Opinion ID: 434947
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Federal Tort Claim

Text: 13 The district court held that the claims by the Comptons under the FTCA for false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and abuse of process were barred by the exclusions of 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2680. This was error, because 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2680(h) specifically allows such claims when they arise from acts or omissions by federal law enforcement officers. This court, however, may affirm on any basis presented by the record. Mollnow v. Carlton, 716 F.2d 627, 628 n. 1 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 104 S.Ct. 1595, 80 L.Ed.2d 126 (1984). 14 The only potential claims against the federal defendants for false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution or abuse of process arose from the weapons possession investigation and prosecution which culminated in Richard Compton's conviction. A prior conviction estops a party in a later civil suit from contesting facts necessarily established in the criminal proceeding. Considine v. United States, 683 F.2d 1285, 1286 (9th Cir.1982). Compton's conviction on the weapons charge indicates that the federal officers did have adequate grounds for his arrest and prosecution. 15 The complaint also alleges that federal law enforcement officials failed to investigate illegal activity reported by Compton. In determining whether the federal officers had a duty to act, we must look to state law. 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1346(b). Absent a special relationship between a plaintiff and an officer, California does not allow recovery against law enforcement officers for failure to perform their official functions. Williams v. State, 34 Cal.3d 18, 23-24, 192 Cal.Rptr. 233, 235-36, 664 P.2d 137, 139-40 (1983). A special relationship exists where an officer induces a plaintiff's detrimental reliance by conduct or statements inducing a false sense of security and worsening the plaintiff's position. Williams, 34 Cal.3d at 27-28, 192 Cal.Rptr. at 239, 664 P.2d at 143. 16 The only allegation in the Comptons' complaint which could potentially suffice to establish a claim of a special relationship is that FBI agent Flores promised to investigate the Comptons' claims of wrongdoing by other defendants but failed to do so. According to the complaint, however, Flores' promises occurred after Richard Compton had been wrongfully arrested and his boat had been taken. Thus, the Comptons fail to allege the worsening of position requisite to recovery on the theory of a special relationship. Id.