Federal Circuits, 6th Cir. (January 08, 1990)
Docket number: 89-1907
Permanent Link:
http://vlex.com/vid/bement-rushton-mulligan-maj-admissions-37292594
Id. vLex: VLEX-37292594
Click here to download this article in graphic format (Acrobat Reader)

US Code - Title 28: Judiciary and Judicial Procedure - 28 USC 2680 - Sec. 2680. Exceptions
US Code - Title 28: Judiciary and Judicial Procedure - 28 USC 2671 - Sec. 2671. Definitions
U.S. Code - Title 10: Armed Forces - 10 USC 4331 - Sec. 4331. Establishment; Superintendent; faculty
U.S. Supreme Court - Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971)
Before KEITH and KENNEDY, Circuit Judges, and JOHN W. PECK, Senior Circuit Judge.
ORDERThis case has been referred to a panel of the court pursuant to Rule 9(a), Rules of the Sixth Circuit. Upon examination of the briefs and record, this panel unanimously agrees that oral argument is not needed. Fed.R.App.P. 34(a).David Fountain, a pro se Michigan resident, appeals from the district court's dismissal of his complaint filed pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2671, et seq., and the doctrine of Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).Seeking monetary and injunctive relief, Fountain sued the United States Military Academy (West Point) alleging that the Academy negligently mishandled his application to the class of 1992, resulting in defamation (libel), infringement of his first amendment right to free exercise of religion, and deprivation of his "domestic tranquility."Following the district court's dismissal of his complaint, Fountain filed a timely appeal. Subsequently, Fountain has also filed motions seeking to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal, to compel discovery, to supplement his complaint, and to submit additional evidence.Upon review, we conclude that the district court's judgment should be affirmed; the motion for in forma pauperis status on appeal should be granted; and the motions to compel discovery, to supplement the complaint, and to submit additional evidence should be denied.The district court properly concluded that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction over Fountain's "common law" tort claims of defamation (libel) and negligence. Fountain's claims of defamation (libel) and negligence were brought pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2671, et seq. However, because Fountain's "common law" tort claims fall within the exceptions enumerated in 28 U.S.C. 2680, the claims are barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Diminnie v. United States, 728 F.2d 301, 303 (6th Cir.), cert. denied,Try vLex for FREE for 3 days
Access legal information from United States including:
Try vLex without any commitment for 3 days and see why you need it.
3
days of Free Access