Opinion ID: 561200
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mackey's liability for fees under Sec. 1988

Text: 31 Section 1988 allows the court to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983. Actions filed under Sec. 1983 require state action. Mackey, as an individual or as a federal official, is, thus, exempt from Section 1988 liability unless he conspire[d] with or participate[d] in concert with state officials who, under color of state law, act[ed] to deprive a person of protected rights. Scott v. Rosenberg, 702 F.2d 1263, 1269 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1078, 104 S.Ct. 1439, 79 L.Ed.2d 760 (1984). Such liability will not attach unless the state or its agents significantly participated in the challenged activity. Gibson v. United States, 781 F.2d 1334, 1343 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1054, 107 S.Ct. 928, 93 L.Ed.2d 979 (1987). 32 The district court found that Mackey was acting under color of state law because he was involved in a joint action with Vincent, a state official. Historical factual findings underlying that holding are reviewed for clear error. The district court found that Mackey and Vincent jointly evaluated KADA (and plaintiff), and jointly agreed to require plaintiff's termination. Opinion, Mar. 6, 1989. The final report resulting in Merritt's termination (and this litigation) was issued under state letterhead, signed by both Mackey and Vincent. The district court's finding was not clearly erroneous; the form of that report accurately reflected what the investigation was--a joint collaboration between a state and federal official. 33 We review de novo the district court's application of these facts to statutory and precedential authority leading to the district courts finding that state action was present here. United States v. McConney, 728 F.2d 1195, 1199-1204 (9th Cir.) (en banc), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 824, 105 S.Ct. 101, 83 L.Ed.2d 46 (1984). We agree with the district court that Mackey is liable for attorney's fees under Section 1988, because he acted in concert with Vincent, a state official. Vincent significantly participated in the challenged activity. Gibson v. United States, 781 F.2d 1334, 1343 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1054, 107 S.Ct. 928, 93 L.Ed.2d 979 (1987). 8