Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-01713/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-01713-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 320
Nature of Suit: Assault, Libel, and Slander
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal - Libel, Assault, Slander

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRIEN EDWARD SMITH,

Plaintiff,

v.

LOWE’S HIW, INC.,

Defendant.

No. 2:13-cv-1713 WBS AC 

ORDER

Plaintiff is proceeding in this action in pro per. The matter was referred to a United States 

Magistrate Judge pursuant to Local Rule 302(c)(21).

On September 11, 2014, the magistrate judge filed findings and recommendations herein 

which were served on all parties and which contained notice to all parties that any objections to 

the findings and recommendations were to be filed within fourteen days. (ECF No. 40.) 

Defendants have filed objections to the findings and recommendations. (ECF No. 41.)

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Local Rule 304, this 

court has conducted a de novo review of this case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, the 

court finds the findings and recommendations to be supported by the record and by proper 

analysis.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The findings and recommendations filed September 11, 2014, (ECF No. 40) are 

Case 2:13-cv-01713-WBS-AC Document 42 Filed 10/24/14 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

adopted in full;

2. Defendant’s June 16, 2014, motion to dismiss (ECF No. 35) is granted; and

3. Plaintiff is granted leave to amend his complaint to assert defamation claims based on 

the allegedly defamatory statements included in his personnel file and Mr. Vipond’s statement to 

defendant’s management team.

Dated: October 23, 2014

Case 2:13-cv-01713-WBS-AC Document 42 Filed 10/24/14 Page 2 of 2