Opinion ID: 628036
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Equitable Claim

Text: 72 Finally, we note that Relin's motion for summary judgment with respect to the official capacity claim sought dismissal only with respect to Plaintiff's request for monetary damages. (Motion for Summary Judgment dated April 30, 1992, at 1.) In her amended complaint, Frank requested not only monetary relief but also reinstatement, relief that was equitable. Relin made no effort to present grounds to support summary dismissal of Frank's claim to the extent that it sought reinstatement. The court apparently viewed the reinstatement claim, sua sponte, as one to which Relin's defense of qualified immunity was applicable. However, such equitable relief could be obtained against Relin only in his official, not his individual, capacity; and a defense of qualified immunity may properly be raised only with respect to claims asserted against a defendant in his individual capacity. Qualified immunity is not a defense to a claim against a municipal official in his official capacity. See Hafer v. Melo, --- U.S. at ---- - ----, 112 S.Ct. at 361-62; Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. at 167, 105 S.Ct. at 3105-06; Gan v. City of New York, 996 F.2d at 529. 73 Accordingly, the court's summary dismissal of the official-capacity claim to the extent that it sought equitable relief was error. 74