Source: http://ms.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180611_0000732.SMS.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-07-05 01:55:04
Document Index: 79473071

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1915', '§ 1981', '§ 1981', '§ 1981', '§ 1981', '§ 73']

CARL R. BROWN PLAINTIFF
T. BROWN, ET AL. DEFENDANTS
Before the Court is a complaint filed by Carl R. Brown, a federal prisoner who is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Defendants have filed a Motion to Dismiss [33] pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on claims remaining after the adoption [30] of the previous Report and Recommendation [26] entered in this action. Brown has also filed a Motion for Summary Judgment [32] and a Motion for Issuance of Subpoenas [35]. For the reasons that follow, the undersigned finds that that the motion to dismiss [33] should be granted, and Plaintiff's motions [32], [35], should be denied.
The facts, procedural history, and relevant legal standards governing this case were detailed in the Report and Recommendation [26] entered on January 16, 2018. In sum, the Report and Recommendation recommended dismissal of Plaintiff claims of discrimination brought pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Court found, however, that the Defendants' Motion to Dismiss [16] did not address Brown's claims brought pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and Mississippi law. Defendants have now moved for dismissal on the foregoing claims, and the Court turns to address them.
Plaintiff asserts that Defendants violated his First Amendment rights by discriminating against him based upon his religion. The Supreme Court has “not found an implied damages remedy under the Free Exercise Clause” in Bivens actions, and it has “declined to extend Bivens to a claim sounding in the First Amendment.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 675 (2009). Accordingly, because Plaintiff's allegations invoking the First Amendment do not state a cognizable claim under Bivens, they should be dismissed.
Likewise, Plaintiff's claims brought pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment should be dismissed. Brown alleges that Defendants violated his rights to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. However, because the Fourteenth Amendment requires state action, and Plaintiff has brought these claims against Defendants based on their alleged deeds as federal employees, Brown cannot maintain a Fourteenth Amendment claim against them. See McGuire v. Turnbo, 137 F.3d 321, 323 (5th Cir. 1998).
B. Claims Based on 42 U.S.C. § 1981
Although Brown appears to allege a claim pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1981, there was no contractual employment relationship at issue in the prison employment context. Accordingly, § 1981 offers Brown no relief. See Domino's Pizza, Inc. v. McDonald, 546 U.S. 470, 476-477 (2006); cf. Bulger v. United States Bureau of Prisons, 65 F.3d 48, 49-51 (5th Cir.1995)(finding that prisoners have no liberty or protected property interest in particular prison job assignments).
Defendants have also moved for dismissal of Brown's state law claims. In his complaint, Plaintiff appears to allege claims based upon two Mississippi statutes, Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 73-3-55 and 97-23-43. Section 73-3-55, a criminal statute, prohibits the unlicensed practice of law. Section 97-23-43 provides the criminal penalties for unlicensed practice of law. Neither statute provides for a private right of action. In other words, Brown, as a private party, cannot maintain claims against Defendants in a civil action based on an alleged violation of a criminal statute. See Madden v. Harrison, 2010 WL 1238972, at *4 (S.D.Miss. Feb. 25, 2010)(“[A] private party may not enforce criminal statutes through a civil action.”); see also Oliver v. Collins, 914 F.2d 56, 60 (5th Cir. 1990)(noting that there is no constitutional right to have someone criminally prosecuted).
For the reasons set forth in this Report and Recommendation, Defendants' Motion to Dismiss [33] should be granted, and this case should be dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment ...