Tuleta v. Med. Mut. of Ohio , 2014 Ohio 930 ( 2014 )

[Cite as Tuleta v. Med. Mut. of Ohio, 2014-Ohio-930.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 100032
ANTHONY TULETA, ET AL.
PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS
vs.
MEDICAL MUTUAL OF OHIO, ET AL.
DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES
JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED
Civil Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CV-793800
BEFORE: Blackmon, J., Boyle, A.J., and E.A. Gallagher, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: March 13, 2014
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS
Henry W. Chamberlain
Chamberlain Law Firm Co., L.P.A.
36368 Detroit Road, Suite A
Avon, Ohio 44011
David A. Hamamey, II
Hamamey Law Firm, L.L.C.
P.O. Box 30543
Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130
John J. Sheehan, Jr.
Sheehan Law
503 East 200th Street
Euclid, Ohio 44119
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES
For city of Cleveland and Michael McGrath
Barbara A. Langhenry
Director of Law
William M. Menzalora
Chief Assistant
Department of Law
Cleveland City Hall
Alejandro V. Cortes
Assistant Director of Law
City of Cleveland - Law Department
601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 106
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
For Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, William D.
Mason, James Gutierrez, and Mary McGrath
Timothy J. McGinty
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor
Brian R. Gutkoski
John F. Manley
Assistant County Prosecutors
Justice Center, 8th Floor
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
For Medical Mutual of Ohio
Lindsey A. Carr
Christopher G. Keim
Frantz Ward L.L.P.
2500 Key Center
127 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J.:
{¶1} In this companion appeal, appellants Anthony Tuleta, et al. (“Tuleta”),
appeal the trial court’s dismissal of his complaint and assigns the following errors for our
review:
I. The trial court erred in determining defendants James Gutierrez, Mary H.
McGrath and William D. Mason had absolute immunity on appellants’
claims.
II. The trial court erred in determining defendants James Gutierrez, Mary H.
McGrath and William D. Mason, were statutorily immune to all of
appellants’ claims.
{¶2} Having reviewed the record and pertinent law, we affirm the trial court’s
decision. The apposite facts follow.
{¶3} In 2009, the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury indicted Tuleta on numerous
counts of drug possession and one count of aggravated theft. The indictment and bill of
particulars provided that the dates of the alleged offenses occurred between the years of
2003 and 2007.
{¶4} The trial court denied Tuleta’s motion to dismiss the indictment and the
matter proceeded to a jury trial. Tuleta was found guilty of all charges. The trial court
sentenced Tuleta to one year in prison and five years community control sanctions, but
stayed the sentence pending his direct appeal.
{¶5} In his direct appeal, Tuleta argued, among other things, that the trial court
erred in denying his pretrial motions to dismiss and his Crim.R. 29(A) motion for
judgment of acquittal because a licensed physician prescribed the controlled substances
he allegedly possessed, and therefore the exception set forth in R.C. 2925.11(B)(4)
applied.
{¶6} In State v. Tuleta, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94992, 2011-Ohio-1923, we
vacated Tuleta’s convictions because we found that the facts and evidence adduced prior
to and at trial revealed that Tuleta was prescribed the controlled substances by a licensed
health professional authorized to prescribe drugs between January 2003 and April 2007.
As such, the exception set forth in R.C. 2925.11(B)(4) applied; consequently, no criminal
charge for drug possession existed against Tuleta.
{¶7} On October 18, 2012, Tuleta filed a complaint against Cuyahoga County,
Ohio, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office (the Prosecutor’s Office”), the former
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor William D. Mason (“Mason”), Assistant Cuyahoga County
Prosecutors James Gutierrez (“Gutierrez”), Mary H. McGrath (“McGrath”), the city of
Cleveland (“the City”), and the Chief of Police, Michael McGrath (“the Police Chief”).
Also named in the complaint was Medical Mutual of Ohio and its investigator, Bruce
Sieniawski (“Sieniawski”).
{¶8} Tuleta alleged several causes of action including malicious prosecution,
abuse of process, and breach of confidentiality, and/or inducing breach of confidentiality.
Tuleta also alleged causes of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress,
negligent infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium. On December 28,
2012, claiming absolute and statutory immunity, Cuyahoga County, the Cuyahoga County
Prosecutor’s Office, Mason, Gutierrez, and McGrath filed their motion to dismiss. On
December 31, 2012, also claiming absolute and statutory immunity, the City and the
Police Chief filed their motion to dismiss.
{¶9} On May 29, 2013, the trial court granted the motions of Cuyahoga County,
the Prosecutor’s Office, Mason, Gutierrez, and McGrath on the grounds that they were all
entitled to absolute immunity. The trial court also granted the City’s motion on the
grounds that they were entitled to statutory immunity.
{¶10} The trial court denied the Police Chief’s motion on the grounds that even
though a political subdivision is immune from liability, that municipality’s employee
could still be individually liable for an intentional tort when malice or wanton or reckless
behavior is alleged. The trial court reasoned that the Police Chief could be liable for at
least one count.
{¶11} In Tuleta v. Med. Mut. of Ohio, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100050,
2014-Ohio-396, we reversed the trial court’s decision denying the Police Chief’s motion
to dismiss. We concluded Tuleta did not allege sufficient facts to state a claim of
malicious prosecution, to bypass immunity, under R.C. 2744.03(A)(6), or to rebut the
presumption that the indictment against him was issued with probable cause.
Motion to Dismiss
{¶12} In the first assigned error, Tuleta argues the trial court erred in ruling that
Gutierrez, McGrath, and Mason were clothed with absolute immunity on all of his claims.
{¶13} We review an order dismissing a complaint for failure to state a claim for
relief de novo. Tate v. Garfield Hts., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99099, 2013-Ohio-2204,
citing Perrysburg Twp. v. Rossford, 103 Ohio St.3d 79, 2004-Ohio-4362, 814 N.E.2d 44.
A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted is
procedural and tests the sufficiency of the complaint. Cleveland v. JP Morgan Chase
Bank, N.A., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98656, 2013-Ohio-1035, citing State ex rel. Hanson
v. Guernsey Cty. Bd. of Commrs., 65 Ohio St.3d 545, 1992-Ohio-73, 605 N.E.2d 378.
{¶14} It is well settled that when a party files a motion to dismiss for failure to
state a claim, all factual allegations of the complaint must be taken as true and all
reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the nonmoving party. FCR Project,
L.L.C. v. Canepa Media Solutions, Inc., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97845, 2013-Ohio-259,
citing Byrd v. Faber, 57 Ohio St.3d 56, 60, 565 N.E.2d 584 (1991).
{¶15} But “unsupported conclusions of a complaint are not considered admitted *
* * and are not sufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss.” U.S. Bank Natl. Assn. v.
Perry, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99608, 2013-Ohio-3814, citing State ex rel. Hickman v.
Capots, 45 Ohio St.3d 324, 324, 544 N.E.2d 639 (1989). For a defendant to prevail on the
motion, it must appear from the face of the complaint that the plaintiff can prove no set of
facts that would justify a court in granting relief. Id., citing O’Brien v. Univ. Comm.
Tenants Union, Inc., 42 Ohio St.2d 242, 245, 327 N.E.2d 753 (1975).
{¶16} Preliminarily, we note that although the trial court dismissed the complaint
against appellees Cuyahoga County, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the City, Tuleta did not
assign any errors relative to these parties. As such, we conclude Tuleta has abandoned
any arguments relative to the aforementioned appellees. See Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v.
Jarvis, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 08 CO 30, 2009-Ohio-3055; Loukinas v. Roto-Rooter
Servs. Co., 167 Ohio App.3d 559, 2006-Ohio-3172, 855 N.E.2d 1272 (1st Dist.);
Helman v. EPL Prolong, Inc., 139 Ohio App.3d 231, 240-241, 2000-Ohio-2593, 743
N.E.2d 484 (7th Dist.).
Absolute Immunity
{¶17} The absolute immunity defense has been recognized for only a few
executive officials “whose special functions or constitutional status requires complete
protection from suit.” Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 807, 102 S.Ct. 2727, 73
L.Ed.2d 396 (1982). In such cases, there are other checks to prevent abuses of authority
or provide redress. Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 522, 105 S.Ct. 2806, 86 L.Ed.2d
411 (1985).
{¶18} Absolute immunity has also been recognized as a defense for judges and
other participants in the judicial process who have taken action necessary to the judicial
process, even if the actions are done maliciously or in excess of the person’s judicial
authority, because the nature of the function involves controversy and the judicial officer
must be able to act without having to consider the negative reaction of an opposing party.
Id. at 522-525, and Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 430, 96 S.Ct. 984, 47 L.Ed.2d
128 (1976).
{¶19} The absolute immunity afforded to judges has also been extended to
administrative judicial officers. Butz v. Economou, 438 U.S. 478, 512-515, 98 S.Ct. 2894,
57 L.Ed.2d 895 (1978). Courts have extended absolute immunity to prosecutors, as
quasi-judicial officers, for claims arising out of their initiation of a prosecution and
advocating the state’s case. Imbler at 431 and Van de Kamp v. Goldstein, 555 U.S. 335,
342, 129 S.Ct. 855, 172 L.Ed.2d 706 (2009). Absolute immunity does not extend,
however, to a prosecutor engaged in essentially investigative or administrative functions.
{¶20} Consequently, we look at the prosecutor’s function and not his or her
identity. See Forrester v. White, 484 U.S. 219, 108 S.Ct. 538, 98 L.Ed.2d 555 (1988).
The Imbler-Forrester test made it clear that when the prosecutor is acting as an advocate,
he is immune from any liability. For example, presenting evidence to a grand jury is
advocacy.
{¶21} Prosecutors are entitled to absolute immunity from liability for damages for
the prosecutor’s appearance as a lawyer for the state in probable cause hearings in which
he examines witnesses and successfully supports applications for search warrants. See
Burns v. Reed, 500 U.S. 478, 111 S.Ct. 1934, 114 L.Ed.2d 547 (1991). In addition,
where relevant laws arguably provides a basis for a prosecutor’s claims against an
accused, regardless of the prosecutor’s motives, absolute prosecutorial immunity shields
the attorneys from liability for damages. See Shmueli v. New York, 424 F.3d 231 (2d Cir.
N.Y. 2005).
{¶22} While, in Buckley v. Fitzsimmons, 509 U.S. 259, 113 S.Ct. 2606, 125
L.Ed.2d 209 (1993), where a petitioner sought damages after prosecutors allegedly
fabricated evidence and made false statements at a press conference, the Supreme Court
held that the prosecutors were only entitled to qualified immunity. The Court found that
the alleged fabrication of evidence occurred before a special grand jury was empaneled
and petitioner was arrested. The Court also found that one prosecutor was not acting in
his role as an advocate for the state when he allegedly made false statements to the media
during a press conference. Thus, the Court held that the prosecutor was not entitled to
absolute immunity.
{¶23} Further, in Kalina v. Fletcher 522 U.S. 118, 118 S.Ct. 502, 139 L.Ed.2d 471(1997), the United States Supreme Court held that (1) a prosecutor’s conduct in making
allegedly false statements of fact in a certification for determination of probable cause is
not protected by the doctrine of absolute prosecutorial immunity, as the prosecutor, in
making such a certification, performs a function of a complaining witness rather than an
advocate; and (2) thus, 42 U.S.C. 1983 may, under some circumstances, provide a
damages remedy against such a prosecutor.
{¶24} Turning now to Tuleta’s complaint, he must aver that the prosecutors acted
beyond advocacy and allege facts that establish the functionality test in order to override
the prosecutor’s absolute immunity defense. After viewing Tuleta’s complaint, we
conclude that it is devoid of any facts that establish that the prosecutors Mason, Gutierrez,
and McGrath acted beyond advocacy or acted as investigators. Tuleta’s claims arose
from the prosecutor’s initiating the underlying case and advocating the state’s position.
Nowhere in the pleadings does Tuleta allege that the prosecutors engaged in any
investigative activities over and above that required to professionally evaluate the
evidence assembled by the police, and appropriately prepare for the presentation of that
evidence at trial or before the grand jury following their decision to seek an indictment.
{¶25} That being said, it is also well-settled that the duties of the prosecutor in his
or her role as advocate for the state involve actions preliminary to the initiation of a
prosecution and actions apart from the courtroom. Imbler. Thus, absolute immunity
extends to the preparation necessary to present a case, and part of that decision involves
an evaluation of the evidence present in each case. Brand v. Geissbuhler, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 70565, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 709 (Feb. 27, 1997).
{¶26} Applying all of the foregoing, we conclude that prosecutors Mason,
Gutierezz, and McGrath are all entitled to absolute immunity in this matter because the
claims arose from their protected rules as prosecutors. Accordingly, we overrule the first
assigned error.
Statutory Immunity
{¶27} In the second assigned error, Tuleta argues the trial court erred when it
determined that prosecutors Mason, Gutierrez, and McGrath were entitled to statutory
immunity.
{¶28} Pursuant to R.C. 2744.03(A)(7),
The political subdivision, and an employee who is a county prosecuting
attorney, city director of law, village solicitor, or similar chief legal officer
of a political subdivision, an assistant of any such person, or a judge of a
court of this state is entitled to any defense or immunity available at
common law or established by the Revised Code.
{¶29} As discussed in the first assigned error, it is well-settled common law that
prosecutors enjoy absolute immunity from suit for acts committed in their roles as judicial
officers. Thus, R.C. 2744.03(A)(7) preserves the absolute immunity available to
prosecutors at common law. See Jopek v. Cleveland, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 93793,
2010-Ohio-2356. As such, the trial court did not err when it dismissed Tuleta’s
complaint based also on statutory immunity. Accordingly, we overrule the second
assigned error.
{¶30} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellees recover from appellants their costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to said court to carry this judgment into
execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, JUDGE
MARY J. BOYLE, A. J., and
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR