Case Name: Loretta MITCHELL, Plaintiff, v. RAPPAHANNOCK REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY, et. al., Defendants
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2010-03-16
Citations: 703 F. Supp. 2d 549
Docket Number: No. 1:09cv1052 (JCC)
Parties: Loretta MITCHELL, Plaintiff, v. RAPPAHANNOCK REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY, et. al., Defendants.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Supplement 2d
Volume: 703
Pages: 549–563

Head Matter:
Loretta MITCHELL, Plaintiff, v. RAPPAHANNOCK REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY, et. al., Defendants.
No. 1:09cv1052 (JCC).
United States District Court, E.D. Virginia, Alexandria Division.
March 16, 2010.
Simon Yehuda Moshenberg, Victor Michael Glasberg, Victor M. Glasberg & Associates, Alexandria, VA, for Plaintiff.
Alexander Francuzenko, Cook Kitts & Francuzenko PLLC, Fairfax, VA, for Rap pahannock Regional Jail Authority, Scott Baird, Cpl. Barbozza, Kevin Boswell, Christopher Candler, Vincent Collier, Sharon Cronin, Sgt. V. Dixon, Philip Grimes, Gregory McRea, Houston Norris, Challoughliezilcz Randle, Victor Reid, Lorrie Rohme, Deborah Shepard, Claude Sivels, David Theisen, Suzanne Weatherhead, Diane Wilson.
Rosalie Pemberton Fessier, Timberlake, Smith, Thomas, Moses, PC, Staunton, VA, for Patricia Dallos.

Opinion:
MEMORANDUM OPINION
JAMES C. CACHERIS, District Judge.
This matter is before the Court on a Motion to Dismiss Count II (Violation of the Eight Amendment) and Count IV (Gross Negligence) jointly filed by Defendants Rappahannock Regional Jail Authority (which has since withdrawn its Motion; see Dkt. 41), Scott Baird, Corporal Barbozza, Vincent Collier, Sharon Cronin, Gregory McRea, Challoughlicz Randle, Victor Reid, Deborah Shepard, Claude Sivels, Suzanne Weatherhead, Diane Wilson (the corrected name of individual identified in the Amended Complaint as "Sgt. Willis/Wilson;" see Dkt. 35), Dwight Wilson, and Brian Yezierski (collectively "Joint Defendants")(Dkt. 37) and a substantially similar Motion to Dismiss filed independently by Defendant Patricia Dallos ("Dallos")(Dkt. 39) (collectively "Defendants"). On October 30, 2009, Plaintiff Loretta Mitchell ("Mitchell" or "Plaintiff') filed the Amended Complaint in the instant action alleging the following causes of action: (1) "Violation of the Eighth Amendment" against the Rappahannock Jail Authority; (2) 'Violation of the Eighth Amendment" against all individual defendants; (3) Assault and Battery: Respondeat Superior Claim against Defendant Rappahannock Jail Authority; (4) Gross Negligence against all defendants; and (5) Negligent Retention against Defendant Rappahannock Jail Authority. Plaintiff requests actual and punitive damages both jointly and severally against all defendants, costs including attorney's fees, injunctive relief "securing her well being and security from reprisal should she be returned to the Rappahannock Regional Jail", and all other just relief. For the following reasons, the Court will deny Defendants Motions to Dismiss Counts II and IV.
I. Background
The factual allegations relevant to these Motions to Dismiss are as follows. Plaintiff Mitchell is an adult resident of Stafford County, Virginia currently in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 1.) On or about August 30, 2007, Plaintiff entered the custody of the Department of Corrections and was sent to the Rappahannock Regional Jail ("Jail") where she was to serve her sentence of a mandatory minimum of three years plus ninety days imprisonment. (Amend. Compl. ¶27.) The jail houses approximately 1,000 inmates and employs approximately 150 correctional officers. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 3.) It was Plaintiffs intent to accrue good-time credit by working at the jail and obeying its rules in order to shorten her sentence. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 37.) Shortly following her arrival at "Jail," Mitchell came into contact with non-defendant Richard Zacofsky ("Zacofsky"), a resident of Fredricksburg, Virginia who was working as a correctional officer in the employ of the Jail Authority and initially assigned to the female housing unit where Mitchell was housed. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 28.) The bulk of Plaintiffs Amended Complaint asserts allegations relating to the alleged series of sexual abuses she suffered at the hands of Officer Zacofsky and the defendants alleged "deliberate indifference" to the same.
At all relevant times, defendants Vincent Collier, Sharon Cronin and Victor Reid were working at the jail holding the rank of colonel and each was the immediate superior of correctional Officer Zacofsky. (Amend. Comp. ¶ 5.) At all relevant times, defendants Willis/Wilson, (now known to be Lt. Diane Wilson), Patricia Dallos, Robert Wilson, Dwight Wilson, Suzanne Weatherhead and Challoughliczilcz Randle were working at the jail holding the rank of lieutenant; defendant Scott Baird was working at the jail holding the rank of captain; defendants Deborah Shepard, Gregory McRea, Claude Sivels were working at the jail holding the rank of sergeant; and defendants Corporal. Barbozza, Brian Yezierski and Kevin Boswell were working at the jail holding the rank of corporal. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 8.) At all relevant times, these defendants were all higher ranking correctional officers than Officer Zacofsky. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 8.)
The Amended Complaint characterizes all defendants, with the exception of defendant Rappahannock Regional Jail Authority, as the "individual defendants." (Amend. Compl. at ¶ 44 n. 5.) For purposes of this Memorandum Opinion, this Court will use the term "Defendants" to mean only these defendants who have maintained the Motions to dismiss that are presently the before Court (i.e. the Joint Defendants and Patricia Dallos).
Plaintiffs voluminous Amended Complaint contains one hundred and forty-one paragraphs of detailed factual allegations of widely-known and widespread illegal sexual activity between male guards and female prisoners as well the sexual harassment of the prisoners by the guards. (See Amend. Compl. ¶ 1, 9-25.) Plaintiff alleges that while it was illegal under Va. Code § 18.2-64.2 for a guard to have "carnal knowledge of an inmate" there was a pervasive double standard in the "sexual culture" of the Jail allowing male guards to have forced/abusive or "consensual" sexual relationships with female prisoners, while, sexual activity between male prisoners an correctional personal was forbidden. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 9-18.) As evidence of the pervasiveness of, and acquiescence to, the sexual dealings between male personnel and female inmates Plaintiff offers a number of specific allegations detailing; statements made by guards discussing their sexual abuse or sexual relationships with female prisoners; she alleges that an "Officer Chris J." forcibly kissed her against her will and passed her "love notes" (See Amend. Compl. Ex. B.); a guard displaying nude photographs of himself to a female inmate (Amend. Compl. ¶ 20(b)), statements made by a number of female inmates regarding their sexual activities with various non-defendant, male prison personnel. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 20(a)-(f).) Primarily, however, Plaintiffs allegations relate to the repeated sexual abuse suffered at the hands of Zackofsky.
Plaintiff alleges that Zacofsky's "obsession" with her as well as his willingness to break institutional rules in order to gain access to her was widely known to "each of the individual defendants" (see Amend. Compl. ¶ 25, 31, 47-50, 52). The Defendants, as well as numerous other corrections officers "made light to Ms. Mitchell of Officer Zacofsky 'having a crush' on her." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 22.)
Plaintiff alleges that Zacofsky's conduct began immediately after her arrival at the Jail and included physically complimentary or sexual comments and staring (see Amend. Compl. ¶ 30, 43, 47-51) and, on one alleged occasion on September 20, 2007, forcible kissing and fondling. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 34.) Plaintiff alleges that this conduct was "common knowledge" amongst inmates and correctional personnel including Defendants. (See Amend. Compl. ¶ 31, 33, 38, 40.) Following Zaeofsky's September 20 assault, Plaintiff allegedly filed an inmate request form, (the mandatory first step in initiating a grievance) and asked to speak with Lt. Diane Wilson. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 35.) Lt. Wilson said she would "get back to [her]." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 36.) By October, 2007, other female inmates had lodged oral and written complaints regarding Zacofsky's behavior toward Plaintiff with Lt. Wilson as well as non-movant defendant Norris. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 38.) Plaintiff alleges that all of the defendants were aware of some or all of these inmate complaints and that as a result of these complaints Zacofsky was transferred from Mitchell's wing to the jail's medical unit. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 39 — 41.)
Despite Zacofsky's transfer, Plaintiff alleges that his conduct got worse. Zacofsky had access to Mitchell as she worked in the food preparation area adjacent to the Officer's Lounge. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 47.) Plaintiff alleges that it was a violation of Jail policy for Correctional Officers to be behind the food preparation counter. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 47.) Nevertheless, Plaintiff alleges that "all defendants" saw Zacofsky go behind the counter to stare at Plaintiff or try to engage her in conversation. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 49-50.) Defendant Barbozza was allegedly asked by Plaintiff to stop Zacofsky's conduct and he told her not to be rude to Zacofsky or she would be fired from her kitchen job, thereby imperiling her ability to accrue "good time" and to shorten her sentence. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 37, 48.)
In October of 2007, Zacofsky's conduct allegedly escalated. Mitchell worked in the Officer's Lounge where Zacofsky gave her a "direct order" to go into the storage room to retrieve a soda for him. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 56.) It is an internal Jail offense for a prisoner to refuse such an order. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 56.) Zacofsky followed Mitchell "into the storage room and there forced her, against her will, to perform oral sex upon him." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 57.) Zacofsky then warned her not to alert his superiors and threatened to Mitchell's family if she told anyone what he had done. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 57.) At the time of this assault non-movant defendants Grimes, Rohme, and Norris, and internal investigator Kevin Hudson were in the Officer's Lounge. Plaintiff alleges that; (1) each heard Zackofsky direct her to get more Dr. Pepper although there was some visibly available in the vending machine in the room; (2) each saw him follow her into the storage room and not come out for far longer than it would take to get a bottle of soda; and, (3) no one did anything to come to her aid (Amend. Compl. ¶ 61.) Plaintiff further alleges that she was afraid to directly report the incident so instead filed another inmate request form asking to speak with Lt. Wilson: Wilson again said she would "get back to her." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 58-59.)
Plaintiff alleges that on November 18 and 27, December 3 and 14, 2007, and January 5, 7, 18, and 24, 2008, Zackofsky repeated his assaults on Plaintiff. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 62-72.) Critically, Plaintiff alleges that over the course of these eight additional assaults "each of the defendants witnessed at least several" of these incidents. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 73)(emphasis added.) Plaintiff does not attempt to identify which individual defendants were witnesses to each specific assault but offers short and plain statements that Defendants were all individually aware of Zacofsky's obsession with Mitchell, all witnessed him follow her into the storage room for lengthy periods of time, yet did nothing to intervene. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 62-73.)
Additionally, Plaintiff alleges that on December 22, 2007, in the midst of these assaults, Zacofsky forcibly dragged Plaintiff into the storage room and raped her. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 68.) He once again threatened to harm her family. Mitchell once again feared detailing the assault in writing and filed an inmate request form to speak with Lt. Wilson, and Wilson once again said that "she would get back to [her.]" (Amend. Compl. ¶ 69.) Mitchell alleges that even though on January 22, 2008 and February 5, 2008 the fact that Zacofsky was "messing around" with Mitchell was reported to defendants Dallos and Wilson, the defendants did nothing to inquire or protect Plaintiff. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 74-75.)
On February 6, 2008, Mitchell had a court appearance. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 78.) Prior to her transport to court non-movant Defendant Sgt. Dixon was in front of Mitchell's holding cell discussing with other officers about how they were "going to keep Zacofsky in control today." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 78.) The inmates were taken to court together; however, Plaintiff alleges that in a departure from standard procedure, Mitchell was left to await transportation back to the Jail without the other prisoners. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 79.) Plaintiff alleges that Dixon permitted Zacofsky to pick Mitchell up in the holding cell at Stafford County Circuit Court, in contravention of procedure, and transport her back to the Jail on his own. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 81.) During the trip, Zacofsky said he had been questioned by non-movant defendant Norris, that he told her he knew she had "been running [her] mouth" and that if she didn't "shut [her] mouth" she would "be looking over [her] shoulder for the rest of [her] life." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 81.) After radioing the Jail to allow the vehicle to enter the facility, Zacofsky parked the van and entered the holding area of the vehicle and forced Plaintiff to perform oral sex on him. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 83-85.) Plaintiff alleges that despite prison officials', including non-movant defendant Dixon, knowledge of Zacofsky's record of behavior, that the van had returned to the prison, and the fact that Plaintiff and Zacofsky remained in the van for a lengthy period of time, no Jail staff then present Zacofsky's assault. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 85.) Plaintiff alleges that upon exiting the van, Mitchell's blouse was stained with Zacofsky's semen. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 86.) Dixon made Plaintiff strip off her shirt in front of Zacofsky, change into a prison-issue shirt, and then allowed Zacofsky to escort Mitchell back to her cell, where Zacofsky once again warned her to be silent or she would be "look[ing] over [her] shoulder" for the rest of her life. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 85-87.)
Plaintiff alleges that she took several actions in an attempt to "self-help;" however, when she attempted to ask her husband to contact a local reporter through a Jail call with her husband the substance of her conversation was re-laid to Zacoksky. Zacofsky was able to recount to Mitchell the details of her telephone conversation and once again threatened Plaintiff. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 88-90.) Plaintiff alleges that she then became desperate and planned to attempt to "scald Officer Zacofsky" when she saw him in the kitchen area. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 93-95.) An inmate reported Mitchell's plan to Lt. Wilson who informed Norris who then ordered Mitchell not to report to work until Norris had the "opportunity to speak to her." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 95-97.)
On February 20, 2008, Mitchell was scheduled to be taken to court. Plaintiff alleges that Zacofsky came to the holding cell and threatened her again within the hearing of nonmovant defendant Norris and other officers, however, when she requested that they get Zacofsky away from her they did nothing. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 100.) That day, Plaintiff went directly to Lt. Wilson and stated that she had been the victim of "ongoing sexual abuse" by Zacofsky and that she demanded to speak to Norris. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 101.) The next day, February 21, 2008 Plaintiff met with Norris and Officer Hudson who informed her that "everyone knows about you and Zacofsky," that they knew about numerous other sexual activity between male guards and female prisoners. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 102-103.) Within hours of this meeting, Plaintiff was told to gather her belongings and was taken by defendant Shepard to the hall in front of the offices of non-movant defendants Rohme and Dixon. Rohme and Dixon proceeded to confiscate "all [Mitchell's] copies of the inmate request forms which she had submitted . her log of the goings-on at the jail, [and] her address book...." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 105.)
Plaintiff was removed from the Jail and driven to Northern Neck Regional Jail by Rohme and Dixon during which time Plaintiff alleges that non-movant Dixon made a number admissions about her treatment. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 110.) During her subsequent incarceration an investigation was launched into Officer Zacofsky who ultimately pled guilty to the crime of "carnal knowledge of an inmate," Va.Code § 18.2-64.2 and received a suspended sentence. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 118-134.) Plaintiff makes a number of allegations, stating that during the investigation, defendants attempted to minimize the publicity and damage to the Jail by covering up the incidents. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 118— 134.) These include the Jail's failure to notify Plaintiff of rights under the Virginia Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act, Va. Code § 19.2-11.01(0; taking administrative rather than criminal action against other guards found to have sexually misbehaved with other female inmates' (Amend. Compl. ¶ 126); the confiscation of other inmates personal notes and records of complaints regarding sexual misbehavior in the Jail (Amend. Compl. ¶ 127); and, while, refusing to give Plaintiff a STD test, demanded that Plaintiff provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 132.)
On January 8, 2010 both Joint Defendants and Defendant Dallos moved to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) and asserted "qualified immunity." (Dkts. — and-.) Plaintiff opposed on January 29, 2010 (Dkt. 53) and Defendants replied on February 3, 2010. (Dkt. 54). This Court heard argument on this motion on February 4, 2010. These motions are now before the Court.
II. Standard of Review
A Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss tests the legal sufficiency of a complaint. See Randall v. United States, 30 F.3d 518, 522 (4th Cir.1994) (citation omitted). In deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the Court is first mindful of the liberal pleading standards under Rule 8, which require only "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed.R.Civ.P. 8. Thus, the Court takes "the material allegations of the complaint" as admitted and liberally construe the Complaint in favor of Plaintiffs. Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421, 89 S.Ct. 1843, 23 L.Ed.2d 404 (1969) (citation omitted).
While Rule 8 does not require "detailed factual allegations," a plaintiff must still provide "more than labels and conclusions" as "a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 1964-65, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007) (citation omitted). The Court will also decline to consider "unwarranted inferences, unreasonable conclusions, or arguments." Nemet Chevrolet, Ltd. v. Consumeraffairs.com, Inc., 591 F.3d 250, 255 (4th Cir.2009) (citing Wahi v. Charleston Area Med. Ctr., Inc., 562 F.3d 599, 615 n. 26 (4th Cir.2009); see also Ashcroft v. Iqbal, -U.S.-, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1951-52, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009)). Indeed, the legal framework of the Complaint must be supported by factual allegations that "raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Id. at 1965.
In its recent decision, Ashcroft v. Iqbal, the Supreme Court expanded upon Twombly by articulating the two-pronged analytical approach to be followed in any Rule 12(b)(6) test. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. 1937 (2009). First, a court must identify and reject legal conclusions unsupported by factual allegations because they are not entitled to the presumption of truth. Id. at 1951. "[B]are assertions" that amount to nothing more than a "formulaic recitation of the elements" do not suffice. Id. (citations omitted). Second, assuming the veracity of "well-pleaded factual allegations", a court must conduct a "context-specific" analysis drawing on "its judicial experience and common sense" and determine whether the factual allegations "plausibly suggest an entitlement to relief." Id. at 1950-51. Satisfying this "context-specific" test does not require "detailed factual allegations." Nemet Chevrolet, Ltd., at 256 (citing Iqbal at 1949-50 (quotations omitted)). The complaint must, however, plead sufficient facts to allow a court to infer "more than the mere possibility of misconduct." Id.
III. Analysis
The Defendants make three arguments in support of their motions to dismiss. First, Defendants argue that Plaintiff has not alleged facts sufficient under Iqbal to properly state a claim against defendants for supervisory liability under § 1983. Second, Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity. Third, they argue that Plaintiff has not alleged facts sufficient under Iqbal to properly state a claim against defendants for Gross Negligence under Virginia Law.
A. Supervisory Liability under § 1983
The parties here do not dispute the standard for supervisory liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the Fourth Circuit. (Joint Defendants' Mem. in Supp. of their Mot. to Dis. ("Joint Mem.") at 7-8; Dallos Mem. at 5; Pl.'s Opp. to Mot. to Dis. at 8.) There are three elements necessary to establish supervisory liability under § 1983:
(1) that the supervisor had actual or constructive knowledge that his subordinate was engaged in conduct that posed "a pervasive and unreasonable risk" of constitutional injury to citizens like the plaintiff;
(2) that the supervisor's response to that knowledge was so inadequate as to show "deliberate indifference to or tacit authorization of the alleged offensive practices," ; and
(3) that there was an "affirmative causal link" between the supervisor's inaction and the particular constitutional injury suffered by the plaintiff.
Shaw v. Stroud, 13 F.3d 791, 799 (4th Cir.1994). In order to overcome a Motion to Dismiss, Plaintiff must have alleged facts sufficient to plausibly suggest an entitlement for relief under this standard. Defendants argue that Plaintiff has not met this burden.
1. Allegations Against "All Defendants"
Specifically, Defendants contend that the general allegations made by Plaintiff regarding "individual defendants" constitute the type of "threadbare" allegations that Iqbal and Twombly have specifically found insufficient. (Joint Mem. at 9; Dallos' Mem. at 6.) Paragraphs 13, 17, 20, 22-23, 25, 30-31, 40, 44-45, 47, 49-50, 52-55, 62, 64, 66, 70, 73, 80, 93-94, 98, 106, 108, 116, 120, 125-128, 130, 134, 137-138, 145, and 147 all make reference to "defendants," "each defendant" or "all defendants." For Defendants Baird, Collier, Cronin, Randle, Reid, Yezierski, McRea, Shepard, and Dwight Wilson, there are no other factual allegations regarding their conduct, only allegations sufficient to identify them and their responsibilities at the Jail. Defendants argue that such references are merely "conclusory allegations" submitted in lieu of specific allegations regarding each of the Defendants and do not meet the requirements of Iqbal. (Joint Mem. at 9.) Defendants then go on to expand this argument for specific groups of individual defendants. The Court will briefly address these arguments in Sections III.A.2 below.
Plaintiff responds to Defendants' argument on two fronts. First, Plaintiff argues that Nemet and Iqbal have reiterated that a court must conduct a "context-specific" analysis of the Complaint. (Opp. at 6 (citing Iqbal, at 1949-50); see Nemet, at 256-57.) Plaintiff points to several specific factual allegations which she argues provide the "context" for the Court's inquiry: a guard passing a lewd note to Plaintiff (Amend. Compl. ¶ 20, Exhibit B); Zacofsky forcibly kissing another inmate and that inmate's complaints resulting in threats from other Correctional Officers (Amend. Compl. 24); and, a guard displaying nude photographs of himself to a female inmate (Amend. Compl. ¶ 20(b).) Plaintiff contends that these allegations constitute "specific factual averments addressing the open and notorious sexual activity between male guards and female inmates." (Opp. at 6.) The Court examines the allegations against all Defendants within the appropriate context.
Second, and more significantly, Plaintiff argues that the factual allegations leveled against "all defendants" are specifically targeted at every named defendant and leveled against the group as "[defendants] are sued for having been deliberately indifferent in identical ways (i.e., inaction)." (Opp. at 8.) In essence, the use of "all defendants" was simply a drafting expedient so that they wouldn't have to name each and every defendant repeatedly. Plaintiff argues that there is no requirement that a Plaintiff who was harmed on multiple occasions by multiple defendants acting together must identify which defendants performed which specific acts on which specific date and time. (Opp. at 8.) In support of this argument, Plaintiff cites to another prisoner sexual abuse case, Billman v. Ind. Dep't of Corrections, 56 F.3d 785 (7th Cir.1995). In Billmcm the plaintiff was unable to identify the specific individual who had harmed him prior to the beginning of discovery. The Seventh Circuit held:
We do not think that the children's game of pin the tail on the donkey is a proper model for constitutional tort law. If a prisoner makes allegations that if true indicate a significant likelihood that someone employed by the prison system has inflicted cruel and unusual punishment on him, and if the circumstances are such as to make it infeasible for the prisoner to identify that someone before filing his complaint, his suit should not be dismissed as frivolous.
Id. at 789. While the situation is not directly analogous, the plaintiffiprisoner here was able to make much more detailed allegations against all of the Defendants then Billman was. She initially identified each individual by name and then subsequently alleged that (1) "all" of them were allegedly aware of the pervasive and unreasonable risk Zacofsky posed; (2) "all" of them on "several" occasions acted with deliberate indifference when Zacofsky directed Plaintiff into the storage room or during the time Zacofsky was allowed to remain in the employ of the prison or in contact with Plaintiff; and, (3) as a direct result, Plaintiff was injured.
The Iqbal case upon which Defendants rely was itself a supervisory liability case brought against, among others, the Attorney General of the United States and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by a Pakistani plaintiff who was arrested on criminal charges in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. In Iqbal, the Supreme Court held that the allegations against these high ranking officials stating that they were either the "architect" of a unconstitutional policy of detention or "instrumental" in its enforcement were simply conclusory allegations and not appropriately assumed to be true. Id. at 1951. Iqbal was a Bivens action and that "the state of mind required to make out a supervisory claim under the Eight Amendment — i.e., deliberate indifference — requires less than the discriminatory purpose or intent that Iqbal was required to allege in his suit against Ashcrot and Mueller." Chao v. Ballista, 630 F.Supp.2d 170, 178 n. 2 (D.Mass.2009) (citing 403 U.S. 388, 91 S.Ct. 1999, 29 L.Ed.2d 619 (1971)). Nevertheless, the standard articulated in Iqbal controls the inquiry here.
Here the allegations are much more specific with a clear causal link as the harm is tied directly to the inaction of the Defendants. Plaintiff has alleged over ten instances of sexual assaults under cir cumstances where various Defendants were in a position to have knowledge of what was happening at various times. The Amended Complaint is limited to supervisory personnel who she can specifically identify, based on pleaded facts, as having personally taken the actions (including inaction) and having exhibited the deliberate indifference complained of in this suit. Specifically, Plaintiff has averred that each of the named defendants witnessed or participated in several of these actions. Plaintiff has alleged that all individual defendants had direct knowledge of Zacofsky's personal remarks to her (Amend. Compl. ¶ 30); that Zacofsky's obsession was a matter of commentary "among all correctional staff, including all defendants." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 31); that all defendants saw Zacofsky approach Plaintiff in the kitchen area in violation of the Jail rules on several occasions (Amend. Compl. ¶49); and, crucially, that each of the defendants witnessed several of the incidents where Zacofsky followed Plaintiff into the storage room and assaulted her (Amend. Compl. ¶ 49); and that none of the defendants ever did anything to assist Mitchell (Amend. Compl.53) and in fact "made light to Ms. Mitchell of Officer Zacofsky's 'having a crush' on her." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 22.) Plaintiffs failure to write out each defendants name in every time "all defendants" are mentioned in her allegations is not fatal to her claim.
Plaintiffs allegations go well beyond "bare assertions" that amount to nothing more than a "formulaic recitation of the elements." Iqbal at 1951 (citations omitted). While, in the Fourth Circuit this "context-specific" test does not require "detailed factual allegations," Plaintiff provides such allegations sufficient to allow this Court to infer "more than the mere possibility of misconduct." Id. Plaintiffs factual allegations leveled against "all defendants" sufficiently state a claim of supervisory liability for Eighth Amendment violations against all moving Defendants. See Nemet Chevrolet, Ltd., at 256-57. Though Plaintiff has sufficiently stated a claim against Defendants on these allegations alone, the Court will nevertheless address each of the defendant-specific arguments in turn.
2. Individually Named Defendants
Joint Defendants and Defendant Dallos offer a number of individual arguments as to why the additional allegations leveled against specific defendants, in addition to the "all Defendants" allegations discussed above, were insufficient to state a plausible claim for relief. The Court addresses them in turn.
i. Lt. Diane Wilson (aka 'Willis/Wilson")
There are numerous additional specific factual allegations regarding the conduct of Lt. Wilson. Plaintiff alleges that on a number of occasions and specifically after Zacofsky's sexual assaults she filed an "inmate request form" to speak with Lt. Wilson; that these requests forms were a mandatory first step in the formal grievance process and that Lt. Wilson never responded to any of her requests. Defendants argue that as the allegations do not say that Mitchell ever told Wilson about the assaults thus she has failed to state a plausible claim. This argument rings hollow. Lt. Wilson was in a position to inquire into the nature of Plaintiffs inmate requests. Under the circumstances where there are allegedly numerous rumors, comments, common knowledge regarding Zacofsky's actions towards Plaintiff, and Lt. Wilson allegedly "[saw] Officer Zacofsky's harassment of [Plaintiff]" (Amend. Compl. ¶ 72), her alleged failure to contact Plaintiff even once regarding her "inmate re quests" is obviously sufficient to state a claim for supervisory liability.
ii Sue Weatherhead
In addition to the "all defendants" allegations, Plaintiff has alleged that Lt. Weatherhead witnessed Zacofsky enter Plaintiffs exam room while she was in the hospital ward, read her medical chart and stare at her but allowed him to remain there. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 43.) As Plaintiff acknowledges, while "standing alone this incident merely shows indifference," however, in the context of the "all defendants" allegations and the rumors and commentary regarding Zacofsky the allegations are sufficient to state a plausible claim.
in. Corporal Francisco Barboza
The additional allegations against Officer Barboza are that he witnessed Zacofsky, in violation of regulations, approach Plaintiff several times while she was working in the kitchen. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 48.) Mitchell asked Barboza, who was in charge of inmate workers, to prevent Zacofsky from moving behind the counter and approach Mitchell. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 48.) Barboza responded by telling Mitchell not to be rude to Zacofsky or she would be fired. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 49.) In light of the "all defendants" allegations, the allegations against Barboza demonstrate precisely the kind of indifference that establishes a plausible claim for supervisor liability.
iv. Claude Sivels
In addition to the "all defendants" allegations, Sivels is alleged to have heard allegations from another female inmate regarding Zacofsky's sexual assault upon Mitchell and responded by telling her "if you report this no one will believe you." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 19.) This additional allegation demonstrates, constant with "all defendants" allegations, that Sivels was well aware of the threat that Zacofsky posed to female inmates.
v. Gregory McRea
Paragraph 51 of the Amended Complaint alleges that "Sgt. McRay" [sic] joked with Zacfosky that "everyone knows about you and [Plaintiff Mitchell]." (Amend. Compl. ¶ 51.) The Amended Complaint further alleges that McRea witnessed Zacofsky arrive at the Officer's Lounge where Mitchell worked two hours before his shift and stare at Mitchell. This combined with the "all defendants" allegations discussed in this section give rise to a plausible claim of liability.
to. Dwight Wilson and Dallos
Defendant Dallos filed her own Motion to Dismiss arguing, in a similar manner to Joint Defendants, that the "all defendants" allegations are conclusory in nature and cannot state a plausible claim for relief against her. Paragraphs seventy-four and seventy-five of the Amended Complaint add additional allegations that Dwight and Dallos received two formal reports, one oral and one written incident report, from another correction officer that Zacofsky had been "messing around" with Mitchell. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 74-75.) These reports occurred on January 22, 2008 and February 5, 2008 and the officers were alleged to have done nothing in response. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 74-75.) Again in conjunction with the "all defendants" allegations, Plaintiff states a plausible claim of supervisor liability based on the knowledge and inaction of these two officers particularly as Plaintiff was sexually assaulted again on February 5, 2008 after the first report allegedly reached these Defendants.
B. Qualified Immunity
The Defendants all assert the defense of "qualified immunity." Qualified immunity is "an entitlement not to stand trial or face other burdens of litigation." Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 526, 105 S.Ct. 2806, 86 L.Ed.2d 411 (1985). To defeat an assertion of qualified immunity Plaintiff must show that the facts alleged, "taken in the light most favorable to the party asserting injury," show that the defendants' "conduct violated a Constitutional right." Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001.) If Plaintiff can not sufficiently allege that a constitutional right was violated the inquiry ends; however, if the court determines a constitutional right was violated, here the Eighth Amendment, it then must "ask whether the right was clearly established." Id. For a right to be clearly established, it must "be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted." Id. at 202, 121 S.Ct. 2151.
Defendants' argument for Qualified Immunity is premised on their argument under Rule 12(b)(6): that Plaintiff had failed to establish that a Constitutional Right has been violated as she has failed to allege supervisory liability against defendants under the Shaw v. Stroud test discussed in Sections III.A.1-2 above. (Joint Mem. 8; Dallos Mem. 7.) As the Court has concluded that Plaintiff has successfully alleged violations of clearly established Eighth Amendment rights through supervisory liability for the acts committed, the Defendants are not entitled to Qualified Immunity on the facts alleged.
C. Gross Negligence
Plaintiff also alleges a state tort of Gross Negligence against all defendants. Under Virginia Law gross negligence "is a degree of negligence showing indifference to another and an utter disregard of prudence that amounts to a complete neglect of the safety of such other person. This requires a degree of negligence that would shock fair-minded persons, although demonstrating something less than willful recklessness." (Cowan v. Hospice Support Care, Inc., 268 Va. 482, 487, 603 S.E.2d 916 (Va.2004) (citing Koffman v. Garnett, 265 Va. 12, 15, 574 S.E.2d 258, 260 (2003)); Griffin, 227 Va. at 321, 315 S.E.2d at 213; Ferguson v. Ferguson, 212 Va. 86, 92, 181 S.E.2d 648, 653 (Va. 1971)). Defendants incorporate their arguments set forth in Section III.A above arguing that Plaintiffs allegations against the Individual Defendants do not reach the level of care necessary for a showing of gross negligence as a matter of law. Plaintiff responds that Defendants had knowledge of Zacofsky's stalking and harassment, and that each of them had first hand reason to know of his assaults, and rather than use their power has his superior officer to stop his behavior they "made light of it, did nothing to intervene, and ignored Ms. Mitchell's repeated pleas for help." (Opp. at 21 (citing ¶ 4-8, 17, 19-20, 22-25, 30-31, 40, 44-45, 47, 49-50, 52-54, 73).) Plaintiff argues, "the 'deliberate indifference' standard applied in Eighth Amendment cases [equates with] the 'subjective recklessness' standard of criminal law." Brown v. Harris, 240 F.3d 383, 389 (4th Cir.2001.) (citing Farmer, 511 U.S. at 839-40, 114 S.Ct. 1970.) As "gross negligence is negligence which shocks fair-minded people, but is less than willful recklessness," a plausible claim for supervisory liability would also plausibly plead gross negligence. See Harris v. Harman, 253 Va. 336, 486 S.E.2d 99 (Va.1997) (citing Griffin v. Shively, 227 Va. 317, 321, 315 S.E.2d 210 (1984)). Thus, the Court finds that Plaintiff has sufficiently stated a claim of gross negligence against all Defendants.
IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the Court will deny Defendant Dallos and Defendants Scott Baird, Corporal Barbozza, Vincent Collier, Sharon Cronin, Gregory McRea, Challoughlicz Randle, Victor Reid, Deborah Shepard, Claude Sivels, Suzanne Weatherhead, Diane Wilson (the corrected name of individual identified in the Amended Complaint as "Sgt. Willis/Wilson;" see Dkt. 35), Dwight Wilson, and Brian Yezierski's Motions to Dismiss.
An appropriate Order will issue.
. Defendants Kevin Boswell, Christopher Candler, Sgt. V. Dixon, Phillip Grimes, Lorrie Rohme, Houston Norris, and David Theisen have not joined in these Motions to Dismiss.
. The Court attempts to summarize these allegations below, however, in making its determination regarding these motions the Court considered all of the relevant allegations. Allegations against specific defendants that are not cited in the Background are referenced in the Court's discussion of those individual allegations in Section III.A.2.
. The Amended Complaint also contains a several conclusory allegations which this Court does not consider.
. While stationed in the medical unit Zacofsky entered Plaintiffs examination room and reviewed her medical chart and was ultimately asked to leave by the attending nurse who stated "Didn't they move you out of the women's unit because you were hovering over this lady?" (Amend. Compl. ¶ 43.)
. Plaintiff alleges that Zacofsky said he had researched her family, including her husband and daughter: he knew the details of her residence, her vehicles, her husband's work schedule, that she had a daughter and that she had "nice dogs" in her backyard. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 57.)
. Plaintiff further alleges that she was afraid to file an impermissible second request because she felt the Jail tolerated sexual relations between guards and prisoners and she was advised that the Jail would "turn it around on [her]" and portray her as the blameworthy party for the sexual contact. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 60.)
. Plaintiff alleges these documents have never been returned and this has hindered her ability to successfully advance her claims. (Amend. Compl. ¶ 106-108.)
. The question of "whether a prison official had the requisite knowledge of a substantial risk is a question of fact subject to demonstration in the usual ways, including inference from circumstantial evidence." 8 Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 842, 114 S.Ct. 1970, 128 L.Ed.2d 811 (1994). To prove a case of "deliberate indifference" "it is enough that the official acted or failed to act despite his knowledge of a substantial risk of serious harm." Id., 511 U.S. at 842, 114 S.Ct. 1970.
. Defendant Dallos's Motion contains similar arguments, e.g. "The remaining allegations that she knew or should have known that Officer Zacofsky was committing sexual assaults against Plaintiff are conclusory in nature and are without factual support. There are no specific allegations that [Dallos] had any direct involvement with Plaintiff or Officer Zacofsky."
. See Amended Complaint ¶ 25-26, 58, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71-72, and 135.