U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2009

Wayson v. Rundell

Wayson v. Rundell
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Decided July 6, 2009 · Paez, Smith, Tallman
337 F. App'x 687

Wayson v. Rundell

Opinion of the Court

MEMORANDUM **

Mark N. Wayson appeals pro se from the district court’s summary judgment in his Bivens action alleging that Linda Run-dell, acting director of Alaska’s Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), violated his civil rights while investigating a complaint he had lodged against another BLM employee. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo. Canyon Ferry Rd. Baptist Church of East Helena, Inc. v. Unsworth, 556 F.3d 1021, 1027 (9th Cir. 2009). We affirm.

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Wayson’s First Amendment retaliation claim because he failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Rundell intended to retaliate against him. See Soranno’s Gasco, Inc. v. Morgan, 874 F.2d 1310, 1314 (9th Cir. 1989) (“[A] plaintiff alleging retaliation for the exercise of constitutionally protected rights must initially show that the protected conduct was a ‘substantial’ or ‘motivating’ factor in the defendant’s decision.”).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Wayson’s due process claim because Wayson failed to provide facts creating a triable issue as to whether Rundell intentionally denied him any liberty or property interest. See Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 328, 106 S.Ct. 662, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986) (“[T]he Due Process Clause is simply not implicated by a negligent act of an official causing unintended loss of or injury to life, liberty, or property.”).

The district court properly denied Way-son’s motion to remand because removal *688was proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Wayson’s motion to compel because the motion lacked the requisite certification required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a) and did not provide evidence that Rundell possessed the requested documents. See Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 34(a) (requiring a party to produce only those documents that are in its possession, custody or control).

Wayson’s remaining contentions are unpersuasive.

All pending motions are denied.

AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

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