MEMORANDUM OPINION
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Nina Shahin (“plaintiff’) filed this lawsuit on May 20, 2008, against members of the Delaware judiciary, two law firms, and two court reporters alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”),
1
obstruction of justice pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 1506, 1512, and 1513, and civil rights violations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 and 242. The complaint asserts jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1512(h). Plaintiff appears pro se and has paid the filing fee. Now before the court are de
II. BACKGROUND
Plaintiff alleges her civil rights were violated on three different occasions, all violations related to, or stemming from, cases against Del-One Delaware Federal Credit Union filed in Delaware State Courts. Plaintiff and her husband were the plaintiffs in the cases. Two cases were filed in the Justice of the Peace Court of Kent County, Delaware, Nos. J0507004516 (referred to by plaintiff as the first case), 2 and J0506073516 (referred to by plaintiff as the second case), 3 and the third case, No. 06C-10-027-RBY, (referred to by plaintiff as the third case) 4 was filed in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in and for Kent County. Of the two cases filed in the Justice of the Peace Court, in No. J0507004516, plaintiff ultimately petitioned the United States Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari, but it was denied; the other, No. J0506073516, is currently on appeal before the Superior Court. The third case, No. 06C-10-027-RBY, was on appeal before the Delaware Supreme Court at the time plaintiff filed her complaint. 5 Plaintiff did not prevail in any of the cases and alleges that she was denied a fair trial in every court in the State of Delaware when judges, attorneys, and court reporters acted in collusion to subvert her constitutional rights, and they committed obstruction of justice, fraud, and racketeering. She seeks damages in the amount of nine million dollars.
Plaintiff alleges, generally, deprivation of her rights under the color of law; abuse of service of process; violation of the oath of office; violations of rules of judges’ professional conduct; tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant; collusion; trespassing and treason; obstruction of justice; coercion; intimidation; conspiracy against rights, violations of rules of professional conduct; and fraud. The allegations against each defendant are as follows:
Magistrate Pamela A. Darling (“Magistrate Darling”), Justice of the Peace Court. Magistrate Darling denied plaintiff service of process by failing to mail plaintiff a copy of defendants’ response in the ease before Magistrate Darling, during a hearing she denied plaintiff (and her husband) the right to question a witness plaintiff had subpoenaed, denied plaintiff the right to present evidence and testimony, and ruled against plaintiff.
6
(D.I. 1, at 2)
Judge Merrill C. Trader (“Judge Trader”), Court of Common Pleas of Kent County. Judge Trader presided during a hearing on a motion for summary judgment, mocked and dismissed plaintiffs responses while allowing the false statements of opposing counsel to “stand,” and eventually ruled against plaintiff. (D.I. 1, at 2) On January 17, 2007, Judge Trader held a hearing on appeal in his chambers and had ex parte communications with defense counsel and Judge Beauregard, the presiding judge. (Id. at 3) In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts Judge Trader violated the United States Constitution, 18 U.S.C. § 241 and § 1512(c)(1) as an accessory after the fact pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3, as well as the Delaware Judges’ Code of Judicial Conduct. 8 (D.I. 29, at 28)
Judge Rosemaiy Betts Beauregard (“Judge Beauregard”), Court of Common Pleas of Sussex County. Judge Beauregard ruled in favor of defendants based upon facts never proven in court. (D.I. 1, at 3) In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts that Judge Beauregard violated the United States Constitution, 18 U.S.C. § 241 as a principal and as an accessory after the fact pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 3, as well as 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1) which is considered “racketeering activity” under 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1). 9 • (D.I. 29, at 34-35)
Judge Robert B. Young (“Judge Young”), Superior Court of Kent County. Judge Young presided and falsified the Justice of the Peace Court’s decision to a “completely, opposite conclusion” and ruled against plaintiff. (D.I. .1, at 2) Judge Young was also assigned Case No. 06C-10-027 RBY While the case was on appeal before the Delaware Supreme Court, Judge Young entered a decision awarding attorneys’ fees to defense counsel. (Id. at 4) Plaintiff alleges this was a “trespassing” decision because Judge Young had no jurisdiction over the case. (Id.) In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts that Judge Young violated 18 U.S.C. § 241 and § 1506 as a principal and an accessory after the fact pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 3. (D.I. 29, at 30-31, 38) The motion also asserts that Judge Young violated 42 U.S.C. § 1985(2). 10 (Id. at 38)
Judge William L. Witham (“Judge Witham”), Superior Court of Kent County. Judge Witham is not mentioned in the body of the complaint. However, in her
Justices Jack B. Jacobs (“Justice Jacobs”), Carolyn Berger (“Justice Berger”), and Henry DuPont Ridgely (“Justice Ridgely”), Delaware Supreme Court. The Delaware Supreme Court justices affirmed the decision of the lower courts, thus “providing a cover up for violations in all courts.” (D.I. 1, at 2) In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff also asserts that Justices Jacobs, Berger, and Ridgely violated 18 U.S.C. § 241 as well as 42 U.S.C. § 1985(2). (D.I. 29 at 31-32, 38)
Chief Justice Myron T. Steele (“Chief Justice Steele”), 11 Delaware Supreme Court. 12 Chief Justice Steele is not mentioned in the body of the complaint. It may be that the allegations regarding the Delaware Supreme Court’s dismissal of plaintiffs complaints of alleged wrongful acts by Magistrate Darling and Judge Trader are directed towards Chief Justice Steele. (D.I. 1, at 2-3) Plaintiff alleges that the dismissal “provided another cover up for the constitutional violations of [her] rights and professional dishonesty of judges.” (Id. at 3) In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts Chief Justice Steele violated the United States Constitution, 18 U.S.C. § 242 as an accessory after the fact pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3, and the Delaware Judges’ Code of Judicial Conduct. (D.I. 29, at 29)
The law firms of Liguori Morris & Yiengst (“LMY”) and Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP (‘Young Conaway”). In Case No. 06C-10-027 RBY, Gregory Morris (“Morris”), an attorney with LMY, was “substituted in violation” of Superior Court Rule 90(b) by attorney Monte T. Squire (“Squire”), an attorney with Young Conaway. (Id. at 4) Young Conaway is “owned” by the brother of Judge Stuart B. Young, the presiding judge. Judge Stuart B. Young is not a party in this case.
Squire filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings without providing plaintiff notice of the hearing.
(Id.)
The hearing either did not take place, or was held ex parte between the presiding judge and defense counsel. A decision was entered against plaintiff as a result of collusion between the judge and defense counsel, while excluding plaintiff from the judicial process. In her response to Young Conaway’s motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts that, during her third lawsuit, Young Con-away violated her civil rights pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 241 and 18 U.S.C. § 3, as an accessory after the fact, and
Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics,
Court reporter Linda Lavender (“Lavender”), Court of Common Pleas. Lavender is not mentioned in the body of the complaint. However, it is alleged that the transcript of a hearing held on December 21, 2005, in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas was modified to change the nature of plaintiffs claims as well as the scope and character of the proceedings. 15 (D.I. 2, at 2) It is also alleged that the transcript of a January 17, 2007 hearing in the Court of Common Pleas was falsified to change the essence of witnesses’ and plaintiffs testimonies, as well as attorneys’ closing words. 16 (Id. at 3) In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts that Lavender obstructed justice in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1) which is considered “racketeering activity” under 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1). (D.I. 29, at 39-40)
Chief court reporter Sheila A. Dougherty (“Dougherty”), Kent County Superior Court. Dougherty is not mentioned in the body of the complaint. However, it is alleged that the transcript of a hearing held in the Superior Court on September 21, 2007 was falsified to change the character, scope and nature of the hearing. 17 In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff asserts that Dougherty’s actions fall under the definition of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1) which is considered “racketeering activity” under 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1). (D.I. 29, at 40)
III. STANDARDS OF REVIEW
A. Rule 12(b)(1)
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) authorizes dismissal of a complaint for lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, or if the plaintiff lacks standing to bring her claim. Motions brought under Rule 12(b)(1) may present either a facial or factual challenge to the court’s subject matter jurisdiction. In reviewing a facial challenge under Rule 12(b)(1), the stan
B. Rule 12(b)(6)
Rule 12(b)(6) permits a party to move to dismiss a complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6).
18
The court must accept all factual allegations in a complaint as true and take them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff.
Erickson v. Pardus,
A complaint does not need detailed factual allegations, however, “a plaintiffs obligation to provide the ‘grounds’ of his ‘entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.”
Id.
at 1965 (citations omitted). The “[flactual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level on the assumption that all of the allegations in the complaint are true (even if doubtful in fact).”
Id.
(citations omitted). Plaintiff is required to make a “showing” rather than a blanket assertion of an entitlement to relief.
Phillips v. County of Allegheny,
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Sur-Reply/Amendment
Plaintiff filed responses to the motions to dismiss and, in turn, the defendants filed their respective replies. Plaintiff then filed an amendment to her briefs in opposition to the defendants’ replies wherein she states that after considering the defendants’ responses and their correspondence she “would like to add [ ] crimi
Initially, the court notes that plaintiff did not seek leave to file the sur-reply. Also, it appears her real intent is to amend the complaint. As will be discussed, for a variety of reasons, the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Accordingly, the court will strike the “amendment” found at D.I. 40 as plaintiff did not seek leave to file a sur-reply and, if an amendment of the complaint is her true intent, said proposed amendments advance legally deficient claims and, thus, are futile.
Before discussing the pending motions, the court further notes that in her responses, plaintiff advances claims and theories not found in her complaint. More particularly, she advances claims utilizing criminal statutes 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 3, 246, and 1621, as well as 42 U.S.C. § 1985(2), a civil rights conspiracy statute. See n. 7, 8, 9,10,13, supra. The mere mention of new theories in her responses to the motions to dismiss does not automatically add those new theories to her complaint; they must be advanced in the pleadings. Accordingly, they will not be considered by the court.
B. Failure to State a Claim
The complaint alleges RICO violations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 242, 1506, 1512, and 1513, and asserts jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1512(h). Judicial defendants move for dismissal on the grounds that all of the statutory provisions cited by plaintiff are criminal and, because none of them provide for a private right of action, plaintiff lacks standing and the complaint must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. (D.I. 22, at 23) Plaintiff responds that she “filed her lawsuit under different sections of exclusively Title 18 of the United States Code that is entitled ‘Crimes and Criminal Procedure’; some of them under chapter 73 ‘Obstruction of Justice’, and some of them under chapter 13 ‘Civil Rights’ and some of them under Chapter 96 ‘Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization act’. Therefore, the entire legal argument ... is completely irrelevant and inapplicable to the analysis.” (D.I. 29, at 2-3) She states that the intentional, continuous, and systematic level of collusion and corruption reaches the level of criminal conspiracy, is an offense against the United States as defined in Title 18 of the United States Code. (Id. at 19) Plaintiff argues that “some of the actions of the judges, attorneys, and court reporters reach the level of obstruction of justice and racketeering activity as mentioned in 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512 and 1961.” (Id.)
Young Conaway moves for dismissal on the grounds that plaintiff failed to state a cause of action under RICO, failed to state a claim for obstruction of justice under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1506, 1512, and 1513, and failed to state a civil rights claim under 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 and 242 because the statutes do not provide for private rights of action. It also argues that the allegations against it cannot support any cause of áction. Plaintiff responds that the only claims raised against Young Conaway are abuse of service of process, conspiracy against rights, fraud, collusion, intimidation, and violations of Rules of Professional Conduct. (D.I. 60, at 1) She indicates that she does not raise a RICO claim or an obstruction
LMY moves for dismissal on basically the same grounds as Young Conaway. (D.I. 27, 28) Plaintiff responds that the basic claims against LMY and its attorney are based upon 18 U.S.C. §§ 3 and 241 and Bivens. 20 (D.I. 35, at 3) She acknowledges that violations of the rules of civil procedure and professional conduct do not provide a basis for liability, but contends that they are evidence of collusion between judges and attorneys in the conspiracy against her. Once again, plaintiff contends that res judicata and collateral estoppel are inapplicable to the present case. (Id.)
1. RICO
Plaintiff raises RICO claims against the defendants Judge Beauregard, court reporters Lavender and Dougherty, and LMY. 21 It may be that she intended to raise RICO claims against other judicial defendants, but that is not apparent from either the complaint or plaintiffs responses to the motions to dismiss.
While primarily a criminal statute, one provision of RICO offers a private right of action, providing that “[a]ny person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of section 1962 of this chapter [18 U.S.C. § 1962] may sue therefor in any appropriate court and shall recover threefold the damages he sustains and the cost of the suit.” 18 U.S.C. § 1964(c). Inasmuch as plaintiff proceeds pro se and her complaint does not set forth under which RICO statute she proceeds, the court liberally construes her claims as brought under 18 U.S.C. § 1964(c) and § 1962(c) and (d) as its underlying violations.
“[A] plaintiff may sue under § 1964(c) only if the alleged RICO violation was the proximate cause of the plaintiffs injury.”
Anza v. Ideal Steel Supply Corp.,
LMY argues that the RICO claim must fail because plaintiff has not sufficiently pled two predicate acts. It argues that none of the allegations against it fit the violations of criminal acts as identified in 18 U.S.C. § 1961 and, hence, cannot be considered “predicate acts.”
23
Plaintiff responds that the racketeering activity consists of the falsification of transcripts in three hearings (i.e., conduct) by a number of related judges, the attorney, court re
With regard to judicial defendants, plaintiff argues that violations that occurred during her second case (filed April 24, 2005) are clear indications of collusion that resulted in falsification of the transcript of the January 17, 2007 hearing and this qualifies as obstruction of justice pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1) and racketeering activity pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1). (D.I. 29, at 9-10) She also argues that racketeering activity took place when the Delaware Supreme Court denied her access to the tape of the January 17, 2007 hearing. (Id. at 12)
Plaintiff relies upon 18 U.S.C. § 1512 as the statute under which the predicate acts occurred.
25
The reach of the witness tampering statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1512, is limited to tampering that affects an official federal proceeding or investigation.
26
United States v. Bell,
Even assuming that plaintiff sufficiently alleged predicate acts by the defendants, she fails to allege a pattern of racketeering. To plead a pattern of racketeering activity, plaintiff must allege, not only that each defendant committed at least two acts of prohibited racketeering activity but also, that the predicate acts are related and that they amount to or pose a threat of continued criminal activity.
H.J. Inc. v. Northwestern Bell Tel. Co.,
The allegations in the complaint cover three distinct time-frames, from June 28, 2005 when the first case was filed, through May 21, 2007 when the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari; from April 24, 2005 when the second case was filed, through September 21, 2007 when the case was appealed to the Superior Court; and
For the above reasons, the court will dismiss the RICO claims for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
2. Criminal Statutes
As discussed below, plaintiff also purports to raise civil claims under criminal statutes. Notably, none of the criminal statutes upon which plaintiff relies authorize a private cause of action. Additionally, the decision of whether to prosecute, and what criminal charges to bring, generally rests with the prosecutor.
See United States v. Batchelder,
a.18 U.S.C. § 241 and 242
Plaintiff alleges that defendants’ actions violated 18 U.S.C. §§ 241-242. These sections establish criminal liability for certain deprivations of civil rights and conspiracy to deprive civil rights.
Molina v. City of Lancaster,
b. 18 U.S.C. § 1506
Plaintiff also relies on criminal statute 18 U.S.C. § 1506, which provides the criminal penalties for theft or alteration of records or process or false bail in proceedings in any court of the United States. This statute was not intended to be used in civil litigation or as a basis for a private right of action.
Tani v. President/CEO, Salomon Bros. Realty Corp./Citigroup,
Civ. No. CCB-03-2566,
c. 18 U.S.C. § 1512
The complaint refers to § 1512 which criminalizes tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant. Plaintiff, however, has no private cause of action for the alleged violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512.
Joynes v. Meconi,
Civ. No. 05-332-GMS,
d. 18 U.S.C. § 1513
Section 1513 is the criminal statute for retaliation against a witness, victim, or an informant. A private right of action is not recognized under this criminal statute.
See Walsh v. United States,
Civ. No. 05-CV-818,
3. Rules of Professional Conduct/Rules of Civil Procedure
The complaint alleges that Young Conaway and LMY violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. 27 Plaintiff acknowledges that violations of the rules of civil procedure and professional conduct do not provide a basis for civil liability, but claims they are evidence of collusion between the judges and LMY’s attorney in “their conspiracy against [plaintiffs] rights and ‘accessory after the fact.’ ” (D.I. 35, at 3)
The Delaware Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct do not create a basis for civil liability.
Marino v. Richards Layton & Finger,
Although not addressed by Delaware courts, other state courts have determined that alleged violations of state rules of civil procedure do not create a basis for civil liability.
See Douglas v. Anson Fin., Inc.,
Civ. No. 2-05-283-CV,
Based upon the foregoing, the court will grant the motions to dismiss to the extent that plaintiff raises claims for violations of rules of civil procedure and/or professional conduct, as they fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
4. Conclusory Allegations
The complaint speculates that there were ex parte communications between Judge Young and Young Conaway’s attorney and claims collusion resulted in the court’s decision against plaintiff. It also contains conclusory statements of collusion and ex parte communications among LMY attorney Morris and numerous Delaware judges.
Plaintiffs complaint is rife with conclusory allegations. “While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need detailed factual allegations, a plaintiffs obligation to provide the grounds of his entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.”
Twombly,
C. 42 U.S.C. § 1983/Bivens Claims
To the extent that plaintiff raises civil rights claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and/or
Bivens,
said claims cannot lie.
28
To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege “the violation of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States and must show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law.”
West v. Atkins,
With regard to any potential § 1983 claim as to judicial defendants and the court reporters, said claims are barred by
Will v. Michigan Dep’t of State Police,
Additionally, judicial defendants contend that the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution bars suit in federal court for relief against a State by a private citizen absent the State’s consent or specific Congressional abrogation of the immunity.
See Seminole Tribe of Fla. v. Florida,
For the above reasons, the court will grant the motions to dismiss the § 1983 and Bivens claims.
D. Judicial Immunity
Judicial defendants move for dismissal on the grounds of absolute judicial immunity. Plaintiff argues that judicial defendants lost their absolute immunity because of the “criminality of their actions.” (D.I. 29, at 19)
Judicial immunity is immunity from suit, not just from ultimate assessment of damages.
Mireles v. Waco,
Whether an act is judicial depends upon: (1) whether it is a function normally performed by a judge; and (2) the expectation of the parties (i.e., whether the parties dealt with the judge in his or her judicial capacity).
Stump,
Immunity applies if the judge is acting as part of an alleged conspiracy.
Dennis v. Sparks,
The allegations in the complaint indicate that all judicial defendants were performing the normal functions of a judicial officer and had jurisdiction over the matters over which he or she presided. Plaintiff takes exception to the handling of her
E. Quasi-Judicial Immunity
As previously noted, the body of the complaint does not mention court reporters Lavender and Dougherty by name. The complaint alleges, however, that transcripts were modified to change the nature of claims and the scope and character of proceedings, and falsified to change the essence of witness’ and plaintiffs’ testimonies, and attorneys’ closing words. Presumably these allegations are directed towards Lavender and Dougherty. In her response to judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff “charges” that Lavender, who prepared a December 21, 2005 transcript from the first case and a January 17, 2007 transcript from the second case, modified the transcripts and said acts amounted to obstruction of justice pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(1). 30 (D.I. 29 at 39^0) Plaintiffs response also “charges” that Dougherty, who prepared a transcript of a September 21, 2007 hearing in the second case, under the same statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1), changed or rearranged the “entire material of proceedings.” (Id. at 40)
In addition to their other grounds for dismissal, judicial defendants move for dismissal of the claims against court reporters Lavender and Dougherty on the basis that they are entitled to “quasi-judicial immunity.” (D.I. 22, at 18) Judicial defendants argue that there are no allegations that Lavender and Dougherty were performing in any role other than their official capacities as court reporters. They point out that when plaintiff contested the accuracy of transcripts, the State Courts considered her objections and found them “groundless.” (D.I. 22, ex. A, E) Plaintiff argues that court reporters are not shielded against criminal charges in tampering with testimonies or unauthorized modifications of court proceedings. (D.I. 29, at 2)
While court reporters are not entitled to absolute judicial immunity simply by virtue of their position,
Antoine v. Byers & Anderson, Inc.,
It is evident that Lavender and Dougherty were acting in their official capacities as court reporters.
See Martin v. Kline,
F. Rooker-Feldman Doctrine
Judicial defendants contend that plaintiffs claims are barred by the Rooker-Feldman Doctrine. 31 They argue that the essence of plaintiffs claims is that judicial defendants in the Delaware Courts have ruled against her. Plaintiff did not respond to this portion of judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Federal district courts are courts of original jurisdiction and have no authority to review final judgments of a state court in judicial proceedings.
Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co.,
The
Rooker-Feldman
doctrine bars plaintiffs claims against Magistrate Darling, Judge Trader, Judge Beauregard, Judge Young, Judge Witham, Justice Jacobs, Justice Berger, Justice Ridgely, Chief Justice Steele, Lavender, and Dougherty. Plaintiffs claims, while raised as criminal claims and civil rights claims, are that during the state court proceedings she was precluded from questioning a witness, denied the right to present evidence, ruled against, and that defendants held ex parte hearings, covered up violations of the judiciary during her court cases, modified, changed or mishandled court transcripts, and generally denied her the right to a fair trial. Because a ruling that plaintiffs constitutional rights were violated based on rulings by the judiciary and actions by the court reporters would require this court to find that the state court judgments were erroneous, the
Rooker-Feldman
doctrine bars plaintiffs claims against Magistrate Darling, Judge Trader, Judge Beauregard, Judge Young, Judge Witham, Justice Jacobs, Justice Berger, Justice Ridgely, Chief Justice Steele, Lavender, and Dougherty.
32
See Marran v. Marran,
G. Res Judicata/Collateral Estoppel
Young Conaway moves for dismissal of plaintiffs claim regarding inadequate notice of the January 19, 2007 hearing on the basis that it is barred by collateral estoppel. In ruling on .the issue, the Delaware Supreme Court stated that “[d]espite [plaintiffs] contention to the contrary, the record reflects that [the] motion was properly noticed on December 21, 2006 with a hearing date scheduled for January 19, 2007.”
Shahin v. Delaware Fed. Credit Union,
No. 93, 2007,
LMY argues that collateral estoppel and res judicata applied by the time plaintiff filed her third case, Civ. No. 06A-01-004, and refers to rulings in the Delaware Superior Court and Supreme Court. At the Superior Court level, an opinion issued stating that plaintiffs claims were barred by the doctrine of res judicata and otherwise failed to state any legally cognizable claim for relief.
Shahin v. Delaware Fed. Credit Union,
Plaintiff responds that the case has attributes of fraud, collusion, and violations of constitutional rights and, therefore, res judicata and collateral estoppel are inapplicable. (D.I. 35, at 3; D.I. 60, at 2)
Under the doctrine of res judicata (referred to now as claim preclusion), a judgment in a prior suit involving the same parties, or parties in privity with them, bars a subsequent suit on the same cause of action.
Fairbank’s Capital Corp. v. Milligan,
Collateral estoppel, also known as issue preclusion, refers to the preclusive effect of a judgment on the merits of an issue that was previously litigated or that could have been litigated.
Fairbank’s Capital Corp. v. Milligan,
Plaintiff is barred under the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel to relitigate claims previously resolved in the Delaware state courts.
See Burlington N.R.R. Co. v. Hyundai Merck. Marine Co., Ltd.,
H. Supplemental State Claims
Because the complaint fails to state a federal claim, the court declines to exercise jurisdiction over any supplemental state law claims plaintiff raises. 28 U.S.C. § 1367;
De Asencio v. Tyson Foods, Inc.,
Y. RECUSAL
Plaintiff expresses her “strong belief’ that the former judge assigned to this case should recuse himself from this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(1) because he “denied the plaintiff the benefits of the Delaware Constitution in case 06-289-GMS,” and in “case 07-373-GMS ... [he] dismissed the case.” (D.I. 29, at 41) At the time plaintiff requested recusal, the case was assigned to Chief District Court Judge Gregory M. Sleet. The case has since been reassigned to the undersigned. Accordingly, the request for recusal will be denied as moot. The court will deny plaintiffs request for a three-judge district court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2284.
For the above reasons, the court will grant judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss, will grant Young Conaway’s motion to dismiss, and will grant LMY’s motion to dismiss. (D.I. 22, 23, 27) The court will decline to exercise jurisdiction over any supplemental state claims. Plaintiffs amendments in her brief will be stricken. The court will deny as moot the remaining pending motions. (D.I. 25, 34, 39, 52) Plaintiffs request for recusal will be denied as moot and her request for a three-judge court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2284 will be denied. An appropriate order will be entered.
ORDER
NOW THEREFORE, at Wilmington this 31st day of March, 2009, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Judicial defendants’ motion to dismiss is granted. (D.I. 22)
2. Defendant Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP’s motion to dismiss is granted. (D.I. 23)
3. Defendant Liguori Morris & Yiengst’s motion to dismiss is granted. (D.I. 27)
4. Plaintiffs motions for sanctions are denied as frivolous and as moot. (D.I. 25, 34, 39, 52) Plaintiff is placed on notice that future frivolous Rule 11 motions may result in the imposition of sanctions and/or awarding attorneys fees to the responding party.
5. Plaintiffs amendments are stricken. (D.I. 40)
6. Plaintiffs request for recusal is denied as moot. (D.I. 29)
7. Plaintiffs request for a three-judge district court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2284 is denied. (D.I. 29)
8. The court declines to exercise jurisdiction over any supplemental state law claims.
9.The clerk of the court is directed to close the case.
Notes
. The complaint does not state under which RICO statute plaintiff proceeds. See 18 U.S.C. § 1961 etseq.
. The history of No. J0507004516 is as follows: Filed on June 28, 2005, in the Kent County Justice of the Peace Court # 16; appealed to the Kent County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 05-09-0074 AP; appealed to the Delaware Superior Court, Case No. 06A-01-004; appealed to the Delaware Supreme Court, No. 472, 2006, and petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, No. 06-1334, denied May 21, 2007.
. The history of No. J0506073516 is as follows: Filed on April 24, 2005; appealed to the Kent County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 05-10-0113 AP; appealed to the Delaware Superior Court, Case No. 07C-02-001 WLW.
. The history of No. 06C-10-027 RBY is as follows: Filed on October 20, 2006 in the Kent County Superior Court; appealed to the Delaware Supreme Court, No. 93, 2007, and petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, No. 08-676, denied January 26, 2008.
. The Delaware Supreme Court issued its opinion on June 9, 2008.
Shahin v. Del-One Del Fed. Credit Union,
. In the first Kent County Superior Court proceeding, the Shahins complained that Magistrate Darling acted improperly because the Shahins were not served with the answer
.The complaint makes no mention of 18 U.S.C. § 246. Moreover, there is no private right of action under § 246, a criminal statute.
Brett v. Aaronson,
Civ. No. 6:08CV556ORL-19KRS,
. The complaint makes no mention of accessories after the fact as limned in 18 U.S.C. § 3.
. The complaint makes no mention of principals as limned in 18 U.S.C. § 2.
. The complaint makes no mention of 42 U.S.C. § 1985(2), a civil rights conspiracy statute through obstruction of justice and/or intimidation of a party, witness, or juror.
. Misspelled in the complaint as ''Steel.”
. Chief Justice Steele is the Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court and, it appears, also presides over Court on the Judiciary of the State of Delaware when there are judiciary complaints. (See D.I. 29, ex. 8.)
. Plaintiff did not raise Bivens claims in her original complaint. She raises the claim in responses to defendants' motions to dismiss and Rule 11 motions filed against defendants claiming that defense counsel failed to disclose the applicability of Bivens. (D.I. 34, 35, 37, 39, 60) Plaintiff subsequently reversed her position on the Bivens claims, apologized to defense counsel, and appears to have withdrawn the Bivens claims. (D.I. 47)
. The complaint does not mention 18 U.S.C. § 1621(2). This criminal statute, which prescribes penalties for peijuiy committed in federal proceedings, does not provide plaintiff with a private cause of action.
Grajales v. Hutcheson,
Civ. No. 1:07-CV-1876,
. The Court of Common Pleas denied the Shahins’ request to review the tape of the December 21, 2005 hearing and submit corrections of the transcript errors. (D.I. 22, ex. A) The Shahins argued that the transcript contained mistakes, omissions, and unauthorized additions. (Id. at n. 3) The Shahins filed a similar motion in the Kent County Superior Court and, it too, denied the request. (Id. at 3)
. The Shahins filed a motion in the Court of Common Pleas to amend portions of the record from a January 17, 2007 hearing and to obtain access to the audiotape of the proceedings. (D.I. 29, ex. 12) The Shahins claimed there were errors in the transcript. The Court of Common Pleas denied the request and the Shahins appealed to the Kent County Superior Court. (D.I. 22, ex. E) The Shahins argued that the transcript amendments and audio tape would reveal ex parte communications and violations on the rule of witnesses. (Id. at 4) The Superior Court found that the lower court's decision was supported by sufficient evidence and denied their motion. (Id. at 6)
. The hearing concerned the issue of the January 17, 2007 transcript. (D.I. 22, ex. E)
. "In deciding motions to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), courts generally consider only the allegations in the complaint, exhibits attached to the complaint, matters of public record, and documents that form the basis of a claim.”
Lum v. Bank of Am.,
. Plaintiff subsequently withdrew her Bivens claims. See n. 12, supra.
. Plaintiff subsequently withdrew her Bivens claims. See n. 12, supra.
. As will be discussed, Judge Beauregard has absolute judicial immunity from suit.
. "Racketeering activity” means ... (B) any act which is indictable under any of the following provisions of title 18, United States Code: ... section 1512 (relating to tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant), section 1513 (relating to retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant).... 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1).
.LMY discusses 18 U.S.C. § 1503 in its motion to dismiss. The statute is not mentioned in the complaint and plaintiff states that it does not apply to her case. (D.I. 35, at 6)
. Plaintiff states that 18 U.S.C. § 1513 is irrelevant as to the claims against LMY’s attorney Morris. (D.I. 35, at 10)
. In essence, § 1512 proscribes using physical force, threats, or persuasion to tamper with a witness in an "official proceeding” or to hinder, delay or prevent the communication to a law enforcement official or federal judge of information relating to the possible commission of a federal offense. See 18 U.S.C. § 1512.
.An "official proceeding” is defined as, "a proceeding before a judge or court of the United States, a United States magistrate judge, a bankruptcy judge, a judge of the United States Tax Court, a special trial judge of the Tax Court, a judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims, or a Federal grand jury.” 18 U.S.C. § 1515(a)(1)(A).
. Young Conaway construes the allegations as violations of the Delaware Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. (D.I. 24, at 10).
. As mentioned numerous times, plaintiff withdrew her Bivens claims. See n. 12, supra.
. Plaintiff, while proceeding pro se and having been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis, filed a complaint similar to this one, alleging that her constitutional rights were violated by the State of Delaware and its judiciary.
Shahin v. Delaware,
Civ No. 07-373-GMS (D.Del. Nov. 14, 2007). The complaint was dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) on the basis that the State was immune from suit and that amendment was futile. The memorandum explained that while plaintiff had not named any members of the Delaware judiciary, any claims for monetary damages for actions undertaken in their judicial capacity would be absolutely barred by judicial immunity. Plaintiff appealed, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit dismissed plaintiff’s appeal of the dismissal order stating that there was "no arguable basis to challenge the District Court’s ruling.”
Shahin v. Delaware,
. The court has previously determined that there is no private cause of action under 18 U.S.C. § 1512.
. The
Rooker-Feldman
doctrine refers to principles set forth by the Supreme Court in
Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co.,
. As to the second case that is currently pending before the Superior Court, there may be claims that fall under the
Younger
abstention doctrine.
Middlesex County Ethics Comm. v. Garden State Bar Ass’n,
