Opinion ID: 696325
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: summary judgment affidavit

Text: 15 Schroeder filed a verified complaint. 10 A verified complaint may be used as an opposing affidavit under Rule 56. McElyea v. Babbitt, 833 F.2d 196, 197-98 (9th Cir.1987) (per curiam). To function as an opposing affidavit, however, the verified complaint must be based on personal knowledge and set forth specific facts admissible in evidence. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e); 11 McElyea, 833 F.2d at 197; Lew v. Kona Hosp., 754 F.2d 1420, 1423 (9th Cir.1985). 16 Here, Schroeder's verified complaint constituted an opposing affidavit because it was based on Schroeder's personal knowledge of admissible evidence. Schroeder's allegations were not based purely on his belief. See Columbia Pictures Indus., Inc. v. Professional Real Estate Investors, Inc., 944 F.2d 1525, 1529 (9th Cir.1991) (rejecting an affidavit because it was not based on personal knowledge, but on information and belief), aff'd, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 1920, 123 L.Ed.2d 611 (1993). 17 Schroeder demonstrated his personal knowledge by citing two specific instances 12 where correctional staff members at the minimum security facility made statements from which a jury could reasonably infer a retaliatory motive for Schroeder's subsequent transfer. First, Schroeder reported that defendant Segawa was very upset by Schroeder's January 1, 1991, letter to defendant McDonald in which Schroeder complained about the conditions at the minimum security facility. After asking Schroeder why he was complaining, she stated, I think it was a mistake bringing you to [the minimum security facility]. Complaint at 20-21, p 71-75. 18 Second, Schroeder asserted that the Chief of Security at the minimum security facility, John Robelido, visited Schroeder shortly after Schroeder mailed his January 13, 1991, motion for injunctive relief to all district court judges in the District of Hawaii. Robelido asked Schroeder to talk to him before making any further complaints, promising Schroeder that he would work out any problems that may arise. Importantly, however, Robelido also remarked at this time that when the Department of Public Safety asked the minimum security facility to accept Schroeder as a transfer from the medium security facility, the staff at the minimum security facility was aware of Schroeder's reputation as a complainer, but thought that Schroeder only complained through internal channels, filing administrative grievances. Robelido indicated, in essence, that the staff was unpleasantly surprised to discover that Schroeder also complained through external channels, filing complaints and motions with the courts. Complaint at 24-25, pp 87, 89. 19 Accordingly, we conclude that Schroeder did file an opposing affidavit to defendants' motion for summary judgment. We now turn to the merits of defendants' assertion of qualified immunity.