Hubbard v. United States

496 F. Supp. 2d 194 (2007)

Murphy M. HUBBARD, Plaintiff,
v.
UNITED STATES of America et al., Defendants.

Civil Action No. 07-0023 (RMU).

United States District Court, District of Columbia.

August 3, 2007.

Murphy M. Hubbard, Springfield, MO, pro se.

Dashiell Shapiro, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

DENYING THE PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

URBINA, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

The pro se plaintiff brings suit, alleging that the Department of the Treasury wrongfully disbarred him from representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). He asks the court to enjoin the defendants from enforcing his disbarment until the court can review the agency's action on the merits. The plaintiff also seeks to prevent the defendants from advertising in public notices that he is disbarred. The defendants oppose the motion, arguing that the Department of the Treasury is statutorily authorized to suspend or disbar an individual from representing clients before the IRS after it provides the individual with notice and an opportunity to be heard. Moreover, the defendants argue that the plaintiff received notice and a "full-blown" hearing that satisfied its statutory obligations to the plaintiff. Because it concludes that the plaintiff has not demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, the court denies the plaintiffs motion for injunctive relief.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Factual History

The parties' briefing of the instant motion fails to provide the court the courtesy of a description of the relevant facts or dates. The court, therefore, relies on the parties' arguments, as best it can, and draws from the administrative record in constructing the facts pertinent to the present dispute.

The plaintiff is a certified public accountant who was previously qualified to represent clients appearing before the IRS. Administrative R. ("AR") at 8; Pl.'s Mot. for Emergency Temporary and Prelim. Relief ("Pl.'s Mot.") at 1. On April 16, 2002, the plaintiff received a letter from the IRS Office of Director of Practice advising him that the IRS had "information raising questions concerning possible violations . . . of the regulations governing practice before the Internal Revenue Service." AR at 1089. The defendants allowed the plaintiff 30 days to respond to the information and held further action on the matter in abeyance for that time. Id.

On April 13, 2003, the defendants initiated an administrative complaint against the plaintiff claiming that he failed to file federal income tax returns, both personal tax returns and corporate tax returns for the Hubbard Group, P.C., for 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. AR at 265-66; Compl. at 2-3; Defs.' Opp'n to Pl.'s Mot. ("Defs.' Opp'n") at 2-3. The IRS also charged the plaintiff with failing to deposit and pay employment taxes for the Hubbard Group, P.C. for several quarters. AR at 266. At some point later, the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility demanded that the plaintiff "voluntarily submit to a 40-month suspension." Compl. at 4. The plaintiff, presumably, refused the voluntary suspension. See Pl.'s Mot. at 3. As a result, the defendants sought the plaintiffs disbarment.

Although the briefing of the administrative proceedings in this case is inadequate, the Administrative Record reveals that, on April 24, 2003, the proceedings were assigned to an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ). AR at 34. The plaintiff subsequently received a hearing before an ALJ, and that ALJ ruled in favor of disbarment on January 14, 2004. Id. at 265-77. "More than a year" later, the IRS published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin a notice that the plaintiff had been disbarred. Pl.'s Mot. at 5. The plaintiff appealed the ALJ's decision, and on August 30, 2004, the appellate ALJ issued a decision affirming the ALJ's decision in part and remanding it in part for additional findings. AR at 32-91. On remand, the ALJ held a hearing and, on July 1, 2005, issued his decision on remand. Id. at 230-64. The plaintiff again appealed, and on September 20, 2006, an appellate ALJ issued a final decision affirming the plaintiffs disbarment. Id. at 24-30.

B. Procedural History

On January 4, 2007, the plaintiff filed suit to challenge his disbarment. He simultaneously moved for injunctive relief, asking the court to prevent the IRS from either disbarring the plaintiff or issuing public notice of his disbarment pending this court's review of his underlying challenge to the disbarment. On March 30, 2007, nearly two months after receiving notice of the plaintiffs motion, the defendants opposed the plaintiffs motion for injunctive relief.^[1] On May 18, 2007, nearly two months later, the plaintiff filed a reply.

III. ANALYSIS

A. Legal Standard for Injunctive Relief

This court may issue interim injunctive relief only when the movant demonstrates:

(1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, (2) that it would suffer irreparable injury if the injunction is not granted, (3) that an injunction would not substantially injure other interested parties, and (4) that the public interest would be furthered by the injunction.

Mova Pharm. Corp. v. Shalala, 140 F.3d 1060, 1066 (D.C.Cir.1998) (quoting CityFed Fin. Corp. v. Office of Thrift Supervision, 58 F.3d 738, 746 (D.C.Cir.1995)); see also World Duty Free Americas, Inc. v. Summers, 94 F. Supp. 2d 61, 64 (D.D.C.2000). It is particularly important for the movant to demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. Cf. Benten v. Kessler, 505 U.S. 1084, 1085, 112 S. Ct. 2929, 120 L. Ed. 2d 926 (1992) (per curiam). Indeed, absent a "substantial indication" of likely success on the merits, "there would be no justification for the court's intrusion into the ordinary processes of administration and judicial review." Am. Bankers Ass'n v. Nat'l Credit Union Admin., 38 F. Supp. 2d 114, 140 (D.D.C.1999) (internal quotation omitted).

The four factors should be balanced on a sliding scale, and a party can compensate for a lesser showing on one factor by making a very strong showing on another factor. CSX Transp., Inc. v. Williams, 406 F.3d 667 (D.C.Cir.2005) (citing CityFed Fin. Corp., 58 F.3d at 747). "An injunction may be justified, for example, where there is a particularly strong likelihood of success on the merits even if there is a relatively slight showing of irreparable injury." CityFed Fin. Corp., 58 F.3d at 747.

Moreover, the other salient factor in the injunctive relief analysis is irreparable injury. A movant must "demonstrate at least ``some injury" to warrant the granting of an injunction. CityFed Fin. Corp., 58 F.3d at 747 (quotation omitted). Indeed, if a party makes no showing of irreparable injury, the court may deny the motion for injunctive relief without considering the other factors. Id.

Because interim injunctive relief is an extraordinary form of judicial relief, courts should grant such relief sparingly. Mazurek v. Armstrong, 520 U.S. 968, 972, 117 S. Ct. 1865, 138 L. Ed. 2d 162 (1997). As the Supreme Court has said, "[i]t frequently is observed that a preliminary injunction is an extraordinary and drastic remedy, one that should not be granted unless the movant, by a clear showing, carries the burden of persuasion." Id. (citation omitted). Therefore, although the trial court has the discretion to issue or deny a preliminary injunction, it is not a form of relief granted lightly. In addition, any injunction that the court issues must be carefully circumscribed and tailored to remedy the harm shown. Nat'l Treasury Employees Union v. Yeutter, 918 F.2d 968, 977 (D.C.Cir.1990) (citation omitted).

B. The Court Denies the Plaintiff's Motion for Injunctive Relief

1. The Plaintiff has Not Demonstrated a Substantial Likelihood of Success on the Merits

The plaintiffs argument for injunctive relief centers on his claims of irreparable injury.^[2] Because the plaintiff is acting pro se, the court independently analyzes his likelihood of success on the merits. Under the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. § 702 ("APA"), the plaintiff may succeed on his claims by showing that the defendants' action in disbarring him was "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law." 5 U.S.C. § 706; Tourus Records, Inc. v. Drug Enforcement Admin., 259 F.3d 731, 736 (D.C.Cir.2001). In making this inquiry, the court "must consider whether the [agency's] decision was based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment." Marsh v. Or. Natural Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378, 109 S. Ct. 1851, 104 L. Ed. 2d 377 (1989) (internal quotations omitted). At a minimum, the defendants must have considered relevant information and articulated an explanation establishing a "rational connection between the facts found and the choice made." Bowen v. Am. Hosp. Ass'n, 476 U.S. 610, 626, 103 S. Ct. 2101, 90 L. Ed. 2d 584 (1986); Tourus Records, 259 F.3d at 736. To determine the plaintiffs likelihood of success on the merits, the court looks to the administrative record. Am. Bioscience v. Thompson, 243 F.3d 579, 582 (D.C.Cir.2001) (stating that before assessing the plaintiffs probability of success on the merits in an APA case, the district court should have required the defendant to file an administrative record because the APA requires the court to review "the whole record or those parts of it cited by a party") (citing 5 U.S.C. § 706).

a. The Plaintiff has Not Demonstrated that His Disbarment was Arbitrary, Capricious or An Abuse of Discretion

A court will set aside an administrative decision to disbar an individual only if the action was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise contrary to law. Lopez v. U.S., 129 F. Supp. 2d 1284, 1288 (D.N.M.2000); see also 5 U.S.C. § 706; Tourus, 259 F.3d at 736. To succeed on his claims, the plaintiff must show that the record lacks substantial evidence in support of the challenged administrative action. Lopez, 129 F.Supp.2d at 1288; Washburn, 409 F.Supp. at 10.

Without addressing the evidence on the record, the plaintiff argues that he had a good faith belief for not filing a tax return.^[3] Compl. at 3. He also alleges that the IRS failed to establish that he had income sufficient to trigger the filing requirements. Id. at 2-3. This is the case, he argues, because the ALJ in the hearing failed to consider the plaintiffs status as sole shareholder of an S-Corporation (i.e. the Hubbard Group, P.C.) and failed to determine whether "the S-Corporation had a profit or loss and therefore cannot determine Plaintiffs gross income." Id. at 3. Because it was not able to determine the plaintiffs income, he argues, the IRS could not prove that he was required to file tax returns. Id. at 2-3.

At the hearing on remand, the ALJ addressed whether the plaintiff had income sufficient to trigger the filing requirements. Indeed, contravening the plaintiffs argument, the ALJ specifically considered the lack of information related to the Hubbard Group, P.C.'s income. AR at 237. The IRS's witness at the hearing on remand testified to the plaintiffs "extremely late" filing of his year 2000 tax return. Id. at 238. In addition, the plaintiff requested several extensions of time in which to file. Both the IRS and the ALJ concluded that these two actions indicated that the plaintiff "believed he had income sufficient to trigger the requirement to file a 1040 for the 2000 tax year." Id.

In addition, the ALJ pieced together evidence from the plaintiffs wife's tax returns for the relevant years and determined hat the plaintiff need only "have earned an amount slightly under an adjusted gross income of $3000 to have triggered a duty to file his 1040's for 1998, 1999, and 2000." AR at 240 (emphasis in original). The ALJ also referenced voluminous evidence the IRS "produced . . . apart from the fact of [the plaintiffs] acknowledged vigorous tax practice, which was indicative that he met the tiny income thresholds needed to trigger the duty to file the subject 1040s." Id. This additional evidence included documents reflecting mortgage interest paid, other sources of taxable income, including a distribution from American Family Life Insurance Company and savings bond income, a capital loss, and third-party financial information. Id. at 240-44. To the ALJ, this evidence was more than sufficient to support his conclusion that the plaintiff had the requisite income to trigger a duty to file tax returns. Id. at 244, 248.

Other than his blanket assertion that the IRS did not produce sufficient evidence to prove that he was obligated to file tax returns for the years 1998, 1999, and 2000, the plaintiff has not countered the ample evidence considered by the ALJ. This is insufficient to rebut the "presumption in favor of the validity of an administrative action." Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Shalala, 923 F. Supp. 212, 216 (D.D.C.1996). Therefore, the court concludes that the plaintiff has not demonstrated that there was a lack of evidence to support his disbarment or that the agency decision was not based on consideration of the relevant factors or sufficient facts. Lopez, 129 F.Supp.2d at 1288; Washburn, 409 F.Supp. at 10; Citizens to Pres. Overton Park v. Volpe, 401 U.S. 402, 416, 91 S. Ct. 814, 28 L. Ed. 2d 136 (1971).

b. The Plaintiff has Not Demonstrated that His Disbarment was Contrary to Law

The plaintiff asserts that the ALJ improperly issued its "Decision on Appeal Complaint No. 2003-5" ("DOA") disbarring the plaintiff and "prematurely" published notice of his disbarment in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 2006-28 (Nov. 27, 2006). Pl.'s Mot. at 2. Specifically, the plaintiff believes that the defendants violated his due process rights^[4] and that the IRS did not prove that he had a duty to file tax returns for the relevant years. Id. at 4. Because of this, the plaintiff believes the defendants' actions are contrary to law in violation of the APA. The defendants counter that the Secretary of the Treasury is statutorily authorized to "suspend or disbar" individuals practicing before the IRS. Defs.' Opp'n at 2. Moreover, the defendants argue that the plaintiff was only statutorily entitled to "notice and an opportunity for a proceeding." Id. To the defendants, the IRS more than satisfied this statutory requirement by providing the plaintiff with administrative hearings, written decisions and administrative appeals. Id.

The Secretary of the Treasury (the "Secretary") has the authority to "regulate the practice of representatives of persons before the Department of the Treasury." 31 U.S.C. § 330(a). This authority also vests in the Secretary the power to suspend or disbar an individual from practice' for a number of reasons after the individual is accorded "notice and opportunity for a proceeding." Id. at § 330(b). At least one court has determined that an individual in the plaintiffs circumstances is only "entitled to the requisites of elementary fairness — due notice and the opportunity to be heard." Washburn v. Shapiro, 409 F. Supp. 3, 10 (S.D.Fla.1976). Here, the plaintiff received written notice of the charges and 30-day stay in proceedings in which the plaintiff could respond to the allegations. AR at 1089. He also received a hearing before an ALJ, at which he argued his case, prior to the initial disbarment decision. Id. at 265-277. In addition, the plaintiff received (1) an appeal, a decision on appeal and a remand, id. at 32-91, (2) a hearing and decision on remand, id. at 230-64, and (3) a second decision on appeal, id. at 24-30. This procedure is more than sufficient to satisfy the due' process requirements of the statute, namely, "notice and an opportunity to be heard." Washburn, 409 F.Supp. at 10. Therefore, the plaintiff fails to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of his due process claims.

c. The Plaintiff has Not Demonstrated that the Defendants Wrongfully Published Notice of his Disbarment

The plaintiffs claim that the defendants wrongfully and prematurely published notice of his disbarment suffers from the same lack of support as his due process claim. Pl.'s Mot. at 3. Although he does not specify in what way the publication was "premature," the court presumes that the plaintiff is alleging that the notice was published prior to him receiving the due process to which he was entitled in the disbarment process. The court concluded, supra, that the plaintiff received all the due process extended to him by the statute, and the plaintiff has offered nothing to demonstrate otherwise. The plaintiff, therefore, has made an insufficient showing that the defendants wrongfully or "prematurely" published notice of his disbarment. Mazurek, 520 U.S. at 973, 117 S. Ct. 1865 (explaining that "a preliminary injunction is an extraordinary and drastic remedy, one that should not be granted unless the movant by a clear showing, carries the burden of persuasion") (internal citation omitted).

2. The Plaintiff has Demonstrated Irreparable Injury

The plaintiff argues that he suffers and will continue to suffer irreparable injury as a result of his disbarment and the publication of the notice of his disbarment. Pl.'s Mot. at 5. Claiming that he cannot maintain his business and that his reputation and livelihood will be destroyed, the plaintiff believes his injury is both imminent and irreparable. Id. at 3, 5. The defendants counter simply that "[t]he harms to the plaintiffs business are typical in any case of disbarment." Defs.' Opp'n at 2.

Because the plaintiff has not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, he must make a very strong showing of irreparable injury. Apotex, Inc. v. Food & Drug Admin., 2006 WL 1030151, at * 16 (D.D.C. Apr.19, 2006). "If the plaintiff makes a particularly weak showing on one factor . . . the other factors may not be enough to ``compensate' . . . [and it] is particularly important for the plaintiff to demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits." Pharm. Research and Mfrs. of Am. v. U.S., 135 F. Supp. 2d 1, 7-8 (D.D.C.2001) (internal citations omitted). The plaintiff has not successfully compensated for his failure to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits.

It is well established that economic loss is insufficient to demonstrate irreparable injury. Wisc. Gas Co. v. FERC, 758 F.2d 669, 674 (D.C.Cir.1985) (per curiam). Nevertheless, economic harm that threatens the very survival of a business may constitute irreparable injury and warrant an injunction. Apotex, 2006 WL 1030151, at * 16 (quoting Gulf Oil Corp. v. Dept. of Energy, 514 F. Supp. 1019, 1025 (D.D.Cir.1981)).

Although he offers no explanation of the scope of his practice, the plaintiff asserts that his disbarment will destroy his business. Assuming arguendo that the plaintiffs business substantially, if not entirely, comprises representing clients before the IRS, his inability to do so fundamentally threatens the existence of his business. But, the extraordinary relief of an injunction is not merely a protection against harm. Rather, it is a protection against an alleged harm for which an individual is likely to succeed on the merits of his underlying claims, and injunctive relief will never be granted unless a claimant can demonstrate "a fair ground for litigation." Katz v. Georgetown Univ., 246 F.3d 685, 688 (D.C.Cir.2001) (quoting Wash. Metro. Area Transit Comm'n v. Holiday Tours, Inc., 559 F.2d 841, 844 (D.C.Cir.1977)). Here, the plaintiffs showing of success on the merits is very weak. His showing of harm, therefore, is insufficient to secure the injunctive relief he seeks. Trudeau v. Fed. Trade Comm'n, 456 F.3d 178, 183 n. 2 (D.C.Cir.2006) (stating that a preliminary injunction is improper when a plaintiff has demonstrated no likelihood of success on the merits) (citing Michigan State v. Miller, 103 F.3d 1240, 1249 (6th Cir.1997)); Gulf Oil Corp., 514 F.Supp. at 1026 (stating that the determination of injury is one made based upon the facts of each particular case, and it must be considered along with the probability of success on the merits) (citing Jacksonville Port Auth. v. Adams, 556 F.2d 52 (D.C.Cir.1977)).

3. Injury to Other Parties and Public Interest Considerations

The plaintiff argues that no parties will be injured if the court grants an injunction. Pl.'s Mot. at 5. In addition, he represents that an injunction "will further the public interest, as small businesses are the driving force or [sic] our economy." Id. The government stunningly argues in one run-on sentence, devoid of legal support, that the plaintiff has made no showing of irreparable injury or public interest. Defs.' Opp'n at 2-3.

Because it concludes that the plaintiff has not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, the court need not linger long to discuss injury to other parties and public interest considerations. The court can identify no "other parties" that will be harmed by an injunction. Instead, weighing significantly against the plaintiffs request, "[i]t is in the public interest to deny injunctive relief when the relief is not likely deserved under law." Qualls v. Rumsfeld, 357 F. Supp. 2d 274, 287 (D.D.C.2005).

IV. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the court denies the plaintiffs motion for injunctive relief. An order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is separately and contemporaneously issued this 3rd day of August, 2007.

NOTES

[1] Local Civil Rule 7 allows a party eleven days in which to oppose a motion, LCVR 7(b), and the movant has 5 days from that date in which to file a reply, LCVR 7(d). The defendants responded to the plaintiff's motion nearly two months after receiving notice of the plaintiff's filings. Because the defendants failed to respond to the plaintiff's motion within the allotted time, the court could grant the motion as conceded. Id.; Giraldo v. Dep't of Justice, 2002 WL 1461787, at *1 (D.C.Cir. July 8, 2002) (citations omitted). Nevertheless, the plaintiff is not entitled to injunctive relief, and the court in its discretion will not to grant the plaintiff's motion as conceded.

The court also notes that on the same date they filed their out-of-time opposition to the plaintiff's motion, the defendants moved for an extension of time in which to file their answer to the plaintiff's complaint. Curiously, the defendants' request for enlargement of time made no mention of the late-filed opposition. Following the defendants' example, the plaintiff filed his reply brief on May 18, 2007, 41 days late, without requesting leave of the court to late-file his reply.

Lest there be any misunderstanding, the court takes this opportunity to make clear that this case is governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Civil Rules, and the court's Standing Order. From this point forward, the court will accept no filings that fail to comport with the requirements, as to timeliness and otherwise, outlined therein.

[2] In one brief yet convoluted sentence, the plaintiff argues that he has a "high likelihood of success on the merits as the DOA [] does not address all issued [sic] raised and for reasons stated above." Pl.'s Mot. for Emergency Temporary and Prelim. Relief at 5 ("Pl.'s Mot.").

[3] Absent citations to the record, to any evidence, or to any useful factual allegations, the plaintiff asserts that "Wile record does indicate Plaintiff did possess this good faith belief as evidenced by Plaintiff stating that during his years of practice, taxpayers he has represented whom have had less serious events happen in their lives . . . have had penalties for failure to file abated with the IRS." Compl. at 3. The plaintiff has not suggested that the ALJs were required to consider whether he had a good faith belief that he was not required to file tax returns for the relevant years, and there is no evidence that the plaintiff raised this argument on appeal. Nevertheless, the evidence referenced in the administrative decisions and cited herein supports the Ails' conclusions that the plaintiff was on notice that he was subject to filing requirements. What's more, the Ails' determinations of willfulness undercuts any suggestion by the plaintiff that he acted in good faith. See Pl.'s Mot. at 3 (quoting the appellate Judge as stating that, "Even if one were to believe Plaintiff that he intended to eventually file the required returns (a belief that Judge Moran was unwilling to embrace, a judgment I share), that would not be the basis for finding that Plaintiff's failures were not willful").

[4] Citing two Second Circuit decisions, the plaintiff argues that the defendants' actions "explicitly require an Article III judicial hearing." Pl.'s Mot. at 3-4 (citing Schulz v. IRS, 395 F.3d 463 (2d Cir.2005) ("Schulz I"), and Schulz v. IRS, 413 F.3d 297 (2d Cir.2005) ("Schulz II")). The court in these cases, however, ruled that the IRS's administrative summonses must be backed by a federal court order before the IRS can impose consequences on taxpayers for a failure to comply with the summonses. Schulz I, 395 F.3d at 465; Schulz II, 413 F.3d at 303-304. The court relied on Oklahoma Operating Company v. Love, 252 U.S. 331, 333, 40 S. Ct. 338, 64 L. Ed. 596 (1920), for the proposition that constitutional due process rights are violated when a legislative scheme "denies subjects an opportunity to seek judicial review of administrative orders except by refusing to comply, and so put themselves in immediate jeopardy of possible penalties ``so heavy as to prohibit resort to that remedy.'" Schultz II, 413 F.3d at 303. These cases have no bearing on the current issue. The matter at hand does not involve an administrative order compelling action on the part of the plaintiff, but rather, an administrative action taken by the government to regulate individuals practicing before it. And, the plaintiff here is not being denied judicial review of the administrative action. To the contrary, he has sought judicial review of the action in this court by way of the Administrative Procedures Act, and that review is currently pending.