Boans v. Town of Cheektowaga
Boans v. Town of Cheektowaga
Opinion of the Court
DECISION AND ORDER
The instant matter was referred to Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) for supervision of all pre-trial proceedings. On June 29, 2012, defendants filed a motion for summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Dkt. No. 32) On December 4, 2013, Magistrate Judge Foschio issued a detailed and comprehensive 36-page Report and Recommendation recommending that defendants’ motion for summary judgment be granted as to: (1) plaintiffs Section 1983 claims against the Town of Cheektowaga and the Town of Cheektowaga Police Department; (2) plaintiffs claims pursuant to the Seventh Amendment and Eighth Amendment; (3) plaintiffs Section 1983 and common law malicious prosecution claims; and (4) plaintiffs substantive due process claims under the Fifth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment. (Dkt. No. 40) Magistrate Judge Foschio recommended that summary judgment be denied as to plaintiffs Fourth Amendment and common law unlawful arrest claims. Id.
Plaintiff filed objections to Magistrate Judge Foschio’s Report and Recommendation on December 18, 2013. (Dkt. No. 41) Defendants filed a reply on January 2, 2014. (Dkt. No. 42) Oral argument was held on February 27, 2014, at which time the Court considered the matter submitted.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), this Court must make a de novo determination of those portions of the Report and Recommendation to which objections have been made. Upon de novo review, and after reviewing the submissions from the parties and hearing oral argument, the Court hereby adopts Magistrate Judge Foschio’s findings in their entirety.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in Magistrate Judge Foschio’s Report and Recommendation, defendants’ motion for summary judgment is denied as to plaintiffs Fourth Amendment and common law unlawful arrest claims, but granted as to all other claims.
The matter is referred back to Magistrate Judge Foschio for further proceedings.
SO ORDERED.
RUDOLPHUS BOANS, JR.,
Plaintiff,
v.
TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA, TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA POLICE DEPART
Defendants.
TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA, TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA POLICE DEPARTMENT, and POLICE OFFICER BRIAN R. GRAY,
Cross-Claimants,
v.
JAMES E. DAVIS,
Cross-Defendant.
REPORT and RECOMMENDATION
JURISDICTION
This case was referred to the undersigned by Honorable Richard J. Arcara on September 2, 2009, for all pre-trial matters, including preparation of a Report and Recommendation on dispositive motions. The matter is presently before the court on Defendants’ First Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 32), filed June 29, 2012.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff Rudolphus Boans, Jr. (“Plaintiff’ or “Boans”), commenced this civil rights action on December 12, 2008, by filing a complaint in New York Supreme Court, Erie County, alleging Defendants Town of Cheektowaga (“Town”), Town of Cheektowaga Police Department (“Cheek-towaga police” or “police”), and Cheekto-waga Police Officer Brian R. Gray (“Officer Gray”) (“Defendants”), subjected Plaintiff to false arrest, unlawful arrest, unlawful imprisonment, and malicious prosecution in violation of New York law, and deprivation of liberty in violation of Plaintiffs rights under the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
On June 29, 2012, Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment (Doc. No. 32) (“Defendants’ Motion”), seeking to dis
Based on the following, Defendants’ Motion should be GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
FACTS
On September 15, 2007, at 12:30 A.M., Plaintiff Rudolphus Boans, Jr. (“Plaintiff” or “Boans”), seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle (“Plaintiffs vehicle”), with one Gale Matthews-Benson (“Matthews-Benson”), in the front passenger seat, was in the drive-thru lane of a McDonald’s restaurant located at 1735 Walden Avenue, in Cheektowaga, New York, when James E. Davis (“Davis”), operating a van owned and leased from Uncle Bob’s Storage (“Davis’s vehicle”), struck the passenger side of Plaintiffs vehicle, causing extensive damage and rendering Plaintiffs vehicle inoperable. Cheektowaga police were contacted and Officers Gray and Spieler
Because Plaintiffs vehicle was inoperable, a tow truck was called and, pursuant to Cheektowaga Police General Order O-5-8 (Towing and Impounding) policy (“Tow Policy”),
An inventory will be conducted on all vehicles towed at the direction of a police officer unless a vehicle is to be ... privately towed.... The inventory will be conducted on scene, before the vehicle is towed, unless safety concerns dictate otherwise.
Id., Inventory ¶ 1.
The Tow Policy also specifically provides that in conducting an inventory search of a vehicle in preparation for towing, “[a]ll closed unlocked containers will be opened and inventoried.” Id., Inventory ¶ 4. It is undisputed that Plaintiffs vehicle was to be towed because it was disabled, and that Plaintiff was not invited by any police officer to make his own arrangements for the vehicle’s tow.
According to the Police Report prepared by Officer Gray (“Police Report”),
The Police Report also states that at Police Headquarters, Detention Officer W. Hay (“Officer Hay”), conducted intake of Plaintiff who placed into his personal property box Plaintiffs own property, as well as the key to the ignition of Davis’s vehicle. Officer Gray noticed the key and questioned Plaintiff about it, and Plaintiff denied being aware the key to Davis’s vehicle was in Plaintiffs possession. Also during intake, the prescription bottle that Officer Spieler discovered in the glove compartment of Plaintiffs vehicle was opened and its contents examined. In addition to the ibuprofen, the bottle contained three Lortab tablets, containing hydrocodone, a controlled substance. Matthews-Benson was then arrested and transported to Police Headquarters.
Meanwhile, because the disruptive behavior of Plaintiff and Matthews-Benson had prevented completion of the inventory search of Plaintiffs vehicle at the accident scene, Plaintiffs vehicle was towed to Dav-ron Collision’s Tow Lt (“the tow lot”), where the inventory search was completed
A statement given by Davis was taken by Officer Spieler (“Davis’s Statement”).
I wasn’t thinking straight at the time but I gave the driver of the van, later identified to me by the police as [Plaintiff],8 my wallet and truck key. My wallet had all my identification and my bank/credit card in it. I watched [Plaintiff] after I gave him the key and he walked around with it, I thought he was going to write down my information for the accident but he never did. A women [sic] later identified to me by the police as [Matthews-Benson] was in the van and could have taken my wallet as well. Neither of them ever came back to me with my wallet. I want them both arrested for taking my wallet.
Davis’s Statement at 1.
Based on the discovery in Plaintiffs vehicle of the Lortab, Plaintiff and Matthews-Benson were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Plaintiff and Matthews-Benson were also charged with grand larceny in the 4th degree-possession of stolen property, in violation of N.Y. Pen. Law § 155.30-04, based on the discovery of Davis’s wallet in Plaintiffs vehicle and the key to Davis’s vehicle in Plaintiffs possession. All criminal charges against both Plaintiff and Matthews-Benson were subsequently dismissed by Cheektowaga Town Court on December 4, 2007. In their depositions taken in connection with the instant action, Officer Gray and Officer Spieler gave statements indicating Plaintiff was arrested at the scene of the accident based on the discovery of the Lortab, rather than for the theft of Davis’s property. See Officer Gray Dep. Tr.
DISCUSSION
1. Summary Judgment
Defendants move for summary judgment, seeking to dismiss the First Cause of Action, and, thereby, all claims for relief
“[T]he evidentiary burdens that the respective parties will bear at trial guide district courts in their determination of summary judgment motions.” Brady v. Town of Colchester, 863 F.2d 205, 211 (2d Cir. 1988). A defendant is entitled to summary judgment where “ ‘the plaintiff has failed to come forth with evidence sufficient to permit a reasonable juror to return a verdict in his or her favor on’ ” an essential element of a claim on which the plaintiff bears the burden of proof. In re Omnicom Group, Inc., Sec. Litig., 597 F.3d 501, 509 (2d Cir. 2010) (quoting Burke v. Jacoby, 981 F.2d 1372, 1379 (2d Cir. 1992)). Once a party moving for summary judgment has made a properly supported showing as to the absence of any genuine issue as to all material facts, the nonmov-ing party must, to defeat summary judgment, come forward with evidence that would be sufficient to support a jury verdict in its favor. Goenaga v. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 51 F.3d 14, 18 (2d Cir. 1995). “[FJactual issues created solely by an affidavit crafted to oppose a summary judgment motion are not ‘genuine’ issues for trial.” Hayes v. New York City Dept. of Corrections, 84 F.3d 614, 619 (2d Cir. 1996).
2. Civil Rights Claims
Insofar as Defendants are alleged to have violated Plaintiffs civil rights, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, an individual may seek damages against any person who, under color of state law, subjects such individual to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Section 1983, “allows an action against a ‘person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State ... subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States ... to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws.’ ” Patterson v. County of Oneida, N.Y., 375 F.3d 206, 225 (2d Cir. 2004) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 1983). Section 1983, however, “‘is not itself a source of substantive rights.’ ” Patterson, 375 F.3d at 225 (quoting Baker v. McCollan, 443 U.S. 137, 144 n. 3, 99 S.Ct. 2689, 61 L.Ed.2d 433 (1979)). Rather, § 1983 “merely provides ‘a method for vindicating federal rights elsewhere con
Here, Plaintiff alleges Defendants subjected him to an unlawful search, unlawful arrest, unlawful imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and deprivation of liberty in violation of his Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. It is undisputed that the search of Plaintiffs vehicle, and Plaintiffs arrest and prosecution on the criminal charges was conduct undertaken pursuant to state law. As such, Plaintiffs civil rights claims are sufficiently alleged.
3. Town and Cheektowaga Police
Defendants argue all claims against the Town and Cheektowaga police should be dismissed because neither the Town, nor the Cheektowaga police, as an administrative arm of the Town, can be vicariously liable solely on the basis of respondeat superior. Defendants’ Memorandum at 4-5. In opposition, Plaintiff asserts that the Tow Policy was not followed because Plaintiff was not given the opportunity to contract with the tow company of his choice, Plaintiffs Memorandum at 2-4, and, without referencing any supporting caselaw, that “[t]he Town is liable for the actions of its employees acting within the scope of their employment for any state law causes of action.” Id. at 5. Plaintiff does not, however, assert any argument opposing summary judgment in favor of Cheektowaga police. In further support of summary judgment, Defendants argue that although Plaintiff asserts the Tow Policy was not followed, Plaintiff has not challenged the Tow Policy as unconstitutional. Defendants’ Reply at 3-4.
Because a police department is an administrative arm of the municipal corporation, Loria v. Town of Irondequoit, 775 F.Supp. 599, 600 (W.D.N.Y. 1990), a police department does not exist separate and apart from the municipality and does not have its own legal identity and, thus, cannot sue or be sued. Loria, 775 F.Supp. at 606. Accordingly, summary judgment should be GRANTED as to all claims against the Cheektowaga police.
With regard to the claims against the Town, it is settled that municipalities may not be held liable under § 1983 solely on the basis of respondeat superior unless the alleged “deprivation of the plaintiffs rights under federal is caused by a governmental custom, policy, or usage of the municipality.” Jones v. Town of East Haven, 691 F.3d 72, 80 (2d Cir. 2012) (citing Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 691, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978)). “Absent such a custom, policy, or usage, a municipality cannot be held liable on a respondeat superior basis for the tort of its employee.” Jones, 691 F.3d at 80 (citing Monell, 436 U.S. at 691, 98 S.Ct. 2018). “[I]t is not enough for a § 1983 plaintiff merely to identify conduct properly attributable to the municipality. The plaintiff must also demonstrate that, through its deliberate conduct, the municipality was the ‘moving force’ behind the injury alleged.” Board of County Commissioners of Bryan County, Oklahoma v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 404, 117 S.Ct. 1382, 137 L.Ed.2d 626 (1997). As such, municipal liability may be found “when the execution of a government’s policy or custom ... inflicts the injury that the government
Here, Plaintiff has not alleged that the Tow Policy pursuant to which the inventory search of Plaintiffs vehicle was conducted was unconstitutional; rather, Plaintiff argues that the Tow Policy was not properly followed because Plaintiff was not permitted to call a tow truck of his choosing which, according to the Tow Policy, would have negated the need for the Cheektowaga police to conduct an inventory search. See Tow Policy, Inventory (requiring inventory search of all vehicles towed at direction of police “unless a vehicle is ... privately towed.... ”). As such, there is no undecided issue of material fact as to whether the Tow Policy is constitutional. Nor has Plaintiff alleged, or presented any evidence, that the Cheektowa-ga police regularly disregards its own Tow Policy by failing to invite the owner of a disabled vehicle to contract with a tow company of the owner’s choice as permitted under the Tow Policy, such that the disregard of the Tow Policy is a custom or general policy of the Cheektowaga police. Plaintiff has further failed to allege that under such circumstances, ie., in which the Cheektowaga police would routinely conduct an inventory search of vehicles for which the owner has contracted with a tow company for a private tow, such inventory search would constitute a constitutional violation. This fact is significant as once a party moving for summary judgment has made a properly supported showing as to the absence of any genuine issue as to all material facts, the nonmoving party must, to defeat summary judgment, come forward with evidence that would be sufficient to support a jury verdict in its favor. Goenaga v. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 51 F.3d 14, 18 (2d Cir. 1995). Further, in opposing a motion for summary judgment a party “may not simply rely on conclusory statements or on contentions that the affidavits supporting the motion are not credible.” Goenaga, supra, at 18 (citing cases).
Accordingly, Plaintiff has failed to establish the requisite unconstitutional custom or practice necessary to subject the Town to vicarious liability based on the conduct of Officer Gray in searching Plaintiffs vehicle, even if Officer Gray violated the Tow Policy by failing to advise Plaintiff of his right to privately contract for the removal of his disabled vehicle from the drive-thru lane of the McDonald’s Restaurant.
4. Seventh Amendment
Although Plaintiff asserts his claims as alleging violations of the Seventh Amendment, Complaint ¶ 15, and Defendants seeks summary judgment on the action in its entirety, Defendants’ Memorandum at 17, Defendants have not presented any argument in support of dismissal of Plaintiffs Seventh Amendment claim. Defendants do not set forth a specific argument for dismissing Plaintiffs Seventh Amendment claim, yet the claim nevertheless should be dismissed as without any factual or legal basis. In particular, the Seventh Amendment provides for the right to a trial by jury in civil actions at common law. U.S. Const., Amend. VII. As to the criminal charges lodged against Plaintiff as a result of the September 18, 2009 search of his vehicle were dismissed by the Cheekto-waga Town Court, however, Plaintiff never
5. Eighth Amendment
Plaintiff asserts Defendants violated his Eighth Amendment rights. Complaint ¶ 15. Although Defendants seek dismissal of this claim as without factual support because Plaintiff does not allege he was injured or denied medical care while in custody, Plaintiff gave an interrogatory response denying he was making a claim for any physical injury, and insofar as the Eighth Amendment proscribes excessive bail, none of the Defendants had any control over the amount of bail set. Defendants’ Memorandum at 5-6. Plaintiff presents no argument in opposition to summary judgment in support of his Eighth Amendment claim. As such, the court may deem such claims abandoned. Kuebel v. Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., 2010 WL 1930659 at *1 (W.D.N.Y. May 12, 2010) (citing Taylor v. City of New York, 269 F.Supp.2d 68, 75 (E.D.N.Y. 2003) (“Federal courts may deem a claim abandoned when a party moves for summary judgment on one ground and the party opposing summary judgment fails to address the argument in any way.” (citing Douglas v. Victor Capital Group, 21 F.Supp.2d 379, 393 (S.D.N.Y. 1998) (holding where defendant’s summary judgment papers specifically address employment discrimination claims raised in complaint, and plaintiffs opposition papers fail to respond to such arguments, court may deem all such claims abandoned and grant summary judgment as to such claims, collecting cases)))); Dineen v. Stramka, 228 F.Supp.2d 447, 454 (S.D.N.Y. 2002) (holding that plaintiffs failure to address claims in papers filed in opposition to summary judgment “enabl[es] the Court to conclude that [plaintiff] abandoned them”); Anti-Monopoly, Inc. v. Hasbro, Inc., 958 F.Supp. 895, 907 n. 11 (S.D.N.Y.) (dismissing with prejudice on summary judgment motion claim for which plaintiff failed to provide any argument in opposition to defendant’s motion), aff'd, 130 F.3d 1101 (2d Cir. 1997). Alternatively, Plaintiffs Eighth
In particular, the Eighth Amendment provides that “[ejxeessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” U.S. Const. Amend. VIII. Insofar as Plaintiff is alleging a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s bail or fines provisions, or inhumane conditions of confinement, not only has Plaintiff failed to allege any facts in support of such claim, but Defendants assert, and Plaintiff does not dispute, that no Defendant was involved in setting or bail or imposing any fines or conditions of confinement, such that the claim is without factual support. Further, the Eighth Amendment does not apply to pretrial detainees regarding issues of bail or conditions of confinement; rather, constitutional claims by pretrial detainees instead are analyzed under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Weyant v. Okst, 101 F.3d 845, 856 (2d Cir. 1996). As such, summary judgment on Plaintiffs Eighth Amendment claim should be GRANTED.
6. Fourth Amendment
Defendants argue in support of summary judgment on Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment claim, alleging unlawful search, false arrest, and malicious prosecution, that Officer Gray’s actions were reasonable under all the circumstances, that the search of Plaintiffs vehicle was an inventory search for which no warrant or probable cause was required, and that the discovery of controlled substances during the inventory search provided the requisite probable cause to support Plaintiffs arrest, imprisonment, and malicious prosecution. Defendants’ Memorandum at 6-8. In opposition to summary judgment, Plaintiff argues Defendants have failed to establish the absence of any genuine issue of material fact regarding the legality of the inventory search of Plaintiffs vehicle and subsequent arrest of Plaintiff. Plaintiffs Memorandum at 1-3. In further support of summary judgment, Defendants argue Plaintiff has failed to assert more than a “cursory response” that fails to provide any basis for denying Defendants’ motion, Defendants’ Reply at 1-2, and that Plaintiff does not dispute that Officer Gray acted reasonably, or that Plaintiff was arrested and prosecuted without probable cause. Id. at 4.
Preliminarily, insofar as Plaintiff interprets Defendants’ arguments in support of summary judgment as referencing the “exclusionary rule/fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine” in discussing Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment claims, Plaintiffs Memorandum at 3, the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine is an extension of the exclusionary rule, applicable only in criminal actions, and neither the exclusionary rule nor the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine may be invoked to support a § 1983 claim, Townes v. The City of New York, 176 F.3d 138, 145-46 (2d Cir. 1999) (citing Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole v. Scott, 524 U.S. 357, 364 n. 4, 118 S.Ct. 2014, 141 L.Ed.2d 344 (1998)). As such, the exclusionary rule/fruit of the poisonous tree doctrines have no bearing on Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment claims for unlawful search and seizure.
Insofar as Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment claim can be construed as alleging that the search of his vehicle was not supported by probable cause, the court observes that such search was an inventory search for which probable cause is not required. Colorado v. Bertine, 479 U.S. 367, 373-74, 107 S.Ct. 738, 93 L.Ed.2d 739 (1987) (holding police regulation permitting a warrantless inventory search prior to towing a vehicle does not violate Fourth Amendment provided law enforcement of-
In particular, according to the Police Report prepared by Officer Gray in connection with Plaintiffs arrest, Plaintiff was arrested at the scene of the accident based on Davis’s continued complaints that Plaintiff and Matthews-Benson were in possession of Davis’s personal property, i.e., Davis’s wallet containing his identification and his bank debit card, as well as the ignition key to the rental vehicle Davis had been operating at the time of the accident. Davis’s Statement. Davis’s Statement is consistent with the Police Report which provides, as relevant,
[Davis] advised [Officer] Spieler that he was certain that [Boans] and [Matthews-Benson] had his property and insisted that [Davis] wanted to prosecute them for stealing it. [Officer] Spieler obtained a signed statement from [Davis]. Sgt. Grant responded and advised [Boans and Matthews-Benson] numerous times that it was necessary that [Davis’s] property be returned. [Boans] and [Matthews-Benson] continuously insisted they did not have the property. [Boans] was placed into custody and transported to Police Headquarters_ During intake of [Boans], the contents of the prescription bottle of Ibuprofen was [sic] examined and found to contain 3 caplets of hydrocodone, a controlled substance.
Police Report at 2-3.
Significantly, the heading to the Police Report indicates the report pertains to an arrest for “Grand Larceny 4th.” Police Report at 2. Thus, both Davis’s Statement and the Police Report indicate Plaintiff was arrested based on Davis’s complaint that Plaintiff and Matthews-Benson had refused to return the wallet Davis gave to Plaintiff subsequent to the accident.
Specifically, if Plaintiff were arrested at the scene of the accident for possession of a controlled substance, the reason given by both Officers Gray and Spieler at their depositions, such scenario is inconsistent with that portion of the contemporaneously filed Police Report that indicates the Lor-tab was not discovered in the prescription bottle until after Plaintiff was taken into custody and transported to Police Headquarters for intake. If, however, Plaintiff was arrested in connection with Davis’s complaint that Plaintiff refused to return Davis’s property, such scenario is inconsistent with the deposition testimony of Officers Gray and Spieler that Plaintiff was arrested based on the discovery of the Lortab at the accident scene, and is also inconsistent with Officer Gray’s testimony that he did not credit Davis’s theft complaint until the discovery of Davis’s wallet in Plaintiffs vehicle after Plaintiffs vehicle was towed following Plaintiffs arrest for theft based on Davis’s complaint.
These inconsistencies pose material issues of fact as to whether Plaintiffs arrest was supported by probable cause without which, should a reasonable jury so find, Plaintiffs arrest is in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Having determined Plaintiff has a viable Fourth Amendment unlawful seizure claim, the court next addresses whether Defendants are qualifiedly immune from liability on such claim. County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 841 n. 5, 118 S.Ct. 1708, 140 L.Ed.2d 1043 (1998) (“the better approach to resolving cases in which the defense of qualified immunity is raised is to determine first whether the plaintiff has alleged a deprivation of a constitutional right at all. Normally, it is only then that a court should ask whether the right allegedly implicated was clearly established at the time of the events in question.”). But see DiStiso v. Cook, 691 F.3d 226, 240 (2d Cir. 2012) (observing that “[wjhile sequential analysis promotes the development of constitutional precedent, where qualified immunity is clearly warranted at the second step of the analysis, courts may simply rule on that basis without employing scarce judicial resources to resolve difficult and novel questions of constitutional or statutory interpretation that will have no effect on the outcome of the case.” (quoting cases; in
In particular, “[qualified immunity shields ‘government officials from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.’ ” DiStiso, 691 F.3d at 240 (quoting Messerschmidt v. Millender, — U.S. -, 132 S.Ct. 1235, 1244, 182 L.Ed.2d 47 (2012)). “Qualified immunity thus affords government officials ‘breathing room’ to make reasonable — even if sometimes mistaken-decisions, and ‘protects all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law’ from liability for damages.” Id. “Whether qualified immunity applies in a particular case ‘generally turns on the objective legal reasonableness’ of the challenged action, ‘assessed in light of the legal rules that were clearly established at the time it was taken.’ ” Id.
In the instant case, it is axiomatic at the time of Plaintiffs arrest on September 15, 2007, that such arrest had to be supported by probable cause. See Singer v. Fulton County Sheriff, 63 F.3d 110, 118 (2d Cir. 1995) (“There can be no federal civil rights claim for false arrest where the arresting officer had probable cause.”). “Probable cause is established when the arresting officer has knowledge of reasonably trustworthy information sufficient to warrant a person of reasonable caution in the belief that an offense has been committed by the person to be arrested.” Id. at 119 (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). Here, however, because it is not clear for which crime Plaintiff was arrested at the scene of the accident, it is not clear that Officer Gray had probable cause for Plaintiffs arrest. Indeed, Officer Gray’s deposition testimony that he did not believe Plaintiff had taken Davis’s property until the Davis’s wallet was found in Plaintiffs vehicle, after said vehicle had been towed to the tow lot, could reasonably be construed by a reasonable juror as establishing an absence of probable cause to arrest Plaintiff on the 4th degree Grand Larceny charge. Gray Dep. Tr. at 53-54. Alternatively, the Police Report prepared by Officer Gray states that Plaintiff was taken into custody in connection with Davis’s complaint that Plaintiff stole his wallet and key, and the hydrocodone tablets were not discovered in the prescription bottle until after Plaintiffs arrest, reasonably supporting only an absence of probable cause to arrest Plaintiff on the criminal possession of a controlled substance charge. These discrepancies cannot be reconciled without weighing facts and choosing either one version of the events over the other, which could still allow for a determination Plaintiffs arrest was supported by probable cause, or discounting both versions, such that Plaintiffs arrest would not be supported by probable cause. See Cioffi v. Averill Park Central School District Board of Education, 444 F.3d 158, 162 (2d Cir. 2006) (when deciding a summary judgment motion in a civil case, all factual ambiguities must be resolved in the non-moving party’s favor and the court may not weigh the evidence, but rather must only determine whether a genuine issue of fact exists for trial). Accordingly, summary judgment on Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment unlawful seizure claim should be DENIED.
With regard to Plaintiffs § 1983 malicious prosecution claim, the Second Circuit provides that “to prevail on a § 1983 claim against a state actor for malicious prosecution, a plaintiff must show a violation of his rights under the Fourth Amendment and establish the elements of a malicious prosecution claim un
Specifically, although it is undisputed that the criminal charges against Plaintiff were dismissed, the record is completely silent as to whether the criminal charges against Plaintiff were dismissed because of any determination on the merits in Cheektowaga Town Court that the inventory search and, subsequently, Plaintiffs arrest, were in violation of the Fourth Amendment; rather, Plaintiff simply asserts that the criminal charges lodged against him “were dismissed by the Cheektowaga Town Court,” Complaint ¶ 17, and “[s]aid charges were dismissed on the merits in Cheektowaga Town Court on 12/4/07.” Plaintiffs Response to Interrogatory
7. Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Claims
Defendants move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ due process claims brought under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, asserting that such claim under the Fifth Amendment is redundant of the Fourteenth Amendment due process claim, which claim also has no merit because Officer Gray acted reasonably with regard to the inventory search of Plaintiffs vehicle, Plaintiffs arrest, imprisonment, and prosecution. Defendants’ Memorandum at 4-8. Plaintiff does not directly challenge this point in opposition to summary judgment, only arguing instead that Defendants violated the Tow Policy which did not authorize the Cheektowaga police to tow Plaintiffs vehicle. Plaintiffs Memorandum at 1-3. In further support of summary judgment, Defendants take notice of Plaintiffs thin response, asserting “if plaintiff had meaningful opposition to the motion, he would have laid it out for the Court’s consideration.” Defendants’ Reply at 2.
As relevant, the Fourteenth Amendment provides that “[n]o state shall ... deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law....” U.S. CONST, amend. XIV, § 1. A due process violation can be established by demonstrating that state action deprived Plaintiff of a property or liberty interest protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. Velez, 401 F.3d at 85.
Although Plaintiff argues his unlawful search claim as in violation of both the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, the Fourteenth Amendment is relevant to Plaintiffs unlawful search claim only inasmuch as the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause makes the Fourth Amendment applicable to Defendants as state actors. Tenenbaum v. Williams, 193 F.3d 581, 602 n. 14 (2d Cir. 1999) (“[t]he Fourth Amendment’s search and seizure procedures are applicable to the [state] defendants through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.” (citing Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643, 655, 81 S.Ct. 1684, 6 L.Ed.2d 1081 (1961))). Further, “[w]here a particular Amendment provides an explicit textural source of constitutional protection against a particular sort of government behavior, that Amendment, not the more generalized notion of substantive due process, must be the guide for analyzing these claims.” Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 266, 273, 114 S.Ct. 807, 127 L.Ed.2d 114 (1994). Accordingly, because the Fourth Amendment “provides an explicit textural source of constitutional behavior” against searches by law enforcement officials, Plaintiffs unlawful search claim cannot be analyzed under the Fourteenth Amendment. Nevertheless, insofar as Plaintiff alleges Officer Gray failed to follow the Tow Policy, i.e., that Officer Gray did not permit Plaintiff to contract with a company of his choosing to tow his vehicle, as permitted under the Tow Policy, Tow Policy, Circumstances (providing that a vehicle’s driver or owner shall not be prohibited “from contracting with any tow company of his choice” so long as the vehicle is not being towed pursuant to an arrest, and the tow company responds within a reasonable period of time given the traffic conditions and safety of the situation), Plaintiff is not asserting a violation of the Fourth Amendment but, rather, a violation of Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process.
As explained by the Supreme Court, under the Fourteenth Amendment,
“[t]he touchstone of due process is protection of the individual against arbitrary action of the government,” Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 558, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 41 L.Ed.2d 935 (1974), “whether the fault lies in the denial of fundamental procedural fairness, see, e.g., Fuentes v. Shevin, 407 U.S. 67, 82, 92 S.Ct. 1983, 32 L.Ed.2d 556 (1972) (the procedural*382 due process guarantee protects against ‘arbitrary takings’), or in the exercise of power without any reasonable justification in the service of a legitimate governmental objective, see, e.g., Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. [327], 331 [106 S.Ct. 662, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986)] (the substantive due process guarantee protects against government power arbitrarily and oppressively exercised).” While due process protection in the substantive sense limits what the government may do in both its legislation, see, e.g., Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 85 S.Ct. 1678, 14 L.Ed.2d 510 (1965), and its executive capacities, see, e.g., Rochin v. California, 342 U.S. 165, 72 S.Ct. 205, 96 L.Ed. 183 (1952), criteria to identify what is fatally arbitrary differ depending on whether it is legislation or a specific act of a government officer that is at issue.
County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 845-46, 118 S.Ct. 1708, 140 L.Ed.2d 1043 (1998).
When dealing with allegedly abusive executive action, “only the most egregious official conduct can be said to be ‘arbitrary in the constitutional sense....”’ Id. (quoting Collins v. Harker Heights, 503 U.S. 115, 129, 112 S.Ct. 1061, 117 L.Ed.2d 261 (1992)).
Here, Plaintiff argues Defendants “had no right to call a tow truck without complying first with their own department policy.” Plaintiffs Affidavit ¶ 10. According to Plaintiff, Defendants violated the Tow Policy “by failing to allow [Plaintiff] to select [his] own towing service and by apparently failing to obtain the written permission of the property owner.” Id. ¶ 11. Plaintiff further maintains that although Defendants assert Plaintiff was arrested following the discovery of the narcotics in Plaintiffs vehicle, rather than for theft of Davis’s wallet, an unidentified police officer advised Plaintiff that if Davis’s wallet was not found, Plaintiff would be arrested for its theft, id. ¶¶ 12-13, that Plaintiff was arrested “[s]hortly thereafter,” id. ¶ 14, prior to the search of Plaintiffs vehicle and the discovery of the prescription bottle containing the Lortabs. Id. ¶ 15. Plaintiff further maintains his recollection of chronology of these events is consistent with Officer Gray’s written police report, id. ¶ 16, which “report states that the drugs were identified only after [Plaintiff] was placed in custody.” Id. ¶ 17 (citing Defendants’ Exh. G, Doc. No. 32-2, pp. 73-74). Numerous difficulties render this argument without merit.
First, the Tow Policy specifically provides that the Cheektowaga police “may direct the removal of ... [disabled vehicles at the scene of an accident upon a public roadway.” Tow Policy, Circumstances. Although Plaintiffs vehicle was on private property — the drive-thru lane of a restaurant — “private roads open to public motor vehicle traffic and any other parking lot” have been specifically incorporated into the definition of “public highways” on which drivers are to obey New York’s vehicle and traffic laws. N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1100(a) (“§ 1100(a)”). Significantly, the provisions of N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1192, rendering it illegal to drive while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol, have specifically adopted the same definition of “public roadway” used in § 1100(a), such that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs upon private property open to public traffic. N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1192[7]. Under New York law, police officers are also specifically required to “immediately investigate” any accident resulting in damage to personal property in excess of $ 1,000. Id. §§ 603, 605. In the instant case, the police were requested to respond to the scene of
Significantly, Plaintiffs assertion that he should have been advised of his right to privately contract with a tow service of his choice for the removal of Plaintiffs vehicle from the accident scene is without any evidentiary support in the record; rather, the Tow Policy simply states the circumstances in which vehicle is disabled
at the scene of an accident upon a public roadway ... shall not prohibit the driver or the owner of a vehicle from contracting with any tow company of his choice provided that:
• Vehicle is not being towed pursuant to an arrest or a violation of law or statute or for police investigation.
• The towing service contracted responds within a reasonable period of time as per the officer in charge of the scene, considering traffic conditions and the safety of those affected by the situation.
Tow Policy, Circumstances.
A plain reading of this provision establishes it placed no affirmative duty on the part of the Cheektowaga police to advise Plaintiff of his right to privately arrange for the removal of his vehicle from the scene of the accident, nor does Plaintiff reference any caselaw interpreting such policy as requiring such, deny that his vehicle was inoperable requiring towing, or allege the police prevented him from doing so.
Further, once the decision was made that Plaintiffs vehicle needed to be towed from the accident scene, a decision not challenged by Plaintiff, Defendants were required to conduct an inventory search pursuant to the Tow Policy, which provided that “[a]ll closed unlocked containers will be opened and inventoried.” Tow Policy, Inventory ¶ 4. As the Tow Policy states, “[t]he purpose of the inventory is to protect against false claims of lost, stolen or vandalized property and to guard against storage of dangerous articles and protect the occupants/owners property.” Id. ¶ 2. Thus, Plaintiff points to no material issue of fact as to whether Officer Gray properly followed the Tow Policy.
Moreover, despite the contradictions in the record as to the reason Plaintiff was arrested, including, most relevantly, whether his arrest was supported by probable cause, Discussion, supra, at 376-80, the record establishes, and Plaintiff does not dispute, that the search of Plaintiffs vehicle was not a search incident to his arrest but, rather, an inventory search conducted to protect Plaintiffs property from theft or damage, as well as the parties involved with towing Plaintiff’s vehicle from claims for damages or theft of Plaintiffs property. No probable cause was required for the inventory search, Colorado, 479 U.S. at 373-74, 107 S.Ct. 738, which was conducted in accordance with the Tow Policy. As such, there is no merit to Plaintiffs Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process claim, for which summary judgment should be GRANTED.
8. State Law Claims
Plaintiff also asserts claims under New York common law for false arrest, unlawful arrest, unlawful imprisonment, and malicious prosecution. Complaint ¶ 19. De
A. False Arrest/Unlawful Imprisonment
Plaintiff alleges claims for false arrest and unlawful imprisonment in violation of New York common law. Complaint ¶ 19. In support of summary judgment on these claims, Defendants rely on the existence of probable cause as a complete defense to such claims. Defendants’ Memorandum at 9-11. In opposition to summary judgment, Plaintiff argues that whether his arrest was supported by probable cause is an unresolved issue of material fact. Plaintiffs Memorandum at 4. In further support of summary judgment, Defendants assert Plaintiff has failed to dispute that his arrest was based on probable cause. Defendants’ Reply at 4.
Relevant here, “[w]henever there has been an arrest and imprisonment without a warrant, the officer has acted extrajudicially and the presumption arises that such an arrest and imprisonment are unlawful.” Broughton v. State, 37 N.Y.2d 451, 373 N.Y.S.2d 87, 335 N.E.2d 310, 315 (citing cases), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 929, 96 S.Ct. 277, 46 L.Ed.2d 257 (1975). As such, “where the arrest or imprisonment is extrajudicial, that is, without legal process or color of legal authority, it is not necessary to allege want of probable cause in a false imprisonment action,” id. (citing cases), and “the burden is on the defendant to prove the opposite.” Id.
A claim for false arrest under New York law is substantially the same as a § 1983 claim for false arrest. Gonzalez v. City of Schenectady, 728 F.3d 149, 155 (2d Cir. 2013) (citing Weyant v. Okst, 101 F.3d 845, 852 (2d Cir. 1996)). “Under New York law, a plaintiff claiming false arrest must show, inter alia, that the defendant intentionally confined him without his consent.” Weyant, 101 F.3d at 852 (citing Broughton, 373 N.Y.S.2d 87, 335 N.E.2d at 313-14). Further, “ ‘[t]he existence of probable cause to arrest constitutes justification and is a complete defense to an action for false arrest, whether that action is brought under state law or under § 1983.’ ” Id. (quoting Weyant, 101 F.3d at 852, and citing Broughton v. State, 37 N.Y.2d 451, 373 N.Y.S.2d 87, 335 N.E.2d 310 (1975)). Nor is there any difference between a claim for false arrest and unlawful arrest. Pope v. State, 192 Misc. 587, 79 N.Y.S.2d 466, 471 (N.Y.Ct.Cl. 1948) (“False arrest is, of course, an unlawful arrest.”). Because there is a question of fact as to whether Plaintiffs arrest was supported by probable cause, see Discussion, supra, at 376-80, that same unresolved issue of fact precludes summary judgment on Plaintiffs common law false arrest/unlawful arrest claims, which should be DENIED.
B. Malicious Prosecution
Plaintiff asserts a common law claim for malicious prosecution under New York law. Defendants argue in support of summary judgment on such claim that Plaintiffs arrest was supported by probable cause, and Plaintiff has not provided any evidence of actual malice to support such claim. Defendants’ Memorandum at 11-12. In opposition to summary judgment, Plaintiff maintains that the absence of probable cause for his arrest is circumstantial evidence of the requisite malice. Plaintiffs Memorandum at 4. In further support of summary judgment, Defendants reiterate Plaintiffs arrest was supported by probable cause, and there is no evidence of any actual malice in prosecuting Plaintiff. Defendants’ Reply at 4.
“Under New York law, ‘[t]he elements of an action for malicious prosecution are (1) the initiation of a proceeding, (2) its termination favorable to plaintiff, (3) lack of probable cause, and (4) malice.’ ” Savino v. City of New York, 331 F.3d 63, 72 (2d Cir. 2003) (quoting Colon v. City of New York, 60 N.Y.2d 78, 468 N.Y.S.2d 453, 455 N.E.2d 1248, 1250 (1983)). The existence of probable cause is a complete defense to a claim of malicious prosecution, id., and Defendants’ argument in support of summary judgment on this claim largely rests on the existence of probable cause to support Plaintiffs arrest, and Defendants’ assertion that Plaintiff has presented no evidence of malice. See Defendants’ Memorandum at 11-12.
Because, however, as discussed, Discussion, supra, at 376-79, whether Plaintiffs arrest was supported by probable cause is a genuine issue of fact precluding summary judgment on Plaintiffs Fourteenth Amendment unlawful seizure and state common law unlawful arrest claims, Defendants’ reliance on the existence of probable cause as negating Plaintiffs malicious prosecution claim is insufficient to support summary judgment for Defendants on this claim. Moreover, as with Plaintiffs malicious prosecution claim brought under § 1983, the record’s silence as to why the underlying criminal charges against Plaintiff were dismissed renders the court unable to determine whether such charges were dismissed on the merits, such that it is not possible to find the criminal proceedings terminated favorably to Plaintiff as necessary to establish the second element of a malicious prosecution claim. Discussion, supra, at 1379-80. See also Hygh, 961 F.2d at 368. Accordingly, because Plaintiff has not demonstrated that the criminal proceedings against him were resolved in his favor based on a determination on the merits, Plaintiff has
Summary judgment on Plaintiffs common law malicious prosecution claim should be GRANTED in favor of Defendants.
Summary judgment should thus be GRANTED as to Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment and common law unlawful search and malicious prosecution claims, but DENIED as to the Fourth Amendment and common law false arrest and false imprisonment claims.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (Doc. No. 32), should be GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
ORDERED that this Report and Recommendation be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
ANY OBJECTIONS to this Report and Recommendation must be filed with the Clerk of the Court within fourteen (14) days of service of this Report and Recommendation in accordance with the above statute, Rules 72(b), 6(a) and 6(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rule 72.3.
Failure to file objections within the specified time or to request an extension of such time waives the right to appeal the District Court’s Order. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 106 S.Ct. 466, 88 L.Ed.2d 435 (1985); Small v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 892 F.2d 15 (2d Cir. 1989); Wesolek v. Canadair Limited, 838 F.2d 55 (2d Cir. 1988).
Let the Clerk send a copy of this Report and Recommendation to the attorneys for the Plaintiff and the Defendants.
SO ORDERED.
Filed Dec. 4, 2013.
. Plaintiff also asserted as his Second and Third Causes of Action a personal injury and negligent hiring claims against Davis, Sovran Self Storage, Inc., Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership, and Sovran Holdings, Inc. By Text Order entered July 13, 2009 (Doc. No. 9), Plaintiff stipulated to discontinue the Second and Third Causes of Action, and Sovran Self Storage, Inc., Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership, and Sovran Holdings, Inc., were terminated as defendants. Although the sole remaining First Cause of Action was not asserted against Davis, he was not terminated as a Defendant. The court further notes the Answer bears a heading for New York Supreme Court, Erie County, and dated January 2, 2009, strongly indicating the Answer was prepared for filing in state court.
. Taken from the pleadings and motion papers filed in this action.
. Cheektowaga Police Officer Spieler is not a defendant to this action.
.A copy of the Tow Policy is filed as Defendants’ Exh. J.
. A copy of the Police Report is filed as Defendants’ Exh. G.
. Defendants submit in support of summary judgment photographs of Plaintiff’s vehicle, taken from outside the vehicle, depicting a wallet laying on the vehicle’s dashboard near the A-pillar, and clearly visible through the vehicle's front, driver’s side window located just past the A-pillar. Defendants’ Exh. H,. Doc. No. 32-2 at 80, 88. It is not clear from the record whether these photographs were taken at the accident scene or at the tow lot.
. A copy of Davis’s Statement is filed as Defendants’ Exh. L.
. Unless otherwise indicated, all bracketed material is added.
. References to “Officer Gray Dep. Tr_" are to pages of the transcript of the deposition of Officer Gray, portions of which are filed as Defendants' Exh. E.
. References to “Officer Spieler Dep. Tr_” are to pages of the transcript of the deposition of Officer Spieler, portions of which are filed as Defendants’ Exh. F.
. The court notes Plaintiff does not assert that he requested, but was denied, the opportunity to privately arrange for his vehicle to be towed, as permitted under the Tow Policy.
. Although in his Memorandum of Law filed in opposition to summary judgment Plaintiff does not specifically oppose Defendants’ argument that Plaintiff's arrest did not violate the Fourth Amendment, Plaintiff does reiterate this claim in his affidavit filed in opposition to summary judgment, stating that although Defendants maintain in support of summary judgment that Plaintiff was arrested based on the discovery of the narcotics, rather than for theft of Davis’s property, the chronology of events as set forth in Officer Gray's Police Report indicates that the narcotics were not identified as such until after Plaintiff was taken into custody. Plaintiff's Affidavit ¶¶ 12-17. Accordingly, Plaintiff has not abandoned this claim. See Taylor v. City of New York, 269 F.Supp.2d 68, 75 (E.D.N.Y. 2003) (“Federal courts may deem a claim abandoned when a party moves for summary judgment on one ground and the party opposing summary judgment fails to address the argument in any way." (italics added)); Douglas v. Victor Capital Group, 21 F.Supp.2d 379, 393 (S.D.N.Y. 1998) (where plaintiff's opposition papers “never even mention [] any retaliation claim in his brief or affidavits ... the Court deems all of the remaining claims in the complaint to be abandoned, and recommends that defendants be granted summary judgment dismissing these claims.” (italics added)). Plaintiff’s statements in his affidavit prevent his Fourth Amendment unlawful arrest claim from being deemed abandoned.
. Under N.Y. Pen. Law § 155.05, withholding of personal property with intent to steal constitutes larceny.
. A copy of Plaintiff's Responses to Interrogatories is filed as Defendants’ Exh. C.
. The record does not indicate who reported the accident to the Cheektowaga police.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Rudolphus BOANS, Jr. v. TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA, Town of Cheektowaga Police Department, and Police Officers Brian R. Gray and James Davis
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published