Ruby Watts v. John Stewart

United States Court of Appeals
For the Eighth Circuit
___________________________
No. 21-2527
___________________________
Ruby J. Watts
lllllllllllllllllllllPlaintiff - Appellant
v.
Administrative Office of the Courts
lllllllllllllllllllllDefendant
John Stewart, Director of Finance and Administration, Individually and Official
Capacity; Andrea Lea, Auditor of State, Individually and in her Official Capacity
lllllllllllllllllllllDefendants - Appellees
Does, Legislative Bureau Member of the Administrative Office of the Courts,
Individually and Official Capacity; Marty Garrity
lllllllllllllllllllllDefendants
____________
Appeal from United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Arkansas - Central
____________
Submitted: April 20, 2022
Filed: April 25, 2022
[Unpublished]
____________
Before LOKEN, GRUENDER, and GRASZ, Circuit Judges.
____________
PER CURIAM.
Ruby Watts appeals following the district court’s1 adverse grant of judgment
as a matter of law in her employment discrimination action. Watts argues the district
court erred in failing to grant her leave to amend her complaint, and in denying her
request to reopen discovery. She also argues the district court erred in granting
judgment as a matter of law.
After careful consideration, we conclude that the district court did not abuse
its discretion in failing to grant Watts leave to amend her complaint or in declining
to reopen discovery. See FGS Constructors, Inc. v. Carlow, 64 F.3d 1230, 1235 (8th
Cir. 1995) (standard of review). We also conclude that the grant of judgment as a
matter of law was warranted for the reasons stated on the record by the district court.
See Sisk v. Picture People, Inc., 669 F.3d 896, 899 (8th Cir. 2012) (reviewing de novo
grant of judgment as a matter of law). Accordingly, we affirm. See 8th Cir. R. 47B.
______________________________
1
The Honorable James M. Moody Jr., United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of Arkansas.
-2-