Court Opinion

ID: 9688082
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 17:00:55.832291+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:34.901518
License: Public Domain

CLD-193                                                         NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                       UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                            FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                 ___________

                                       No. 23-1933
                                       ___________

                            In re: FREDERICK H. BANKS,
                                                   Appellant
                       ____________________________________

                     On Appeal from the United States District Court
                        for the Western District of Pennsylvania
                        (D.C. Misc. Action No. 2-23-mc-00465)
                      District Judge: Honorable Arthur J. Schwab
                      ____________________________________

       Submitted for Possible Dismissal Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) or
         Summary Action Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 27.4 and I.O.P. 10.6
                                   August 10, 2023

             Before: SHWARTZ, MATEY, and FREEMAN, Circuit Judges

                             (Opinion filed: August 24, 2023)
                                        _________

                                        OPINION *
                                        _________
PER CURIAM

       Frederick Banks appeals the District Court’s order denying his motion for leave to

file a complaint as well as its order denying his motion for reconsideration and motion for

*
 This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does not
constitute binding precedent.
recusal. For the reasons that follow, we will summarily affirm the District Court’s

orders.

          Due to his history of vexatious litigation, Banks is subject to an order by the

District Court enjoining him from filing new complaints without first receiving leave to

file them. Banks sought leave to file a complaint against the District Judge who oversaw

his most recent criminal proceedings, including his resentencing. He sought monetary

and injunctive relief. The District Court denied the motion for leave to file after

determining that the complaint was legally frivolous and vexatious. Banks filed a notice

of appeal as well as a motion for reconsideration and a motion to recuse the District

Judge.

          We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Summary action is appropriate if

there is no substantial question presented in the appeal. See 3d Cir. L.A.R. 27.4. We

agree with the District Court that Banks’s proposed complaint is frivolous and vexatious

and that he was not entitled to have the District Judge recuse himself.

          Accordingly, for essentially the reasons given by the District Court, we will

summarily affirm its orders. See Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349, 355–56 (1978)

(judges not civilly liable for judicial acts); Azubuko v. Royal, 443 F.3d 302, 303-04 (3d

Cir. 2006); Securacomm Consulting, Inc. v. Securacom Inc., 224 F.3d 273, 278 (3d Cir.

                                                2
2000) (explaining that a litigant’s displeasure with the District Court’s legal rulings is not

an adequate basis for recusal).

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