Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01154/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01154-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:2000e Job Discrimination (Employment)

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McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

TODD A. PICKLES

Assistant U.S. Attorney

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, California 95814

Telephone: (916) 554-2766

Facsimile: (916) 554-2900

Email: todd.pickles@usdoj.gov

Attorneys for Department of Veterans Affairs 

and the Hon. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MARJORIE McCLISS and MARK McCLISS,

 Plaintiffs,

v.

JIMMIE EARL WARD; JAMES B. PEAKE,

Secretary of Veterans Affairs; DEPARTMENT

OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; and DOES 1

through 100, inclusive,

 Defendants.

CASE NO. 2:07-cv-01154-MCE-KJM

STIPULATION AND ORDER FOR

EXTENSION OF TIME FOR

DEFENDANTS TO RESPOND TO

PLAINTIFFS’ AMENDED COMPLAINT

Pursuant to Local Rule 6-144 of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of

California, Plaintiffs Marjorie and Mark McCliss and Defendants Jimmie Earl Ward, James B. Peake,

and Department of Veterans Affairs hereby enter the following stipulation.

RECITALS

1. Plaintiffs Marjorie and Mark McCliss filed a Complaint for Damages, Gender

Discrimination, Gender Harassment, dated June 14, 2007 (“Complaint”), alleging a single claim under

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq., against the Defendants.

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2. Per order of the Court on October 2, 2007, the matter was stayed while Plaintiffs

exhausted their administrative claims against the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Defendants

read the order to include staying time to respond to Plaintiffs’ Complaint on anticipation of Plaintiffs’

filing an amended complaint.

3. Defendant Jimmie Earl Ward submitted a request for representation with the Department

of Veterans Affairs with respect to the Title VII claim brought against him.

4. The request has been forwarded to the Department of Justice, and is presently being

reviewed. 

5. No final decision has yet been made on Mr. Ward’s request for representation.

6. Subsequently, by stipulation of all parties, on March 7, 2008, Plaintiffs sought leave of

Court to file an Amended Complaint for Damages; Gender Discrimination; Gender Harassment;

Assault; Battery; Sexual Battery (CC §1708.5); Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress; Negligent

Hiring/Supervision; Loss of Consortium; Exemplary Damages; Demand for Jury (“Amended

Complaint”), which superseded Plaintiffs’ Complaint.

7. By order of the Court on March 12, 2008, Plaintiffs were granted leave to file their

Amended Complaint.

8. The Amended Complaint asserts a claim under Title VII against all Defendants as well

as a claim for sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Amended Complaint

also asserts various tort claims against Defendants VA and Jimmie Earl Ward.

9. Based upon the state tort claims brought against him, Mr. Ward has submitted a request

to the U.S. Attorney that he find that, at all times relevant, Mr. Ward was acting within the scope of his

employment under the Westfall Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(1).

10. Pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations and department policy, that request has

been submitted to the VA. Upon completion of their review and recommendation, the U.S. Attorney

shall conduct his own review and determination. 

11. The outcome of the determination whether to certify Mr. Ward was acting within the

scope of employment will affect the response of the VA and Mr. Ward with respect to the tort claims

asserted against them.

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12. It is estimated that sixty (60) days shall be sufficient time for the VA and the U.S.

Attorney to complete the certification analysis and determination, and to prepare and file the

appropriate responsive pleading.

STIPULATION

Accordingly, based upon the foregoing recitals, the parties hereby STIPULATE that,

1. All Defendants shall have sixty (60) days to file a response to the Amended Complaint.

2. To the extent that the U.S. Attorney declines to certify that Defendant Jimmie Earl Ward

was acting with the scope of employment under the Westfall Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(1), Mr. Ward

shall have an additional thirty (30) days to respond to the Amended Complaint.

IT IS SO STIPULATED.

DATED: March 12, 2008 McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Todd Pickles 

TODD A. PICKLES

Assistant United States Attorney

Attorneys for Defendants Department of Veterans Affairs,

and James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

DATED: March 12, 2008 MASTAGNI, HOLSTEDT, AMICK, MILLER,

JOHNSEN & UHRHAMMER

By: /s/ Amanda Uhrhammer 

AMANDA UHRHAMMER

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

DATED: March 12, 2008 BEYER, PONGRATZ & ROSEN

By: Stephen Pongratz 

STEPHEN G. PONGRATZ

Attorneys for Jimmie Earl Ward

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ORDER

This matter came before the Court on the parties’ Stipulation for Extension of Time for

Defendants to Respond Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint. Pursuant to Local Rule 6-144 of the United

States District Court for the Eastern District of California, and for good cause showing, the Court

hereby ADOPTS the foregoing stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 13, 2008

________________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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