# United States Court of Appeals

FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT

Argued October 25, 2013 Decided June 27, 2014

No. 12-7090

S TEPHEN I FEANYI A MOBI AND N GOZI A MOBI

, A PPELLANTS

v.

D ISTRICT OF C OLUMBIA D EPARTMENT OF C ORRECTIONS

, ET

AL

., A PPELLEES

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the District of Columbia (No. 1:08-cv-01501)

J. Michael Hannon Jr. argued the cause and filed the briefs for appellants.

Richard S. Love , Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, argued the cause for appellees. With him on the brief were Irvin B.

Nathan , Attorney General, Todd S. Kim , Solicitor General, and Donna M. Murasky , Deputy Solicitor General at the time the

brief was filed. Loren L. AliKhan , Deputy Solicitor General

and Mary L. Wilson , Assistant Attorney General, entered

appearances.2

Before: T ATEL and B ROWN

, Circuit Judges , and

E DWARDS

, Senior Circuit Judge

.

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge B ROWN

.

B ROWN

, Circuit Judge : The facts giving rise to this case

are as curious as th ey are disturbing. Ei ght years ago, Derrick Brown (“Brown” or “the Inmate”), a conniving prisoner serving a series of weekend sentences at the District of Columbia Jail, assaulted Correct ional Officer (“CO”) Stephen Amobi. Despite the fact that Amobi was the victim of an unprovoked attack whose injuries required medical attention, Amobi was arrested, criminally prosecuted, and fired from his employment. Even after being acquitted at his subsequent criminal trial, after Brown admitted to initiating the confrontation and assaulting the officer, and after prevailing in

a contested administrative hear ing, Amobi was not reinstated until a D.C. Superior Court judge intervened.

Amobi and his wife sued the District of Columbia, the D.C. Department of Correcti ons (“DOC”), and several Jail officials, seeking relief unde r federal law and D.C. common law for conspiracy, false a rrest, malicious prosecution, defamation, intentional inflic tion of emotional distress (“IIED”), deprivation of due pr ocess, aiding and abetting, and loss of consortium. The Defendants moved for summary judgment and, in a perfunctory nine-page opinion, the district court granted the motion. On appeal, Amobi challenges the district court’s judgment in favor of the Defendants. Concluding that genuine issues of material fact exist regarding the false arrest, malicious pros ecution, and IIED claims, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand to the district court for further proceedings.3

I

A

The puzzling details of this dispute begin on the morning of June 4, 2006, when the Jail was locked down because of the escape of two extremely dangerous inmates the day before. Brown, who is transgendered, was serving the third of fifteen weekends for simple assault and was scheduled for release at

noon. The lockdown slowed the release process and Brown became increasingly agitated as he waited to be released from his cell. When Amobi arrived, Brown was argumentative and abusive. By the time Amobi and Brown arrived at the sally port, the verbal altercation had escalated into a nose-to-nose shouting match. Amobi attempted to retreat into the “Bubble,” a round glass enclosure separating the sally port from the inmate housing units, but Brown obstructed his path.

As Brown later testified, when he saw the officials approaching the sally port, he wanted to lure Amobi into attacking him so he could file a civil suit and “get some money.” Brown was in a position to see, and be seen by, someone in the adjacent hallway. Warden Robert Clay, Deputy Warden Stanley Waldre n, and Major Elbert White were conducting a fire and safety inspection. As the officials approached the sally port, Br own took advantage of their restricted line of sight and punched Amobi on his right

forearm. Amobi reacted imme diately by restraining Brown and forcing him against the wa ll. The officials, who saw Amobi’s reaction, but not the assault that precipitated it, sprinted to the sally port, orde red Amobi to release Brown, and

turned a deaf ear to Amobi’s atte mpt to explain he had acted in self-defense. White ordered Amobi not to speak until

instructed to do so.4

After receiving medical atten tion, Amobi was taken to the

Command Center where his in juries were photographed. When he proceeded to Waldren’s office, as instructed, he

found the three officials who ha d stopped the altercation, the Director of the Office of Internal Affairs (Wanda Patten) and an OIA investigator (Valerie Beard). Amobi was ordered placed on administrative leave, and he and the witnesses, including the witnesses who ha d actually seen what happened

or heard Brown boast that he had just set up a lawsuit, completed incident reports.

The initial investigation ignored this exculpatory evidence

and focused instead on an alle ged interview with Brown in which Patten and Beard claimed Brown wanted to press criminal charges. While Amobi was preparing his incident report, the police were summ oned. The responding police officer, Albert Henley, was show n the incriminating incident reports of Clay, Waldren, and White, but none of the exculpatory reports. Officer He nley was also told that the Inmate had made a corroborating statement witnessed by Patten and Beard. As a result, Amobi was arrested, charged with simple assault, and released.

B

On July 12, 2006, Amobi was summarily removed from his position. The basis for Amobi’s dismissal included the

interview with Inmate Brown which, as subsequent events revealed, was fictional. Am obi promptly challenged the Department’s actions and, afte r a hearing on August 3, 2006, the hearing officer determined Amobi had acted in self-defense and recommended reinstatement. DOC’s Director, Devon Brown, disagreed, and Phuoc N guyen, the hearing officer, under pressure from the admi nistration, reconsidered and recommended termination. Amobi appealed, but for reasons5

never explained in the record, the appeal was never resolved. Consequently, Amobi demanded arbitration in accordance with his union’s collective bargaini ng agreement (“CBA”).

C

The criminal prosecution, which had stalled in August 2006 when the District was unable to produce the photos of Amobi’s injuries, see United States v. Amobi , 2006 CMD 012120 (D.C. Super. Ct. Aug. 15, 2006), was reopened in October 2006, after the U.S. Attorney’s Office was, according to Amobi, pressured to refile th e charges. The government’s case fell apart when Brown t ook the stand, however, and for the first time, provided a damning, self-inculpatory account of the artifice he employed during the June 2006 assault. Brown admitted he wanted to “set Mr. Amobi up so someone could witness [Amobi] do something to [him].” S.A. 297. 1

Brown confessed he knew the three Jail officials were “important people” 2 and that, in wake of the inmate escape, the officials “were very suspicious a bout things that were going on in the jail.” Id. at 296–97. Exultant over having secured the Jail officials as witnesses to his ruse, Brown boasted to CO Wayne Taylor of his exploits, which CO Stephen Harris overheard and documented in his incident report. And true to his word, Brown made good on his plan to file a civil suit. See

1 “S.A.” and “P.A.” refer to A ppellants’ Supplemental Appendix and Public Appendix, respectively.

2 Brown’s numerous run-ins with the law provided ample opportunity to become well acquainted with DOC officials. Brown testified he had a criminal history of simple assault, fleeing law enforcement, four counts of destruction of property, sexual solicitation, and contempt of court. P.A. 12; S.A. 275–76. Brown also testified he attempted to smuggle marijuana into the Jail the

weekend before the June 2006 assault. S.A. 290–91.6

Brown v. D.C. Dep’t of Corrections , 2006 SC3 014278 (D.C. Super. Ct. Dec. 22, 2006). Br own explained his motivation for the stunt was a desire to ge t even with those who ridiculed him for being transgendered “whe n [he] was coming to do [his] sentence.” S.A. 305–06. Ultimately, Brown owned up to “turn[ing] the altercation from ve rbal to physical . . . [so] that [he] would get a response from Mr. Amobi[,] . . . get . . . money[,] . . . and . . . get . . . witnesses.” S.A. 312. Following Brown’s bombshell testimony, the trial judge found Amobi not guilty—the verdict coming exactly one year to the day of the June 4, 2006 altercation.

D

Although Amobi had requested the arbitration, to which he was entitled under his CBA, he requested that, in light of his exoneration, he be allowed to re turn to work immediately. The District’s attorney, Repun zelle Johnson, also counseled against proceeding with the sche duled arbitration and instead

advised Director Brown to retu rn Amobi to work. In an October 1, 2007 memo to Direct or Brown, Johnson laid bare the numerous discrepancies in th e District’s case. First,

Johnson recounted how each of the three Jail officials acknowledged they did not see what happened prior to the alleged assault. Second, Johnson highlighted the fact that DOC “did not do an independent investigation to determine what happened prior to the assa ult of Inmate Brown.” S.A. 398. Third, and perhaps most seriously, Johnson cautioned that although the police ha d relied on DOC’s eyewitness statements, Patten and Beard’s supposed interview of Brown was pure fiction, and Amobi’s inci dent report was never given to the police. Fourth, Johns on reminded Director Brown of the Inmate’s incriminating testimony and that CO Ernest Wallace also corroborated Amobi’s account. Fifth, Johnson informed Director Brown that, in addition to Amobi’s visit7

with Dr. Boakai, the Distri ct had “independent medical documentation from a private physician which supports that Amobi had a bruise on his right arm.” 3 Id. Sixth, Johnson lamented DOC’s inability to locate the three photographs taken of Amobi’s injuries. Finally, Johnson admonished the Director for failing to consider all the Douglas Factors, which, on balance, suggested “ter mination is probably not

warranted.” 4 S.A. 399.

Despite Amobi’s request and J ohnson’s appeal to reason, Director Brown proceeded with the arbitration hearing and

refused to reinstate Amobi. H earings were held on October 2 and 3, 2007. A little less than three months later, the arbitrator concluded Amobi had applied appropriate self-defense

3 In fact, based on medical reports, the D.C. Office of Risk Management, Disability Compensation Program determined that Amobi was eligible for disability compensation as a result of the contusion he suffered on his right arm. See P.A. 14, 158.

4 See Douglas v. Veterans Admin. , 5 MSPB 313, 332 (1981). In Douglas , the United States Merit Systems Protection Board

announced twelve factors relevant to determination of an appropriate penalty for a government employee’s job-related misconduct, including: the nature and seriousn ess of the offense; the employee’s job level, past work record, and p ast disciplinary record; likely effect of the offense on the employee’s ability to perform at a satisfactory level; consistency of proposed penalty with those imposed for similar offenses and with an applicable agency table of penalties; notoriety of the offense; impact on agency reputation; clarity of the rules violated; potential for employee rehabilitation; mitigating circumstances; and adequacy of alternative sanctions. See also Stokes v. District of Columbia , 502 A.2d 1006, 1011 (D.C. 1985) (noting that an agency must “con scientiously consider the relevant [ Douglas ] factors and . . . strike a responsible balance within tolerable limits of reasonableness”).8

techniques and that his summar y dismissal was without cause.

The arbitrator further ordered th at Amobi be reinstated with full backpay and benefits and that DOC correct, remove, or destroy all records related to Amobi’s summary removal.

Seeking further redress, Am obi and his wife filed suit against the District, DOC, 5 and several Jail officials on June 4, 2008. On August 9, 2012, the district court granted the

Defendants’ motion for summar y judgment, and Amobi and his wife timely appealed on September 10, 2012.

II

We review de novo a district court’s grant of summary judgment, viewing all evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Ayissi-Etoh v. Fannie Mae , 712 F.3d 572, 576 (D.C. Cir. 2013). The district court focused on the following claims: common law and constitutional false arrest; common law malicious prosecution; common law and constitutional defamation; de privation of procedural due process; and IIED. 6 We address each in turn.

5 DOC is a non sui juris subordinate government agency, D.C. Code § 24-211.01; Simmons v. District of Columbia Armory Bd. , 656 A.2d 1155, 1156 (D.C. 1995), and has since been dismissed from

this suit.

6 Holding that Amobi had no other viable claim against any of the defendants, the district court summarily dismissed Amobi’s aiding and abetting and loss of consortium claims. Amobi v. District of

Columbia Gov’t , 882 F. Supp. 2d 78, 84 (D.D.C. 2012). Perhaps employing a similar rationale, the district court did not address Amobi’s conspiracy claims. See id. at 82 n.6. Because we conclude genuine issues of material fact exist as to the false arrest, malicious prosecution, and IIED claims, on remand the district court must reckon with these previously unanalyzed counts.9

A

1

Amobi claims the district c ourt erred in concluding there was probable cause to effectuate his arrest. We are unable to

decide the merits of the comm on law claim, however, because it is barred by a one-year statute of limitations. See D.C. Code § 12-301(4). Amobi filed his complaint on June 4, 2008, two years after his arrest. Alt hough the district court did not decide the claim was time-barred, Appellees raised the

timeliness of the common law claim in their motion for summary judgment below. See P.A. 94. Appellees may therefore reassert the argument now. Warren v. District of

Columbia , 353 F.3d 36, 38 (D.C. Cir. 2004) (“[A] prevailing party may defend the judgment on any ground decided or raised below.”).

Amobi’s rejoinder is unavailing. He claims Appellees’ fraudulent concealment of exculpatory evidence tolls the statute of limitations. This argument fails. To establish a claim of fraudulent concealment, Amobi must demonstrate that the information fraudulently concealed was material to the delay. Fitzgerald v. Seamans , 384 F. Supp. 688, 693 (D.D.C. 1974). “If plaintiff’s delay in bringing the lawsuit is to be excused, the Court must have reason to believe that the ‘timely assertion’ of plaintiff’s rights ‘h as been postponed as a result of the fraud of the party against whom liability might otherwise have been urged.’” Id. (quoting Searl v. Earll , 221 F.2d 24, 26 (D.C. Cir. 1954)).

Our cases require that the information concealed be “so

material in character that knowledge of a basis for, or intelligent prosecution of, the cause of action was precluded.” Emmett v. E. Dispensary & Cas. Hosp. , 396 F.2d 931, 93710

(D.C. Cir. 1967). Said differently, the fraudulent concealment must actually succeed in precluding the plaintiff from acquiring knowledge of the material facts. See Westinghouse Elec. Corp. v. City of Burlington , 351 F.2d 762, 764 (D.C. Cir. 1965). Where “the plaintiff knew, or by the exercise of due diligence could have known, that he may have had a cause of action,” the claim that defendants’ fraudulent concealment of

the facts tolls the statute of limitations must fail. Id.

Here, Amobi contends “[t]he concealment of the lack of an investigation by the Office of Internal Affairs, and the cover-up of the fact that no inte rview with the inmate ever took place following the incident caused the statute to be tolled until

this information was revealed.” Appellants’ Reply Br. at 3. But Amobi’s eventual claim for false arrest was not predicated on the fraudulently concealed evidence. See P.A. 36, ¶ 38 (noting as the basis for his fals e arrest claim his arrest by the police “without probable cause a nd without the issuance of a warrant as required under District of Columbia law”). Indeed, Amobi concedes, perhaps unwittingl y so, that “[t]he evidence

of fraudulent concealment was not revealed to [him] until after the initiation of his lawsuit.” Appellants’ Reply Br. at 3 (emphasis added). Thus, if Amobi knew he had—and in fact

initiated—a cause of action for false arrest, Appellees did not succeed in precluding him from acquiring knowledge of the material facts necessary to initiate the claim. While knowledge of the alleged fraudul ent concealment would have no doubt buttressed a claim of false arrest, “[m]ere ignorance of evidentiary details, alt hough such information might be useful at trial, will not suffice,” Fitzgerald , 384 F. Supp. at 693 (citing Moviecolor Ltd. v. Eastman Kodak Co. , 288 F.2d 80, 87 (2d Cir. 1961)).11

2

Amobi’s constitutional false arrest claim presents a tougher question. Constitutional and common law claims of false arrest are generally analyz ed as though they comprise a single cause of action. See, e.g.

, Scott v. District of Columbia

, 101 F.3d 748, 753–54 (D.C. Cir. 1996); District of Columbia v.

Minor , 740 A.2d 523, 529 (D.C. 1999) (noting that, if the court

finds a viable common law claim of false arrest, then a viable constitutional claim naturally flows, and vice versa). The elements of both claims are “substantially identical.” Scott

, 101 F.3d at 753. Amobi seeks compensatory and punitive damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizure. Specifically, Amobi claims that, in contravention of D.C. Code § 23-581(a)(1), 7 he was arrested without probable cause for an alleged assault that did not occur in Officer Henley’s presence. Appellees agree that, construed as a Fourth Amendment claim for false arrest, Amobi is safely within the prescribed three-year statute of limitations. See Appellees’ Br. at 33 (citing Carney v. Am. Univ. , 151 F.3d 1090, 1096 (D.C. Cir. 1998)). Yet, because Amobi did not name Officer Henley as a defendant in his complaint, see P.A. 25–26, he must show either that the “custom or policy of the [District] caused the violation,” Brown v. District of Columbia , 514 F.3d 1279, 1283 (D.C. Cir. 2008), or that one of the individually named

7 Section 23-581(a)(1) provides that an officer may only make a

warrantless arrest for a misdemea nor committed outside his presence if there is probable cause and reason to believe that unless immediately arrested, the individual “may not be apprehended, may cause injury to others, or may tamper with, dispose of, or destroy

evidence.” See also Enders v. District of Columbia

, 4 A.3d 457, 466 (D.C. 2010).12

defendants 8 is to blame, see Jones v. Horne , 634 F.3d 588, 600 (D.C. Cir. 2011).

As to the District, Amobi seem s to argue that it violated his Fourth Amendment rights based on its alleged custom and policy of failing to comply w ith its statutory prohibition on

warrantless arrests for misdemeanors committed outside of an officer’s presence. Amobi is mistaken. Whether the assault occurred in Officer Henley’s presence is not the sine qua non

of a Fourth Amendment violat ion. The Supreme Court has made clear that the “Constitution’s protections concerning search and seizure” do not vary with state arrest law, see Virginia v. Moore , 553 U.S. 164, 172–73 (2008), and Amobi makes no argument that the Cons titution requires the District’s misdemeanor arrest rule. Nevertheless, whether Officer Henley could have had probabl e cause to execute Amobi’s

arrest—even without the crime occurring in his presence—is still a relevant inquiry.

“Generally, probable cause ex ists where the facts and

circumstances within the arre sting officer’s knowledge, of which he had reasonably tr ustworthy information, are

sufficient in themselves to warrant a reasonable belief that an offense has been or is being committed.” Rucker v. United

States , 455 A.2d 889, 891 (D.C. 1983). “The issue of probable cause in a false arrest case is a mixed question of law

and fact that the trial court should ordinarily leave to the jury.” Bradshaw v. District of Columbia , 43 A.3d 318, 324 (D.C. 2012). Only where the facts are undisputed or clearly established does probable cause become a question of law for

the court. Id. The district court held Amobi’s claim for false

8 The individually named defendants include Devon Brown, Robert Clay, Stanley Waldren, Elbert White, Joan Murphy, and

Denise “Toni” Shell. See P.A. 25–26, 32.13

arrest failed because the Jail officials “merely reported what they observed, and their observa tions constituted probable cause” for Amobi’s arrest and prosecution. Amobi , 882 F. Supp. 2d at 83. Amobi counters with two arguments he

claims demonstrate want of probable cause.

First, Amobi contends his claim of innocence created a genuine issue of material fact that should have been sent to the jury. See Appellants’ Reply Br. at 6–7 (citing Wolter v. Safeway Stores , 153 F.2d 641, 642 (D.C. Cir. 1946)). This argument fails. “Once a police officer has a reasonable basis for believing there is probable cause, he is no t required to explore and eliminate every theoretically plausible claim of innocence before making an arrest.” Ricciuti v. N.Y.C.

Transit Auth. , 124 F.3d 123, 128 (2d Cir. 1997); Panetta v. Crowley, 460 F.3d 388, 395–96 (2d Cir. 2006) (“[A]n officer’s failure to investigate an arrestee’s protestations of innocence generally does not vitiate probable cause.”).

Here, Officer Henley testifie d that he base d his probable cause finding on statements from five witnesses. Although

Amobi contends the five witn esses provided inaccurate information, the officer had no reason to discredit the eyewitness testimony. See Enders , 4 A.3d at 470–71 (“[T]he relevant inquiry in a false arrest defense is not what the actual facts may be but rather what the officers could reasonably conclude from what they were told and what they saw on the scene.”). Thus, Amobi’s statement that Brown struck him first does not by itself vitiate pr obable cause. In sum, because violation of § 23-581 did not result in constitution al injury, and because Amobi failed to identify any other municipal policy, practice, or custom that was a moving cause of his claimed constitutional violation, his co nstitutional false arrest claim against the District wa s properly dismissed.14

Amobi’s second argument is more nettlesome, but persuasive. He asserts that, although the three Jail officials did not carry out his arrest, th ey are nevertheless personally

liable for his false arrest becau se they withheld exculpatory evidence from the arresting officer. “[T]o establish personal liability in a § 1983 action, it is enough to show that the official, acting under color of st ate law, caused the deprivation of a federal right. . . . [T]he plai ntiff in a personal-capacity suit

need not establish a connecti on to governmental policy or

custom . . . .” Hafer v. Melo , 502 U.S. 21, 25 (1991).

Under D.C. law, “[l]iability is incurred for the procuring of a false arrest and imprisonment if by words, one directs, requests, invites or encourag es the unlawful detention of

another.” Smith v. District of Columbia , 399 A.2d 213, 218 (D.C. 1979). “[P]rocurement of false imprisonment is the equivalent in words or conduct to ‘Officer, arrest that man.’”

Id. (quoting R ESTATEMENT (S ECOND ) OF T ORTS , § 45A). Accordingly, “[t]o accuse a person of committing a crime, however slanderous it may be, is not enough to sustain a claim of false arrest so long as th e decision whether to make the arrest remains with the polic e officer and is without the persuasion or influence of the accuser.” Id. But “[t]he weight of authority holds th at an informer who knowingly gives false information to a police officer necessarily interferes with the intelligent exercise of the officer’s independent judgment and discretion and ther eby becomes liable for a false

arrest that later occurs.” Vessels v. District of Columbia , 531 A.2d 1016, 1020 (D.C. 1987). Logic counsels that “[t]o consciously misstate the facts under such circumstances must be for the purpose of indu cing action by the police.” Id. For this reason, “[a] complainant is required to disclose . . . material facts; that is, facts material to the alleged crime charged, facts which would have a tendency to throw light upon whether any malicious mischief was in fact committed,15

and who in all probability committed them. Immaterial facts

need not be stated.” Sears Roebuck & Co. v. Gault , 175 A.2d 795, 797 (D.C. 1961)

Provided all material facts are disclosed, complainants “may without fear of civil repris al for an honest mistake, report to the police or public prosecutor the facts of a crime and in good faith, without malice, iden tify to the best of their ability . . . the perpetrator of the crime.” Smith , 399 A.2d at 219. “It is settled that merely giving facts to an officer showing that an offense has been committed and that a person may be suspected of its commi ssion does not comprise the tort of false imprisonment.” Id. at 218. Cf. Smith v. Tucker , 304 A.2d 303, 308 (D.C. 1973) (“Where . . . a crime of a serious

nature has been committed and from the admitted facts or uncontradicted evidence it appears that the injured party has done nothing more than take reasonable and proper steps for the discovery and apprehen sion of the criminal that party merits, and should receive, th e protection of the court.” (emphasis added)).

Here, the three Jail officials did not merely tell Officer Henley what they saw; they omitted several material facts they

either knew or should have ta ken reasonable and proper steps to discover. Clay, Waldren, and White all acknowledge they did not see what happened before the assault. Clay admitted he “had no idea what had transpired between” Amobi and

Brown before he arrived on the scene. S.A. 231. Nevertheless, Clay told Officer Henley that Amobi’s claim of

self-defense was “not true.” S.A. 172. Waldren conceded he

did not know what led to the “ physical contact,” S.A. 372, and that he could not “testify one way or another as [to] whether Mr. Brown ever put his hand on Mr. Amobi,” S.A. 378.

White confessed Brown’s arms we re not always visible from the hallway as he and the other officials approach ed, S.A. 388,16

and that he had a compromised view through the metal gate and into the sally port, id. None of these facts were disclosed to Officer Henley. See S.A. 190. Furthermore, Waldren knew it was “standard operating procedure to take photographs of injured officers,” S.A. 18, a nd to “afford [them] medical attention,” S.A. 16. And White knew photographs of Amobi’s injuries had been taken and that surveillance footage may have been available. S.A. 22–23, 177. Yet neither officer took reasonable steps to determine whether the photographs or medical examination of Amobi suggested Brown had initiated the assault. In fact, White admitted he

had no reason to disbelieve Amobi ’s claim of self-defense, and

Waldren and White saw that Amobi was using what they recognized as a restraint t echnique taught to COs.

At the very least, the preceding facts demonstrate the Jail

officials had no “honest belief” that Amobi did not act in

self-defense. See Vessels , 531 A.2d at 1020–21; Tucker , 304 A.2d at 307. Moreover, none of the officials took reasonable steps to secure and submit to Henley the exculpatory statements from COs Wallace, Taylor, and Harris, despite Waldren’s acknowledgment that it was his duty to oversee and manage the approximately 600 COs at the Jail. Failing to disclose the foregoing material facts evinces a lack of good faith and is equivalent to “Officer, arrest that man.” Smith

, 399 A.2d at 218. Accordingly, we reverse the grant of summary judgment on this clai m as to Clay, Waldren, and White, but affirm as to the other parties.

3

Genuine issues of material f act persist concerning whether probable cause existed for both th e initiation and continuation of Amobi’s prosecution. To support a malicious prosecution claim, “[t]here must be (a) a criminal proceeding instituted or17

continued by the defendant agains t the plaintiff, (b) termination of the proceeding in favor of the accused, (c) absence of probable cause for the proceeding, and (d) Malice, or a primary purpose in instituting the proceeding other than that of bringing an offender to justice.” DeWitt v. District of

Columbia , 43 A.3d 291, 296 (D.C. 2012) (emphasis added).

In the District, a common law claim of malicious prosecution encompasses criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. See Melvin v. Pence , 130 F.2d 423, 426 (D.C. Cir. 1942). “The issue in a ma licious prosecution case is not whether there was probable caus e for the initial arrest, but whether there was probable cause for the underlying suit.” Pitt v. District of Columbia , 491 F.3d 494, 502 (D.C. Cir. 2007); Dellums v. Powell ( Dellums II ), 566 F.2d 216, 220 (D.C. Cir. 1977) (noting that in the criminal context, “the critical event triggering liability for malicious prosecution is the filing of an information”). Nevertheless, a malicious prosecution claim is sustained where the proceeding is “induced by fraud, corruption, perj ury, fabricated evidence, or other wrongful conduct undertaken in bad faith.” Moore v.

Hartman , 571 F.3d 62, 67 (D.C. Cir. 2009); Dellums v. Powell ( Dellums I ), 566 F.2d 167, 192 (D.C. Cir. 1977); Melvin , 130 F.2d at 428 (“Instigation is sufficient, when institution [of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding] actually follows from it.”). Additionally, “app earing in court and testifying and keeping the prosecution alive” creates a genuine issue of dispute as to whether a defendant continued a malicious prosecution. See Viner v. Friedman , 33 A.2d 631, 632 (D.C. 1943); see also id. at 633.

Before turning to the merits, we must quickly dispense with Appellees’ contention that the claim is time-barred. Appellees appear to ca lculate the statute of limitations from the date the malicious prosecution was initiated—June 4,18

2006—instead of from the date the prosecution was terminated in Amobi’s favor—June 4, 2008. The former method is

incorrect. See Shulman v. Miskell , 626 F.2d 173, 174–75 (D.C. Cir. 1980).

Turning to the merits, we note Appellees dispute only prongs (c) and (d)—the existe nce of probable cause and

whether malice was shown. 9 See Appellees’ Br. at 25–28. We think our discussion of probabl e cause for the false arrest is sufficiently analogous so as to be dispositive on the malicious prosecution claim. The record is clear that the U.S. Attorney’s Office relied on the Jail officials’ statements. See Appellants’ Br. at 10 (noting that the Jail officials’ statements were among the documents produced to Amobi during discovery). Similarly, we think the Jail officials’ lack of good faith and honest belief suggests the primary purpose in instituting and continuing (by te stifying against Am obi at trial) the criminal proceeding was for some purpose “other than . . . bringing an offender to justice.” DeWitt , 43 A.3d at 296. Even were that not the case, it is axiomatic that malice may be presumed from the lack of probable cause. Viner , 33 A.2d at 632. As such, the malicious prosecution claim should have been submitted to the jury. Pitt , 491 F.3d at 504 (“The

determination of malice is exclusiv ely for the factfinder.”).

In addition to the criminal prosecution, the r ecord raises genuine issues of material f act regarding whether Director

Brown and Toni Shell continued the administrative proceeding

9 The district court concluded Amobi did not allege any

defendant acted with malice. Amobi , 882 F. Supp. 2d at 82 n.4. This is demonstrably false. Amobi’s complaint alleged each

defendant acted with malice. See P.A. 32, 34, 36–37, 39.19

against Amobi without probable cause. 10 As recounted above, Nguyen (the hearing officer) initially found inadequate evidence to terminate Amobi, S.A. 209, but Director Brown and Shell pressured her to reach a different conclusion, S.A. 43, 47, 50. 11 Similarly, the Director elected to proceed with the arbitration although the Dist rict’s attorney had detailed numerous discrepancies in the District’s case against Amobi.

See Part I.D., supra . Of most concern is Director Brown’s

tacit ratification of Patten and Beard’s fabricated interview memorandum. The interview memorandum, which was drafted on the same day as Amobi’s notice of summary dismissal, formed part of the evidentiary basis for Amobi’s summary discharge. Brown kne w this portion of evidence was now in dispute. For these re asons, the district court erred in granting summary judgment on the malicious prosecution claim. Thus, we reverse the grant of summary judgment on

this claim as to Director Br own, Clay, Waldren, White, and the

District.

4

Amobi also sought relief for malicious prosecution under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, asserting that Ap pellees deprived him of his

10 Toni Shell was not named as a defendant in the common law malicious prosecution claim.

11 The district court suggested Director Brown was justified in remanding Nguyen’s decision because the “initial written recommendation was quite conclusory in nature.” Amobi , 882 F. Supp. 2d at 82. We are not convinced. Each recommendation was of equal length, compare S.A. 201–02, with S.A. 208–09, and Nguyen was not given any new ev idence to consider in her second recommendation, see S.A. 47. Yet, despite the seemingly cursory analysis of both recommendations, Director Brown took issue only

with the first.20

constitutional rights by initiatin g criminal proceedings against him without probable cause. As with the common law claim, disputed issues of material fact exist here, too. “[M]alicious prosecution is actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to the extent that the defendant’s actions cause the plaintiff to be unreasonably ‘seized’ without pr obable cause, in violation of

the Fourth Amendment.” Pitt , 491 F.3d at 511. Nevertheless, because the relevant conduct at issue in this case

occurred before we issued our decision in Pitt , clearly establishing malicious pros ecution as a violation of constitutional rights, qualified immunity is appropriate here. That the Defendants failed to make this argument in their briefs in this court is of no moment because they raised the issue in

the district court. See P.A. 72, 82–85; see also Jones v.

Bernanke , 557 F.3d 670, 676 (D.C. Cir. 2009) (“[W]e may affirm a judgment on any ground th e record suppor ts and that the opposing party had a fair opportunity to address”). Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s grant of summary judgment as to all Defendants on Amobi’s constitutional malicious prosecution claim.

5

Amobi argues the district c ourt erred in holding his common law defamation claim is time-barred. He is wrong. D.C. Code § 12-301(4) establis hes a one-year statute of

limitations for common law defamation claims. Amobi filed his complaint on June 4, 2008, two years after his defamation injury accrued. Nevertheless, Amobi maintains the common

law claim is not time-barred b ecause “Defendants’ defamatory

statements and reckless disr egard for the truth were continuing,” Appellants’ Reply Br . at 13, and therefore tolled the statute of limitations. We are not persuaded.21

“The statute of limitations on a tort claim ordinarily begins to run when the plaintiff sustains a tortious injury . . . .” Beard v. Edmondson & Gallagher , 790 A.2d 541, 546 (D.C. 2002). “At the latest . . . a cause of action accrues for limitations purposes when the plaintiff knows or by the exercise of reasonable diligence should know (1) of the injury, (2) its cause in fact , and (3) of some evidence of wrongdoing.”

Id. Here, it is undisputed th at, as of June 4, 2006, Amobi knew of his injury and the role Ap pellees played in causing it. The question is whether the continuation of the criminal litigation delayed the accrual of Amobi’s cause of action. “A

‘continuous tort’ can be establis hed for statute of limitations purposes by showing (1) a con tinuous and repetitious wrong, (2) with damages flowing from th e act as a whole rather than from each individual act, and (3) at least one injurious act . . . within the limitation period.” Id. at 547–48. Yet, under D.C. law, continuous defamatory statements do not toll the statute of

limitations. Id. The only exception—not applicable here—is “if the continuing tort has a cumulative effect, such that the injury might not have come about but for the entire course of conduct .” Id. at 548 (emphasis in original). Thus, because Amobi knew, as of June 4, 2006, that he had been injured, the statute of limitations began to run and was not

tolled.

6

Amobi fares no better on his constitutional defamation claim. As a threshold matter, the parties dispute whether Amobi adequately pled a c onstitutional defamation claim under § 1983. We need not re solve the dispute however, because even assuming the claim is adequately pled, Amobi is

not entitled to further relief.22

In his reply brief, Amobi claims to have pled a reputation-plus defamation cl aim under § 1983. Appellants’ Reply Br. at 14. Amobi asserts his defamation “stemmed from the constitutional violation of his due process rights by depriving him of his property in terest in his employment.” Id. at 14–15. A plaintiff may be able to state a due process claim based on the allegedly defamatory actions of government officials if “the defamation [i s] accompanied by a discharge from government employment or at least a demotion in rank and pay.” Mosrie v. Barry , 718 F.2d 1151, 1161 (D.C. Cir. 1983). This type of action “is usually termed a reputation-plus claim.” O’Donnell v. Barry , 148 F.3d 1126, 1140 (D.C. Cir. 1998). The remedy for an established reputation-plus claim is “an opportu nity to refute the charge,” one which will “provide the person an opportunity to clear his

name.” Codd v. Velger , 429 U.S. 624, 627 (1977); McCormick v. District of Columbia , No. 12-7115, 2014 WL 2178831, at *9 (D.C. Cir. May 27, 2014). Here, Amobi had an opportunity to refute the char ges at both a crim inal judicial proceeding and an administrative arbitration. This was sufficient. Thus, even assuming Amobi adequately pled a claim for constitutional defamation, he received all the process he was due, and the claim is therefore moot. 12

12 Amobi also was afforded adequate pre-termination due process. The Supreme Court has suggested that the way to ensure pre-termination due process rights are preserved is to suspend an employee accused of detrimental conduct with pay. See Cleveland Bd. of Educ. v. Loudermill , 470 U.S. 532, 544–45 (1985); Munoz v. Bd. of Trs. of Univ. of Dist. of Columbia , 427 F. App’x 1, 3 (D.C. Cir. 2011). That is exactly what happe ned here. Clay ordered Amobi placed on paid administrative leave, see P.A. 45, 49, and Amobi’s

termination was not finali zed until August 29, 2006, see S.A. 203. In any event, in the district court Amobi argued only that his termination infringed his procedural due process rights because Director Brown’s “remand” of Nguyen’s decision violated the CBA.23

7

We turn finally to Amobi’s IIED claim. The district court

concluded there was “no evidence that any of the defendants engaged in extreme or outrageous conduct or that Amobi

suffered severe emotional distress.” Amobi , 882 F. Supp. 2d at 84. We disagree.

“Establishing a prima facie case of intentional infliction of emotional distress requires a showing of (1) extreme and outrageous conduct on the part of the defendants, which (2) intentionally or recklessly (3) causes the plaintiff severe

emotional distress.” Futrell v. Dep’t of Labor Fed. Credit

Union , 816 A.2d 793, 808 (D.C. 2003). The conduct alleged must be “so outrageous in charac ter, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency and to be regarded as atrocious, and utte rly intolerable in a civilized community.” Bernstein v. Fernandez , 649 A.2d 1064, 1075 (D.C. 1991). “Where reasonable persons may differ, it is for the jury, subject to the control of the court, to determine whether, in the particular case, the conduct has been sufficiently extreme and outrageou s to result in liability.” Homan v. Goyal , 711 A.2d 812, 818 (D.C. 1998).

Amobi argues that our affirmance of a jury verdict for

IIED in Pitt is instructive in this case. We concur. In Pitt

, the plaintiff was falsely arre sted for robbery although both victims of the crime told the poli ce that the plaintiff was not the perpetrator. 491 F.3d at 502. The police affidavit subsequently submitted to the prosecutor’s office contained no

See P.A. 91. Because the collective bargaining agreement clearly authorized the remand, and because Amobi failed to argue that the pre-termination proceedings we re otherwise constitutionally defective, we affirm the district court’s dismissal of this claim.24

mention of the victims’ negative identifications, despite containing inconsequential details about the robbery and the stop of plaintiff’s car. Id. at 504. The affidavit also contained one unambiguously false statement—that the plaintiff was observed “getting into a car within seconds after a building employee saw the robber leave the building,” when, in fact, “the perpetrator had been gone for at least eight minutes by the time the police spotted [the plaintiff] in the area.” Id. In addition, there was a dispute about whether the officers’ notes describing the show-up id entification in detail was included in the case file submitted to prosecutors; the officer did not recognize the notes and did not know if those had been shown to the prosecutors. Id. Based upon this evidence, we affirmed the jury’s verdict, noting the “material misstatements” and “glaring omissi ons” in the arrest report and affidavit submitted to prosecutors. Id. at 504, 506.

As recounted above, the facts here bear some resemblance

to those in Pitt. As in Pitt , Clay, Waldren, and White’s incident report contained seve ral glaring omissions, and at least one false statement, which was later ratified by Director Brown. From these facts, we thin k it clear that genuine issues of material fact exist and that it was for the jury to determine

whether the conduct has been sufficiently extreme and outrageous to result in liability. For these reasons, the grant of summary judgment is reversed as to Director Brown, Clay, Waldren, White, and the District.

****

The district court’s order is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proc eedings consistent with this opinion.

So ordered.