factual dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties' differing versions of the truth at trial." T.W. Elec. Serv., 809 F.2d at 630. Thus, the "purpose of summary judgment is to 'pierce the pleadings and to assess the proof in order to see whether there is a genuine need for trial.'" Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587 (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e) advisory committee's note on 1963 amendments).
In resolving a summary judgment motion, the court examines the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). The evidence of the opposing party is to be believed. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. All reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the facts placed before the court must be drawn in favor of the opposing party. See Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587. Nevertheless, inferences are not drawn out of the air, and it is the opposing party's obligation to produce a factual predicate from which the inference may be drawn. See Richards v. Nielsen Freight Lines, 602 F. Supp. 1224, 1244-45 (E.D. Cal. 1985), aff'd, 810 F.2d 898, 902 (9th Cir. 1987). Finally, to demonstrate a genuine issue, the opposing party "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts. . . . Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no 'genuine issue for trial.'" Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 (citation omitted).
On August 17, 2012, defendants advised plaintiff of the requirements for opposing a motion brought pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Dkt. No. 81 at 2-3.); see Rand, 154 F.3d at 957.
B. Undisputed Facts
For purposes of the instant motion for summary judgment, the court finds the following facts undisputed.
1. This action is proceeding on plaintiff's claims that defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan ordered plaintiff's transfer in retaliation for his filing a lawsuit against them, and that defendant Sinkovich attempted to cover-up the alleged retaliation by misprocessing plaintiff's grievances. (Dkt. No. 34.)
Plaintiff included arguments concerning claims that were dismissed on November 4, 2010. (Dkt. No. 34.) The court will not address those arguments.
2. Defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan were members of the Unit Classification Committee ("UCC") at California Medical Facility ("CMF"), Vacaville, that recommended plaintiff for transfer at his Annual Program Review on July 30, 2009.
As noted by defendants, the second amended complaint refers to the UCC review as occurring on July 30, 2010. (Dkt. 33, passim.) However, plaintiff uses the date July 30, 2009, in his opposition, and the documentary evidence confirms the review occurred on July 30, 2009.
3. Defendant Pappa was a Correctional Counselor I on July 30, 2009.
4. Defendant May was a Correctional Counselor II on July 30, 2009.
5. Defendant Duncan was a Facility Captain on July 30, 2009.
6. Plaintiff's Annual Program Review on July 30, 2009, included a review of his central and medical files.
7. Plaintiff participated in the July 30, 2009 Annual Program Review, and expressed his disagreement with the committee's decisions. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 3-4.)
8. On January 31, 2008, an earlier UCC acted to designate plaintiff Medically Unassigned ("MUA") status pending a functional capacity evaluation pursuant to the Armstrong Remedial Plan (used to determine an inmate's physical limitations within an eight hour workday). (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 3.)
9. The July 30, 2009 UCC reviewed Licensed Master Social Worker ("LMSW") Tanner's CDC-7254 dated December 10, 2008, noting plaintiff refused the required medical evaluation by CMF Medical, and declined to cooperate and answer questions regarding the functional capacity/physical limitations evaluation process pursuant to the Armstrong Remedial Plan. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 3-4.)
10. The July 30, 2009 UCC reviewed plaintiff's medical file, which indicated a diagnosis of asthma, arthritis of the knees and spine, and low back pain, which does not preclude a light duty, or sedentary type work assignment.
11. At the July 30, 2009 review, plaintiff stated he would refuse any work or school assignments. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 4.)
12. The July 30, 2009 UCC changed plaintiff's work status from MUA to Voluntarily Unassigned.
13. On July 30, 2009, the UCC referred the matter to the Classification Staff Representative ("CSR"), recommending plaintiff be transferred to Lancaster ("LAC") or Kern Valley State Prison ("KVSP").
14. On August 31, 2009, Classification Staff Representative ("CSR") S. Miller reviewed and endorsed plaintiff's transfer to Avenal State Prison ("ASP"), as the institutions recommended by the July 30, 2009 UCC were not available. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 6.)
15. Plaintiff's original complaint was filed in this action on September 23, 2009. (Dkt. No. 7.) Plaintiff named K.L. Dickinson, D. Pappa, A. Tanner, T. Duncan, and K. May as defendants. (Dkt. No. 7 at 4.)
16. On November 12, 2009, plaintiff filed an amended complaint in which he added W.J. Sinkovich and J. Moss as named defendants. (Dkt. No. 16 at 4.)
Plaintiff did not re-name Dickinson and Moss as defendants in the October 7, 2010 second amended complaint. (Dkt. No. 33.) Defendant Tanner was dismissed on March 13, 2012. (Dkt. No. 74.)
17. Plaintiff was transferred to ASP on December 23, 2009.
18. On October 6, 2008, plaintiff requested transfer to a Level II facility and medically unassigned status. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 3.) This request was denied. (Dkt. No. 91 at 3.)
19. Defendant Sinkovich was a Correctional Counselor II Appeals Coordinator at all relevant times.
20. Plaintiff was advised of his right to appeal actions taken by the UCC on July 30, 2009.
21. On August 16, 2009, plaintiff signed an administrative appeal (CMF-09-2116) stating that the UCC discriminated against plaintiff by placing him on "C" status (changed him from MUA to Voluntarily Unassigned). (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 8.)
22. On August 17, 2009, defendant Sinkovich sent the appeal to the Warden for staff complaint determination. On August 18, 2009, the Warden determined that the August 16, 2009 appeal did not qualify as a staff complaint, and would be routinely processed. The determination bears signatures by both defendant Sinkovich, CCII, Appeals Coordinator, and the Warden. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 13.)
23. The August 16, 2009 appeal was denied at the First Level of Review by Associate Warden Moss, holding that an inmate who refuses to accept or perform in a work/training assignment is deemed a program failure, can be placed on non-credit earning status by the UCC and earn zero worktime credits. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 15-16.) Plaintiff did not return this appeal for second level review. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 9; 81-1 at 31.)
24. On August 26, 2009, plaintiff signed a new appeal regarding his "C" status placement by the UCC on July 30, 2009. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 18.)
25. On August 28, 2009, defendant Sinkovich sent the appeal to the Warden for staff complaint determination. On September 1, 2009, the Warden determined that the August 26, 2009 appeal did not qualify as a staff complaint, and was duplicative of the August 16, 2009 appeal. The determination bears signatures by both defendant Sinkovich, CCII, Appeals Coordinator, and the Warden. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 22.) On September 2, 2009, defendant Sinkovich sent plaintiff a letter informing him that the August 26, 2009 appeal was screened out as duplicative of CMF-09-2116, and that the Hiring Authority determined the appeal did not meet the criteria for a response as a staff complaint. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 24.)
26. Plaintiff did not know he was being transferred until the day of his transfer, on December 23, 2009. (Dkt. No. 33 at 10-11.)
27. After learning of his transfer on December 23, 2009, plaintiff did not file a timely appeal regarding his transfer, or regarding the alleged acts of retaliation by the named defendants. However, on January 5, 2010, plaintiff filed an appeal alleging that the UCC members transferred him to ASP on December 23, 2009, in retaliation for plaintiff filing a lawsuit against defendants, and that defendant Sinkovich was obstructing plaintiff's appeals. (Dkt. No. 91 at 71.) This appeal was screened out at the first level because plaintiff failed to provide necessary copies of his chrono. (Dkt. No. 91 at 75.) The appeal was screened out at the second level because too much time had passed. (Id.)
28. On December 23, 2010, the court ordered the U.S. Marshal to serve process on defendants. (Dkt. No. 39.) On April 20, 2011, the U.S. Marshal filed Waivers of Service of Process for defendants, signed by their attorney on April 18, 2011. (Dkt. No. 47.)
C. Legal Standards
"A prisoner suing prison officials under section 1983 for retaliation must allege that he was retaliated against for exercising his constitutional rights and that the retaliatory action does not advance legitimate penological goals, such as preserving institutional order and discipline." Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 816 (9th Cir. 1994) (citing Rizzo v. Dawson, 778 F.2d 527, 532 (9th Cir. 1985)).
"[A] viable claim of First Amendment retaliation entails five basic elements: (1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse action against an inmate (2) because of (3) that prisoner's protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the inmate's exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action did not reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal." Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 568 (9th Cir. 2005). Direct and tangible harm will support a First Amendment retaliation claim even without demonstration of a chilling effect on the further exercise of a prisoner's First Amendment rights. Id. at 568, n.11. "[A] plaintiff who fails to allege a chilling effect may still state a claim if he alleges he suffered some other harm" as a retaliatory adverse action. Brodheim v. Cry, 584 F.3d 1262, 1269 (9th Cir. 2009), citing Rhodes, 408 F.3d at 568 n.11.
A plaintiff must plead facts which suggest that retaliation for the exercise of protected conduct was the "substantial" or "motivating" factor behind the defendant's conduct. Soranno's Gasco, Inc. v. Morgan, 874 F.2d 1310, 1314 (9th Cir. 1989). Mere conclusions of hypothetical retaliation will not suffice; rather, a prisoner must "allege specific facts showing retaliation because of the exercise of the prisoner's constitutional rights." Frazier v. Dubois, 922 F.2d 560, 562, n.1 (10th Cir. 1990). Retaliatory motive may be shown by the timing of the allegedly retaliatory act and inconsistency with previous actions, as well as direct evidence. Bruce v. Ylst, 351 F.3d 1283, 1288-89 (9th Cir. 2003); Pratt v. Rowland, 65 F.3d 802, 808 (9th Cir. 1995) .
Once such a prima facie showing of retaliation is made, the burden shifts to the defendant prison officials to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the alleged retaliatory action was conduct narrowly tailored to serve a legitimate penological purpose. Schroeder v. McDonald, 55 F.3d 454, 461-62 (9th Cir. 1995). However, "prison officials may not defeat a retaliation claim on summary judgment simply by articulating a general justification for a neutral process, when there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the action was taken in retaliation for the exercise of a constitutional right." Bruce, 351 F.3d at 1289 (citations omitted).
D. Analysis
Plaintiff concedes that he filed the instant lawsuit, and grievances against defendants, after the July 30, 2009 Annual Program Review by the UCC. However, he claims that once defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan learned of the instant lawsuit, they transferred him on December 23, 2009, to "a punishment prison at Avenal." (Dkt. 91 at 19.) Plaintiff alleges defendant Sinkovich then attempted to cover up the retaliation by misprocessing grievances filed against defendants. As discussed more fully below, plaintiff fails to adduce evidence suggesting that any of the named defendants acted with a retaliatory motive, or that they were connected in any way to plaintiff's transfer to ASP.
i. Defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan
First, it is undisputed that at the July 30, 2009 UCC review, defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan recommended that plaintiff be transferred to LAC-II or KVSP-II. There is no mention of transferring plaintiff to ASP in the July 30, 2009 UCC review. Plaintiff claims that the UCC denied plaintiff's requested transfer at the Annual Program Review on July 30, 2009, without further elaboration. (Dkt. No. 91 at 3.) But the Annual Program Review report does not expressly state that plaintiff's requested transfer was denied. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 2-4.) Liberally construed, a fair reading of the report reflects that plaintiff did not maintain the classification he wanted. However, the record reflects that plaintiff requested a transfer, and defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan recommended a transfer.
To the extent plaintiff contends that his requested transfer was denied because he was not provided the MUA classification he requested, plaintiff's classification is not at issue here. Plaintiff's challenge to the classification decision was dismissed on November 4, 2010. (Dkt. No. 34 at 2.)
Thus, because defendants' July 30, 2009 actions pre-dated the filing of the instant action, their recommendation that plaintiff be transferred could not be based on retaliation for filing a lawsuit that had not yet been filed by plaintiff. Similarly, their recommendation cannot be viewed as a moving force in the ultimate transfer, because they were not aware of the protected conduct at the time of their recommendation.
Second, defendants provided evidence that CSR Miller endorsed plaintiff for transfer to ASP on August 31, 2009, and stated that the "[r]equested institutions are not currently available. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 6.) Plaintiff alleges that defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan transferred plaintiff to the "punishment prison" ASP in retaliation for filing the instant lawsuit.
The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides as follows:
Every person who, under color of [state law] . . . subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States . . . to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution . . . shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.42 U.S.C. § 1983. The statute requires that there be an actual connection or link between the actions of the defendants and the deprivation alleged to have been suffered by plaintiff. See Monell v. Department of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 692 (1978) ("Congress did not intend § 1983 liability to attach where . . . causation [is] absent."); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976) (no affirmative link between the incidents of police misconduct and the adoption of any plan or policy demonstrating their authorization or approval of such misconduct). "A person 'subjects' another to the deprivation of a constitutional right, within the meaning of § 1983, if he does an affirmative act, participates in another's affirmative acts or omits to perform an act which he is legally required to do that causes the deprivation of which complaint is made." Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir. 1978).
Here, plaintiff adduced no evidence rebutting the evidence that CSR Miller endorsed plaintiff for transfer to ASP on August 31, 2009, and cited to no evidence connecting defendants to CSR Miller, or to the selection of ASP as the transfer institution. Although defendants recommended plaintiff be transferred, they recommended that plaintiff be transferred to LAC or KVSP, not ASP. Plaintiff cites to no evidence linking these defendants with CSR Miller or the decision to transfer plaintiff to ASP rather than LAC or KVSP. Also, plaintiff adduced no evidence demonstrating that either LAC or KVSP were available for plaintiff's transfer as these defendants recommended. Thus, plaintiff fails to demonstrate a link between defendants and the August 31, 2009 endorsement for transfer to ASP. Although plaintiff describes an abrupt transfer on December 23, 2009, without notice, and resulting in a deprivation of his property (dkt. no. 33 at 11), he provides no factual allegations or evidence demonstrating that defendants Pappa, May, or Duncan were responsible for the December 23, 2009 transfer.
Prison officials have broad authority to hold a prisoner at a particular institution, or to transfer a prisoner to another institution. Meachum v. Fano, 427 U.S. 215 (1976); Montanye v. Haymes, 427 U.S. 236 (1976). "[A] prisoner's liberty interests are sufficiently extinguished by his conviction that the state may generally confine or transfer him to any of its institutions, indeed, even to a prison in another state, without offending the Constitution." Bravo v. Hewchuck, 2006 WL 3618023, *1 (N.D. Cal. 2006) (citations omitted); see also Olim v. Wakinekona, 461 U.S. 238, 245-246 (1983) (interstate prison transfer does not, standing alone, implicate Due Process Clause).
Third, it appears that plaintiff's retaliation claims hinge solely on timing. Plaintiff claims that because he filed the instant complaint on September 23, 2009, and plaintiff was transferred on December 23, 2009, such timing demonstrates that defendants retaliated against plaintiff for filing the instant lawsuit. Plaintiff specifically states: "On December 23, 2009, when defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan realized themselves that plaintiff was suing them, the same day they transferred plaintiff to a punishment prison at Avenal prison [ASP]." (Dkt. No. 91 at 19.)
Retaliatory motive may be shown by the timing of the allegedly retaliatory act and inconsistency with previous actions, as well as direct evidence. Bruce, 351 F.3d at 1288-89; Pratt, 65 F.3d at 808. Although a retaliatory motive may be inferred from the timing and nature of the alleged retaliatory activities, a mere allegation of a retaliatory motive is insufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment, see Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045-46 (9th Cir. 1989) (finding conclusory allegations insufficient to establish that any individual prison official acted in retaliation for protected conduct).
Defendants Duncan and Pappa declared that the UCC referred plaintiff to the CSR for review and approval of a recommended transfer to LAC or KVSP, not to ASP; that CSR Miller endorsed plaintiff for transfer to ASP on August 31, 2009, because LAC and KVSP were not available; and defendants understand now that plaintiff was transferred to ASP four months later. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 35, 39.) Defendants provided documentary evidence confirming that defendants recommended plaintiff be transferred to LAC or KVSP on July 30, 2009, and that CSR Miller endorsed plaintiff for transfer to ASP on August 31, 2009.
Plaintiff failed to rebut this evidence. As noted above, plaintiff adduced no evidence connecting defendants Pappa, May or Duncan with the August 31, 2009 endorsement. Similarly, plaintiff alleged no facts and adduced no evidence connecting these defendants to his actual transfer on December 23, 2009. Aside from plaintiff's conclusory statement that defendants transferred him in retaliation for filing this lawsuit, plaintiff offers no factual or evidentiary support for his claim, other than the timing of his physical transfer having occurred after the filing of this action. Absent a connection or link between these defendants and the decision to transfer plaintiff to ASP, mere timing, without more, is insufficient.
The court has also reviewed the record as a whole in an effort to determine whether the timing of events here provide sufficient circumstantial evidence to raise a dispute of material fact as to whether the actions of defendants were motivated by retaliation. Unlike the prisoner in Hines v. Gomez, 108 F.3d 265 (9th Cir. 1997), where the prisoner recounted numerous facts from which an inference of retaliation could be raised, plaintiff has failed to point to any facts from which an inference could be raised that demonstrate defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan acted in retaliation. See Hines, 108 F.3d at 268. This court finds that timing, without more, fails to suggest these defendants were motivated by retaliation for the filing of the instant action.
Moreover, other than the above statement that defendants "realized . . . plaintiff was suing them," plaintiff includes no factual allegations explaining how defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan allegedly became aware of the instant lawsuit in 2009. Plaintiff does not declare that he mailed copies of the complaint to the named defendants. None of his pleadings contain a proof of service indicating he mailed them copies. (Dkt. Nos. 16, 29, 33.) Indeed, the record reflects that plaintiff was required to amend his complaint on several occasions, and the U.S. Marshal was not ordered to serve defendants until December 23, 2010, long after the August 31, 2009 endorsement for transfer. (Dkt. No. 39.) Counsel for defendants executed waivers of service of process on April 18, 2011. (Dkt. No. 47.) Thus, the instant record suggests that defendants received notice of this action sometime between December 23, 2010, and April 18, 2011.
Here, defendants' recommendations occurred prior to the filing of the lawsuit plaintiff claims prompted the alleged retaliatory transfer. Plaintiff failed to connect defendants to the subsequent decision to transfer plaintiff to ASP, or to the December 23, 2009 transfer. Finally, plaintiff failed to demonstrate a triable dispute of fact exists as to whether defendants acted with a retaliatory motive. In light of the above, defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan are entitled to summary judgment.
ii. Defendant Sinkovich
Plaintiff alleges defendant Sinkovich attempted to cover up the alleged retaliation by defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan, by allegedly misprocessing plaintiff's grievances. First, the court found no triable issue of fact as to whether defendants Pappa, May or Duncan retaliated against plaintiff by transferring him to ASP, because CSR Miller endorsed plaintiff for transfer to ASP, and plaintiff alleged no facts and adduced no evidence suggesting these defendants were connected or linked to CSR Miller or the December 23, 2009 transfer. If defendants Pappa, May and Duncan did not transfer plaintiff in retaliation for the instant lawsuit, there was nothing for defendant Sinkovich to "cover up."
Second, as argued by defendants, the appeals processed by defendant Sinkovich concerned plaintiff's classification status, not the transfer. Thus, there is no connection between the subject matter of the appeals and plaintiff's challenge to his transfer.
Third, even if the appeals were related to the transfer, defendants adduced evidence demonstrating that defendant Sinkovich appropriately processed the appeals. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 31-32.) Defendant Sinkovich routed the August 16, 2009 appeal (CMF-09-2116) to Chief Deputy Warden Swarthout to determine whether the appeal constituted a staff complaint. (Dkt. No. 81-1 at 13.) Based on Swarthout's determination that the appeal did not reflect a staff complaint, the appeal was forwarded for a first level response. (Id. at 13.) On September 25, 2009, Associate Warden Moss reviewed and denied the appeal. (Id. at 15-16.)
Plaintiff did not request a second level review of appeal CMF-09-2116. Instead, plaintiff filed a second appeal on August 26, 2009, again challenging the July 30, 2009 classification, but adding Warden K.L. Dickinson. On August 28, 2009, defendant Sinkovich forwarded the second appeal to Swarthout to determine whether the appeal reflected a staff complaint. (Id. at 22.) The Warden's Office determined the second appeal was not a staff complaint, and that the appeal should be rejected because it was a duplicate of plaintiff's appeal CMF-09-2116. (Id. at 22.) On September 2, 2009, defendant Sinkovich screened out plaintiff's second appeal at the second level because it was a duplicate of CMF-09-2116. (Id. at 24.)
The form does not appear to be signed by Swarthout, but by a J.P. Gonzalez. (Id.)
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In his opposition, plaintiff concedes that the second appeal challenged the same issue as the first appeal. (Dkt. No. 91 at 17.) Plaintiff does not explain why he didn't appeal CMF-09-2116 to the second level of review. Plaintiff does not explain how defendant Sinkovich allegedly "misprocessed" plaintiff's appeals. Plaintiff failed to rebut defendants' evidence that defendant Sinkovich properly processed the appeals.
Finally, it appears defendant Sinkovich's role in handling these appeals was complete before the filing of the original complaint on September 23, 2009. Defendant Sinkovich screened out plaintiff's second appeal on September 2, 2009, before plaintiff's lawsuit was filed. Because plaintiff alleges defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan retaliated against plaintiff based on the filing of his complaint on September 23, 2009, defendant Sinkovich could not have acted to cover up actions based on an event that had not yet occurred.
For all of the above reasons, defendant Sinkovich's motion for summary judgment should be granted.
V. Qualified Immunity
Alternatively, defendants contend they are entitled to qualified immunity. Because plaintiff's claims against defendants lack merit, the court need not reach the defense of qualified immunity upon which defendants seek summary judgment as well. Cf. Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201 (2001) (discussing two parts of qualified immunity analysis, including inquiry as to whether facts establish violation of constitutional right).
VI. Conclusion
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:
1. The motion for summary judgment filed by defendants Pappa, May, and Duncan (dkt. no. 81) be granted; and
2. Defendant Sinkovich's motion for summary judgment (dkt. no. 81) be granted.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any response to the objections shall be filed and served within fourteen days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
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KENDALL J. NEWMAN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE