Opinion
4:23-cv-05155-MKD
02-21-2024
KATHY-J ESPINDA, presenting herself sui juris, Plaintiff, v. KEN HOHENBERG, and/or his successor, individually and in his official capacity as Chairman/CEO of HAPO Community Credit Union a Corp of Washington, an ens legis being used to conceal fraud; JUDGE JOSEPH BURROWES, and/or his successor, individually, and in his official capacity as Benton County Judge, an ens legis being used to conceal fraud; THOMAS CROSKREY, and/or his successor, individually, and in his official capacity as Benton County Sheriff, an en legis used to conceal fraud; ANDREW CLARK, and/or his successor, individually, and in his official capacity as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, an ens legis being used to conceal fraud, JAMES KIDDY, and/or his successor, individually, and in his official capacity as Pres/CEO of Gotchacar Inc., an ens legis being used to conceal fraud; MICHELLE BERTOLINO, and/or his successor, individually, and in his officially capacity as President/Farleigh Wada Witt., an ens legis being used to conceal fraud; SAMUEL MEYLER, and/or his successor, individually, and in his official capacity as Owner/Meyler Legal, PLLC., an ens legis being used to conceal fraud; and JOHN DOES INVESTORS 1-10,000, Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS BURROWES, MEYLER, HOHENBERG AND BERTOLINO'S MOTIONS TO DISMISS
ECF NOS. 12, 23, 24, 25
MARY K. DIMKE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Before the Court are Motions to Dismiss from Defendant Burrowes, ECF No. 12, Defendant Meyler, ECF No. 23, Defendant Hohenberg, ECF No. 24, and Defendant Bertolino, ECF No. 25. Plaintiff filed a response to the motions as well as a second motion to recuse. ECF No. 27. The Court denied the motion to recuse by separate order. ECF No. 28. The Court has considered the motions and the record and is fully informed. For the reasons discussed below, the motions to dismiss are granted.
BACKGROUND
A. Procedural Background
This is the fourth Complaint Plaintiff has filed this year; all the claims arise out of debt collection actions taken against Plaintiff. See Espinda v. Cardoza, 4:23-cv-5023-MKD (E.D. Wash. Feb. 21, 2023); Espinda v. Hohenberg, 4:23-cv-5155-MKD (E.D. Wash. November 21, 2023); Espinda v. Wasson, 4:23-cv-5032-MKD (E.D. Wash. Oct. 16, 2023). Plaintiff filed the Complaint and Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the instant case on November 21, 2023. ECF Nos. 1, 3. The Court denied Plaintiff's Motion for TRO on December 5, 2023. ECF No. 5. On January 4, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Motion to Recuse and Motion to Reinstate TRO, ECF No. 15, and a “Notice of Investigation Demand,” ECF No. 16. The Court denied the Motion to Recuse and Motion to Reinstate TRO, ECF No. 21. Defendants Judge Burrowes, Meyler, Hohenberg, and Bertolino have filed Motions to Dismiss. ECF Nos. 12, 23, 24, 25. Plaintiff filed an “Answer to Dismissal,” and Second Motion to Recuse, ECF No. 27, which the Court construes as a response to the four motions to dismiss. Defendants Croskrey, Clark, and Kiddy have not appeared in the case.
B. Allegations
Plaintiff contends Defendants have engaged in “banking fraud,” resulting in Plaintiff receiving a notice of foreclosure for her home. ECF No. 1 at 10. Plaintiff seeks an order postponing all further actions against her in the foreclosure of her home. Id. at 10, 13. Plaintiff also contends Defendant Croskrey engaged in a ruse with Defendant Kiddy to steal Plaintiff's car and alleges Defendant Croskrey kidnapped her. Id. at 11, 14. Plaintiff contends Defendants Judge Burrowes and Meyler caused an unlawful order to be entered, authorizing the Sheriff's Department to unlawfully enter Plaintiff's home. Id. at 12. Plaintiff contends Defendants are conspiring against her. Id. at 13. Plaintiff alleges Defendant Bertolino has engaged in retaliation against her. Id. Plaintiff also contends Defendant Clark created a warrant that caused Plaintiff to be “kidnapped and detained” against her will. Id. at 14
LEGAL STANDARD
To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to “state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id. In considering a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the Court must accept as true the well-pleaded factual allegations and any reasonable inference to be drawn from them, but legal conclusions are not entitled to the same assumption of truth. Id. A complaint must contain either direct or inferential allegations respecting all the material elements necessary to sustain recovery under some viable legal theory. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 562 (2007). “Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Id. at 555.
“Dismissal can be based on the lack of a cognizable legal theory or the absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory.” Balistreri, 901 F.2d at 699. Although pro se pleadings are held to less stringent standards than I those prepared by attorneys, pro se litigants in an ordinary civil case should not be treated more favorably than parties with attorneys of record. See Jacobsen v. Filler, 790 F.2d 1362, 1364 (9th Cir. 1986).
DISCUSSION
A. Service
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 (Rule 4), the Complaint and summons must be served upon Defendants within 90 days of filing. Fed. Rule Civ. Pro. 4(m). Service is allowed by delivering a copy of the summons and the complaint to the defendant personally; leaving a copy at the individual's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who resides there; or delivering a copy to an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process. Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(e). Service may also be accomplished by following state law for serving a summons. Id. Washington law requires the same personal service required by Rule 4 or allows service by leaving a copy of the summons and complaint at the party's usual mailing address with a person of suitable age and discretion who is a resident, proprietor, or agent thereof, and by thereafter mailing a copy by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the person to be served at their usual mailing address. Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 4.28.080 (16)-(17). Per the local rules, Plaintiff is required to serve the summons and complaint on Defendants and provide proof to the Clerk of Court after service has been accomplished. LCivR 4.
Plaintiff provided affidavits of service on February 16, 2024. ECF No. 26. Defendants Croskrey, Clark, and Kiddy have not appeared in this case. Defendant Judge Burrowes, stated in his Motion to Dismiss that he had not been properly served. ECF No. 12 at 7-8. It appears Defendant Croskrey was served at his usual place of abode, ECF No. 26 at 8, however, Defendants Clark and Kiddy were improperly served by substitution at what appears to be their place of work and not at their usual abode, id. at 10, 12. Neither the Federal Rules nor Washington law allow a party to serve an individual by leaving a copy of the complaint at the person's place of employment. RCW 4.28.080(17); Dolby v. Worthy, 141 Wash.App. 813, 817 (2007) (“An individual defendant cannot be served by serving an employee at defendant's place of business.”). Plaintiff does not offer any explanation as to why the parties were not properly served. See ECF No. 27 at 2-4. As Plaintiff has not complied with Rule 4 as to Defendants Clark and Kiddy, the claims against Defendants Clark and Kiddy are dismissed. Even if the Court did not dismiss Defendants Clark and Kiddy due to the failure to comply with Rule 4, they would be entitled to dismissal for the reasons discussed infra.
B. Immunity
Defendant Judge Burrowes contends he is entitled to judicial immunity and immunity under the Eleventh Amendment. ECF No. 12 at 5-8. As to judicial immunity, judges are generally immune from civil liability under Section 1983. Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 9-10 (1991). There are two circumstances in which judicial immunity can be overcome: 1) the actions were not taken in the judge's judicial capacity; or 2) the actions were taken without jurisdiction. Id. at 11-12. Here, Plaintiff has not alleged facts that would demonstrate Defendant Judge Burrowes is not entitled to judicial immunity.
Defendant Judge Burrowes is also entitled to immunity under the Eleventh Amendment. An official sued in their official capacity is entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity. Pena v. Gardner, 976 F.2d 469, 473 (9th Cir. 1992). Plaintiff does not set forth facts to support a finding an exception applies, nor that Defendant has waived immunity. Plaintiff's response does not address Defendant Judge Burrowes' contention. ECF No. 27. Thus, Defendant Judge Burrowes is entitled to judicial immunity, and immunity under the Eleventh Amendment as to the claims against him in his official capacity.
C. Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Defendants Meyler, Hohenberg, and Bertolino contend the case should be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. ECF No. 23 at 5; ECF No. 24 at 4-6; ECF No. 25 at 4-6.
Although Plaintiff alleges the Court has federal question jurisdiction, ECF No. 1 at 4, it is not clear what federal rights Plaintiff alleges have been violated. As discussed in the December 5, 2023 Order, ECF No. 5, Plaintiff does not clearly set forth a First Amendment claim, and she does not explain how the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) was violated, nor which portion(s) were allegedly violated. While Plaintiff contends she is presenting criminal and civil claims, Plaintiff may not bring criminal claims. See, e.g., United States v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683, 693 (1974). Plaintiff also completed the portion of the civil cover sheet that applies to diversity cases. ECF No. 1-1. However, she has not presented any facts to support a finding that diversity jurisdiction exists.
Defendant Hohenberg contends jurisdictional dismissal is appropriate because Plaintiff does not allege a coherent, plausible, and non-frivolous claim that provides a basis for jurisdiction. ECF No 24 at 4-5. Defendants Bertolino and Meyler also contend Plaintiff has failed to establish subject matter jurisdiction. ECF No. 23 at 5; ECF No. 25 at 5-7. Plaintiff's response does not address Defendants' contention. ECF No. 27. As Plaintiff has not presented facts to support a finding that federal question jurisdiction nor diversity jurisdiction exists, Plaintiff has failed to establish that the Court has subject matter jurisdiction.
D. Failure to State a Claim
Defendants Meyler, Hohenberg, and Bertolino contend Plaintiff has failed to state a claim. ECF No. 23 at 5-6; ECF No. 24 at 6-7, ECF No. 25 at 6-8. A complaint must contain more than “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action.” Bell Atl. Corp., 550 U.S. at 555. The complaint must plead “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Id. at 570. Liberally construing the complaint in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, the Court finds that Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Plaintiff's Complaint largely addresses claims of criminal actions and does not set forth any facts to support a civil claim. While Plaintiff mentions the First Amendment and FDCPA, she does not support the bare assertions of violations of her rights. Plaintiff's response does not address Defendants' contention. ECF No. 27. As such, Plaintiff has failed to state a claim.
E. Doctrine Against Claim Splitting
Defendant Meyler contends, in the alternative, that the claims against him should be dismissed because they are duplicative of Plaintiff's prior claim against him. ECF No. 23 at 6-7 (citing Espinda v. Meyler, 4:23-cv-05085-MKD (E.D. Wash. June 8, 2023). The Court need not reach this issue, as the Court finds Plaintiff has failed to establish subject matter jurisdiction and has failed to state a claim.
F. John Does and Et al.
Plaintiff's Complaint lists “John Does (Investors) 1-10,000” as defendants in the caption. ECF No. 1 at 1. The facts section of the Complaint does not address the investors. Id. at 11-14. The investors are not identified in any way, and there are no specific allegations as to the investors. The use of “John Doe” or “Jane Doe” to identify a defendant is disfavored. Gillespie v. Civiletti, 629 F.2d 637, 642 (9th Cir. 1980).
Plaintiff also lists “Et al” in the Complaint caption. ECF No. 1 at 1. Plaintiff is using the abbreviation “et al.” inappropriately. See Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992), as amended (May 22, 1992). Plaintiff names additional individuals in the body of the Complaint, who are not listed in the case caption. It is unclear who the “Et al” is intended to apply to. Plaintiff must name all Defendants in the caption of the Complaint. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Failing to name all Defendants in the Complaint denies the Court jurisdiction over the unnamed Defendants. Fed.R.Civ.P. 10(a). Plaintiff has failed to state a plausible claim against any of the Doe or unnamed Defendants.
G. Dismissal of Defendant Croskrey
All Defendants except Defendant Croskrey have been dismissed for the reasons discussed herein. Although Defendant Croskrey has not appeared in the case, the Court finds dismissal is appropriate. The Court may dismiss a complaint pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) on its own motion. See Omar v. Sea-Land Serv., Inc., 813 F.2d 986, 991 (9th Cir.1987) (“A trial court may dismiss a claim sua sponte under [Rule] 12(b)(6). Such a dismissal may be made without notice where the claimant cannot possibly win relief.”). A paid complaint that is “obviously frivolous” may be dismissed sua sponte. Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227 n. 6 (9th Cir.1984); see also Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(3).
The Court may also dismiss a complaint by its own motion for failure to comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8. Hearns v. San Bernardino Police Dep't, 530 F.3d 1124, 1131 (9th Cir. 2008). Rule 8 requires a complaint to include a “short and plain statement of the claim,” and “each allegation must be simple, concise, and direct,” and a complaint that is so confusing that its “true substance, if any, is well disguised” may be dismiss on the Court's own motion. Id. (quoting Gillibeau v. City of Richmond, 417 F.2d 426, 431 (9th Cir.1969)). A complaint that fails to provide defendants fair notice of the wrongs they have allegedly committed does not comply with Rule 8. McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 1996).
As discussed supra, Plaintiff's Complaint fails to state a claim. It also fails to comply with Rule 8, as it largely addresses claims of criminal actions and does not set forth any facts to support a civil claim. While Plaintiff mentions the First Amendment and FDCPA, she does not elaborate on either claim. Plaintiff's Complaint thus fails to provide Defendant Croskrey fair notice of the wrongs he has allegedly committed. The claims against Defendant Croskrey are dismissed.
H. Conclusion
The Complaint is dismissed for the reasons discussed herein. Unless it is clear that an amendment would be futile, a pro se litigant must be given the opportunity to amend his complaint to correct any deficiencies. Noll v. Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987), superseded by statute on other grounds, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), as stated in Aktar v. Mesa, 698 F.3d 1202, 1212 (9th Cir. 2012). As discussed herein, and in the December 5, 2023 Order, ECF No. 5, Plaintiff's allegations largely relate to alleged criminal actions and have no basis in civil law. Plaintiff has presented no facts to support a finding that any government actors, acting in their official capacity, should not be entitled to immunity under the Eleventh Amendment, nor that Defendant Judge Burrowes should not be entitled to judicial immunity. As Plaintiffs claims appear to be without merit, and the deficiencies cannot be cured, allowing amendment would be futile. Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(2); Gordon v. City of Oakland, 627 F.3d 1092, 1094 (9th Cir. 2010) (citing Albrecht v. Lund, 845 F.2d 193, 195 (9th Cir. 1988)). While Plaintiff filed a response to the motions to dismiss, she did not substantively respond to any of the defendants' contentions. ECF No. 27. Plaintiff's failure to substantively respond to the Motions to Dismiss also demonstrates an inability or unwillingness to make necessary amendments. See Anderson v. Navy Fed. Credit Union, No. 3:23-CV-05506-DGE, 2023 WL 6481518, at *3 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 5, 2023) (citing Carrico v. City and Cnty. of San Francisco, 656 F.3d 1002, 1008 (9th Cir. 2011)); see also Bachmeier v. Einerson, No. 3:23-CV-00179-SLG, 2023 WL 6796213, at *3 (D. Alaska Oct. 13, 2023) (citing Culpepper v. Biddle, Case No. CV 18-8826-JFW (GJS), 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 187497, at *8, *11 (C.D. Cal. 2018)). Thus, the case is dismissed with prejudice.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. Defendant Judge Burrowes' Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 12, is GRANTED.
2. Defendant Meyler's Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 23, is GRANTED.
3. Defendant Hohenberg's Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 24, is GRANTED.
4. Defendant Bertolino's Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 25, is GRANTED.
5. Plaintiff's Complaint, ECF No. 1, is DISMISSED with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED. The District Court Clerk is hereby directed to enter this Order, provide a copy to pro se Plaintiff and counsel, and CLOSE the case.