Wilson v. Brock

2002 DNH 137
CourtDistrict Court, D. New Hampshire
DecidedJuly 18, 2002
DocketCV-01-284-JD
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 2002 DNH 137 (Wilson v. Brock) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. New Hampshire primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Wilson v. Brock, 2002 DNH 137 (D.N.H. 2002).

Opinion

Wilson v . Brock CV-01-284-JD 07/18/02 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

Gary D. Wilson

v. Civil N o . 01-284-JD Opinion No. 2002 DNH 137 David Brock, et a l .

O R D E R

The plaintiff, Gary D. Wilson, proceeding pro s e , brings civil rights and state law claims against his former wife, state and federal officials, agencies, a town, and individuals, arising from his dissatisfaction with actions taken with respect to child visitation and custody and his child support obligations. The federal defendants, the State of New Hampshire defendants, the town of Derry and Rockingham County defendants, David Sandberg, and Julie Pierce move to dismiss the claims brought against them. The federal defendants also move, in the alternative, for summary judgment. Wilson has filed objections to the motions, except for Sandberg’s motion.

As a preliminary matter, the court notes that Wilson has listed himself as a plaintiff both on his own behalf and as next friend of his daughter, Jennifer Wilson. “The federal courts have consistently rejected attempts at third-party lay

representation.” Herrera-Venegas v . Sanchez-Rivera, 681 F.2d 4 1 , 42 (1st Cir. 1982). Under Local Rule 83.6(b), a person who is not a member of the bar of this court cannot appear on behalf of a pro se party, and that includes a relative. Gary Wilson may appear on behalf of himself in this action, but he cannot appear pro se as “next friend” on behalf of his daughter, Jennifer Wilson. Therefore, Gary Wilson as “next friend” of Jennifer Wilson is not a party in this case, and all claims brought on behalf of Jennifer Wilson are dismissed.

Discussion

Because the defendants’ motions raise different issues and

pertain to different facts, each motion will be addressed

separately.

A. David Sandberg’s Motion

David Sandberg served as the guardian ad litem for issues pertaining to the custody of Jennifer Wilson during Gary and Julie (now Julie Pierce) Wilson’s divorce proceeding. Wilson alleges that the parties entered a custody agreement in 1990, which was vacated the following year, and then agreed to a second custody arrangement in 1992, which was approved by the court. Wilson’s claim against Sandberg, “Malfeasance of Duty and Bias,” alleges, in essence, that Sandberg did not act in Jennifer’s best interests, and that as a result, Jennifer was, among other things, deprived of a stable home and parenting by her father.

2 Sandberg moves to dismiss the claims on the grounds that the allegations fail to state a claim and that he is immune from liability based on actions taken in his role as guardian ad litem. All of Wilson’s claims against Sandberg are brought on behalf of Jennifer. As is discussed above, Wilson, who is proceeding pro s e , cannot bring claims on behalf of his daughter. Therefore, even if the claims were viable, they cannot be litigated in this case. The claims against Sandberg are dismissed.

B. Federal Defendants’ Motion

The federal defendants are Donna Shalala and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”). Wilson titles his claim against HHS and Shalala as “Propaganda/Mass Hysteria.” Wilson alleges that Shalala and her predecessors at HHS exaggerated the amount of child support owed by obligor parents and suppressed information that did not support the hysteria about nonpayment. He alleges that those actions caused a “McCarthyism” atmosphere which lead to a process rife with constitutional violations and to the violation of Wilson’s rights to due process and equal protection. He seeks a declaratory judgment that Shalala and her predecessors at HHS contributed to the violation of his constitutional rights.

The federal defendants move to dismiss the claim due to

3 improper service of process. They also move to dismiss on the grounds that Wilson has not stated a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”), the claim is barred by the FTCA, no claim is stated under a Bivens theory, and Shalala is entitled to immunity from a Bivens claim.1 A defendant may move to dismiss an action for insufficiency of service of process. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(4) & ( 5 ) . Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i) provides the procedure for serving the agencies, officers, and employees of the United States. Wilson delivered copies of the complaint and the court’s preliminary order to the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, but he did not include summonses as required by Rule 4(i)(1)(A). Wilson also did not send a copy of the summons and the complaint to the Attorney General. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1)(B). In addition, he failed to properly serve Donna Shalala. Rule 4 ( i ) , however, requires the court to allow a reasonable time to cure a failure to effect proper service. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(3). Therefore, the court will consider the other grounds raised by the federal defendants in support of their motion to dismiss.

“Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the United States waives its sovereign immunity for ‘injury or loss of property . . .

1 Bivens v . Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).

4 caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any

employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his

office or employment, under circumstances where the United

States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in

accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission

occurred.’” Abreu-Guzman v . Ford, 241 F.3d 6 9 , 75 (1st Cir.

2001) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)). The FTCA does not waive

sovereign immunity as to intentional torts, except for assault,

battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or

malicious prosecution. See id. In addition, the FTCA requires

an administrative process as a prerequisite to suit. See Roman

v . Townsend, 224 F.3d 2 4 , 27 (1st Cir. 2000); Dynamic Image

Techs., Inc. v . United States, 221 F.3d 3 4 , 39 (1st Cir. 2000).

Wilson’s claim against HHS and Shalala alleges intentional

actions of disseminating false and misleading information and

suppressing other information. As such, the claim is not covered

by the FTCA. More importantly, however, Wilson has not complied with the administrative requirements of the FTCA. Therefore, the

FTCA does not provide a cause of action.

Alternatively, under a Bivens theory, a plaintiff may seek

money damages from government officials who violate their federal

constitutional rights. See Wilson v . Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 609

(1999). Federal agencies, however, such as HHS may not be sued

under a Bivens theory. See Corr. Servs. Corp. v . Malesko, 122 S .

5 C t . 515, 520-21 (2001) (discussing FDIC v . Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 484-86 (1994)). Shalala, in her individual capacity, is entitled to qualified immunity if the right alleged by Wilson was not clearly established at the time of the alleged violation.

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