Opinion ID: 383662
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Giambrone and the City of Buffalo

Text: 66 Giambrone, unlike the state defendants, is alleged to have participated in the removal and concealment of the children. He is alleged to have done so under and by the full authority of the City of Buffalo. For the reasons stated in part A above, however, the complaint fails to state a claim against Giambrone and the City for violation of the children's constitutional rights. 67 Moreover, even if a viable constitutional claim had been asserted against Giambrone, the dismissal of the action against the City would have been proper because the complaint does not allege that Giambrone acted pursuant to any official policy, regulation or custom of the city. A municipality cannot be held liable on a § 1983 claim under a respondeat superior theory; it is liable only if federal rights are violated pursuant to its official policy or custom. Monell v. Department of Social Services, supra, 436 U.S. at 663 n.7, 98 S.Ct. at 2022; Monroe v. Pape, supra. The assertion that Giambrone acted on the authority of the City is merely an allegation of agency, and is insufficient to support a claim against the City.