Opinion
No. CIV S-93-0767 LKK GGH P.
December 10, 2009
ORDER
Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding through counsel, is a practicing Wiccan. Plaintiff's operative complaint alleges that defendants, current and former Directors of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and wardens at two prisons, have impermissibly interfered with his ability to practice his religion. Plaintiff moves to supplement his complaint to add a claim for retaliation. The court resolves this motion on the papers and after oral argument. For the reasons stated below, the motion is granted in part.
I. BACKGROUND
This case has a long history, which the court recently surveyed in Rouser v. White, 630 F. Supp. 2d 1165 (E.D. Cal. 2009). Only the pertinent aspects are provided here.
From December 1990 to April 23, 1996, plaintiff was housed at California State Prison — Sacramento ("CSP-Sac"). Id. at 1173-74. Plaintiff was transferred to a number of different facilities between 1996 and 2007, ending up at Pleasant Valley State Prison ("PVSP"). Id. at 1174-75. Plaintiff argues that throughout this time, he was denied the ability to practice his religion.
Plaintiff's initial complaint was filed May 7, 1993. Plaintiff sought damages and injunctive relief from, inter alia, defendant White, warden of CSP-Sac, and defendant Gomez, former director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCR"). On December 5, 1997, the court dismissed the case pursuant to the parties' private settlement. In 2004, the court reopened the case to allow plaintiff, at the time proceeding in pro se, to seek an order enforcing the settlement agreement. See Order of March 23, 2004 (Doc. No. 149).
Plaintiff filed an amended complaint filed on January 30, 2006. (Doc. No. 229). This amended complaint added defendants and claims relating to plaintiff's treatment at Mule Creek State Prison. Id. at 6-10. The Magistrate Judge assigned to this case held that these amendments were proper insofar as they sought injunctive relief, but that claims for damages against these defendants would need to be brought in a separate action. Order and Findings and Recommendations of July 11, 2006 (Doc. No. 243)). The Magistrate Judge therefore ordered the complaint copied to a new action so that the new damages claims could be litigated separately, and for this action to be assigned to the same District and Magistrate Judges. Id., see also No. Civ. 2:06-cv-01527-LKK-GGH. The Magistrate Judge also recommended that defendants' motion for a stay be denied, and the court adopted this recommendation. Order of September 27, 2006 (Doc. No. 247).
In June of 2007, plaintiff was transferred to Pleasant Valley State Prison ("PVSP"). On April 21, 2008, three weeks before trial was set to commence, plaintiff retained counsel. (Doc. Nos. 354, 355). The court vacated the trial dates, and permitted plaintiff to file a second and third amended complaint. (Doc. Nos. 369, 383). The third amended complaint ("TAC") is the presently operative complaint.
The TAC brings seven claims against four defendants. These defendants are Theo White, former warden of CSP-Sac (TAC ¶ 6); James H. Gomez, former director of CDCR (¶ 7); Matthew Cate, Secretary of CDCR (¶ 8); and James A. Yates, warden at PVSP (¶ 9). All defendants are sued in both their official and individual capacities, and plaintiff seeks damages and injunctive relief. (¶¶ 11-12.) Plaintiff alleged that defendants Cate and Yates violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person's Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc et seq. (first claim); that defendants White, Gomez, Cate and Yates violated the free exercise clauses of the Federal and California constitutions (second and fifth claims); and that defendants White, Cate, and Yates violated the establishment and equal protection clauses of the Federal and California constitutions (third, fourth, sixth, and seventh claims).
Defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing that plaintiff failed to raise a triable question as to any of his claims, and that defendants White and Gomez were entitled to qualified immunity on claims for damages against them. On May 15, 2009, the court denied the motion as to claims against Cate and Yates, and granted in part and denied in part the motion as to Gomez and White. Rouser, 630 F. Supp. 2d at 1204. As to the free exercise claims against Gomez, no evidence indicated that Gomez participated in the 1993 denial of a "witches' bible" to plaintiff while plaintiff was in administrative segregation, but the free exercise claims could proceed against Gomez insofar as they were based on other facts. Id. at 1189. As to the establishment clause and equal protection claims, no evidence indicated that defendants' denial of candles, incense, Tarot cards or access to a chapel in 1992 demonstrated a denominational preference. Id. at 1202-03. Defendants' motion was otherwise denied as to Gomez and White, including denial of their assertion of qualified immunity. Gomez and White filed an interlocutory appeal of the denial of qualified immunity. See Appeal No. 09-16221.
Plaintiff now seeks to supplement the TAC to include claims for conduct occurring after the TAC was filed. Plaintiff seeks to name as two additional defendants P. Ortiz and B. Flores, who are respectively Correctional Counselors II and I at PVSP. Plaintiff alleges that Ortiz and Flores retailed against his filing of grievances and litigation of this case by placing plaintiff administrative segregation and then causing plaintiff to be transferred from PVSP to California State Prison Los Angeles County ("LAC"). Ortiz and Flores allegedly provided, as justification for these acts, a "confidential memorandum" dated May 17, 2007 (prior to plaintiff's transfer to PVSP), and plaintiff alleges that this justification is pretextual. Plaintiff further seeks to allege that officials at LAC have further interfered with his religious practice, and plaintiff seeks to name Brian Haws, warden of LAC, as an additional defendant.
II. STANDARD
"Upon motion of a party the court may, upon reasonable notice and upon such terms as are just, permit the party to serve a supplemental pleading setting forth transactions or occurrences or events which have happened since the date of the pleading sought to be supplemented." Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(d). The purpose of Rule 15(d) is to promote as complete an adjudication of the dispute between the parties as possible by allowing the addition of claims which arise after the initial pleadings are filed.William Inglis Sons Baking Co. v. ITT Continental Baking Co., Inc., 668 F.2d 1014, 1057 (9th Cir. 1981). As such, Rule 15(d) gives district courts broad discretion in allowing supplemental pleadings.
[Rule 15(d) motions are] [s]o useful . . . and of such service in the efficient administration of justice that they ought to be allowed as of course, unless some particular reason for disallowing them appears, though the court has the unquestioned right to impose terms upon their allowance when fairness appears to require them.Keith v. Volpe, 858 F.2d 467, 473 (9th Cir. 1988) (quoting New Amsterdam Casualty Co. v. Waller, 323 F.2d 20, 28-29 (4th Cir. 1963)).
The proposed supplemental pleading must share a connection with the prior pleading, and must satisfy the ordinary requirements for amendment.
"While some relationship must exist between the newly alleged matters and the subject of the original action, they need not all arise out of the same transaction." Id. at 474. It is enough that the claims share the same "concern." Id. If the original pleading gave defendants notice that the conduct, transaction, or occurrence is of a continuing nature, defendants should be prepared to defend against all claims arising out of it, whether they arose before or after the original complaint was filed. Wright Miller, 6A Fed. Prac. Proc. Civ. 2d § 1508. A supplemental complaint may similarly add new parties who are connected with the original action. See Griffin v. County School Bd. of Prince Edward County, 377 U.S. 218, 226-227 (1964).
In addition to satisfying the minimal requirement of "some relationship," a supplemental pleading will not be allowed if doing so would be unjust to defendants. In this regard, the standard is the same as the one under Rule 15(a). See Glatt v. Chicago Park Dist., 87 F. 3d 190, 194 (7th Cir. 1996). Among the factors which can support denial of leave to amend are
undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing party by virtue of allowance of the amendment, [and] futility of amendment.Id. (quoting Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962)) (modification in original), Manzarek v. St. Paul Fire Marine Ins. Co., 519 F.3d 1025, 1035 (9th Cir. 2008). The party opposing amendment bears the burden of showing that these factors are present. DCD Programs, Ltd. v. Leighton, 833 F.2d 183, 187 (9th Cir. 1987).
Prejudice to the opposing party is the most important of these factors. See Eminence Capital, LLC v. Aspeon, Inc., 316 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir. 2003) (per curiam), Jackson v. Bank of Hawaii, 902 F.2d 1385, 1387 (9th Cir. 1990) (citing Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine Research, Inc., 401 U.S. 320, 330-31 (1971)).
While delay alone is insufficient to deny amendment, undue delay is a factor to be considered. See Morongo Band of Mission Indians v. Rose, 893 F.2d 1074, 1079 (9th Cir. 1990) (affirming district court's denial of motion for leave to amend to add new claims made two years into litigation). Pertinent to consideration of this factor is whether the moving party knew or should have known the facts and theories raised by the amendment in the original pleading. See Jackson, 902 F.2d at 1388 (citingE.E.O.C. v. Boeing Co., 843 F.2d 1213, 1222 (9th Cir.)).
Amendment may also be denied when it is futile. See Kiser v. General Electric Corp., 831 F.2d 423, 428 (3d Cir. 1987). The test for futility "is identical to the one used when considering the sufficiency of a pleading challenged under Rule 12(b)(6)."Miller v. Rykoff-Sexton, Inc., 845 F.2d 209, 214 (9th Cir. 1988) (citing Baker v. Pacific Far East Lines, Inc., 451 F. Supp. 84, 89 (N.D. Cal. 1978)).
III. ANALYSIS
Defendants argue that this court lacks jurisdiction pending appeal, that the retaliation claim is insufficiently related to the existing claims, and that the claims against Haws and Yates are futile. The court considers each of these arguments in turn. Defendants do not argue that plaintiff has shown undue delay, bad faith, or dilatory motive, or that leave to supplement the complaint will prejudice defendants.
A. Jurisdiction
Interlocutory appeal of denial of qualified immunity may deprive the district court of jurisdiction.
Should the district court find that the defendants' claim of qualified immunity is frivolous or has been waived, the district court may certify, in writing, that defendants have forfeited their right to pretrial appeal, and may proceed with trial. In the absence of such certification, the district court is automatically divested of jurisdiction to proceed with trial pending appeal.Chuman v. Wright, 960 F.2d 104, 105 (9th Cir. 1992) (footnote omitted). The court thus presently lacks jurisdiction over the claims for damages against Gomez and White.
Appeal does not deprive the court of jurisdiction over other aspects of this case, including plaintiff's claims for injunctive relief and as to other defendants. Plotkin v. Pacific Tel. Tel. Co., 688 F.2d 1291 (9th Cir. 1982). In Plotkin, plaintiff first sought a preliminary injunction. The district court denied this request, and plaintiff filed an interlocutory appeal. While the appeal was pending, defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff argued, in part, that the district court lacked jurisdiction to hear the summary judgment motion pending resolution of the interlocutory appeal. The Ninth Circuit disagreed, holding that "an appeal from an interlocutory order does not stay the proceedings, as it is firmly established that an appeal from an interlocutory order does not divest the trial court of jurisdiction to continue with other phases of the case."Id. at 1293. Similarly, appeal of a motion for summary judgment denying qualified immunity does not divest the district court of jurisdiction to entertain a motion for a preliminary injunction.Giraldes v. Prebula, No. CIV S-01-2110, 2007 WL 2688780, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 12, 2007).
Here, it is clear that supplementing the complaint concerns a different "phase" of the case than summary judgment. Nor are the issues raised on the motion to supplement "inextricably intertwined" with the issues raised in White and Gomez's appeal, such that the Circuit court would have "pendent" appellate jurisdiction over this motion. Kwai Fun Wong v. U.S., 373 F.3d 952, 960 (9th Cir. 2004). The court has jurisdiction to entertain the present motion.
B. Flores and Ortiz
Defendants argue that claims against Flores and Ortiz cannot be added because "There is no retaliation claim in the preceding complaint, and Flores and Ortiz are not successors in office to any of the defendants in this action for purposes of injunctive relief." Defendants note that the Magistrate Judge previously denied a request to add damages claims against new defendants concerning activity at Mule Creek State Prison. (Doc. No. 243.)
The fact that Flores and Ortiz are neither parties to the suit nor successors to any party is not a barrier to the motion supplement. Rule 15(d) "plainly permits supplemental amendments to cover events happening after suit, and it follows, of course, that persons participating in these new events may be added if necessary." Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, 377 U.S. 218, 227 (1964). The events underlying plaintiff's proposed retaliation claim are not part of the same transactions and occurrences underlying his operative claims, but such a relationship is not required. Keith, 858 F.2d at 474. All that is required is that the supplemental claim share a common "concern" with the prior one. Here, that concern is the defendants' alleged interference with plaintiff's ability to practice his religion.
The facts underlying the present motion to supplement are also distinct from those concerning plaintiff's prior attempt to add claims for damages as to officials at Mule Creek State Prison. At that point, the case was proceeding to trial, such that supplemental claims would carry the risk of delaying ultimate resolution of the case. Now, because trial must wait for resolution of the interlocutory appeal, it is unlikely that addition of these claims will cause delay.
C. Haws
Defendants argue that the claim against Haws are futile insofar as they seek damages. Plaintiff concedes that at this point, Haws may be sued solely in his official capacity and for injunctive relief, and plaintiff has submitted a modified proposed supplemental complaint reflecting this.
D. Yates
Defendants argue that the claims against Yates are also futile as to both injunctive relief and damages. Specifically, defendants argue that the claims for injunctive relief are moot as to Yates now that plaintiff has been transferred to another prisoner where Yates is not the warden. As to damages, defendants argue that Yates enjoys sovereign immunity in his official capacity, and that plaintiff has not alleged facts supporting Yates' liability in his individual capacity.
Defendants' position is puzzling, because the proposed supplemented complaint does not add any new claims against Yates. The proposed retaliation claim is brought solely as to Ortiz and Flores, and plaintiff does not propose to add any additional factual allegations concerning Yates. The merits of the claims against Yates as alleged in the Third Amended Complaint are not presently before the court.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, plaintiff's motion to supplement the complaint, Doc. No. 434, is GRANTED IN PART. The motion is DENIED as to plaintiff's initial request to add a claim for damages as to defendant Haws. The motion is otherwise GRANTED. The operative complaint shall be plaintiff's revised fourth amended and supplemented complaint, provided as Exhibit A to the Declaration of Jason Wright in Support of Plaintiff's Reply in Support of Motion to Supplement the Third Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 448-1 Ex. A). For convenience, plaintiff SHALL re-file this complaint as a separate document.
IT IS SO ORDERED.