Opinion ID: 1101570
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Action When Official's Actions Constitute Bad Faith

Text: Actions against State officials in their individual capacities are not prohibited by the doctrine of State immunity where it is alleged that [the State officials]... acted fraudulently, in bad faith, beyond their authority or in a mistaken interpretation of law. Gunter, supra, 414 So.2d at 48. River Road argues for the first time on appeal that Lyons acted in such a manner as to constitute fraud, deceit, or bad faith when he supplied erroneous information regarding the soil composition of the dredge site to prospective bidders knowing the bidders would rely on that information. However, River Road alleges in its complaint only that the soil report prepared by Southern Earth Services, Inc., was misleading, that none of the parties had knowledge or warning of the rock content in the material to be dredged, and that Lyons had refused to compensate River Road for its unforeseen expenses in dredging the rock. Nothing in the complaint either indicates that Lyons's actions constitute fraud, deceit, or bad faith or that he is being sued in any capacity other than his official capacity. Lyons properly challenges River Road's failure to plead this theory in the trial court. We can affirm the trial court on any ground developed in, and supported by, the record. Ex parte Ramsay, 829 So.2d 146, 155 (Ala.2002). However, we would violate Lyons's rights to due process under the circumstances here presented if we were to affirm the trial court on the basis of a brand new theory never asserted in the trial court.