Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01940/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01940-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Personal Injury

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RON FEKRAT, an individual, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

THE GEO GROUP, Inc., and )

DOES 1-50, )

)

Defendants. )

____________________________________)

1:12-CV-1940 AWI MJS

ORDER VACATING JANUARY 7,

2013 HEARING

ORDER REFERRING PENDING

MOTIONS TO DISMISS TO

MAGISTRATE JUDGE MICHAEL J.

SENG

Plaintiff Ron Fekrat was a federal prisoner at Taft Correctional Facility (“Taft”). Plaintiff

alleges that Defendants were negligent when they housed Plaintiff at a location known for Valley

Fever (Coccidioidomycosis), failed to properly mitigate Plaintiff’s exposure to Valley Fever, and

neglected to appropriately treat Plaintiff. The complaint specifically names the GEO Group and

Does 1 to 50 as Defendants. Management & Training Corporation (“MTC”) has also made an

appearance as a Defendant. Plaintiff contends that Defendants were negligent in failing to

provide, operate, and maintain a safe and habitable prison. Plaintiff alleges that Taft is located

on a site immersed in the airborne spores that cause Valley Fever and Defendants failed to

implement preventative measures to protect Plaintiff from the infection he now carries.

Because Defendants and Plaintiff are citizens of different states, on October 10, 2012,

Defendants removed this action to this court. 

Case 1:12-cv-01940-AWI-JLT Document 13 Filed 01/03/13 Page 1 of 2
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Defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. This motion is set for hearing

before the undersigned on January 7, 2013. The court has reviewed the pending motion. The

pending motion concerns whether Plaintiff has exhausted relevant administrative remedies and

whether the complaint’s allegations about Taft’s conditions state a claim for negligence. 

Because this case and the pending motion concern prison conditions, the court finds that this

motion should be referred to Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 72 for the entry for Findings and Recommendations. 

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The pending motion to dismiss is REFERRED to Magistrate Judge Michael J.

Seng; 

2. The hearing date before the undersigned on January 7, 2013 is VACATED; and

3. In the event Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng desires to hold a hearing on the

pending motion, Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng’s Chambers will contact the

parties and set a hearing date at Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng’s convenience.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 3, 2013 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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Case 1:12-cv-01940-AWI-JLT Document 13 Filed 01/03/13 Page 2 of 2