Opinion
No. 17-8063
09-21-2018
ANDREW J. AVITABILE, a/k/a Andrew J. Avitabile Larson, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. STATE OF WYOMING; ROBERT O. LAMPERT, Director, Wyoming Department of Corrections; SCOTT ABBOT, Deputy Administrator, Wyoming Department of Corrections; JULIE TENNANT-CAINE, Deputy Administrator, Wyoming Department of Corrections; EDDIE WILSON, Warden, Wyoming State Penitentiary; STEVE HARGETT, Warden, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; BARBARA TUTTLE, ADA Coordinator, Wyoming Correctional Institution; MAJOR LEAL, Wyoming State Penitentiary; MAJOR MOFFAT, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; UNIT MANAGER HARDY, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; CTL BERGLUND, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; CAPTAIN PRINDLE, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; LT. SMITH, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; SGT. MORROW, Wyoming State Penitentiary; SGT. LAYLE, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; CPL JONES, Wyoming State Penitentiary; CPL DAVIDSON, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; CPL KENNEDY, Grievance Manager, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; OFC. STINDER, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; OFC. PUTNAM, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; SHEILA TULLY, Grievance Manager, Wyoming State Penitentiary; AMERICAN CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION, Defendants - Appellees.
(D.C. No. 1:16-CV-00244-ABJ)
(D. Wyo.) ORDER AND JUDGMENT Before EID, KELLY, and O'BRIEN, Circuit Judges.
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist in the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
Plaintiff Andrew J. Avitabile, a prisoner proceeding pro se, brought his "Complaint for Relief for Constitutional Rights Violations Under 42 [U.S.C.] § 1983 by a European Royal." The district court granted summary judgment in favor of American Correctional Association (ACA), and judgment on the pleadings in favor of the remaining defendants. We agree with the district judge's thorough analysis and dismiss this appeal as frivolous. Because the appeal is frivolous, we also deny Avitabile's motion to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal, see 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i), and impose a strike, see id. § 1915(g).
This defendant's actual name is "American Correctional Association," though it is misnamed "American Corrections Association" in Avitabile's complaint. --------
The district judge determined the ACA was a private actor and none of the circumstances that make a private actor subject to § 1983 liability applied to it. See Gallagher v. Neil Young Freedom Concert, 49 F.3d 1442, 1447 (10th Cir. 1995) (discussing circumstances when conduct allegedly depriving a plaintiff of a federal right can fairly be attributed to the state). He correctly concluded Eleventh Amendment immunity applied to the Wyoming defendants on Avitabile's official-capacity claims. See Colby v. Herrick, 849 F.3d 1273, 1276 (10th Cir. 2017) (discussing Eleventh Amendment immunity for claims against state officers in their official capacities). He then carefully analyzed the allegations concerning the individually named defendants in the complaint, determining each to be entitled to qualified immunity, because Avitabile had failed to identify a constitutional violation, or failed to show how their conduct violated a clearly established right. See Kerns v. Bader, 663 F.3d 1173, 1180 (10th Cir. 2011) ("A plaintiff can overcome [the] presumption of immunity only by carrying the heavy burden of showing both that (1) the defendant-officer in question violated one of his constitutional rights, and (2) the infringed right at issue was clearly established at the time of the allegedly unlawful activity . . . .). Since any state-law claims asserted in the complaint were governed by the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-39-101 to 121 (WGCA), Avitabile was required, but failed to, identify any non-immune defendant under the WGCA or to file a governmental claim in compliance with the Act. Finally, he concluded the complaint failed to state a claim for conspiracy to violate Avitabile's constitutional rights.
We have considered the briefs, the record, and the applicable law. Avitabile fails to advance any non-frivolous argument for reversal. We therefore dismiss this appeal as frivolous, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i), deny his motion to proceed IFP, see DeBardeleben v. Quinlan, 937 F.2d 502, 505 (10th Cir. 1991) (grant of IFP requires "a reasoned nonfrivolous argument on the law and facts in support of the . . . appeal"), and impose a strike, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Avitabile is obligated to pay all filing and docketing fees ($505.00). Although these fees are immediately due in full, our prior order of March 26, 2018, requiring periodic payments described in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), remains in effect until all fees are paid in full. Payment is to be made to the District of Wyoming Clerk of Court.
Entered for the Court
Terrence L. O'Brien
Circuit Judge