Robert Holland, The Law Firm of Robert M. Holland III, and Holland Real Estate, LLC v. Lake County Sheriff's Department (mem. dec.) ( 2019 )


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  • MEMORANDUM DECISION
    Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
    this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                          FILED
    regarded as precedent or cited before any                                 Nov 25 2019, 8:49 am
    court except for the purpose of establishing                                   CLERK
    the defense of res judicata, collateral                                    Indiana Supreme Court
    Court of Appeals
    estoppel, or the law of the case.                                               and Tax Court
    APPELLANTS PRO SE                                        ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES
    Robert Holland                                           Robert J. Dignam
    Gary, Indiana                                            Jessica L. Mullen
    O’Neill McFadden & Willett LLP
    Schererville, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Robert Holland, The Law Firm                             November 25, 2019
    of Robert M. Holland III, and                            Court of Appeals Case No.
    Holland Real Estate, LLC,                                19A-PL-117
    Appellants-Plaintiffs,                                   Appeal from the Porter Superior
    Court
    v.                                               The Honorable Mary R. Harper,
    Judge
    Lake County Sheriff’s                                    Trial Court Cause No.
    Department, Lake County                                  64D05-1808-PL-7586
    Sheriff Dominguez, Lake
    County Sheriff Buncich, Sheriff
    Deputy Lieutenant Hogan,
    Sheriff Deputy Corporal Evon
    Foster, Sheriff Deputy John Doe,
    Sheriff Deputy Sergeant
    Montgomery, Sheriff Deputy
    Sergeant Dorsey, Sheriff Deputy
    McMillan, Lake County Auditor
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019                   Page 1 of 17
    Peggy Katona, Lake County
    Treasurer John Patelas, Lake
    County Assessor Hank Adams,
    Gary Calumet Township
    Assessor Jackie Collins, Lake
    County Board of
    Commissioners, Lake County
    Municipal Government,
    Appellees-Defendants.
    Friedlander, Senior Judge.
    [1]   Robert Holland (“Holland”), The Law Firm of Robert M. Holland III, and
    Holland Real Estate, LLC appeal the trial court’s denial of his motion to set
    aside the court’s order dismissing with prejudice his complaint against the Lake
    County Sheriff’s Department, Lake County Sheriff Dominguez, Lake County
    Sheriff Buncich, Sheriff Deputy Lieutenant Hogan, Sheriff Deputy Corporal
    Evon Foster, Sheriff Deputy John Doe, Sheriff Deputy Sergeant Montgomery,
    Sheriff Deputy Sergeant Dorsey, Sheriff Deputy McMillan, Lake County
    Auditor Peggy Katona, Lake County Treasurer John Patelas, Lake County
    Assessor Hank Adams, Gary Calumet Township Assessor Jackie Collins, Lake
    County Board of Commissioners, Lake County Municipal Government
    (collectively “Lake County Defendants”). We affirm.
    [2]   Holland presents five issues, which we restate as one: whether the trial court
    erred by denying Holland’s motion to set aside.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 2 of 17
    [3]   We begin with some background information. On May 28, 2013, Holland, pro
    se, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
    Indiana. That court struck Holland’s original complaint of 467 pages and
    allowed him to submit an amended complaint. His amended complaint was
    forty-five pages long and named twenty-six defendants. Holland alleged that
    the defendants were part of a vast conspiracy, the purpose of which was to
    cause injury to him, his business, his profession, and his property. He claimed
    that, in furtherance of the conspiracy, the defendants had engaged in a pattern
    of racketeering with the specific purpose of violating his rights. In its opinion,
    the court quoted from its decision in another of Holland’s cases in which it
    determined that Holland’s allegations “‘about a vast conspiracy involving his
    family members, officials from different towns, private hospitals, and multiple
    state court judges [are] in the vein of “fantastic” or “delusional,” warranting
    dismissal of the complaint as frivolous.’” Holland v. Lake Cty. Mun. Gov’t, No.
    2:13-CV-179-TLS, 
    2013 WL 5230242
    , at *3 (N.D. Ind. Sept. 16, 2013) (quoting
    Holland v. City of Gary, No. 2:12-CV-62-TS, 
    2012 WL 974882
    , at *3 (N.D. Ind.
    Mar. 21, 2012)). The court also noted that it had ruled against Holland two
    additional times in his attempts to sue various combinations of Lake County
    and Gary officials in federal court. Holland, 
    2013 WL 5230242
    , at *3 n.2 (citing
    Holland v. City of Gary, No. 2:10-CV-454-PRC (N.D. Ind. filed Nov. 15, 2010)
    and Holland v. Lake Cty. Mun. Gov’t, No. 2:13-CV-180-PPS (N.D. Ind. filed May
    28, 2013)). Stating that it again found Holland’s allegations of a conspiracy to
    be “in the vein of ‘fantastic’ or ‘delusional,’” the court dismissed Holland’s
    complaint with prejudice as frivolous and noted that many of his claims would
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 3 of 17
    be barred on other grounds even if they were not frivolous. Holland, 
    2013 WL 5230242
    , at *3.
    [4]   After Cause 2:13-CV-179-TLS was dismissed in the federal court in 2013,
    Holland filed his complaint in the present case in state court in November 2017.
    In December, the Lake County Defendants filed a request to remove the case to
    federal court because it included federal claims. The federal court issued an
    order dismissing the federal claims without prejudice and remanding the
    remaining state claims to the state court. In its order, the court stated that
    Holland cannot litigate in the federal court because he is “a restricted filer.”
    Federal Court Order in Cause 2:17-CV-456, Appellees’ App. Vol. II, pp. 121-
    22.
    [5]   After the case was remanded to the state court in Lake County, Holland filed a
    request for change of venue on January 16, 2018. In the meantime, on January
    29, the Lake County Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the action, to which
    Holland filed a response. In June, the case was venued to Porter County, and,
    on August 17, the trial court granted the Lake County Defendants’ motion to
    dismiss and ordered the case dismissed with prejudice. On September 17, 2018,
    Holland filed a motion to set aside the court’s order of dismissal, which the
    court denied on December 13. This appeal ensued.
    [6]   As a preliminary matter, we note that Holland is proceeding pro se. It is well
    settled that pro se litigants are held to the same legal standards as licensed
    attorneys. Lowrance v. State, 
    64 N.E.3d 935
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2016), trans. denied.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 4 of 17
    This means that they must follow the established rules of procedure and accept
    the consequences when they fail to do so. 
    Id. We further
    observe that Holland
    1
    was a licensed attorney in this state in the past. See Complaint, Appellees’
    App. Vol. II, p. 11, ¶ 6; Appellees’ Br. p. 27.
    [7]   The Lake County Defendants contend that Holland has waived review of his
    claims because he has failed to present cogent argument. It is well established
    that we will neither consider an appellant’s assertions upon which he has not
    presented cogent argument supported by authority and references to the record
    as required by the rules nor address arguments that are either inappropriate,
    improperly expressed, or too poorly developed to be understood. Lasater v.
    Lasater, 
    809 N.E.2d 380
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). It is true that Holland’s brief to
    this Court scarcely adheres to the rules of appellate procedure and is replete
    with rambling claims that are baseless and repetitious. Nevertheless, we will
    address what we are able to discern are his concerns before discussing the one
    genuine, dispositive issue in this case.
    [8]   In Issue #1 in his brief, Holland alleges several “clerical errors” that he claims
    require reversal of the trial court’s dismissal of his complaint. Appellants’ Br. p.
    24. Holland maintains the court’s dismissal order incorrectly states the filing
    date of his complaint in this matter, the authority of the Lake County and
    1
    According to the public records of the Indiana State Bar, Holland was admitted to practice law in 1997 but
    was suspended in October 2009. His license remains suspended. See
    https://courtapps.in.gov/rollofattorneys (last visited November 18, 2019).
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019                Page 5 of 17
    Porter County courts to venue the case to Porter County, the court’s review of
    the case, Holland’s filings in response to the Lake County Defendants’ motion
    to dismiss, and his affiliation with the entities of Holland Real Estate LLC and
    The Law Firm of Robert M. Holland III. In addition, Holland contends the
    court failed to provide notice of the change of venue.
    [9]    As for Holland’s complaint, it is file-stamped with the date used by the court in
    its order of dismissal. With regard to the authority of the county courts,
    Holland simply makes a bald assertion supported by no cogent argument and
    no citation to authority. We will not consider an appellant’s assertions when he
    has failed to present a cogent argument supported by authority as required by
    the rules. Shepherd v. Truex, 
    819 N.E.2d 457
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). If we were to
    address such arguments, we would be forced to abdicate our role as an
    impartial tribunal and would instead become an advocate for one of the parties;
    this we clearly cannot do. 
    Id. These principles
    apply equally to Holland’s
    allegations concerning the court’s review of the case, his filings, and his
    relationship to the businesses. Moreover, nothing about any of these alleged
    clerical errors would affect the court’s decision regarding its dismissal of
    Holland’s complaint.
    [10]   Finally, as to notice of the change of venue, we first note that Holland is the
    party that requested the change of venue. See Appellants’ App. Vol. 2, p. 8.
    Moreover, he participated in striking from the list of possible venue counties.
    See 
    id. at 23.
    Additionally, the court’s CCS shows notice to the parties of its
    grant of the motion for change of venue. See 
    id. at 33.
    It is a well-settled
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 6 of 17
    principle that the trial court speaks through its CCS. City of Indianapolis v. Hicks,
    
    932 N.E.2d 227
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2010) (citing Minnick v. Minnick, 
    663 N.E.2d 1226
    , 1228 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996) (“A challenge to the mailing of notice is
    precluded when the docket clearly states that notice was mailed.”)), trans.
    denied.
    [11]   Holland’s Issue #2 begins and ends with a compilation of ramblings that set
    forth no coherent claims. In between, he briefly challenges the trial court’s
    reliance on res judicata for dismissal of his lawsuit, and we will address that
    issue later in our discussion. Further, as he did in his first issue, Holland alleges
    that statements in the court’s order are erroneous. In addition to general
    assertions that the court’s order is “full of error” and is “clear error,” Holland
    sets forth these purported errors:
    • references to: claims in his complaint, a “rule” of the sheriff’s
    department, claims that may be raised in a Rule 12(B)(6) motion, and the
    federal court’s order dismissing his federal claim;
    • the characterization of his affiliation with the businesses bearing his
    name;
    • the filing date of his complaint;
    • the characterization of the court’s review of the case; and
    • the quotation of the federal court’s dismissal order.
    Appellants’ Br. pp. 33, 35. Moreover, Holland cites to federal statutes and
    contends that the Lake County Defendants’ notice of removal to federal court
    was invalid. He further claims that his due process rights were violated because
    the trial court refused to immediately order a change of venue and repeatedly
    ruled in favor of the Lake County Defendants.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 7 of 17
    [12]   Yet again, the errors Holland alleges are either baseless declarations of no
    consequence or are incoherent assertions for which he provides no cogent
    argument and/or no supporting authority. We are unable and unwilling to
    address these arguments. See Lasater, 
    809 N.E.2d 380
    ; see also Shepherd, 
    819 N.E.2d 457
    .
    [13]   A final claim raised by Holland in his Issue #2 is that the trial court’s dismissal
    was without prior warning, without notice, without a hearing, and without an
    opportunity to present evidence.
    [14]   Trial Rule 12(B) provides that a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim
    shall be treated as a motion for summary judgment and disposed of as provided
    in Trial Rule 56 when matters outside the pleading are presented to and not
    excluded by the court. Where a trial court treats a motion to dismiss as one for
    summary judgment, the court must give the parties reasonable opportunity to
    present Trial Rule 56 materials. See Ind. Trial Rule 12(B); Lanni v. Nat’l
    Collegiate Athletic Ass’n, 
    989 N.E.2d 791
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2013). A trial court’s
    failure to give explicit notice of its intended conversion of a motion to dismiss
    to one for summary judgment is reversible error only if a reasonable
    opportunity to respond is not afforded a party and the party is thereby
    prejudiced. Azhar v. Town of Fishers, 
    744 N.E.2d 947
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).
    [15]   There are three considerations pertinent to a determination of whether a trial
    court’s failure to give express notice deprives the nonmovant of a reasonable
    opportunity to respond with Trial Rule 56 materials. First, we consider
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 8 of 17
    whether the movant’s reliance on evidence outside the pleadings should have
    been so readily apparent that there is no question that the conversion is
    mandated by Trial Rule 12(B). 
    Id. Second, we
    consider whether there was
    ample time after the filing of the motion for the nonmovant to move to exclude
    the evidence relied upon by the movant in support of its motion or to submit
    Trial Rule 56 materials in response thereto. 
    Id. And third,
    we consider whether
    the nonmovant presented “substantiated argument” setting forth the specific,
    controverted material factual issues he would have submitted to the trial court if
    he had been given the opportunity. 
    Id. [16] No
    reversible error occurred here. First, the Lake County Defendants’ reliance
    on evidence outside the pleadings was unmistakable, as they included, among
    other things, Holland’s complaint from Cause 2:13-CV-179-TLS in federal
    court and the federal court’s dismissal order as exhibits to the memorandum
    they filed with their motion to dismiss. Second, Holland had ample time to
    move to exclude the evidence relied upon by the Lake County Defendants or to
    submit materials in response. Indeed, after the motion to dismiss was filed on
    January 29, 2018, Holland filed his objection to the motion with a motion to
    strike on February 22, as well as another response on April 9. There was then a
    lengthy period before the court dismissed the case on August 17. Lastly,
    Holland has failed to show what additional material he would have presented if
    he had been given explicit notice of the conversion of the motion.
    [17]   Moreover, as previously acknowledged, Trial Rule 12(B) provides that a motion
    to dismiss converted to a motion for summary judgment is disposed of as
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 9 of 17
    provided in Trial Rule 56. Trial Rule 56 requires a court to hold a hearing only
    when a party makes a timely request. There is no indication that Holland
    requested a hearing. We find no error.
    [18]   We turn now to Holland’s Issue #3, in which he maintains that his motion to
    set aside the court’s dismissal order pursuant to Trial Rule 60 required a
    hearing.
    [19]   Before discussing whether a hearing was required, we must first address a
    related issue. Holland titled his motion “Motion to Set Aside the Order of
    8/17/18” and stated that the motion was “pursuant to Indiana Trial Rules [sic]
    60(B)(6) the judgment is void.” Appellees’ App. Vol. III, p. 75. A ruling on a
    Trial Rule 60(B)(6) motion requires no discretion on the part of the trial court
    because the judgment is either void or valid; thus, on appeal, our review is de
    novo. Koonce v. Finney, 
    68 N.E.3d 1086
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), trans. denied. To
    prevail under Trial Rule 60(B)(6), the party must demonstrate the prior
    judgment is void. 
    Id. “A judgment
    is void when the trial court lacked either
    personal or subject matter jurisdiction in the cause.” Gourley v. L.Y., 
    657 N.E.2d 448
    , 449 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995), trans. denied. Neither circumstance has been
    shown here. While Holland claims error with the trial court’s dismissal of his
    complaint, the error alleged is not jurisdictional. The trial court’s order is not
    void, and Holland is not entitled to relief under Trial Rule 60(B)(6).
    [20]   Nevertheless, we will review Holland’s motion. Although the motion is
    captioned as a motion to set aside the judgment under Trial Rule 60(B)(6), in
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 10 of 17
    substance it is a motion to correct error. In light of our preference for placing
    substance over form, we will consider Holland’s motion as a motion to correct
    error under Trial Rule 59. See Citizens Action Coal. of Ind., Inc. v. N. Ind. Pub.
    Serv. Co., 
    804 N.E.2d 289
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2004) (stating this Court has indicated
    its preference to place substance over form). To that end, we observe that a trial
    court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing on a motion to correct error.
    In re Estate of Wheat, 
    858 N.E.2d 175
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). Consequently, we
    find no error.
    [21]   Issue #4 consists of several pages of rambling, incoherent claims. As best we
    can discern, Holland alleges error with the trial court’s grant of the Lake
    County Defendants’ protective order. The Lake County Defendants requested
    a protective order to stay discovery due to their pending motion to dismiss and
    given that Holland had requested them to produce voluminous documents
    requiring numerous hours to prepare. Holland filed an objection to the
    issuance of a protective order, but the trial court granted a protective order
    staying all discovery until the pending motion to dismiss was adjudicated.
    [22]   Trial courts have broad discretion in making discovery rulings, and this Court
    will reverse such rulings only when there is an abuse of that discretion. Gonzalez
    v. Evans, 
    15 N.E.3d 628
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), trans. denied. An abuse of
    discretion occurs when the trial court’s decision is clearly against the logic and
    effect of the facts and circumstances before the court. 
    Id. A trial
    court’s
    discovery rulings are given a strong presumption of correctness because they are
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 11 of 17
    usually fact-sensitive. 
    Id. Holland makes
    no showing that the court abused its
    discretion by granting the protective order; accordingly, we find no error.
    [23]   We turn now to the genuine issue in this appeal, which is whether the trial
    court erred by denying Holland’s motion to set aside the court’s order of
    dismissal. As we discussed, Holland’s motion is, in substance, a motion to
    correct error. Therefore, we will review the denial of the motion under the
    standard applicable to the denial of a motion to correct error. A trial court is
    vested with broad discretion to determine whether it will grant or deny a
    motion to correct error. Luxury Townhomes, LLC v. McKinley Props., Inc., 
    992 N.E.2d 810
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2013), trans. denied. An abuse of discretion occurs
    only if the decision is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and
    circumstances before the court or the reasonable inferences therefrom. 
    Id. Further, the
    trial court’s decision comes to us cloaked in a presumption of
    correctness, and we may neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the credibility
    of witnesses. 
    Id. [24] In
    reviewing a motion to correct error, this Court also considers the standard of
    review for the underlying ruling. 
    Id. We review
    de novo a trial court’s ruling
    on summary judgment. Morris v. Crain, 
    71 N.E.3d 871
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2017).
    On appeal from a summary judgment, we apply the same standard of review as
    the trial court: summary judgment is appropriate only where the designated
    evidentiary matter shows there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and
    that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Young v. Hood’s
    Gardens, Inc., 
    24 N.E.3d 421
    (Ind. 2015); see also Ind. Trial Rule 56(C). The trial
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 12 of 17
    court’s grant of summary judgment is clothed with a presumption of validity,
    and the party who lost in the trial court has the burden of demonstrating that
    the grant of summary judgment was erroneous. Auto-Owners Ins. Co. v. Benko,
    
    964 N.E.2d 886
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. Further, an appellate court
    may affirm summary judgment on any theory or basis supported by the
    designated materials. Missler v. State Farm Ins. Co., 
    41 N.E.3d 297
    (Ind. Ct.
    App. 2015).
    [25]   In its order dismissing the lawsuit underlying this appeal, the trial court
    determined that the adjudication of Holland’s claims in Cause 2:13-CV-179-
    TLS in federal court is a bar to the present action pursuant to the doctrine of res
    judicata. The doctrine of res judicata serves to prevent repetitious litigation of
    disputes that are essentially the same. Hilliard v. Jacobs, 
    957 N.E.2d 1043
    (Ind.
    Ct. App. 2011), trans. denied. The doctrine has two components: claim
    preclusion and issue preclusion. 
    Id. Claim preclusion
    applies when a final
    judgment on the merits has been rendered in an action, and it acts to bar a
    subsequent action on the same claim between the same parties. Evergreen
    Shipping Agency Corp. v. Djuric Trucking, Inc., 
    996 N.E.2d 337
    (Ind. Ct. App.
    2013). More specifically, claim preclusion applies when the following four
    factors are satisfied: (1) the former judgment must have been rendered by a
    court of competent jurisdiction; (2) the former judgment must have been
    rendered on the merits; (3) the matter now in issue was, or could have been,
    determined in the prior action; and (4) the controversy adjudicated in the
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 13 of 17
    former action must have been between the parties to the present suit or their
    privies. 
    Id. [26] As
    to the first two factors, there is no real dispute that the prior judgment was
    rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction on the merits. The United States
    District Court in the Northern District of Indiana issued the prior judgment,
    and “[o]ur courts have generally accepted the rule that we must give full faith
    and credit to proceedings in federal courts.” Higgason v. Stogsdill, 
    818 N.E.2d 486
    , 491 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans. denied. Additionally, although Holland
    alleges in his brief that the federal court proceeding was not decided on the
    merits, “‘[i]n Indiana, it is well settled that a dismissal with prejudice is a
    dismissal on the merits, and as such, it is conclusive of the rights of the parties
    and res judicata as to the questions that might have been litigated.’” Hart v.
    Webster, 
    894 N.E.2d 1032
    , 1037 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (quoting Mounts v.
    Evansville Redevelopment Comm’n, 
    831 N.E.2d 784
    , 791 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005),
    trans. denied).
    [27]   The third element concerning the matter at issue is also satisfied. The trial
    court stated in its dismissal order that Holland’s complaint in the present case
    “is virtually the same” as the amended complaint he filed in federal court in
    Cause No. 2:13-CV-179-TLS, Appealed Order, p. 10, and our review of the
    record in this case confirms this finding. As for the final requirement that all
    involved be parties or privies, all the defendants in this case were also
    defendants in the federal lawsuit with the exception of the Lake County
    Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Deputy Corporal Evon Foster, and Sheriff Deputy
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 14 of 17
    John Doe. Therefore, claim preclusion bars Holland’s suit against all of the
    Lake County Defendants except the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff
    Deputy Corporal Evon Foster, and Sheriff Deputy John Doe.
    [28]   With regard to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Deputy Corporal
    Evon Foster, and Sheriff Deputy John Doe, the trial court found several
    grounds upon which to base its dismissal, but we need address only one.
    [29]   The trial court determined that Holland had not complied with the notice
    requirements of the Indiana Tort Claim Act (ITCA). The ITCA governs civil
    lawsuits against governmental entities and their employees. Ind. Code §§ 34-
    13-3-1 (1998), -3 (2013). “Governmental entity” for purposes of the ITCA
    means a political subdivision of the state, and a county is a political subdivision.
    Ind. Code §§ 34-6-2-49(a) (2013), -110(1) (2007). The ITCA provides that a
    claim against a political subdivision is barred unless notice is filed with the
    governing body of the political subdivision and the Indiana political subdivision
    risk management commission within 180 days after a loss occurs. Ind. Code §
    34-13-3-8 (1998). Where a plaintiff elects to sue a governmental employee in
    his or her individual capacity, notice under Indiana Code section 34-13-3-8 is
    required only if the act or omission causing the alleged loss is within the scope
    of the defendant’s employment. Chang v. Purdue Univ., 
    985 N.E.2d 35
    (Ind. Ct.
    App. 2013), trans. denied. The ITCA provides substantial immunity for conduct
    within the scope of a public employee’s employment to ensure that public
    employees can exercise the independent judgment necessary to carry out their
    duties without threats of harassment or litigation over decisions made within
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 15 of 17
    the scope of their employment. 
    Id. Compliance with
    the ITCA is a question of
    law for the court to decide. 
    Id. [30] In
    his complaint, Holland asserts actions by the Lake County Sheriff’s
    Department, Sheriff Deputy Corporal Evon Foster, and Sheriff Deputy John
    Doe that were squarely within the context of the defendants’ roles as a sheriff’s
    department and as deputies. Accordingly, notice under Section 34-13-3-8 was
    required. See 
    Chang, 985 N.E.2d at 51
    .
    [31]   Holland has made no showing that he filed a tort claim notice. In his brief to
    this Court, his argument on this issue consists of one sentence: “There was no
    violation of the Indiana Tort Claims Act (ITCA), the tort claim notice was
    provided and/or no notice is required.” Appellants’ Br. p. 35. Likewise, in his
    motion to set aside, Holland merely cited to an ITCA provision but included no
    cogent argument or any statement relating the provision to his claims. See
    Appellees’ App. Vol. III, p. 79. Consequently, Holland has failed to fulfill his
    burden of demonstrating that the trial court’s grant of summary judgment on
    this issue was in error.
    [32]   Finally, Holland’s Issue #5, as well as a separate motion filed in this appeal,
    address his request for fees pursuant to Appellate Rule 66(E). Incredibly, he
    “asks this Court to order Defendants to pay [him] attorney fees in causing and
    contesting this appeal.” Appellants’ Br. p. 45. His motion requests attorney
    fees and, in addition to Rule 66(E), cites to several federal and state statutes,
    including the Indiana crime victim’s statute. The motion contains rambling
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 16 of 17
    statements concerning issues addressed in his brief, as well as additional
    unintelligible arguments. Among other things, he alleges that he is a “private
    attorney general” bringing his lawsuit because it is in the interest of and benefits
    the general public, and he requests $89,601 in fees.
    [33]   Appellate Rule 66(E) provides: “The Court may assess damages if an appeal,
    petition, or motion, or response, is frivolous or in bad faith. Damages shall be
    in the Court’s discretion and may include attorneys’ fees.” There is absolutely
    no evidence of bad faith on the part of the Lake County Defendants that would
    support an award of fees to Holland pursuant to Rule 66(E), and Holland points
    to none. In fact, in an order issued the same day as its motion denying
    Holland’s motion to set aside, the trial court found that Holland’s “filings have
    been frivolous, without merit and have been abusive.” Appealed Order, p. 21.
    Moreover, Indiana does not recognize the “private attorney general” exception
    to the American Rule regarding attorney fees. State Bd. of Tax Comm’rs v. Town
    of St. John, 
    751 N.E.2d 657
    (Ind. 2001). Therefore, we deny, here and by
    separate order, Holland’s request for fees.
    [34]   For the reasons stated, we conclude that Holland has failed to show that the
    trial court abused its discretion by denying his motion to set aside.
    [35]   Judgment affirmed.
    Riley, J., and Bailey, J., concur.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-PL-117 | November 25, 2019   Page 17 of 17