Opinion ID: 159537
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Ms. McCreary's Affidavit

Text: 44 As a procedural matter, the district court issued a bench ruling denying Dr. Lighton's motion to strike Ms. McCreary's supplemental affidavit, determining it did not violate standard practice, and contained information relevant to Dr. Lighton's reply and admissible as evidence. According to Dr. Lighton, the district court erred in its ruling because Ms. McCreary's untimely affidavit constituted an attempt to patch up ... factual holes in her and Dr. Ehleringer's summary judgment brief. 45 We begin by noting Ms. McCreary filed her affidavit three weeks prior to the summary judgment hearing in response to Dr. Lighton's memorandum opposing her summary judgment motion and brief. Her supplemental affidavit simply explains the University maintained an interim policy for investigation into research misconduct, and that Dr. Lighton did not to file a formal complaint against Dr. Fielden under that policy, but instead filed his complaint with the National Institute of Health. It further verifies the Institute investigated Dr. Lighton's accusations and exonerated the University and Dr. Fielden. 46 Rule 6(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states [w]hen a motion is supported by affidavit, the affidavit shall be served with the motion. However, under Rule 56(e): The court may permit affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions, answers to interrogatories or further affidavits. Thus, the district court clearly has discretion to permit supplemental affidavits it finds useful for summary judgment determination. In this case, the district court found Ms. McCreary's supplemental affidavit contained information relevant and admissible as evidence. A review of the record convinces us the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Dr. Lighton's motion to strike her affidavit. Moreover, even if we agreed with Dr. Lighton and considered only facts outside of Ms. McCreary's supplemental affidavit, it would not alter our decision the district court properly granted summary judgment.