Rory Walsh v. Robert Krantz , 386 F. App'x 334 ( 2010 )

NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
___________
No. 10-1217
___________
RORY M. WALSH, individually and as Natural
Guardian of C.R.W., a minor,
Appellant,
v.
DR. ROBERT KRANTZ; MRS. SHARI YOUNG;
MRS. SUE CATHCART; MRS. KEENEY; MRS. KELLY
HEISEY; UNKNOWN DALLASTOWN STAFF MEMBER;
DR. STEWARD WEINBERG; DALLASTOWN AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT; CATHY STONE; GREG ANDERSON
____________________________________
On Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
(D.C. Civ. No. 07-cv-00616)
District Judge: Christopher C. Conner
____________________________________
Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
July 9, 2010
Before: FUENTES, GREENAWAY and VAN ANTWERPEN, Circuit Judges
(Opinion filed: July 12, 2010)
___________
OPINION
___________
PER CURIAM
Appellant Rory M. Walsh filed a civil action pro se in United States District Court
for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against the Dallastown Area School District and a
number of its officials and staff members, including then Principal Dr. Robert Krantz,
Shari A. Young, Assistant Principal Sue A. Cathcart, Judy Keeney, Kelly Heisey,
Superintendent Dr. Stewart Weinberg, Steven L. Turner, and an “unknown Dallastown
staff member.” 1 Walsh filed the action on behalf of himself individually and his son,
C.R.W., a Dallastown Area Middle School student, who attended the 7th grade during the
2005-2006 school year.
Walsh’s original complaint set forth nine counts: (1) conspiracy in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 241; (2) conspiracy in violation of civil rights, 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3); (3) a
Privacy Act violation, 5 U.S.C. § 552; (4) a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 119; (5) a Federal
Wiretapping Act violation, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2520; (6) a violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605 on
unauthorized publication or use of communications; (7) a Pennsylvania Wiretap Act
violation, 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5703, 5704, 5725; (8) civil rights violations, 42
U.S.C. § 1983; and (9) a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875 on interstate communications. The
claims related to two telephone calls Walsh made on March 29, 2006 to C.R.W. at the
Middle School, the first to Dr. Krantz and the second to C.R.W. Walsh alleged that Dr.
1
Walsh also named the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a defendant. The
District Court dismissed this defendant pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment, see
Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 100 (1983), and Walsh has not
challenged this determination in his brief on appeal. The issue of this defendant’s
dismissal is thus waived. See Kost v. Kozakiewicz, 1 F.3d 176, 182 (3d Cir. 1993).
2
Krantz, with the assistance of an unknown Dallastown staff member and without
authorization, eavesdropped on his telephone conversation with his son. Walsh also
raised specific complaints about how he and his son were treated by school personnel.
Walsh sought $600,000.00 in damages.
The defendants moved to dismiss the complaint pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 12(b)(6). In an order entered on June 4, 2008, the District Court dismissed all
claims based on federal criminal statutes (Counts One, Four, and Nine) because the
specified statutes did not provide for a private right of enforcement, and private parties
generally lack authority to enforce federal criminal statutes, see Connecticut Action Now,
Inc. v. Roberts Plating Co., 457 F.2d 81, 86-87 (2d Cir. 1972). The District Court also
dismissed the section 1985(3) claim (Count Two) for lack of an allegation that any race-
or class-based discriminatory animus motivated the defendants’ conduct, Griffin v.
Breckenridge, 403 U.S. 88, 102 (1971). In addition, the court dismissed the Privacy Act
claim (Count Three) against the School District and Cathcart because the Act applies only
to federal agencies, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b); 5 U.S.C. § 552(e). See Schwier v. Cox, 340 F.3d
1284, 1287-88 (11th Cir. 2003) (Section 3 of Privacy Act applies only to federal agencies
and sets forth an individual’s right to records of federal agencies and right to be protected
from disclosure of records by federal agencies).2
2
The District Court correctly determined, for the reasons given by the court, that
Counts One, Two, Three, Four, and Nine of the original complaint were subject to
dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim that is plausible on its face. See
3
As to Walsh’s allegation that his Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process
rights had been violated, the District Court determined that the alleged conduct of the
defendants – recommending that C.R.W. be tested, changing due dates of assignments,
calling Walsh names and otherwise attempting to precipitate an event at his residence,
and restricting Walsh’s access to the school – did not shock the conscience, see Chainey
v. Street, 523 F.3d 200, 219 (3d Cir. 2008) (“To establish a substantive due process claim,
a plaintiff must prove the particular interest at issue is protected by the substantive due
process clause and the government’s deprivation of that protected interest shocks the
conscience.”). The court also found no plausible substantive due process claim in
Walsh’s allegation that Assistant Principal Cathcart improperly informed C.R.W.’s
teachers that Walsh had refused to allow C.R.W. to be tested. Accordingly, these section
1983 claims were dismissed.3 The District Court allowed Walsh’s federal and state
wiretapping counts and section 1983 Fourth Amendment count to proceed, and granted
Walsh leave to amend with respect to his count based on 47 U.S.C. § 605.
Walsh then filed his amended complaint, in which he added new claims, including
one on behalf of C.R.W. and his other child, S.J.W., for breach of fiduciary trust, an
individual claim and claims on behalf of C.R.W. and S.J.W. for intentional and negligent
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). We will affirm these determinations,
which do not require additional discussion.
3
We agree with the District Court that the complaint failed to allege a plausible
substantive due process violation. See Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1949. We affirm this
determination, which does not require additional discussion.
4
infliction of emotional distress, and a claim pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The
defendants responded by filing a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, Fed. R. Civ.
Pro. 12(b)(6). In an order entered on August 22, 2008, the District Court finally
dismissed Walsh’s claim of a violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605, because the amended
complaint did not allege an interstate or foreign communication, see id. at 605(a)(1).4
The court dismissed the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act count brought on behalf of C.R.W.
because, as the recipient of the communication at issue, he lacked standing, and the court
dismissed the state wiretap count altogether as to the School District pursuant to its
immunity from suit under the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, 18 Pa. Cons. Stat.
Ann. § 8541.5
In the same order, the District Court dismissed the breach of fiduciary trust claim.
Walsh alleged in the amended complaint that Dr. Weinberg and Kelly Heisey breached a
fiduciary duty by ordering the Special Education Office to deliver a request for evaluation
of C.R.W. to Walsh, and that Cathy Stone and Greg Anderson breached their fiduciary
duty by attempting to assign S.J.W. to a lower grade level in math and refusing to discuss
the matter with Walsh. The District Court concluded that no plausible claim was stated
sufficient to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, because the defendants’ alleged conduct
4
We affirm this determination, which does not require additional discussion. See
Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1949.
5
Walsh has not challenged these two determinations in his brief on appeal and they are
thus waived. See Kost, 1 F.3d at 182.
5
involved only recommendations, which Walsh subsequently rejected – a rejection school
personnel accepted, see Bottorf v. Waltz, 369 A.2d 332, 334 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1976)
(discussing basic duties involved in teacher-student relationship, including duty to
exercise good judgment).
The District Court dismissed the intentional infliction of emotional distress count
pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) because the conduct alleged – belittling insults, heated emails,
demands for C.R.W. to undergo educational testing, attempts to restrict S.J.W. from being
taught at his grade level, threats to have Walsh arrested – was not outrageous and
extreme, see Swisher v. Pitz, 868 A.2d 1228, 1231 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005) (for tort of
intentional infliction of emotional distress to proceed conduct alleged must be extreme
and outrageous), and the court dismissed the negligent infliction of emotional distress
claim because all of the conduct alleged was intentional. The claim under 42 U.S.C. §
1981 was dismissed because Walsh did not allege that he or his sons belonged to a
protected class, or that the defendants acted with an intent to discriminate on the basis of
race. See Pryor v. Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n, 288 F.3d 548, 569 (3d Cir. 2002).
The District Court referred all discovery matters to the Magistrate Judge and
discovery then ensued. Walsh deposed several of the defendants and the defendants
deposed Walsh. At the conclusion of discovery, the remaining defendants moved for
summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c). After the
Magistrate Judge filed a Report and Recommendation, the District Court, in an order and
6
judgment entered on December 18, 2009, granted the defendants’ motion.6 Walsh
appeals.
We will affirm. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Walsh contends on
appeal that summary judgment on the federal and state wiretap and Fourth Amendment
claims was improper and the District Court ignored his expert report; the District Court
should have recused; discovery was improperly limited and the District Court improperly
barred him filing any further motions for reconsideration; he was improperly denied the
opportunity to amend his complaint for a second time; and his section 1981, breach of
fiduciary trust, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims were
improperly dismissed.
Our review of the District Court's grant of summary judgment is plenary and we
must affirm if there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986);
Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 56(c) (effective through November 30, 2009).7 Under Rule 56(c), the
moving party must show that there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmoving
party’s case. See id. Once the moving party has met this burden, the nonmoving party
6
Walsh’s summary judgment motion was denied.
7
Rule 56(c) was amended effective December 1, 2009, and continues to provide that:
“The judgment sought should be rendered if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure
materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material
fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. Pro.
56(c)(2).
7
may not rest upon his allegations and arguments; rather, the nonmoving party must “set
out specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial.” Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 56(e)(2). “Where
the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-
moving party, there is no genuine issue for trial.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith
Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986). A plaintiff cannot avoid summary judgment with
speculation; he must provide competent evidence from which a rational trier of fact can
find in his favor. See Ridgewood Bd. of Educ. v. N.E. ex rel. M.E., 172 F.3d 238, 252
(3d Cir. 1999).
The defendants plainly met their burden under Rule 56(c), and thus Walsh was
required to go beyond his pleadings and allegations, and by affidavits, or by the
“depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file,” designate “specific facts
showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 324 (quoting
Rule 56(e)(2)). A material factual dispute is a dispute as to a factual issue that will affect
the outcome of the trial under the governing law. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477
U.S. 242, 248 (1986). We conclude that summary judgment in favor of Dr. Krantz and
the School District was proper on Walsh’s individual Federal Wiretapping Act claim and
claim on behalf of C.R.W. Under the Federal Wiretapping Act, any person who
“intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept
or endeavor to intercept any wire, oral, or electronic communication” violates the Act. 18
U.S.C. § 2511(1)(a). The Act defines “intercept” to mean “the aural or other acquisition
8
of the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication through the use of any
electronic, mechanical, or other device.” 18 U.S.C. § 2510(4).
During the first telephone call on the morning of March 29, 2006, Walsh spoke
with Dr. Krantz and asked him to relay a message to C.R.W. Walsh placed a second call
and spoke directly to C.R.W., who was allowed to take the call either in Dr. Krantz’s or
another administrator’s office. Walsh contended that Dr. Krantz had the technology to
eavesdrop on his call to C.R.W., and in fact intentionally listened in. Dr. Krantz testified
in his deposition that C.R.W. took the call from Walsh. Dr. Krantz left the office where
C.R.W. took the call and went out into the outer office area and talked to the secretaries.
The District Court properly concluded that there was no evidence upon which a rational
trier of fact could find that Dr. Krantz intercepted the second telephone call in violation of
federal law. There were eye-witnesses to the events in question, they were deposed by
Walsh, and they provided no support for his allegation that Dr. Krantz intercepted the call
through use of any “electronic, mechanical, or other device.” 18 U.S.C. § 2510(4).
Walsh contends in his brief on appeal that a triable issue of material fact was
established by his expert report, two emails from Dr. Krantz, and C.R.W.’s affidavit.
Walsh supplied a letter from an expert, who stated that an Avaya Telephone Set 6416D
has conference call capabilities. But, even if the Middle School Office had conference
call capabilities, that fact alone is not probative of whether Dr. Krantz used conference
call capabilities to listen in. Furthermore, nothing in the contents of the two emails sent
9
that morning by Dr. Krantz to Walsh provided evidence that Dr. Krantz listened in on
another telephone while C.R.W. was talking to Walsh. The two emails indisputably do
not provide direct evidence of an interception,8 and inference of an interception cannot
reasonably be drawn from the emails. Walsh contended that Dr. Krantz could not have
referenced an “outline” and “extra credit assignment” in those emails unless he had been
8
At 1:06 p.m., Dr. Krantz wrote:
Mr. Walsh,
[C.R.W.] informed me that you had asked him to give his outline (or finish)
to Mr. Hartman and complete some extra credit. He was pulled from math
class to talk with you. I would prefer not to call him between classes or
during class for phone calls and allow him to focus on subject work. I had
previously talked with C.R.W. about the Assignment. Just let us know to
remind him and give him positives about Assignments. We need to work
together utilizing the best possible practices and I believe that the emailing
and assignment book, along with counselor, teacher, and principal
reminders will bring about positive results.
Bob
After receiving a response from Walsh, in which he complained that his access to C.R.W.
was being blocked, Dr. Krantz wrote:
It is never my intent to block your access to your son, but I must keep
instructional time as a priority for the sake of your son and our
responsibility from a parent and principal standpoint. I have continued to
monitor the team’s approach with students. It is important that we continue
a positive working relationship to keep [C.R.W.] on track, but also make
him responsible.
Bob
10
listening in, but this is speculation. Walsh provided no evidence that would create a
reasonable inference that Dr. Krantz could not have learned of the outline and the extra
credit work by means other than intercepting the call. Similarly, nothing in C.R.W.’s
affidavit supports directly or circumstantially Walsh’s allegation that Dr. Krantz listened
in on another telephone during C.R.W.’s conversation with Walsh.9
Inasmuch as Dr. Krantz did not “intercept” the telephone call, logically he could
not have “disclosed” the content of the call to a third person, or “used” any information
disclosed during the call for any purpose, 18 U.S.C. § 2511(1)(c), (d). Accordingly, Dr.
Krantz and the School District were entitled to summary judgment on the Federal
Wiretapping Act claim. The provisions of Pennsylvania’s Wiretap Act applicable to this
case are substantially the same as the provisions of the Federal Wiretapping Act. The
state wiretap act is interpreted in the same way as the federal Act. See Fraser v.
Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 352 F.3d 107, 113 n.6 (3d Cir. 2003). Accordingly, Dr. Krantz
also was entitled to summary judgment on Walsh’s individual claim of a violation of the
Pennsylvania Wiretapping Act.
To establish a section 1983 claim, a plaintiff must demonstrate a deprivation of a
9
In his affidavit, C.R.W. stated: “During 29 March 06, early in the day, Dr. Krantz,
the principal of the Dallastown Middle School, approached me and informed me my dad
had called to remind me to turn in my outline to Mr. Hartman. Later that same day, my
dad called and reminded me that I also had to see Mrs. Young during 9th period to
complete my extra credit project for the 3rd Marking Period. I completed both tasks. Dr.
Krantz did not speak to me again that day.”
11
“right secured by the Constitution and the laws of the United States ... by a person acting
under color of law.” See Kneipp v. Tedder, 95 F.3d 1199, 1204 (3d Cir. 1996). The
Fourth Amendment, upon which Walsh’s individual section 1983 claim and claim on
behalf of C.R.W. are based, prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Soldal v. Cook
County, Ill., 506 U.S. 56, 62 (1992). Application of the Fourth Amendment depends on
whether the person invoking it can claim a reasonable expectation of privacy. Smith v.
Maryland, 442 U.S. 735, 740 (1979). Here, Walsh did not provide evidence that either he
or C.R.W. had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the second telephone call. The call
was made through a telephone line to the Middle School, it was taken in a school
administrator’s office, and there is no evidence that either Walsh or C.R.W. asked for
privacy. What a person knowingly exposes to the public is not entitled to Fourth
Amendment protection. See Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347, 351 (1967). The
District Court properly determined that the defendants were entitled to summary judgment
on the Fourth Amendment claim.
Turning to the remaining issues, during the time when discovery was ongoing
Walsh filed a motion to recuse, which the District Court denied. After the District Court
denied appeals from the Magistrate Judge’s orders resolving discovery disputes, Walsh
filed a second motion for recusal. That motion was denied. We conclude that the District
Court properly declined to recuse. We have reviewed the entire record and there is no
basis for reasonably questioning the District Court’s impartiality, 28 U.S.C. § 455(a). See
12
Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S. 540, 550-51 (1994) (judge is not recusable for bias or
prejudice where his knowledge and negative opinion were acquired during the course of
proceedings). See also Securacomm Consulting, Inc. v. Securacom, Inc., 224 F.3d 273,
278 (3d Cir. 2000) (party’s displeasure with legal rulings does not form an adequate basis
for recusal). With respect to 28 U.S.C. § 144, Walsh’s affidavit does not evince bias that
is personal in nature, see United States v. Thompson, 483 F.2d 527, 528 (3d Cir. 1973).10
Walsh contends that his right to discovery was improperly restricted. He states, for
example, that the roster of administrative personnel was withheld from him until the last
day of discovery, see Appellant’s Brief, at 24. Walsh filed a number of motions for
reconsideration of various orders resolving discovery matters, culminating in the District
Court’s March 20, 2009 order, in which the court stated that it would not consider any
further motions requesting that it reconsider its earlier decisions. We conclude that the
District Court did not abuse its discretion in the management of discovery in this case, see
In re: Fine Paper Antitrust Litig., 685 F.2d 810, 817 (3d Cir. 1982) (matters of docket
control and conduct of discovery are committed to the sound discretion of the district
court). The record reflects that Walsh was given ample time to conduct discovery, he did
10
In his reply brief Walsh states that the District Court’s negative view of him can be
traced to an earlier lawsuit, Walsh v. United States, D.C. Civ. No. 05-cv-00818, but the
District Court was thorough in its approach to the allegations in the instant lawsuit, and
did not base its judgment on the lack of merit in the prior case. See Walsh v. United
States, 328 Fed. Appx. 806 (3d Cir. 2009) (affirming grant of summary judgment and
holding that former marine’s conclusory accusations of general’s involvement in home
invasions were insufficient to establish liability under Fourth and Fifth Amendments).
13
in fact depose several witnesses and submit an expert report, and he has not pointed to
any evidence that would have affected the outcome of the trial under the governing law,
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, had discovery been extended. Cf. Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 56(f) (“If
a party opposing the motion shows by affidavit that, for specified reasons, it cannot
present facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may: *** (2) order a continuance
to enable affidavits to be obtained, depositions to be taken, or other discovery to be
undertaken”).
We conclude that leave to file a second amended complaint to add additional
substantive due process allegations – that Stone attempted to block S.J.W. from being
kept at grade level for math, that she recommended that S.J.W. be held below grade level,
that Stone and Anderson refused to discuss that recommendation, that Cathcart was the
driving force behind the actions regarding S.J.W. – properly was denied because the
conduct alleged does not shock the conscience. See Alvin v. Suzuki, 227 F.3d 107, 121
(3d Cir. 2000) (leave to amend may be denied if amendment would be futile). Walsh also
alleged that Keeney, a secretary, was the “unknown Dallastown staff member,” and he
sought to amend his complaint accordingly. This request also properly was denied
because an amendment to name Keeney as the unknown Dallastown staff member would
have been futile. Walsh’s evidence of a federal or state wiretap violation or Fourth
Amendment violation was insufficient to withstand a motion for summary judgment
14
against anyone, including Keeney.11
Last, we agree with the District Court, for the reasons given by the District Court,
that Walsh’s amended complaint failed to state a plausible section 1981 claim, claim for
breach of fiduciary trust, or claim for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional
distress sufficient to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss. See Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at
1949.
For the foregoing reasons we will affirm all orders of the District Court. The
appellant’s motion to vacate the Clerk’s Order of May 18, 2010 is denied.
11
The District Court sua sponte granted summary judgment in favor of the “unknown
Dallastown staff member.”
15