Opinion
Case No. 2:21-cv-2236
05-12-2021
MARK ALLEN MCCONAUGHY, Plaintiff, v. 106.3 THE RIVER RADIO NETWORK, Defendant.
Judge Michael H. Watson
Magistrate Judge Elizabeth P. Deavers
ORDER AND INITIAL SCREEN REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Plaintiff, an Ohio resident who is proceeding without the assistance of counsel, moves this court for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF No. 1.) Plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED. All judicial officers who render services in this action shall do so as if the costs had been prepaid. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
This matter is now before the Court for the initial screen of Plaintiff's Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) to identify cognizable claims and to recommend dismissal of Plaintiff's Complaint, or any portion of it, which is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Having performed the initial screen, for the reasons that follow, it is RECOMMENDED that the Court DISMISS Plaintiff's action in its entirety.
I.
Congress enacted 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the federal in forma pauperis statute, seeking to "lower judicial access barriers to the indigent." Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 31 (1992). In doing so, however, "Congress recognized that 'a litigant whose filing fees and court costs are assumed by the public, unlike a paying litigant, lacks an economic incentive to refrain from filing frivolous, malicious, or repetitive lawsuits.'" Id. at 31 (quoting Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 324 (1989)). To address this concern, Congress included subsection (e) as part of the statute, which provides in pertinent part:
Formerly 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d).
(2) Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that--
* * *
(B) the action or appeal--
28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i) & (ii); Denton, 504 U.S. at 31. Thus, § 1915(e) requires sua sponte dismissal of an action upon the Court's determination that the action is frivolous or malicious, or upon determination that the action fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.(i) is frivolous or malicious;
(ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or . . . .
To properly state a claim upon which relief may be granted, a plaintiff must satisfy the basic federal pleading requirements set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a). See also Hill v. Lappin, 630 F.3d 468, 470-71 (6th Cir. 2010) (applying Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) standards to review under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A and 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii)). Under Rule 8(a)(2), a complaint must contain a "short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Thus, Rule 8(a) "imposes legal and factual demands on the authors of complaints." 16630 Southfield Ltd., P'Ship v. Flagstar Bank, F.S.B., 727 F.3d 502, 503 (6th Cir. 2013).
Although this pleading standard does not require "'detailed factual allegations,' . . . [a] pleading that offers 'labels and conclusions' or 'a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action,'" is insufficient. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). A complaint will not "suffice if it tenders 'naked assertion[s]' devoid of 'further factual enhancement.'" Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557). Instead, to survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6), "a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter . . . to 'state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Id . (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). Facial plausibility is established "when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Id. "The plausibility of an inference depends on a host of considerations, including common sense and the strength of competing explanations for the defendant's conduct." Flagstar Bank, 727 F.3d at 504 (citations omitted). Further, the Court holds pro se complaints "'to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.'" Garrett v. Belmont Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't., No. 08-3978, 2010 WL 1252923, at *2 (6th Cir. April 1, 2010) (quoting Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972)). This lenient treatment, however, has limits; "'courts should not have to guess at the nature of the claim asserted.'" Frengler v. Gen. Motors, 482 F. App'x 975, 976-77 (6th Cir. 2012) (quoting Wells v. Brown, 891 F.2d 591, 594 (6th Cir. 1989)).
II.
Plaintiff names as Defendant "106.3 The River Radio Network." (ECF No. 1-1, at 1.) Plaintiff alleges a "civil right violation of me and my daughter" as follows:
On April 17th, 2021, I was contacted by Mr. Dimitri Vassilaros talk show host of 106.3 The River Radio Network via Facebook asking if I was the one who was changing my name. I replied that I was. In the morning of April 18, 2021, I checked my Facebook account and seen that Mr. Vassilaros attempted to contact me via
video on Facebook 7 times, so I replied with my phone number and requested that he talk to me prior to him placing me "on the air"! He later called me where I informed his of the safety issues concerning my petition to change mine and my daughters name. He requested in our phone conversation that I give a reason why I was changing my name to a very unusual name and I agrereed providing that he promised confidentiality. I then sent him a Facebook message explaining why and sent a message reminding him that there was safety concerns pertaining to my petition. I then began watching him on video and seen him display, to the public, the notice produced by the Times Leader Nespaper informing the public of my current name and my future name which is in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2717.01. Mr. Vassilaros also stated on air and with his own mouth, many times, my current name and my future name. I also notice that the broadcast was taped and then transmitted meaning that Mr. Vassilaros did this prior to ever speaking to me!! The Probate Court of Belmont County, Ohio - the Times Leader Newspaper and 106.3 The River Radio Network is all equally responsible for this civil right violation of me and my daughter.(Id. at 3.)
In this case, Plaintiff checked the box on the form complaint for subject matter jurisdiction indicating that this Court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (a lawsuit "arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.") Plaintiff, however, fails to state a claim arising under federal law.
To the extent Plaintiff claims Defendant violated his civil rights or those of his daughter, "[t]o proceed on a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must show that a person acting under color of state law deprived the plaintiff of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States." Vistein v. Am. Registry of Radiologic Technologists, 342 F. App'x 113, 127 (6th Cir. 2009); see also Rubin v. Fannie Mae, 587 F. App'x 273, 275 (6th Cir. 2014) (concluding that due process claim failed as a matter of law where the defendant was not a state actor); Horen v. Bd. of Educ. of Toledo City Sch. Dist., 594 F. Supp. 2d 833, 843 (N.D. Ohio 2009) ("Because defendants are not state actors, they cannot be held liable under the Fourteenth Amendment.") (citing Jackson v. Metro. Edison Co., 419 U.S. 345, 349 (1974) ("'[P]rivate conduct, however discriminatory or wrongful,' falls outside the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment[.]")). "The principal inquiry to be undertaken in determining whether a private party's actions constitute 'state action' is whether the party's actions may be 'fairly attributable to the State.'" Lugar v. Edmondson Oil Co., 457 U.S. 922, 937 (1982).
Here, as a preliminary matter, Plaintiff fails to provide factual allegations sufficient to state a plausible cause of action against the named Defendant. See Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. Plaintiff does not allege specific wrongful conduct by the named Defendant nor does he indicate which of his or his daughter's civil rights allegedly were violated. The only conduct alleged in the Complaint appears to have been undertaken by an employee of the Defendant. Plaintiff's limited assertions therefore do not support any claim arising under Section 1983 against the Defendant. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; see also Leach v. Shelby Co. Sheriff, 891 F.2d 1241, 1246 (6th Cir. 1989) (providing that a party cannot be held liable under Section 1983 unless the party personally participated in, or otherwise authorized, approved or knowingly acquiesced in, the allegedly unconstitutional conduct); Bellamy v. Bradley, 729 F.2d 416, 421 (6th Cir. 1984) (stating that, "[a]t a minimum a [Section] 1983 plaintiff must show that a supervisory official at least implicitly authorized, approved, or knowingly acquiesced in the unconstitutional conduct").
Moreover, Plaintiff has not alleged that the Defendant radio station is a state actor or that its conduct constitutes state action. Plaintiff therefore has failed to state a federal claim based on an alleged violation of his or his daughter's civil rights. To be clear, "[to] act 'under color of' state law for § 1983 purposes does not require that the defendant be an officer of the State. It is enough that he is a willful participant in joint action with the State or its agents." Dennis v. Sparks, 449 U.S. 24, 28 n. 4 (1980) (citing Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144 (1970); United States v. Price, 383 U.S. 787, 794 (1966)). However, absent any allegation suggesting the existence of a conspiracy or joint action with state agents, no § 1983 liability can attach to the Defendant radio station. Noble v. Husted, No. 1:13-CV-00666, 2013 WL 5819664, at *4 (S.D. Ohio Oct. 29, 2013) (under the facts alleged, radio station defendants were private parties, not state actors). Plaintiff's conclusory statement that the Probate Court of Belmont County, Ohio is "equally responsible" is insufficient to suggest joint action and therefore, does not support a different outcome.
Finally, pendent jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367 should not be exercised to consider any state-law claims that are alleged in the complaint because plaintiff has failed to state a federal claim for relief. See United States Mine Workers v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715 (1966); see also Brooks v. Rothe, 577 F.3d 701, 709 (6th Cir.2009) (quoting Wojnicz v. Davis, 80 F. App'x 382, 384-85 (6th Cir.2003)) ("If the federal claims are all dismissed before trial, the state claims generally should be dismissed as well.").
Accordingly, the Court concludes that Plaintiff's complaint is subject to dismissal as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) and for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3). See, e.g., Noble, 2013 WL 5819664, at *7. (explaining that, where there is no basis for federal jurisdiction apparent on the face of the complaint, a court may dismiss the action as frivolous and for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3)).
III.
For the reasons set forth above, it is RECOMMENDED that the Complaint in its entirety be DISMISSED pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). It is FURTHER RECOMMENDED that the Court certify pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that for the foregoing reasons an appeal of any Order adopting this Report and Recommendation would not be taken in good faith and therefore, if Plaintiff moves for leave to appeal in forma pauperis, that such request be denied. See Callihan v. Schneider, 178 F.3d 800, 803 (6th Cir.1999), overruling in part Floyd v. United States Postal Serv., 105 F.3d 274, 277 (6th Cir. 1997).
PROCEDURE ON OBJECTIONS
If any party seeks review by the District Judge of this Report and Recommendation, that party may, within fourteen (14) days, file and serve on all parties objections to the Report and Recommendation, specifically designating this Report and Recommendation, and the part in question, as well as the basis for objection. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). Response to objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b).
The parties are specifically advised that the failure to object to the Report and Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to de novo review of by the District Judge and waiver of the right to appeal the judgment of the District Court. See, e.g., Pfahler v. Nat'l Latex Prod. Co., 517 F.3d 816, 829 (6th Cir. 2007) (holding that "failure to object to the magistrate judge's recommendations constituted a waiver of [the defendant's] ability to appeal the district court's ruling"); United States v. Sullivan, 431 F.3d 976, 984 (6th Cir. 2005) (holding that defendant waived appeal of district court's denial of pretrial motion by failing to timely object to magistrate judge's report and recommendation). Even when timely objections are filed, appellate review of issues not raised in those objections is waived. Robert v. Tesson, 507 F.3d 981, 994 (6th Cir. 2007) ("[A] general objection to a magistrate judge's report, which fails to specify the issues of contention, does not suffice to preserve an issue for appeal . . . ." (citation omitted)).
/s/ Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers
ELIZABETH A. PRESTON DEAVERS
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DATED: May 12, 2021