Case ID: f-appx_667/html/0906-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Frank E. BUSH; et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. James V. ZIRUL; Government Employees Insurance Company dba Geico Casualty Company, Defendants-Appellees.
    No. 13-35950
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    
      Submitted July 26, 2016 
    
    August 04, 2016
    Frank E. Bush, Kenai, AK, Pro Se.
    James F. Bush, Kasilof, AK, Pro Se.
    Dixie L. Hagquist, Kenai, AK, Pro Se.
    Stacy Lee Walker, Principal Litigation Counsel, Anchorage, AK, for Defendant-Appellee James V. Zirul.
    Kimberlee A. Colbo, Hughes Gorski See-dorf Odsen & Tevooren LLC, Anchorage, AK, for Government Employees Insurance Company, dba Geico Casualty Company.
    Before: SCHROEDER, CANBY, and CALLAHAN, Circuit Judges.
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument and grants defendants' requests set forth in their answering briefs. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
   MEMORANDUM

Frank E. Bush, James F. Bush, and Dixie L. Hagquist (“the Bushes”) appeal pro se from the district court’s summary judgment in their action alleging insurance fraud and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) arising out of a car accident. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, We review de novo. Chance v. Pac-Tel Teletrac Inc., 242 F.3d 1161, 1156 (9th Cir. 2001). We may affirm on any basis supported by the record, Gordon v. Virtumundo, Inc., 575 F.3d 1040, 1047 (9th Cir. 2009), and we affirm.

Summary judgment of James Bush’s claims against GEICO was proper under Alaska’s doctrine of res judicata because the Bushes’ prior state court action against GEICO resulted in a final judgment, and James Bush’s claims “could have been decided in the first suit.” Tolstrup v. Miller, 726 P.2d 1304, 1306 (Alaska 1986) (explaining Alaska’s doctrine of res judicata); see also Palomar Mobilehome Park Ass’n v. City of San Marcos, 989 F.2d 362, 364 (9th Cir. 1993) (federal courts are required to give state court judgments the same pre-clusive effect as would be given by state courts and apply forum state’s res judicata law). Moreover, James Bush’s contention that he was entitled to relief as a third-party beneficiary lacks merit.

The district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Frank Bush and Dixie Hagquist further discovery on their insurance fraud and RICO claims before granting summary judgment because they failed to show diligence, given that the district court previously granted a two-month extension for them to oppose summary judgment, and they failed to demonstrate how further discovery would have precluded summary judgment. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d); Chance, 242 F.3d at 1161 n.6 (setting forth standard of review and explaining that “the district court does not abuse its discretion by denying further discovery if the movant has failed diligently to pursue discovery in the past.” (citation and quotation marks omitted)). We do not consider the merits of summary judgment as to Frank Bush and Dixie Hagquist because the Bushes do not raise this issue on appeal.

The district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the Bushes’ motion to amend their complaint to add conspiracy claims against five new defendants because amendment would have been futile. See Chappel v. Lab. Corp. of Am., 232 F.3d 719, 725-26 (9th Cir. 2000) (setting forth standard of review and explaining that a “district court acts within its discretion to deny leave to amend when amendment would' be futile”); see also Sanford v. MemberWorks, Inc., 625 F.3d 550, 557-59 (9th Cir. 2010) (explaining how to set forth RICO claims under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c) and (d)).

The Bushes’ consolidated motion seeking leave to proceed in forma pauperis, filed on December 17, 2013, is denied as moot.

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