K.M. Kaplafka Jr. v. PSP ( 2020 )

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Kevin M. Kaplafka Jr., :
Petitioner :
:
v. :
:
Pennsylvania State Police and :
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Evanchick, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Lieutenant Colonel of the Pennsylvania :
State Police and Colonel Tyree C. :
Blocker, Individually and in his :
capacity as Colonel of the Pennsylvania :
State Police and Lieutenant Colonel :
Lisa Christie Individually and in her :
capacity as Lieutenant Colonel of the :
Pennsylvania State Police and :
Lieutenant William M. Bowan, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Lieutenant of the Pennsylvania State :
Police and Captain Margaret Dropinski, :
Individually and in her capacity as :
Captain of the Pennsylvania State Police :
and Captain Maurice Tomlinson, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Captain of the Pennsylvania State :
Police and Captain Jeremy M. Richards, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Captain of the Pennsylvania State :
Police, : No. 634 M.D. 2018
Respondents : Argued: November 14, 2019
BEFORE: HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, Judge
HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge
HONORABLE CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge
OPINION NOT REPORTED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE FIZZANO CANNON FILED: February 7, 2020
Kevin M. Kaplafka, Jr. (Kaplafka) filed a Petition for Review (Petition)
in our original jurisdiction seeking a writ of mandamus to compel the Pennsylvania
State Police (PSP), Lieutenant Colonels (Lt. Col.) Robert Evanchick and Lisa
Christie, Colonel Tyree C. Blocker, Lieutenant (Lt.) William M. Bowan, and
Captains Margaret Dropinski, Maurice Tomlinson and Jeremy M. Richards
(collectively, PSP Officers) to reinstate Kaplafka as a state trooper at the
Pennsylvania State Police Academy (Academy).1 The PSP and the PSP Officers
filed preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer.2 The PSP and the PSP
Officers also filed preliminary objections raising the affirmative defenses of statute
of limitations and sovereign immunity, to which Kaplafka filed preliminary
objections. Upon review, we sustain Kaplafka’s preliminary objections and strike
the PSP and PSP Officers’ preliminary objections raising the affirmative defenses of
statute of limitations and sovereign immunity, because they are procedurally
improper. We also sustain the PSP and the PSP Officers’ preliminary objections to
the wrongful discharge claim in Count I and the deprivation of liberty interest claim
in Count II. Finally, we lack jurisdiction over the tort claims raised in Counts III
and IV of the Petition, and therefore, we transfer these claims to the Dauphin County
1
Kaplafka is suing Evanchick solely in his official capacity as the current Commissioner
of the PSP. Petition ¶ 13. Kaplafka is suing the remaining PSP Officers in both their official and
individual capacities for their involvement in an investigation giving rise to his constructive
discharge. Id. ¶ 15.
2
In ruling upon preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer, we must accept as true
all well-pleaded allegations of material fact and all inferences reasonably deductible therefrom.
Evans v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole, 820 A.2d 904, 906 n.3 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003) (citing Myers v.
Ridge, 712 A.2d 791, 794 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1998)). We do not have to accept as true conclusions of
law, unwarranted inferences, argumentative allegations or expressions of opinion. Id. “The test
is whether it is clear from all of the facts pleaded that the pleader will be unable to prove facts
legally sufficient to establish his or her right to relief.” Id.
2
Court of Common Pleas along with the PSP and PSP Officers’ preliminary
objections to these claims for disposition.
Factual Background
On November 15, 2018, Kaplafka filed his Petition with this Court
alleging that he was constructively discharged from his position as a trooper with
the PSP. In his Petition, Kaplafka alleges that on June 1, 2015, he enlisted with the
PSP and attended the Academy as a member of the 143d class of cadets. Petition ¶¶
4 & 17. To graduate from the Academy and become a PSP trooper, the cadets had
to, in relevant part, attend classes and perform satisfactorily on tests pertaining to
certain areas of the law. Id. ¶¶ 21-25. Of relevance here, the class immediately
junior to Kaplafka’s class, the 144th class, was scheduled to take the fourth traffic
law examination (Traffic 4) on or about November 30, 2015. Id. ¶¶ 26 & 37. As a
senior cadet, Kaplafka was instructed to assist junior cadets. Id. ¶ 39.
Kaplafka alleges that just before the Traffic 4 for the 144th class, a
junior cadet, Cadet Russell, requested his help in preparing for the Traffic 4. Petition
¶ 40. Kaplafka advised Cadet Russell to study “the things the instructors had said to
remember.” Id. ¶ 41. During their discussion, Kaplafka handwrote and provided
the numbers of the code sections to Cadet Russell that were highlighted in his own
criminal justice handbook, which were the sections that the instructors told his class,
the 143d class, to remember when he studied for the Traffic 4 as memorialized in
the study guides he used when he prepared for Traffic 4. Id. ¶ 42. A few days after
the 144th class took the Traffic 4, on December 4, 2015, Kaplafka graduated from
the Academy as part of the 143d class and commenced his work as a patrol officer
assigned to PSP Troop H, Lykens station in Elizabethville, Pennsylvania. Id. ¶¶ 4,
20 & 43.
3
Shortly after his graduation from the Academy, Kaplafka alleges that,
unknown to him, a folded “cheat sheet” for Traffic 4 had been found in a hallway at
the Academy. Petition ¶ 44. A cadet in the 144th class admitted that the cheat sheet
belonged to him, which prompted the PSP to conduct an internal investigation
regarding cheating. Id. ¶¶ 46-47. Upon arriving at work on January 11, 2016,
Kaplafka alleges that he was directed to report to the Internal Affairs Division (IAD).
Id. ¶ 48. The IAD commander, Lt. Bowan, and one of Lt. Bowan’s investigators,
questioned Kaplafka about his role in the cheating at the Academy. Id. ¶ 49. A
union representative, Corporal Doug Howell, was present while Lt. Bowan and his
investigator questioned Kaplafka. Id. ¶¶ 49-50. During the questioning, Kaplafka
admitted that he wrote down the numbers of the highlighted code sections for Cadet
Russell but he “resisted the characterization of his conduct as cheating.” Id. ¶ 52.
After Lt. Bowan and Lt. Bowan’s investigator finished questioning him, Kaplafka
alleges that he was “immediately placed on restrictive duty,” serving in an
administrative role at the Lykens station, where he remained for the next 10 months.
Id. ¶¶ 56-57.
Kaplafka alleges that on or about May 2, 2016, he met with the Director
of the “Administrative Division of the Bureau of Training and Education” at the
PSP, Captain Dropinski, for a pre-disciplinary conference, which Corporal Howell
attended. Petition ¶¶ 10 & 58-59. Shortly after the pre-disciplinary conference,
Corporal Howell advised Kaplafka that “he believed the ‘fix was in’ and [that
Kaplafka] would be terminated.” Id. ¶ 59. On June 1, 2016, with Corporal Howell
again in attendance, Kaplafka met with Captain Dropinski and the Director of the
PSP Training Division, Captain Tomlinson, in connection with his disciplinary
action report. Id. ¶¶ 10 & 61. Kaplafka alleges that, “[i]n spite of a lack of evidence
4
that he cheated,” Captains Dropinski and Tomlinson decided to “sustain the
allegations of cheating” against him and his case was forwarded to the Disciplinary
Officer of the PSP, Captain Richards, to determine the appropriate punishment. Id.
¶¶ 12, 62 & 63. Approximately five months later, Kaplafka alleges that the
“discipline office” decided that he should be terminated “although he was never
provided with the precise grounds for such termination.” Id. ¶ 65.
Kaplafka alleges that on October 4, 2016, he received a telephone call
from his station commander, Sergeant Fry, advising him to report to the Commander
of PSP Troop H, Captain Kosheba, for a meeting on October 6, 2016. Petition ¶¶
66-68.3 While being driven to the October 6, 2016 meeting, Kaplafka claims he
received a telephone call from Sergeant Fry during which he advised Kaplafka that
if he “did not resign, he would be terminated by [Captain] Kosheba at the meeting.”
Id. ¶ 68. Kaplafka further contends that Sergeant Fry offered to and did write
Kaplafka a letter of resignation, Kaplafka executed the letter in the car at Troop H’s
Harrisburg headquarters, and Kaplafka provided the letter of resignation to Captain
Kosheba, who accepted it. Id. ¶¶ 70-71.
Kaplafka alleges that after he had been constructively discharged and
the PSP completed its investigation, the Commonwealth’s Office of Inspector
General (OIG) conducted its own investigation into the cheating scandal involving
the 144th class of cadets. Petition ¶ 74. In early February 2017, the OIG made the
results of its investigation public. Id. ¶ 76. The OIG report concluded that the
3
In his Petition, Kaplafka alleges that the telephone call from Sergeant Fry occurred on
October 4, 2018 and the meeting with Captain Kosheba occurred on October 6, 2018. Petition ¶¶
66 & 68. However, it is apparent based on other allegations in Kaplafka’s Petition that the year
2018 was a typographical error. See, e.g., Petition ¶ 66 (alleging he was to report to the meeting
with Sergeant Fry on “October 6, 2016”); id. ¶ 143 (alleging that he was terminated “in October
2016”). Therefore, in our recitation of facts alleged by Kaplafka, we use the year 2016 rather than
2018.
5
primary factor causing cheating at the Academy was the culture and policies created
by its staff and instructors. Id. ¶¶ 77 & 87.4 Based on the foregoing allegations of
fact, Kaplafka brings four claims against the PSP and the PSP Officers relating to
his alleged constructive discharge as a PSP trooper.
In Count I, Kaplafka alleges wrongful discharge in violation of public
policy articulated in PSP Field Regulation (F.R.) 1-2, Section 2.02 (5/16/2017),
requiring members to be responsible for their own acts, and seeks a writ of
mandamus to compel the PSP and the PSP Officers to withdraw his termination and
permit him to rejoin the PSP as a trooper. Petition ¶¶ 102 & 113. Alternatively, in
Count II, Kaplafka alleges a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Section 1983) for
deprivation of liberty interest in reputation without due process of law as secured by
the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, U.S. Const. amend. XIV, §
1, and seeks a name-clearing hearing. Id. ¶¶ 116, 126 & 130. In Counts III and IV,
Kaplafka alleges “[i]n the [a]lternative” claims against all “[Respondents] in their
individual capacities,” i.e., the PSP Officers, except Lt. Col. Evanchick, for tortious
4
The OIG report stated, in relevant part:
[t]he evolved culture within the Academy up to the 144th [c]adet
[c]lass appears to have permitted the sharing within cadet classes
and between cadet classes of information concerning Academy
examinations, in some cases questions and answers. This is shown
through some of the so-called “study guides” that the OIG found
during its review, some of which members of earlier Academy
classes passed to members of the 144th [c]adet [c]lass. Because
over time the Academy rarely changed examination questions and
correct answers, this essentially transformed some study guides into
cheat sheets for future Academy classes. . . . It is unclear to the OIG
whether the PSP investigators who initially reviewed the [c]adets’
actions were aware of, and appreciated, this culture at the time of
their investigations. . . .
Petition ¶ 80 & Ex. A, OIG Investigative Report at 33-34.
6
interference with contractual relations and tortious interference with prospective
relations, respectively, and seeks an award of damages in excess of $50,000 together
with “interest, costs, and all other or further relief available under law.” Petition ¶¶
134, 143 & Wherefore Clauses at pp. 30-31 & 33-34.
The PSP and the PSP Officers responded by filing preliminary
objections in the nature of a demurrer. First, the PSP and the PSP Officers assert
that Kaplafka cannot prevail on his Petition because he fails to establish a right or
privilege in continued employment as a probationary state trooper. Preliminary
Objections by Respondents to the Petition for Review (PSP Objections) ¶¶ 23-25 &
Wherefore Clause at p. 6. Second, the PSP and the PSP Officers raise the affirmative
defense that the statute of limitations has lapsed on the wrongful discharge claim, id.
at ¶¶ 30-34, but contend that if this Court reviews the merits of the case, then
Kaplafka cannot prevail on his request for mandamus because he cannot show that
“the act of dismissing him was ministerial or mandatory” and because he “has no
legal right to compel PSP to withdraw his termination.” Id. ¶ 50.
Third, the PSP and the PSP Officers assert that Kaplafka cannot prevail
on his Section 1983 claim alleging a deprivation of liberty interest in reputation,
because he fails to assert any actual harm that occurred to his reputation and he
cannot demonstrate a legal right to a name-clearing hearing because he has already
received an opportunity before the PSP Officers to refute the charges. PSP
Objections ¶¶ 57 & 65. Fourth, the PSP and the PSP Officers object to Kaplafka’s
Section 1983 claim because the PSP is not a proper respondent, the individual PSP
Officers cannot be held liable in their official capacities and the PSP Officers lack
personal involvement in the conduct giving rise to his constructive discharge to
cause a violation of his constitutional rights. Id. ¶¶ 71 & 85-86. The PSP and the
7
PSP Officers contend that Kaplafka fails to state a claim because he does not allege
any facts to show that the PSP Officers acted outside the scope of their duties. PSP
Objections ¶¶ 90-91. Finally, the PSP and the PSP Officers assert that sovereign
immunity applies to the tortious interference with contractual relations and
prospective contractual relations claims. Id. ¶¶ 92-98.
In response to the PSP and the PSP Officers’ preliminary objections,
Kaplafka filed preliminary objections requesting that the affirmative defenses based
on the statute of limitations and sovereign immunity be stricken because they are
procedurally improper. See Preliminary Objections of Petitioner in Response to the
Preliminary Objections filed by Respondents ¶¶ 9-15. We begin our review by
considering Kaplafka’s preliminary objections to the PSP and the PSP Officers’
affirmative defenses.
Affirmative Defenses
The PSP and the PSP Officers contend that Kaplafka cannot prevail on
his claim seeking mandamus for wrongful discharge because he did not file it within
six months of his resignation as required by the applicable statute of limitations at
42 Pa.C.S. § 5522(b)(1) (providing that the “following actions and proceedings must
be commenced within six months . . . [a]n action against any officer of any
government unit for anything done in the execution of his office . . .”). PSP
Objections ¶¶ 32-34. The PSP and the PSP Officers further object that Kaplafka’s
claims relating to tortious interference with contractual relations and prospective
relations should be dismissed because the PSP and the PSP Officers are entitled to
sovereign immunity. Id. ¶¶ 94-98.
However, Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1030(a) provides that
the affirmative defenses of statute of limitations and immunity from suit must be
8
raised in a responsive pleading under the heading new matter, not as a preliminary
objection. Pa.R.C.P. No. 1030(a). Courts have permitted a limited exception to this
rule and allowed parties to raise the affirmative defense of immunity as a preliminary
objection in cases where it is “clearly applicable on the face of the complaint” and
where the plaintiff, or petitioner, has not objected to the improper procedure. See
Brimmeier v. Pa. Tpk. Comm’n, 147 A.3d 954, 961 n.6 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2016); Sweeney
v. Merrymead Farm, Inc., 799 A.2d 972, 975 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2002).
Here, Kaplafka filed objections to the PSP and the PSP Officers’
attempt to raise affirmative defenses in their preliminary objections and asserts that
the PSP and the PSP Officers’ objections are procedurally improper. See
Preliminary Objections of Petitioner in Response to the Preliminary Objections filed
by Respondents ¶¶ 9-15. Because Kaplafka has objected to the procedure and
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1030(a) requires these affirmative defenses to
be raised under the heading of new matter, we sustain Kaplafka’s objection that the
affirmative defenses fail to comport to rules of court. Therefore, we strike the PSP
and the PSP Officers’ preliminary objections raising the affirmative defenses of
statute of limitations and sovereign immunity. We now turn to the preliminary
objections raised by the PSP and the PSP Officers to Kaplafka’s Petition beginning
with the objections to Count I, the wrongful discharge claim.
Count I: Wrongful Discharge
In Count I of his Petition, Kaplafka asserts a claim for wrongful
discharge in violation of public policy embodied in Field Regulation 1-2, Section
2.02, which requires members to be responsible for their own acts and not attempt
to shift to others the burden of responsibility for executing or failing to execute a
police duty. Petition ¶¶ 110-11. Kaplafka alleges that the OIG report identified that
9
the problem giving rise to the cheating resulted from Academy culture; instructors
and staff “routinely” provided cadets with the questions and answers to the questions
that were to appear on upcoming examinations and the PSP instructors and staff
failed to modify examinations for successive Academy classes. Id. ¶¶ 105 & 108.
Kaplafka argues that permitting his discharge to stand “would allow the Academy
instructors and staff to improperly shift the burden of their violations and failures in
the realm of cheating to Kaplafka, and other cadets or troopers like him, who had no
intent to cheat, and did not do so” in violation of public policy incorporated in F.R.
1-2, Section 2.02. Id. ¶¶ 110-11. Kaplafka further contends that he lacks an adequate
remedy at law and, therefore, asks this Court to issue a writ of mandamus to compel
the PSP and the PSP Officers to withdraw Kaplafka’s constructive discharge and
permit him to rejoin the PSP as a state trooper. Id. ¶ 113.
Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy that compels the official
performance of a ministerial act or a mandatory duty. Nickson v. Pa. Bd. of Prob.
& Parole, 880 A.2d 21, 23 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005); Evans v. Pa. Bd. Prob. & Parole,
820 A.2d 904, 914 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003). This Court has previously explained:
[I]n an action in mandamus involving an administrative
agency’s exercise of discretion, we may only direct the
agency to perform the discretionary act; we may not direct
the agency to exercise its judgment or discretion in a
particular way or direct the retraction or reversal of
action already taken. A writ of mandamus may be issued
only where there is a clear legal right in the [petitioner],
a corresponding duty in the [respondent], and lack of any
other appropriate and adequate remedy. The purpose of
mandamus is not to establish legal rights, but to enforce
those rights already established.
Evans, 820 A.2d at 914-15 (emphasis added).
10
Here, the relief sought by Kaplafka in his wrongful termination claim
is to “compel [the PSP and PSP Officers] to withdraw the constructive discharge of
[Petitioner] Kaplafka and permit him to rejoin the PSP as a state trooper.” Petition
¶ 113. We cannot, however, order the reversal of Kaplafka’s alleged constructive
discharge and reinstate him as a trooper because we cannot direct the reversal of
action already taken within the exercise of the administrative agency’s discretion.
See Evans, 820 A.2d at 915.
Section 205(f) of the Administrative Code of 1929, Act of April 9,
1929, P.L. 177, as amended, 71 P.S. § 65(f), provides:
All new cadets and troopers shall serve a probationary
period of eighteen months from the date of original
enlistment, during which time they may be dismissed by
the Commissioner for violations of rules and regulations,
incompetency, and inefficiency without action of a court
martial board or the right of appeal to a civil court.
(Emphasis added.) Kaplafka admits he was a probationary trooper at all relevant
times. Petition ¶¶ 139 & 141-42. As plainly stated in Section 205(f), Kaplafka as a
new trooper, serving during his probationary period, “may” be dismissed by the
Commissioner for violations of rules and regulations without action of a court
martial board or the right of appeal to a civil court. See 71 P.S. § 65(f). By use of
the term “may” and by providing for no review of the Commission’s decision to a
hearing or otherwise, the legislature indicated its intention that “the decision to
discharge has been committed to the discretion of the employer” as the employee has
no property right in continued employment. Pipkin v. Pa. State Police, 693 A.2d
190, 193 (Pa. 1997) (emphasis added); Graham v. Pa. State Police, 634 A.2d 849,
851 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993); accord Sweeting v. Pa. State Police, 503 A.2d 1126, 1128
11
(Pa. Cmwlth. 1986) (holding that probationary trooper does not have a property
interest in continued employment). Because the decision to discharge a probationary
trooper has been committed to the discretion of the Commissioner, this Court cannot
“direct the retraction or reversal of action already taken,” that is, we cannot order a
reversal of Kaplafka’s constructive discharge and a reinstatement of his employment
as a probationary trooper in a mandamus action. See Evans, 820 A.2d at 915; Hunt
v. Pa. State Police, 400 A.2d 907, 909 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1979) (explaining that once an
agency has exercised its discretion, “a party who is dissatisfied with the result may
not seek to compel a different result through mandamus; for mandamus does not lie
to review a discretionary act, nor to compel a particular result in a process involving
the exercise of discretion”).
Nevertheless, Kaplafka argues that the mandamus remedy is broader
than the PSP and the PSP Officers assert. Kaplafka’s Brief at 20-21. Kaplafka
contends that this Court can grant him mandamus relief because the courts will
review the exercise of a government actor’s discretion where it is arbitrary or
fraudulently exercised or based upon a mistaken view of the law or to determine if
constitutional rights have been violated.5 Id. at 21-22. Kaplafka asserts that his
claim for wrongful discharge shows that the PSP and the PSP Officers acted
“arbitrarily and under mistaken view of the law in discharging him in violation of a
clear mandate of public policy.” Id. at 22-23 (emphasis added).
Kaplafka does not cite any law to support his assertion that he has a
clear legal right to relief. Instead, Kaplafka relies on the PSP Field Regulation to
support his assertion that it establishes a “clear mandate of public policy.”
5
We note that in Count II, Kaplafka asks for mandamus relief for the violation of his liberty
interest in reputation but he fails to allege facts to support this claim. See discussion infra pp. 14-
18.
12
Section 2.02 provides, in pertinent part:
Members shall also be held responsible for the proper
performance of all duties assigned to them; the appropriate
use of delegated authority; and strict adherence to the
rules, regulations, and directives promulgated by the
Department. Ignorance of the rules, regulations, and
directives shall not be considered an excuse or justification
for any violation of such by a member. Members shall be
responsible for their acts and shall not attempt to shift the
burden of responsibility for executing or failing to execute
a lawful order or police duty. . . .
PSP F.R. 1-2, § 2.02 (emphasis added). The purpose of the PSP Field Regulation is
to “establish policy and guidelines regarding duty requirements for the conduct of
members.” F.R. 1-2 § 2.01 (emphasis added). The Field Regulation is, by its terms,
“policy and guidelines” developed by the PSP, an executive agency, to govern the
conduct of its members; therefore, it does not and cannot confer a legal right to
probationary employees. See Shore v. Dep’t of Corr., 168 A.3d 374, 386 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 2017) (explaining that allegations made by inmate that the Department of
Corrections failed to follow its regulations or internal policies cannot support a claim
based on a vested right or duty); see also Tindell v. Dep’t of Corr., 87 A.3d 1029,
1034-35 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2014) (rejecting argument that policies and regulations
adopted by agency create enforceable rights because “[a]dministrative regulations
are not statutes or constitutional provisions”). Kaplafka has not established a clear
legal right to relief necessary for his mandamus action for wrongful termination to
proceed. For the foregoing reasons, we sustain the PSP and PSP Officers’
preliminary objections as to Count I of the Petition asserting wrongful discharge.
We now turn to Kaplafka’s alternative claim.
13
Count II: Section 1983 Claim-Deprivation of Liberty Interest
Alternatively, in Count II of his Petition, Kaplafka asserts a claim under
42 U.S.C. § 19836 for deprivation of his liberty interest in his reputation without due
process as secured by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, U.S.
Const. amend. XIV, § 1. Petition ¶¶ 116 & 126. Kaplafka asserts that the PSP and
the PSP Officers created a “false and stigmatizing impression” of him as a “cheater,
or dishonest person, in connection with his constructive termination” from the PSP
thereby depriving his liberty interest in reputation and entitling him to “due process,
in the form of, at a minimum, a name-clearing hearing.” Id. ¶¶ 122, 127 & 130.
To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a petitioner “must establish
that [he was] deprived of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United
States, and that the alleged deprivation was committed under color of state law.”
Am. Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sullivan, 526 U.S. 40, 49-50 (1999). The 14th
Amendment of the United States Constitution7 requires due process where a state
seeks to deprive a person of a life, liberty or property interest. Pa. Game Comm’n
v. Marich, 666 A.2d 253, 255 (Pa. 1995). Reputational interests alone are
insufficient to invoke federal due process protections. R. v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare,
636 A.2d 142, 149 (Pa. 1994) (citing Paul v. Davis, 424 U.S. 693 (1976)). A
petitioner can establish a deprivation of liberty interest in reputation if he makes a
showing of a “reputational stigma plus deprivation of another protected right or
6
To maintain an action under Section 1983, Kaplafka must allege that a person or persons
deprived him of his constitutional rights while acting under color of state law. Robles v. Pa. Dep’t
of Corr., 718 A.2d 882, 883 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1998). A Section 1983 action does not create any
substantive rights, but merely serves as a vehicle or device by which a citizen is able to challenge
conduct by a state official whom he claims has deprived him of his civil rights. Id.
7
Section 1 of the 14th Amendment provides, in relevant part, “nor shall any state deprive
any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” U.S. Const. amend. XIV, §
1.
14
interest.” Hill v. Borough of Kutztown, 455 F.3d 225, 236 (3d Cir. 2006). The
“stigma” is the creation and dissemination of a false and defamatory impression and
the “plus” is the termination or the “alteration or extinguishment” of a right or status
previously recognized by law. Id. The stigma-plus test has been applied in the
public employment context to mean that when an employer creates and disseminates
a false and defamatory impression about the employee in connection with his
termination, it deprives the employee of a protected liberty interest. See Smith v.
Engler (E.D. Pa., No. 15-6542, filed June 14, 2018), slip op. at ___, 2018 WL
2984861, at *13 (citing Hill). The right that is accorded is an opportunity to refute
the charges and clear one’s name. Id. Although this Court has not addressed a name-
clearing hearing as applicable relief, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third
Circuit held that a public employee who is defamed in the course of being terminated
or constructively discharged can bring a claim for a post-termination name-clearing
hearing and satisfies the stigma-plus test even if, as a matter of state law, he lacks a
property interest in the job he lost. See Hill, 455 F.3d at 238; see also Graham v.
Johnson, 249 F. Supp. 2d 563, 568 (3d Cir. 2003) (concluding that a lack of a
protectable property interest in employment with the Philadelphia Police
Department does not preclude employee from bringing a claim for a post-
termination name-clearing hearing).
However, in order to satisfy the stigma-plus test, Kaplafka must be able
to establish the dissemination of the alleged false and defamatory impression. See
Hill, 455 F.3d at 236 (explaining that to satisfy the “stigma” prong of the test, it must
be alleged that the purportedly stigmatizing statement(s) . . . were made publicly”).
Kaplafka’s allegations involve the PSP Officers’ participation in meeting with him
and questioning him about his role relating to the cheating with the junior class that
15
ultimately resulted in his constructive discharge. Kaplafka alleges that, based on a
series of meetings and events involving each of the PSP Officers, except Lt. Col.
Evanchick, he was “wrongly determined to be guilty of such ‘cheating,’” and this
determination created a “false and stigmatizing impression of him” as a “cheater” in
connection with his constructive discharge. Petition ¶¶ 121-22. Though he alleges
a false and stigmatizing impression was created, Kaplafka must also allege that the
allegedly false and stigmatizing impression was published. See Bishop v. Wood, 426
U.S. 341, 348 (1976) (explaining that the reasons for the discharge must be made
public to form a basis for the conclusion that the employee’s “good name, reputation,
honor, or integrity” was impaired to support a deprivation of liberty interest claim).
Kaplafka alleges that the “false and stigmatizing impression is
memorialized in the documents” that now form part of his personnel file and are
“likely” to be publicized to potential employers in response to any request made
under the Right-to-Know Law.8 Petition ¶¶ 72 & 122-25 (emphasis added). Turning
to the documents, Kaplafka alleges that the PSP had “certain transcripts of
interviews connected with the investigation into his conduct” and that he participated
in a meeting on June 1, 2016 “in connection with his [d]isciplinary [a]ction [r]eport.”
Petition ¶¶ 60-61. Kaplafka further alleges he executed a resignation letter prepared
by Sergeant Fry, which he provided to Captain Kosheba. Id. ¶¶ 69-71.
Accepting the facts as true, Kaplafka alleges that the documents in his
personnel file contained a “false and stigmatizing impression” of him “as a cheater,
or dishonest person, in connection with his constructive termination.” Petition ¶¶
122-23. However, Kaplafka has not alleged that this false and defamatory
impression was disseminated. See Bishop, 426 U.S. at 348. Although Kaplafka cites
8
Act of February 14, 2008, P.L. 6, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104.
16
to cases from other federal circuit courts to support his position,9 our Third Circuit
Court of Appeals10 has explained that simply depositing material into an employee’s
personnel file does not meet the publicity requirement but rather there must be a
dissemination of the contents of the personnel file to prospective employers, or
others, to support a deprivation of liberty interest claim. See Copeland v. Phila.
Police Dep’t, 840 F.2d 1139, 1148 (3d Cir. 1988) (explaining that to succeed on a
claim based on deprivation of liberty interest, the petitioner must establish that the
reason for his termination was made public); see also Cooley v. Pa. Hous. Fin.
9
See, e.g., Brandt v. Bd. of Coop. Educ. Servs., 820 F.2d 41, 45 (2d Cir. 1987) (explaining
that if the plaintiff “is able to show that prospective employers are likely to gain access to his
personnel file and decide not to hire him, then the presence of the charges in his file has a damaging
effect on his future job opportunities” and, therefore, the “presence of the charges in his personnel
file coupled with a likelihood of harmful disclosure” are sufficient to meet the publication
requirement); see also Sciolino v. City of Newport News, 480 F.3d 642, 650 (4th Cir.) cert. denied,
552 U.S. 1076 (2007) (holding that the plaintiff must allege a likelihood that prospective
employers or the public at large will inspect the personnel file).
We further note that Kaplafka cites Morgan v. Covington Township, 648 F.3d 172, 181 (3d
Cir. 2011), and asserts that the “Third Circuit cited Brandt, with apparent approval, for the
proposition that the placement of a termination letter in the plaintiff’s personnel file can constitute
public disclosure or ‘publicity’ where the plaintiff can show the file is likely to be disclosed to
prospective employers.” Kaplafka’s Brief at 39 n.16. We disagree as Morgan does not concern a
personnel file and cites to Brandt only for the proposition that the plaintiff had to produce evidence
to show an instance of publication. In Morgan, the Third Circuit affirmed the district court’s
finding that summary judgment was appropriate because Morgan failed to produce evidence to
“identify any instance in which any defendant publicly accused him of a crime.” Morgan, 648
F.3d at 175. In so concluding, the Third Circuit relied on Hill, 455 F.3d at 236, a later decided
Third Circuit case, and stated that “Morgan would have to show that [the defendant] publicized a
false, stigmatizing statement about him” to withstand summary judgment. Morgan, 648 F.3d at
181.
10
We are not obligated to follow the decisions of federal district and intermediate appellate
courts on issues of federal law as they are persuasive precedent. Commonwealth v. Hicks, 208
A.3d 916, 936 n.13 (Pa. 2019); Hall v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole, 851 A.2d 859, 863-65 (Pa.
2004); West Chester Area Sch. Dist. v. A.M., 164 A.3d 620, 630 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2017). Though we
are not bound to follow the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, “when possible, it is appropriate for a
Pennsylvania appellate court to follow the Third Circuit’s ruling on federal questions to which the
U.S. Supreme Court has not yet provided a definitive answer.” West Chester Area Sch. Dist., 164
A.3d at 630.
17
Agency, 830 F.2d 469, 473-75 (3d Cir. 1987), abrogated on other grounds by Foster
v. Chesapeake Ins. Co., 933 F.2d 1139, 1148 (3d Cir. 1991) (holding that a
termination letter placed in an employee’s personnel file is not sufficient to support
a deprivation of liberty interest claim because there must be an actual dissemination
of the defamatory letter to prospective employers).
Kaplafka has made no allegations that there was publication to
prospective employers, or others, that he was discharged for cheating. Though
Kaplafka says that the allegations contained in his personnel file are “likely” to be
publicized in response to prospective employers or to those making requests under
the Right-to-Know Law, these allegations are speculative and do not establish actual
harm to his reputation. See Copeland, 840 F.2d at 1148; Cooley, 830 F.2d at 473-
75 (holding that termination letter placed in employee’s personnel file is not
sufficient to support deprivation of liberty interest claim as there must be actual
publication). Therefore, we sustain the preliminary objections raised by the PSP and
the PSP Officers to Count II of Kaplafka’s Petition.
Counts III and IV: Tortious Interference with Contractual Relations
and Prospective Relations
Due to our disposition on Counts I and II, the only counts remaining for
our consideration are Counts III and IV of Kaplafka’s Petition, wherein he brings
claims for tortious interference with contractual relations and prospective
contractual relations, respectively, and asks this Court to “enter judgment in his
favor” and award damages in excess of $50,000. Petition Wherefore Clauses on pp.
30 & 33. Kaplafka seeks money damages for unlawful injuries done in the
employment context, and, therefore, these claims are in the nature of a trespass.
18
Section 761(a)(1)(v) of the Judicial Code provides that this Court does
not have original jurisdiction over “actions or proceedings in the nature of trespass
as to which the Commonwealth government formerly enjoyed sovereign or other
immunity . . . .” 42 Pa.C.S. § 761(a)(1)(v). Our Supreme Court has held that actions
in the nature of trespass (i.e., tort actions) against the Commonwealth or its officers
in their official capacity seeking compensation in the form of money damages are
outside the original jurisdiction of this Court. See Stackhouse v. Pa. State Police,
832 A.2d 1004, 1006 (Pa. 2003) (affirming this Court’s order transferring the case
to the court of common pleas because the nature of the action was a tort action as
provided by Section 761(a)(1)(v) seeking money damages to compensate the
petitioner for injury done to her privacy and reputational interests and, therefore, was
the type of action as to which the Commonwealth government formerly enjoyed
sovereign immunity); see also Fawber v. Cohen, 532 A.2d 429, 433 (Pa. 1987);
accord Balshy v. Rank, 490 A.2d 415 (Pa. 1985). Because we do not have original
jurisdiction over the remaining claims asserted in Counts III and IV of the Petition,
which are in the nature of a trespass and which seek money damages, we will not
consider the preliminary objections raised by the PSP and the PSP Officers to these
claims. As a result, we transfer Counts III and IV of the Petition, along with the
remaining preliminary objections filed by the PSP and the PSP Officers to these
counts, to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas for disposition.11
__________________________________
CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge
11
Due to our disposition on the two preliminary objections addressed herein, we do not
reach the preliminary objection that the Section 1983 claim cannot proceed against the PSP and
the PSP Officers because they are not proper respondents.
19
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Kevin M. Kaplafka Jr., :
Petitioner :
:
v. :
:
Pennsylvania State Police and :
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Evanchick, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Lieutenant Colonel of the Pennsylvania :
State Police and Colonel Tyree C. :
Blocker, Individually and in his :
capacity as Colonel of the Pennsylvania :
State Police and Lieutenant Colonel :
Lisa Christie Individually and in her :
capacity as Lieutenant Colonel of the :
Pennsylvania State Police and :
Lieutenant William M. Bowan, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Lieutenant of the Pennsylvania State :
Police and Captain Margaret Dropinski, :
Individually and in her capacity as :
Captain of the Pennsylvania State Police :
and Captain Maurice Tomlinson, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Captain of the Pennsylvania State :
Police and Captain Jeremy M. Richards, :
Individually and in his capacity as :
Captain of the Pennsylvania State :
Police, : No. 634 M.D. 2018
Respondents :
ORDER
AND NOW, this 7th day of February, 2020, we sustain Petitioner’s
preliminary objections to Respondents’ preliminary objections raising the
affirmative defenses of statute of limitations and sovereign immunity to Petitioner’s
Petition for Review (Petition), and we strike those preliminary objections of
Respondents. We also sustain Respondents’ preliminary objections to Counts I and
II of the Petition and dismiss these counts. We transfer the remaining claims alleged
in Counts III and IV of the Petition to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas,
along with Respondents’ preliminary objections to those counts, for disposition.
The Prothonotary shall certify a copy of the docket entries of the above
matter to the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County.
Jurisdiction relinquished.
_________________________________
CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge