The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
GAINESVILLE DIVISION
PAUL DONOVAN WALDE,
Plaintiff,
v. Case No. 1:21-cv-124-AW-GRJ
WARREN BROWN and
LEAH HAYES,
Defendants.
_______________________________/
ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
AND DISMISSING CLAIMS WITH PREJUDICE
This case is back before me on a second motion to dismiss. This is a § 1983
case, in which Plaintiff Paul Donovan Walde alleges that the defendants—two
Gainesville Police Department Officers—wrongfully arrested him. Earlier, I
adopted the magistrate judge’s first Report and Recommendation, granted
defendants’ motion to dismiss, and gave Walde leave to amend. ECF No. 22. The
officers again moved to dismiss, the magistrate judge again recommends dismissal,
and I again agree with the magistrate judge.
I have considered de novo Walde’s objections, ECF No. 26, which I overrule.
As the officers and the magistrate judge correctly set out, Walde has not alleged facts
to support a claim. In response, Walde contends he could better frame his complaint
if he had access to discovery, which he has unsuccessfully sought. But Walde’s
speculation about what discovery might show does not provide a basis to deny the
motion to dismiss. Because Walde has not stated a claim, he is not entitled to
discovery. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 686 (2009).
Walde provided some additional facts in his objections. The problem, of
course, is that he has not pleaded sufficient facts, and he cannot cure that by adding
facts through his objections. But even if the facts in his objections were in his
complaint, the result would be the same: Walde has not stated a claim.
Last, I decline to stay the matter pending mediation, notwithstanding Walde’s
request. Defendants are entitled to dismissal. And because Walde has already been
afforded an opportunity to amend, this dismissal will be with prejudice.
The Report and Recommendation (ECF No. 25) is ADOPTED and
incorporated into this order. The motion to dismiss (ECF No. 23) is GRANTED, and
Walde’s claims are dismissed with prejudice. The clerk will enter a judgment that
says, “Plaintiff’s claims are dismissed with prejudice for failure to state a claim.”
The clerk will then close the file.
SO ORDERED on July 11, 2022.
s/ Allen Winsor
United States District Judge