VIRGINIA EMERSON HOPKINS United States District Judge

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This civil action was originally filed on May 5, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County by the Plaintiff, Ben Little, against the following Defendants: the City of Anniston, Alabama ("the City"); Gene D. Robinson, in his official capacity as the mayor of Anniston, Alabama; and Herbert N. Palmore, in his official capacity as a member of the City Council of Anniston, Alabama. The Complaint sets out claims for "racial discrimination" under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988 (Count One), and "breach of implied contract" under Alabama law (Count Two). Both counts arise out of two lawsuits filed against the Plaintiff while he was a member of the Anniston City Council and the City's failure to pay the Plaintiff's attorney's fees incurred in defending those proceedings.

The case comes before the Court on the Defendants' motion for summary judgment (doc. 16), and motion to strike certain evidence proffered by the Plaintiff in opposition to the motion (doc. 19). For the reasons stated herein, the motion to strike will be GRANTED, and the motion for summary judgment will be GRANTED.

I. THE DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO STRIKE (DOC. 19)

In the motion to strike the Defendants write:

In the Plaintiff's Response to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment, the Plaintiff relied upon six evidentiary submissions which were not previously produced or identified, each of which should have been responsive to Defendants' written discovery requests, as well as the disclosure requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 26:

B. Cleo Thomas Email 12/14/11 (D.18-2)

F. Don Hoyt Email 12/16/11 (D.18-6)

J. Ken Smith Email 12/9/11 (D.18-9)

K. Don Hoyt Email (D.18-10)

N. Raymond Johnson Letter to Joel Laird 9/17/14

(D.18-13)

R. Ben Little Claim for Attorney's Fees to Ken Smith 1/2/14 (D.18-17)

a copy--or a description by category and location--of all documents, electronically stored information, and tangible things that the disclosing party has in its possession, custody, or control and may use to support its claims or defenses, unless the use would be solely for impeachment[.]

It is also undisputed that the above referenced documents were within the scope of materials sought by the Defendants in their requests for production. The Plaintiff does not dispute that he did not respond to those requests by producing or identifying the documents. It is also undisputed that the documents were not produced or identified as a result of any supplemental production by the Plaintiff.

Rule 37(c)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that "[i]f a party fails to provide information or identify a witness as required by Rule 26(a) or (e), the party is not allowed to use that information or witness to supply evidence on a motion, at a hearing, or at a trial, unless the failure was substantially justified or is harmless." Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(1) (emphasis added). "The burden of establishing that a failure to disclose was substantially justified or harmless rests on the nondisclosing party." Mitchell v. Ford Motor Co., 318 F. App'x 821, 824 (11th Cir. 2009) (emphasis added, internal citations omitted).

Although a number of courts have articulated a standard for determining whether a failure to disclose was "substantially justified," the Eleventh Circuit has not. However, many district courts within this circuit have adopted the approach that a failure to disclose is "substantially justified" when there is a "justification to a degree that could satisfy a reasonable person that parties could differ as to whether the party was required to comply with the disclosure request." See, e.g., Longhini v. W. 97 Corp., No. 1:15-CV-22874-UU, 2016 WL 3671870, at *4 (S.D. Fla. July 11, 2016) (Ungaro, J.); REX D. HILL, Plaintiff, v. ALLIANZ LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA, Defendant., No. 614CV950ORL41KRS, 2016 WL 7228748, at *4 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 20, 2016) (Mendoza, J.); Graf v. Morgan, No. CIV.A. 11-0064-CG-N, 2012 WL 869004, at *3 (S.D. Ala. Mar. 13, 2012) (Granade, J.); Great N. Ins. Co. v. Ruiz, No. CV 408-194, 2011 WL 321782, at *4 (S.D. Ga. Jan. 28, 2011) (Hall, J.); Smith v. Jacobs Eng'g Grp., Inc., No. 4:06CV496-WS, 2008 WL 4194521, at *12 (N.D. Fla. Sept. 8, 2008) (Stafford, J.); Herndon v. Tippets, No. CIV.A. 04-PWG-1026-E, 2005 WL 6736112, at *3 (N.D. Ala. Aug. 16, 2005) (Greene, M.J.); Bosch v. Title Max, Inc., No. CIV A 03-AR-0463-S, 2004 WL 5238128, at *4 (N.D. Ala. Aug. 25, 2004) (Acker, J.); Chapple v. Alabama, 174 F.R.D. 698, 701 (M.D.Ala.1997) (Carroll, M.J.). The Eleventh Circuit has articulated this same approach with regards to sanctions under Rule 37(a) and (b). See, Devaney v. Cont'l Am. Ins. Co., 989 F.2d 1154, 1163 (11th Cir. 1993) (citing and quoting Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 565, 108 S.Ct. 2541, 2550, 101 L.Ed.2d 490 (1988)) ("The Supreme Court has clarified that an individual's discovery conduct should be found 'substantially justified' under Rule 37 if it is a response to a 'genuine dispute, or if reasonable people could differ as to the appropriateness of the contested action.'"). In light of the Devaney opinion, and the district court decisions which have already adopted this approach, the Court is persuaded to follow suit.

The Eleventh Circuit has also not explained what "harmless" means in the context of Rule 27(c)(1). Again, though, the recent trend among district courts in this circuit is to hold that failure to comply with the mandate of the rule is harmless "when there is no prejudice to the party entitled to the disclosure." Coleman v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., No. 1:15-CV-21555-UU, 2016 WL 4543120, at *1 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 21, 2016) (Ungaro, J.); see also, Lee-Bolton v. Koppers Inc., No. 1:10-CV-253-MCR-GRJ, 2015 WL 11110547, at *3 (N.D. Fla. July 28, 2015) (Jones, J.); Witt v. Franklin Cty. Bd. of Educ., No. CV-11-S-1031-NW, 2013 WL 832152, at *1 (N.D. Ala. Feb. 28, 2013) (Smith, J.); Ripps v. Powers, No. CIV.A. 07-0832-CG-B, 2010 WL 3339514, at *1 (S.D. Ala. Aug. 24, 2010) (Granade, J.); Ellison v. Windt, No. 6:99-CV-1268-ORLKRS, 2001 WL 118617, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 24, 2001) (Spaulding, M.J.); Chapple, 174 F.R.D. at 701. The Court is persuaded that this approach is also proper. The Plaintiff fails to set out or argue any of the above standards, and therefore fails to satisfy his burden. For that reason alone, the motion to strike is due to be granted. Further, as shown below, the arguments which are made fail to show how his failure was substantially justified or harmless.

First, the Plaintiff makes no argument whatsoever as to exhibits N and R. The motion to strike will be granted as to those two exhibits. As to the remaining exhibits, he argues:

Plaintiff's Exhibits B [sic] is an email sent from Cleo Thomas to Ken Smith on December 14, 2011, which was copied to Plaintiff Ben Little and to Defendants Robinson and Palmore. Plaintiff's Exhibit F is an email sent from Cleo Thomas to Don Hoyt on December 14, 2011 and was copied to the Plaintiff and to Defendants Palmore and Robinson. Plaintiff's Exhibit K is an email that was sent from Don Hoyt to Plaintiff and Defendants Palmore and Robinson on December 16, 2011. These exhibits were readily available to the Defendant, and the Plaintiff was substantially justified in producing them in response to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment.

Nor does the above argument demonstrate lack of prejudice. In making this argument, the Plaintiff confuses the Defendants' knowledge that the documents exist with their knowledge that the documents may be used to support a claim of the Plaintiff. The fact that the Defendants possessed the documents imputes knowledge of the former, but not necessarily the latter. The purpose of requiring the Plaintiff to at least identify these documents as part of his initial disclosures is to avoid surprise and minimize prejudice. Cash v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 125 F. Supp. 2d 474, 477 (M.D. Ala. 2000) (citing Reed v. Iowa Marine & Repair Corp., 16 F.3d 82, 85 (5th Cir.1994); Smith v. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 877 F.2d 1106, 1111 (1st Cir.1989)); King v. City of Waycross, Georgia, No. CV 5:14-CV-32, 2015 WL 5468646, at *3 (S.D. Ga. Sept. 17, 2015). The Plaintiff's failure to identify and produce these documents, even if they were in the possession of the Defendants, runs afoul of this purpose. If they had been produced or identified, the Defendants would have had the opportunity for further investigation, preparation, and discovery with regards to the Plaintiff's anticipated use of these documents. The Plaintiff has failed to show how the failure to identify or produce these documents, even if they were in the possession of the Defendants, did not prejudice them. The motion to strike will be granted as to exhibits B, F, and K.

The Plaintiff next argues:

With respect to Exhibit J the Defendant claims that Ken Smith was never disclosed in Plaintiff's Responses to Defendants' Written Discovery. However, Plaintiff's response to Defendants' Exhibit 2. #16. Plaintiff identifies Ken Smith as having knowledge of assurances that Plaintiff's legal fees would be paid. Defendants knew that Ken Smith could have evidence that could be presented in this case.

Finally, the Plaintiff argues:

The Defendants are not prejudiced by presenting these exhibits the failure of the Plaintiff to disclose these documents emails. The information contained in the emails was also discussed in the deposition. (D.16-1 Ex. 1Pg. 65-66).

The Plaintiff having failed to carry his burden to show that his failure to disclose the documents in question was substantially justified or harmless, the motion to strike will be GRANTED. Plaintiff's Exhibits B, F, J, K, N, and R, and all references and argument pertaining thereto (see doc. 18 at 10, 13-14), will be STRICKEN.

II. FACTS

The following facts have been proffered by the Defendants and have been admitted by the Plaintiff:

1. Ben Little ("Little") was elected to the City of Anniston City Council in August 2000 and served until approximately November 5, 2012. (Deposition of Ben Little. (D. 16-1/p. 10-11).

2. On November 21, 2011, the Fraternal Order of Police and multiple individuals filed a state lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County (CV-2011-000341) against Councilman Little and former Councilman John Spain ("Spain"), a Caucasian man, alleging abuse of process, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, outrage, and negligence/recklessness and/or wantonness, and seeking a declaratory judgment and other injunctive relief (hereinafter, the "F.O.P. lawsuit")(D. 16-1/p. 67/Ex. 2).

3. The plaintiffs in the F.O.P. lawsuit allege[d] that Little and Spain:

...carried out a plan, scheme and intentional and continual pattern and practice of harassment, intimidation, bullying, defamation, negligence, recklessness, wantonness and malice toward and against the Plaintiffs, sometimes in violation of Alabama law and contrary to their oath of office, creating a hostile work environment for Plaintiffs, and placing Plaintiffs, and the community, in risk of extraordinary and unnecessary harm and danger. Defendants have deliberately and falsely painted Plaintiffs in a false light and made every attempt possible to turn the individuals whom the Plaintiffs have taken a vow to protect and serve against the Plaintiffs. By falsely promoting distrust of Plaintiffs, with absolutely no basis, and attempting to turn the community against the Plaintiffs, Defendants actions have made the Plaintiffs already difficult and dangerous job even more difficult and dangerous, exposing Plaintiffs to extreme and unnecessary danger and causing undue burden and emotional distress to Plaintiffs.

(Id.)

4. Little hired attorneys Raymond Johnson and Lawrence Cooper to represent him in the defense of the FOP lawsuit. (D. 16-1/pp. 27-28).

5. At the December 13, 2011 City of Anniston Council meeting, Little made a motion to add to the agenda a motion concerning paying legal fees for him and John Spain in the FOP lawsuit. The motion carried. (D.16-1/ Ex. 10).

6. When that agenda item was reached, Cleo Thomas, City Attorney, stated that Little could neither make nor vote on this motion, and asked if there was a motion forthcoming. (Id.)

7. No council member made a motion concerning the attorney's fees in the matter against Council Member Little and Council Member Spain[].

8. On December 21, 2011, the City's insurer, the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation ("AMIC") filed a complaint for Declaratory Judgment against Ben Little and John Spain in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County, Alabama (CV-2011-900549)("Declaratory Action"), seeking a determination that the alleged actions of the defendants were not covered by the City's insurance policy. The City of Anniston was not named as a party in the Declaratory Action. (D.16-1/Ex. 5).

9. At the December 27, 2011 City of Anniston Council meeting, Little made a motion to approve for the City to defend against the Declaratory Action. The motion was seconded by Mayor Robinson, and the vote failed with Council Member Little casting the only vote in favor. (D.16-1/p.58/ Ex. 11).

10. Little failed to respond to the Declaratory Action, and, on July 3, 2012, the court entered a default judgment in favor of AMIC.

(D.16-1/Ex.7).

11. On November 24, 2014, the court in the FOP lawsuit dismissed the claims against Defendant Little with prejudice, but held the case open to address the issue of Little's contention that the City of Anniston should be responsible for paying his legal expenses in that case, stating as follows:

This case shall remain open for the issue of payment of legal fees of the Defendants. For that reason, the city of Anniston is joined in this case under Rule 19, Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. It will be the responsibility of the Defendant, Benjamin Little, to insure service on the city of Anniston as well as his claim regarding the city's responsibility of paying his accrued legal expenses in this case. Failure to timely accomplish this will result in waiver of that claim.

(D. 16-2/p. 4).

12. Little filed a "Notice of Claim" with the City Clerk on December 3, 2014,but never filed a legal pleading asserting a claim against the City in the FOP lawsuit for the payment of his attorney's fees requested in his Notice of Claim. (D.16-2; D.16-1/Ex. 3/¶ 4).

13. On May 5, 2015, the court in the FOP lawsuit filed an Order, in response to the City's Motion to Dismiss and Opposition to Motion for Default Judgment, stating that Defendants Little and Spain must file a separate action solely against the City of Anniston rather than through the FOP lawsuit. (D.16-1/Ex. 4).

16. On May 5, 2015, Little filed the present lawsuit against the City

of Anniston, Gene Robinson, former Anniston Mayor, and Herbert Palmore, former member of Anniston City Council, in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County, Alabama. (D. 16-1/Ex. 1).

17. On June 5, 2015, this case was removed to this Court, and Plaintiff's Motion for Remand was denied on July 13, 2015. (D.1; D.6).

18. Mayor Robinson has not served as Mayor for the City of Anniston since November 2012. (D.16-3/p. 12).

19. Council Member Palmore has not served as a City Council Member for the City since the end of 2012. (D. 16-4/pp. 17, 18).

III. ANALYSIS

A. Summary Judgment Is Appropriate as to the Claims Against Robinson and Palmore

Because Robinson and Palmore are sued only in their official capacities, the section 1983 claims against them are essentially suits against the City of Anniston. Busby v. City of Orlando, 931 F.2d 764, 776 (11th Cir. 1991); see also, Penley v. Eslinger, 605 F.3d 843, 854 (11th Cir. 2010) ("Official-capacity suits ... generally represent only another way of pleading an action against an entity of which an officer is an agent.") (citation omitted); Mann v. Taser Int'l, Inc., 588 F.3d 1291, 1309 (11th Cir. 2009) ("A claim asserted against an individual in his or her official capacity is, in reality, a suit against the entity that employs the individual.") (citation omitted); Cook ex rel. Estate of Tessler v. Sheriff of Monroe County, Fla., 402 F.3d 1092, 1115 (11th Cir. 2005) ("[A]n official-capacity suit is, in all respects other than name, to be treated as a suit against the entity. It is not a suit against the official personally, for the real party in interest is the entity.") (citation omitted); Brown v. Neumann, 188 F.3d 1289, 1290 (11th Cir. 1999) ("We start with the proposition that a suit against a governmental official in his official capacity is deemed a suit against the entity that he represents."). For that reason, summary judgment will be granted as to the section 1983 claims (Count One) against Robinson and Palmore.

The same theory applies as to the state law claim in Count Two. As Judge Steele, in the Southern District of Alabama has noted:

The Alabama Supreme Court has recognized that, just as claims against county commissioners in their official capacities constitute claims against the county, "claims that are brought against municipal employees in their official capacity are also, as a matter of law, claims against the municipality." Morrow v. Caldwell, 153 So.3d 764, 771 (Ala. 2014); see also Alabama Mun. Ins. Corp. v. Allen, 164 So.3d 568, 576 (Ala. 2014) (same); Ex parte Labbe, 156 So.3d 368, 374 (Ala. 2014) ("the claims asserted against Mayor Labbe in his official capacity are simply claims asserted against the City"); Dickinson v. City of Huntsville, 822 So.2d 411, 415 (Ala. 2001) (reasoning that a mayor is "in her official capacity, within the line and scope of her office, the agent of the City, through whom the City acts. Thus, to sue the mayor in her official capacity is simply another way of suing the City.") (emphasis added).

B. Summary Judgment Is Appropriate as to the Claims Against the City of Anniston

1. The Section 1983 Claim in Count One

Count One alleges that Little's request that the City pay his attorney's fees was denied, because he is an African American, in violation of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The claim is based on two separate requests to pay fees associated with two separate suits-the FOP lawsuit and the AMIC lawsuit.

a. The Statute of Limitations as to These Claims Has Run

The Eleventh Circuit has noted that "[a]ll constitutional claims brought under § 1983 are tort actions, subject to the statute of limitations governing personal injury actions in the state where the § 1983 action has been brought." McNair v. Allen, 515 F.3d 1168, 1173 (11th Cir. 2008) (citing Wilson v. Garcia, 471 U.S. 261, 275-76, 105 S.Ct. 1938, 1946-47, 85 L.Ed.2d 254 (1985)). Because this claim was brought in Alabama, the two-year statute limitations found in Ala. Code § 6-2-38 applies. Jones v. Preuit & Mauldin, 876 F.2d 1480, 1483 (11th Cir. 1989). However,

federal law determines the date on which the statute of limitations begins to run, and for a § 1983 action the statute begins to run from the date "the facts which would support a cause of action are apparent or should be apparent to a person with a reasonably prudent regard for his rights." Brown v. Ga. Bd. of Pardons & Paroles, 335 F.3d 1259, 1261 (11th Cir.2003). While a plaintiff must have "a complete and present cause of action" to bring suit, the "cause of action accrues even though the full extent of the injury is not then known or predictable" once the wrongful act occurs. Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384, 388, 391, 127 S.Ct. 1091, 166 L.Ed.2d 973 (2007).

Little makes no argument that the section 1983 claim, to the extent that it is based upon Little's request for payment of attorney's fees in connection with the AMIC lawsuit, is timely. Regardless, that claim accrued, and the statute of limitations began to run, on December 27, 2011, when Little made a motion before the council for those fees to be paid, and the motion failed. At that point "the facts which would support a cause of action [were] apparent," or they should have been apparent "to a person with a reasonably prudent regard for his rights." Brown, 335 F.3d 1259, 1261 (11th Cir.2003). Because this case was not filed until May 5, 2015, well more than two years after the statute of limitations began to run on that claim, it is untimely and due to be dismissed.

The statute of limitations for a section 1983 claim for fees related to the FOP litigation began to run on December 13, 2011. That was the date that Little asked for the issue to be added to the council's agenda, and it was, but ultimately no motion was made as to that agenda item. Little argues, without authority, that the fact that "no vote was ever taken" (doc. 18 at 15) means that the statute did not begin to run on that date. This argument is without merit. The fact that the matter was before the council and it refused to approve his request should have been enough for "a person with a reasonably prudent regard for his rights." Brown, 335 F.3d 1259, 1261 (11th Cir.2003). Likewise, just because the state court "held the case open to address the issue of Little's contention that the City of Anniston should be responsible for paying his legal expenses in that case" (doc. 18 at 15-16), does not mean that the city's earlier failure to approve fees should not have put him on notice that he had a claim. Little has offered no authority to the contrary, and the Court is aware of none.

More than two years having passed since the council meeting on December 13, 2011, the section 1983 claim, to the extent it is based on the request for payment of attorney's fees in connection with the FOP litigation, is untimely, and summary judgment is appropriate on that claim.

b. There Is No Evidence that the City Had a Policy or Custom of Race Discrimination

The Supreme Court has explained:

Title 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides in relevant part:

"Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State ... subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress ...."

A municipality or other local government may be liable under this section if the governmental body itself "subjects" a person to a deprivation of rights or "causes" a person "to be subjected" to such deprivation. See Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 692, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978). But, under § 1983, local governments are responsible only for "their own illegal acts." Pembaur v. Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 479, 106 S.Ct. 1292, 89 L.Ed.2d 452 (1986) (citing Monell, 436 U.S., at 665-683, 98 S.Ct. 2018). They are not vicariously liable under § 1983 for their employees' actions. See id., at 691, 98 S.Ct. 2018; Canton, 489 U.S., at 392, 109 S.Ct. 1197; Board of Comm'rs of Bryan Cty. v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 403, 117 S.Ct. 1382, 137 L.Ed.2d 626 (1997) (collecting cases).

Plaintiffs who seek to impose liability on local governments under § 1983 must prove that "action pursuant to official municipal policy" caused their injury. Monell, 436 U.S., at 691, 98 S.Ct. 2018; see id., at 694, 98 S.Ct. 2018. Official municipal policy includes the decisions of a government's lawmakers, the acts of its policymaking officials, and practices so persistent and widespread as to practically have the force of law. See ibid.; Pembaur, supra, at 480-481, 106 S.Ct. 1292; Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144, 167-168, 90 S.Ct. 1598, 26 L.Ed.2d 142 (1970). These are "action[s] for which the municipality is actually responsible." Pembaur, supra, at 479-480, 106 S.Ct. 1292.

The Plaintiff does not set out, or explain, what "official municipal policy" caused his injury in this case. While the Plaintiff's brief does briefly discuss "policies or procedures" with regard to "determining whether or not a city official should have his attorney fees paid" (doc. 18 at 12), he does not do so in the context of showing that the City had a custom or practice of discrimination. He does not explain how those procedures led to the alleged discrimination in this case.

The Plaintiff also has not alleged conduct which establishes a practice of the City. In his Complaint, he alleges that the City had paid the legal fees "for similarly situated white councilors." (Doc. 1-3 at 7). However, the Plaintiff has identified only two lawsuits, one in 2006, and one in 2014, in which he alleges the City has paid the fees of Caucasian members of the City counsel. Even if the Court were to consider such allegations evidence, and it does not, see Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1) (requiring parties to cite to evidence to support factual positions), two lawsuits over eight years does not establish a "practice" or "custom."

c. There Is No Evidence of Disparate Treatment

With regards to claims for race discrimination, the Eleventh Circuit has stated:

To state a § 1983 equal protection claim, [a] plaintiff . . . must show that she is similarly situated to non-[African Americans] who received more favorable treatment. See Sweet v. Sec'y, Dep't of Corr., 467 F.3d 1311, 1318-19 (11th Cir.2006) ("To establish an equal protection claim, a [plaintiff] must demonstrate that (1) he is similarly situated to [others] who received more favorable treatment; and (2) the state engaged in invidious discrimination against him based on race, religion, national origin, or some other constitutionally protected basis."); Jones v. Ray, 279 F.3d 944, 946-47 (11th Cir.2001) (stating that, to establish an equal protection violation, a plaintiff must show, among other things, that "he

is similarly situated" to others who received more favorable treatment).

2. The Implied Contract Claim in Count Two

In Count Two, the Plaintiff alleges that "[t]he Defendants have breached their established policy, as well as their implied contract, by failing to reimburse Little [for] the fees and expenses he incurred in defendant against the FOP lawsuit." (Doc. 1-3 at 8).

The Alabama Supreme Court has stated:

"The basic elements of a contract are an offer and an acceptance, consideration, and mutual assent to the essential terms of the agreement." Hargrove v. Tree of Life Christian Day Care Ctr., 699 So.2d 1242, 1247 (Ala.1997). Proof of an implied contract requires the same basic elements as an express contract. Steiger v. Huntsville City Bd. of Educ., 653 So.2d 975, 978 (Ala.1995)(explaining that "[n]o contract is formed without an offer, an acceptance, consideration, and

mutual assent to terms essential to the contract" (citing Strength v. Alabama Dep't of Fin., 622 So.2d 1283, 1289 (Ala.1993))).

There was no valid reason given to support why the City has not voted to pay attorney's fees for Little in the FOP lawsuit. However, the City has in the past paid legal expenses for other city officials defending lawsuits against them in their official capacity. The City of Anniston paid attorney fees for Councilor Herbert Palmore when he was sued in a lawsuit with the Joint Power Authority ("JPA"). And, according to Councilor Palmore, legal fees were also paid by AMIC for Anniston City Council member Jeff Fink in 2006 sued in his official capacity. (Exhibit O. Palmore Depo. pp 18-22) I am certain their [sic] are others, however we have not been privy to those records. But as Mayor Robinson said, it depends on the individual situation. Councilor Palmore agreed in his deposition, "if a councilor is sued in his official capacity, operating under his authority, there would be an expectation those attorney's fees would be paid. (Exhibit D. Herbert Palmore Deposition pp. 24-26)[.]

IV. CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, the Defendants' motion to strike and motion for summary judgment will be GRANTED, and this case will be DISMISSED.

DONE this 22nd day of December, 2016.

/s/_________

VIRGINIA EMERSON HOPKINS

United States District Judge