(PS) Rogers v. County of Sacramento

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

10

11 PAULA CARRIE ROGERS, No. 2:24-cv-00475-TLN-CKD (PS)

12 Plaintiff,

13 v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

14 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO, et al., (ECF No. 53)

15 Defendants.

16

17

18 Plaintiff Paula Carrie Rogers paid the filing fee and filed this civil action without counsel.

19 This matter is before the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule

20 302(c)(21).

21 Presently before the Court is defendants City of Elk Grove, Bobby Davis, Tina Durham,

22 and Tisha Smith’s (“City defendants”) motion to dismiss plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint

23 (“FAC”). (ECF No. 53.) Because plaintiff failed to timely file an opposition, the Court vacated

24 the hearing set for May 21, 2025, pursuant to Local Rule 230(c). (ECF No. 55.) Plaintiff filed an

25 opposition on April 29, 2025 (ECF No. 56) and defendants filed a reply (ECF No. 57).

26 In the FAC, plaintiff alleges defendants discriminated against her in violation of federal

27 and state laws during a traffic stop because of her race. Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), defendants

28 move the Court for an order dismissing the complaint. For the reasons set forth below,

1 defendants’ motion to dismiss should be granted without leave to amend.

2 I. Procedural Background

3 Plaintiff filed a complaint on February 15, 2024, and paid the filing fee. (ECF No. 1.)

4 The complaint named five defendants: the County of Sacramento; the City of Elk Grove1; Bobby

5 Davis, Chief of Police; Detective Tina Durham; and Officer Tisha Smith. On March 18, 2024,

6 the City defendants and the County defendant each moved to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint for

7 failure to state a claim. (ECF Nos. 8, 10.)

8 On December 20, 2024, the undersigned issued findings and recommendations (ECF No.

9 45), which were adopted in part by the District Judge (ECF No. 50). The County of Sacramento’s

10 motion to dismiss was granted and claims against the County were dismissed without leave to

11 amend. (ECF No. 50 at 3.) The City defendants’ motion to dismiss was granted in part and

12 denied in part. (Id.) The City defendants’ motion was denied as to Plaintiff’s Fourth Amendment

13 and California Constitution article I, § 13 claims for unreasonable search and seizure of her

14 vehicle. (Id. at 3-4.) The motion was granted without leave to amend as to defendant Davis (id. at

15 4) and granted with leave to amend as to defendants Smith and the City of Elk Grove (id.). The

16 motion was granted with leave to amend as to the following claims: Title VI (42 U.S.C.

17 § 2000d); 42 U.S.C. § 1986; 42 U.S.C. § 1981; the Bane Act; the California Government Code

18 §§ 11135 and 11139; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and negligent infliction of

19 emotional distress. (Id.) The motion was granted without leave to amend as to the following

20

1 Plaintiff names the City of Elk Grove on the cover of her FAC as a defendant, however the

21 body of the complaint discusses allegations against the Elk Grove Police Department. (See, e.g.,

ECF No. 52 at 4.) The City defendants acknowledge this and state that the City of Elk Grove and

22

the Elk Grove Police Department should be treated as one and the same for purposes of the FAC.

23 (ECF No. 53 at 8.) Because the police department is considered an entity of the city, the City of

Elk Grove is an appropriate defendant in this case. See Gunn v. Stanton Correctional Facility,

24 2021 WL 1402141, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 4, 2021); Cantu v. Kings County, 2021 WL 411111, at *

1 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 5. 2021) (recognizing split within district courts regarding whether naming a

25

sheriff’s department is redundant or duplicative of the municipal entity; but finding that weight of

authority finds that claims against a municipality and its respective police departments are treated

26

as claims against the municipality and not subject to suit under 1983); see also Kamath v. United

27 States Dep’t of Homeland Security, 2024 WL 1077328, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 12, 2024) (agreeing

to substituting the city and county in place of the police department as a defendant where plaintiff

28 did not object).

1 claims: the initial traffic stop component of plaintiff’s Fourth Amendment claim; the Equal

2 Protection claim under the Fourteenth Amendment; the California Constitution, article I, 7(a)

3 claim; the Commerce Clause claim; the Privileges and Immunities Clause claim; the Omnibus

4 Crime Control and Safe Street Acts of 1968 claim; and the Declaratory Relief claim. (Id.)

5 On March 10, 2025, plaintiff filed the FAC. (ECF No. 52.) On March 31, 2025, the City

6 defendants filed a motion to dismiss (ECF No. 53), which is fully briefed (ECF Nos. 56, 57).

7 II. Motion to Dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6)

8 Dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) may be warranted for “the lack of a cognizable legal theory

9 or the absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory.” Balistreri v. Pacifica

10 Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). In evaluating whether a complaint states a claim

11 on which relief may be granted, the court accepts as true the allegations in the complaint and

12 construes the allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Hishon v. King & Spalding,

13 467 U.S. 69, 73 (1984); Love v. United States, 915 F.2d 1242, 1245 (9th Cir. 1989).

14 “[R]ecitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements,

15 do not suffice” to state a valid claim for relief. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). A

16 complaint must do more than allege mere “labels and conclusions” or “a formulaic recitation of

17 the elements of a cause of action.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). In

18 order to state a valid claim for relief, a plaintiff must allege “enough facts to state a claim to relief

19 that is plausible on its face.” Id. at 570. A claim that is plausible on its face has sufficient factual

20 content to allow a reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.

21 Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. This plausibility standard “asks for more than a sheer possibility that a

22 defendant has acted unlawfully.” Id.

23 The court must construe a pro se pleading liberally to determine if it states a claim and,

24 prior to dismissal, tell a plaintiff of deficiencies in her complaint and give plaintiff an opportunity

25 to cure them if it appears at all possible that the plaintiff can correct the defect. See Lopez v.

26 Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130-31 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc); accord Balistreri, 901 F.2d at 699

27 (stating that “pro se pleadings are liberally construed, particularly where civil rights claims are

28 involved”); see also Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 & n.7 (9th Cir. 2010) (stating that courts

1 continue to construe pro se filings liberally even when evaluating them under the standard

2 announced in Iqbal). Nevertheless, courts are not required to accept as true allegations that are

3 merely conclusory, unwarranted deductions of fact, or unreasonable inferences. Sprewell v.

4 Golden State Warriors, 266 F.3d 979, 988 (9th Cir. 2001).

5 III. Discussion

6 A. Allegations in the First Amended Complaint

7 Plaintiff brings the FAC against the City of Elk Grove, Bobby Davis, Tisha Smith, Tina

8 Durham, and Does 1-100 only. (ECF No. 52 at 1, 6.) Plaintiff makes general allegations that the

9 Elk Grove Police Department engages in and condones “a continuing pattern and practice of race-

10 based stops, detentions and searches of African-American motorists traveling on the public streets

11 of Elk Grove in the State of California.” (Id. ¶ 1.) She alleges that the Elk Grove Police

12 Department has “long relied upon race and ethnicity in conducting stops, detentions,

13 interrogations and searches of motorists.” (Id. ¶ 17.) She states that police officers “constantly

14 pull over cars driven by African-Americans, for certain traffic violations, but rarely pull over

15 white drivers for the same violations.” (Id. ¶ 18.) Plaintiff alleges that Elk Grove Police

16 Department “policy permits officers to detain a motorist during any traffic stop for the purpose of

17 conducting a search” even without probable cause. (Id. ¶ 20.) Plaintiff claims that defendant City

18 of Elk Grove and Elk Grove Police Department supervisors “have been aware [Elk Grove Police

19 Department] officers are engaging in racial profiling, yet have failed and refused to stop it,

20 thereby showing deliberate indifference to the rights of African-American motorists.” (Id. ¶ 24.)

21 Specifically, plaintiff alleges that on July 17, 2023, she was stopped and detained by

22 defendant Durham for alleged traffic violations. (Id. ¶ 23.) Plaintiff states that defendant Durham

23 did not obtain a warrant before searching and impounding her vehicle. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that

24 she was racially profiled by defendant Durham, whom she alleges was “observing traffic during

25 the day when the racial identity of a driver is more easily identified.” (Id. at 8.) Plaintiff states

26 that defendant Smith failed to intervene in the search and seizure of plaintiff’s vehicle. (Id.)

27 The only mention plaintiff makes about defendant Davis is that he is sued in his official

28 capacity. (Id. ¶ 16.)

1 Plaintiff alleges nine different federal and state claims: (1) “Violation of Title VI of the

2 Civil Rights Act of 1964” and 42 U.S.C. § 1983; (2) violation of the Fourth Amendment and

3 § 1983; (3) violation of 42 U.S.C. §1981; (4) violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1986; (5) violation of

4 California Government Code sections 11135 and 11139; (6) violation of the California

5 Constitution Article 1, § 13; (7) violation of California Civil Code section 52.1(b); (8) intentional

6 infliction of emotional distress; and (9) negligent infliction of emotional distress. (Id. at 10-18.)

7 Plaintiff seeks an injunction and damages. (Id. at 18-20.)

8 B. Defendant Davis

9 In the City defendants’ motion to dismiss, they argue that plaintiff improperly names

10 defendant Davis in the FAC when defendant Davis was already dismissed without leave to

11 amend. (ECF No. 53 at 11-12.) The Court already granted dismissal of defendant Davis without

12 leave to amend. (ECF No. 45 at 11; ECF No. 50 at 4.)

13 C. Defendant Smith

14 The City defendants argue that plaintiff’s attempt to allege that defendant Smith failed to

15 intervene in her fellow officer’s alleged violation of plaintiff’s constitutional rights fails because

16 plaintiff has not pled sufficient facts to support a failure to intervene claim. (ECF No. 53 at 12-

17 13.)

18 Plaintiff fails to state a claim against defendant Smith on the facts alleged. Plaintiff states

19 that defendant Smith “failed to intervene in search and seizure of vehicle having knowledge of the

20 wrongs conspired and committed by [defendant] Durham.” (ECF No. 52 ¶ 23.) Plaintiff further

21 alleges that defendant Smith “having power to prevent or aid in preventing the commission of the

22 same, neglected or refused to do so.” (Id.)

23 Plaintiff has failed to allege specific facts against defendant Smith to state a claim. She

24 does not explain how defendant Smith was involved in the traffic stop or what actions she took.

25 Plaintiff’s conclusory allegations that defendant Smith could have prevented defendant Durham’s

26 actions is not enough to state a claim. Accordingly, plaintiff’s claims against defendant Smith

27 should be dismissed.

28 /////

1 D. Defendant City of Elk Grove

2 a. Claim 2: Monell Liability

3 The City defendants move to dismiss plaintiff’s § 1983 claims against the City of Elk

4 Grove because the complaint does not satisfy the Monell doctrine.2 (ECF No. 53 at 13-14.)

5 While plaintiff does not specifically include the City of Elk Grove in the second claim, plaintiff

6 makes allegations about the City of Elk Grove’s policies and practices. Reading plaintiff’s

7 complaint liberally, the Court interprets the FAC as asserting claims against the City of Elk Grove

8 under Monell. Plaintiff alleges that the policy of the Elk Grove Police Department “permits

9 officers to detain a motorist during any traffic stop for the purpose of conducting a search” even

10 though “the officers have no probable cause, or even reasonable suspicion, that the motorists are

11 carrying illegal drugs or engaged in any criminal activity.” (ECF No. 1 ¶ 19.) Plaintiff further

12 asserts that “all Defendants and [Elk Grove Police Department] supervisors and management”

13 condone and encourage the search practices. (Id. ¶ 20.) Plaintiff also alleges that Defendants

14 generally “institute, authorize, tolerate, ratify permit and acquiesce in policies, practices and

15 customs of detentions, interrogations, searches and seizures without probable cause.” (Id. ¶ 43.)

16 Plaintiff asserts that the City of Elk Grove and Elk Grove Police Department supervisors “have

17 been aware [Elk Grove Police Department] officers are engaging in racial profiling, yet have

18 failed and refused to stop it, thereby showing deliberate indifference to the rights of African-

19 American motorists.” (Id. ¶ 24.)

20 Under Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. Of City of New York, 436 U.S. 658 (1978), “[a]

21 government entity may not be held liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, unless a policy, practice, or

22 custom of the entity can be shown to be a moving force behind a violation of constitutional

23 rights.” Dougherty v. City of Covina, 654 F.3d 892, 900 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing Monell, 436 U.S.

24 at 694). “[A] policy is ‘a deliberate choice to follow a course of action . . . made from among

25 various alternatives by the official or officials responsible for establishing final policy with

26 respect to the subject matter in question.’” Oviatt By and Through Waugh v. Pearce, 954 F.2d

27

2 Plaintiff includes § 1983 in the first claim, but this claim is substantively only about 42 U.S.C.

28 § 2000d. The Court will analyze plaintiff’s second claim under § 1983.

1 1470, 1477 (9th Cir. 1992) (quoting Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483 (1986)).

2 “A ‘custom’ for purposes of municipal liability is a ‘widespread practice that, although not

3 authorized by written law or express municipal policy, is so permanent and well-settled as to

4 constitute a custom or usage with the force of law.’” Young v. City of Visalia, 687 F. Supp. 2d

5 1141, 1147 (E.D. Cal. 2009) (quoting City of St. Louis v. Praprotnik, 485 U.S. 112, 127 (1988)).

6 “Liability for improper custom may not be predicated on isolated or sporadic incidents; it must be

7 founded upon practices of sufficient duration, frequency and consistency that the conduct has

8 become a traditional method of carrying out policy.” Trevino v. Gates, 99 F.3d 911, 918 (9th Cir.

9 1996). After establishing one of the methods of liability, “a plaintiff must also show that the

10 circumstance was (1) the cause in fact and (2) the proximate cause of the constitutional

11 deprivation.” Id.

12 Here, plaintiff was given the opportunity to amend her complaint as to the § 1983 claims

13 against defendant City of Elk Grove to the extent she could allege additional facts to support her

14 claim. Plaintiff still has not alleged facts sufficient to show that the City of Elk Grove engaged in

15 a practice, pattern, or custom that resulted in the violation of plaintiff’s constitutional rights. Hill

16 v. City of Sacramento, 2022 WL 17821715, at *5 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2022). Plaintiff’s

17 allegations are still conclusory; she does not allege any formally adopted written policies or

18 describe specific customs or practices. See Smith v. City of Marina, 709 F. Supp. 3d 926, 936

19 (N.D. Cal. 2024). Plaintiff was informed that she needed to allege more than general statements

20 that the City engaged in race-based stops and detentions and provide examples of specific policies

21 or practices the City followed (ECF No. 45 at 12-13); but she has failed to do so here.

22 Accordingly, plaintiff’s complaint fails to state a claim. See AE v. County of Tulare, 666 F.3d

23 631, 637 (9th Cir. 2012) (after Iqbal, Monell claim must provide facts demonstrating existence of

24 policy or custom, not merely assert elements of municipal liability).

25 Plaintiff also still has not alleged facts sufficient to show that there was any failure to train

26 officers. Section 1983 does not provide for respondeat superior liability. Monell, 436 U.S. at

27 691. However, a municipality can be found liable for the actions of its agents where there is a

28 failure to train. Doe v. City of San Diego, 198 F. Supp. 3d 1153, 1167 (S.D. Cal. 2016). “[T]he

1 inadequacy of police training may serve as the basis for § 1983 liability only where the failure to

2 train amounts to deliberate indifference to the rights of persons with whom the police come into

3 contact.” City of Canton v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 388 (1989). To state a claim for failure to train,

4 a plaintiff must allege at the pleading stage “that (1) [s]he was deprived of a constitutional right,

5 (2) the City had a training policy that amounts to deliberate indifference to the [constitutional]

6 rights of the persons with whom [its police officers] are likely to come into contact and (3) [her]

7 constitutional injury would have been avoided had the City properly trained those officers.” Doe,

8 198 F. Supp. 3d at 1167 (quoting Blankenhorn v. City of Orange, 485 F.3d 463, 484 (9th Cir.

9 2007)). In the context of a failure to train claim, the Supreme Court has found that to show

10 deliberate indifference the municipal actor must disregard a known or obvious consequence of his

11 action, which ordinarily requires that there be a pattern of similar constitutional violations by

12 untrained employees. Connick v. Thompson, 563 U.S. 51, 61-62 (2011). However, “in a narrow

13 range of circumstances, a pattern of similar violations might not be necessary to show deliberate

14 indifference.” Connick, 563 U.S. at 63 (citation and quotation marks omitted).

15 Here, plaintiff still has provided no evidence that defendant Davis ignored a known

16 consequence of his actions or that there is a pattern of untrained officers. Connick, 563 U.S. at

17 61-62. Plaintiff describes one traffic incident where she was pulled over. Hyde v. City of

18 Willcox, 23 F.4th 863, 875 (9th Cir. 2022) (“an inadequate training policy . . . cannot be inferred

19 from a single incident”).

20 Plaintiff’s Monell claims against the City of Elk Grove should be dismissed.

21 b. Claim 1: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

22 Plaintiff alleges “race discrimination in federally funded programs” against the Elk Grove

23 Police Department. (ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 32-40.) Plaintiff alleges that “methods employed by the [Elk

24 Grove Police Department] have a discriminatory impact on motorists of color traveling through

25 California, including plaintiff[].” (Id. ¶ 36.) Plaintiff alleges that the Elk Grove Police

26 Department engaged in intentional discrimination. (Id. ¶ 38.) The City defendants argue that

27 plaintiff’s allegations largely mirror the allegations in her original complaint and make

28 conclusory claims. (ECF No. 53 at 16.)

1 42 U.S.C. § 2000d provides: “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race,

2 color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be

3 subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

4 42 U.S.C. § 2000d. “[P]rivate individuals may sue to enforce § 601 of Title VI and obtain both

5 injunctive relief and damages.” Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275, 279 (2001). “To state a

6 claim for damages under 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, et seq., a plaintiff must allege that (1) the entity

7 involved is engaging in racial discrimination; and (2) the entity involved is receiving federal

8 financial assistance.” Fobbs v. Holy Cross Health Sys. Corp., 29 F.3d 1439, 1447 (9th Cir.

9 1994), overruled on another ground by Daviton v. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., 241 F.3d

10 1131, 1133 (9th Cir. 2001). “Title VI itself directly reach[es] only instances of intentional

11 discrimination.” Alexander, 532 U.S. at 281 (alteration in original) (citation omitted).

12 Here, plaintiff still fails to state a claim against the City of Elk Grove under Title VI.

13 Plaintiff alleges that the Elk Grove Police Department receives federal funds. (ECF No. 52 ¶ 35.)

14 However, she continues to only makes general allegations that the “methods employed” by the

15 Elk Grove Police Department have a discriminatory impact on motorists of color. (Id. ¶ 36.) She

16 states that the Elk Grove Police Department has “relied upon race and ethnicity in conducting

17 stops, detentions, interrogations and searches of motorists” and that they have engaged in an

18 “unabated, continuing pattern and practice or discrimination.” (Id. ¶ 17.) She also alleges that

19 “motorists of color, particularly African-American motorists, are targeted and subjected to these

20 practices at grossly disproportionate rates.” (Id. ¶ 22.) However, plaintiff still does not provide

21 any facts supporting her general allegations or show how defendant Elk Grove Police Department

22 intentionally discriminated against plaintiff based on her “race, color, or national origin.”

23 Plaintiff’s allegations involve a traffic stop where she was pulled over. Plaintiff has not pled facts

24 that support a claim that the Elk Grove Police Department intentionally discriminated against her

25 based on this traffic stop. See Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. Plaintiff’s claims relating to Title VI

26 should therefore be dismissed.

27 2. Defendant Durham

28 The only facts alleged in plaintiff’s FAC relate to the traffic stop on July 17, 2023,

1 involving Defendant Durham. The Court notes that the description of the incident provides

2 minimal facts compared to the description in plaintiff’s initial complaint. In the description of the

3 incident, plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to an unreasonable search and seizure and racial

4 profiling by Defendant Durham. (ECF No. 52 ¶ 23.) Accordingly, the Court will analyze

5 plaintiff’s remaining claims with respect to defendant Durham.

6 a. Claims 2 and 6: Unreasonable Search and Seizure

7 In the Court’s previous findings and recommendations (ECF No. 45) which were adopted

8 in part by the District Judge (ECF No. 50), the Court denied the City defendants’ motion to

9 dismiss plaintiffs Fourth Amendment claim and California Constitution article I, § 13 claim for

10 unreasonable search and seizure of her vehicle. Plaintiff realleges both claims in the FAC, but

11 provides much less detail. The City defendants did not further challenge the Fourth Amendment

12 claim. (ECF No. 53 at 8.) However, the City defendants did move to dismiss plaintiff’s claim

13 under the California Constitution article I, § 13 arguing that there is no private right of action

14 under this provision. (Id. at 21-22.) Defendants cite to a recent case from this District that found

15 no private right of action under article I, § 13 of the California Constitution. (Id. (citing Lesher v.

16 City of Anderson, 763 F. Supp. 3d 1115 (E.D. Cal. 2025)).

17 “It is not clear that any California appellate courts have addressed whether monetary

18 damages are available under Article 1, section 13 of the California Constitution, and Courts in

19 this circuit have been reluctant to address the issue without further guidance from California

20 courts.” Murphy v. Moore, 2024 WL 4349472, at *9 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 30, 2024), report and

21 recommendation adopted, 2024 WL 4654329 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 1, 2024). “[T]his Court has

22 consistently held that article 1, section 13 of the California constitution does not confer a private

23 right of action for damages.” Lesher, 763 F. Supp. 3d at 1121; Wood v. County of Stanislaus,

24 2024 WL 3951113, at *9 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 27, 2024) (citing Est. of Hennefer v. Yuba Cnty., 2023

25 WL 4108077, at *7 (E.D. Cal. June 21, 2023); Risse v. Porter, 2020 WL 1433144, at *8 (E.D.

26 Cal. Mar. 24, 2020); Hin v. U.S. Dep’t of Just. United States Marshals Serv., 2022 WL 705617, at

27 *5 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 9, 2022)). Plaintiff has not cited any authority providing otherwise.

28 Accordingly, the City defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s direct claim under Article I,

1

section 13 of the California Constitution should be granted without leave to amend. See Wood,

2

2024 WL 3951113, at *9 (dismissing a claim under article 1, section 13 of the California

3

Constitution where Plaintiff sought monetary relief, as amendment would be futile). However,

4

“[a]lthough [the California Constitution Article 1, Section 13], on its own, does not provide for

5

monetary damages, nothing suggests that Plaintiff may not use it as the underlying predicate to its

6

Bane Act claim.” Agro Dynamics, LLC v. United States, 692 F. Supp. 3d 1003, 1020 (S.D. Cal.

7

2023).

8

b. Claim 3: 42 U.S.C. § 1981

9

Plaintiff’s third claim is for a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The City defendants argue

10

that plaintiff has not corrected the defects outlined in the findings and recommendations and that

11

the allegations are essentially the same. (ECF No. 53 at 16-17.)

12

Section 1981(a) provides:

13

All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in

14

every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give

evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the

15

security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be

16 subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every

kind, and to no other.

17

18 Plaintiff’s § 1981 claim still fails because “Section 1981 establishes substantive rights that

19 a state actor may violate. It does not itself contain a remedy against a state actor for such

20 violations. A plaintiff seeking to enforce rights secured by § 1981 against a state actor must bring

21 a cause of action under § 1983.” Yoshikawa v. Seguirant, 74 F.4th 1042, 1047 (9th Cir. 2023).

22 Nor does the substance of plaintiff’s complaint make out a claim. “To state a claim pursuant to

23 section 1981, a plaintiff must allege (1) the plaintiff is a member of a racial minority; (2) an intent

24 to discriminate on the basis of race by the defendant; and (3) the discrimination concerns one or

25 more of the activities enumerated in the statute.” Keum v. Virgin America Inc., 781 F.Supp.2d

26 944, 954 (N.D. Cal. 2011). The FAC still fails to state any facts linking defendants’ activity to an

27 intent to discriminate. Plaintiff has not alleged any facts showing that her race was the reason she

28 was pulled over. Plaintiff’s conclusory allegation that defendants’ actions “were the result of

1 discriminatory intent” (ECF No. 52 ¶ 47) is insufficient. Because plaintiff has not properly

2 brought her claim under § 1983 and has not substantively stated a claim under § 1981, plaintiff’s

3 claim should be dismissed.

4 c. Claim 4: Claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1986

5 Plaintiff’s fourth claim is for violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1986. Plaintiff argues that

6 defendants “by way of a conspiracy among them” have caused plaintiff’s civil rights to be

7 violated. (ECF No. 52 ¶ 49.) The City defendants argue that plaintiff’s claim fails because she

8 provides the same conclusory allegations that she provided in the original complaint and does not

9 allege sufficient facts to support her claim. (ECF No. 53 at 17-18.)

10 In order to state a claim under section 1986, plaintiff must state a valid claim under

11 section 1985. Karim-Panahi v. Los Angeles Police Dep’t, 839 F.2d 621, 626 (9th Cir. 1988.)

12 Under section 1986, a person is liable if they know of an impending violation of section 1985 but

13 does not prevent the violation. Id. As relevant here, liability exists under section 1985(2), if

14

[T]wo or more persons conspire for the purpose of impeding, hindering,

15 obstructing, or defeating, in any manner, the due course of justice in any State or

Territory, with intent to deny to any citizen the equal protection of the laws, or to

16 injure him or his property for lawfully enforcing, or attempting to enforce, the

right of any person, or class of persons, to the equal protection of the laws.

17

42 U.S.C. § 1985(2). A conspiracy claim under § 1985(2) requires a direct or indirect purpose to

18

deprive any persons of the equal protection of the laws, or the equal privileges or immunities

19

under the laws, and a class race-based animus. See Bretz v. Kelman, 773 F.2d 1026, 1028 (9th

20

Cir. 1985) (en banc). Under section 1985(3), liability exists

21

If two or more persons in any State or Territory conspire or go in disguise on the

22

highway or on the premises of another, for the purpose of depriving, either directly

23 or indirectly, any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws, or

of equal privileges and immunities under the laws. . . .

24

25 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). A racial, or other class-based, invidiously discriminatory animus is an

26 indispensable element of the claim. See Bray v. Alexandria Women’s Health Clinic, 506 U.S.

27 263, 267-69 (1993).

28 Here, plaintiff’s section 1986 claim still fails because she has not adequately pled a claim

1 under section 1985. For this reason, the City defendants’ motion to dismiss regarding plaintiff’s

2 section 1986 claim should be granted.

3 3. Plaintiff’s State Law Claims

4 The City defendants argue that plaintiff’s state law claims for damages are barred by the

5 presentation requirements of the California Government Claims Act. (ECF No. 53 at 18-21.)

6 Under the California Government Claims Act,3 set forth in California Government Code sections

7 810 et seq., a plaintiff may not bring a suit for monetary damages against a public employee or

8 entity unless the plaintiff first presented the claim to the local public entity by: (1) “Delivering it

9 to the clerk, secretary, or auditor thereof”; (2) “Mailing it to the clerk, secretary, auditor, or to the

10 governing body at its principal office”; or (3) “If expressly authorized by an ordinance or

11 resolution of the public entity, submitting it electronically to the public entity in the manner

12 specified by the ordinance.” Cal. Govt. Code § 915. Compliance with this “claim presentation

13 requirement” constitutes an element of a cause of action for damages against a public entity or

14 official. State v. Superior Court (Bodde), 32 Cal.4th 1234, 1244 (2004). Thus, timely

15 presentation of a claim under the Government Claims Act is an element of the cause of action and

16 must be pled in the complaint. Id. at 1237, 1240; see also Mangold v. Cal. Pub. Utils. Comm’n,

17 67 F.3d. 1470, 1477 (9th Cir. 1995). The plaintiff must present facts demonstrating compliance,

18 rather than simply conclusions suggesting as much. Shirk v. Vista Unified School Dist., 42

19 Cal.4th 201, 209 (2007). Such requirements also apply to state law claims included in a federal

20 action. See Volis v. Housing Auth. of the City of L.A. Emps., 670 F. App’x 543, 544 (9th Cir.

21 2016) (unpublished).

22 To be timely, a claim must be presented “not later than six months after the accrual of the

23 cause of action.” Cal. Govt. Code § 911.2. Thereafter, “any suit brought against a public entity”

24 must be commenced no more than six months after the public entity rejects the claim. Cal. Gov.

25

3 See Nuveen Mun. High Income Opportunity Fund v. City of Alameda, Cal., 730 F.3d 1111,

26

1124 (9th Cir. 2013) (“Consistent with the California Supreme Court, we ‘adopt the practice of

27 referring to the claims statutes as the Government Claims Act, to avoid the confusion engendered

by the informal short title Tort Claims Act.’” (quoting City of Stockton v. Superior Court, 42 Cal.

28 4th 73 (2007)).)

1 Code, § 945.6, subd. (a)(1). Federal courts must require compliance with the California

2 Government Claims Act for pendant state law claims that seek damages against state employees

3 or entities. Willis v. Reddin, 418 F.2d 702, 704-05 (9th Cir. 1969); Mangold, 67 F.3d at 1477.

4 State tort claims included in a federal action, filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, may proceed

5 only if the claims were presented in compliance with the applicable exhaustion requirements.

6 Karim-Panahi, 839 F.2d at 627; Butler v. Los Angeles County, 617 F. Supp. 2d 994, 1001 (C.D.

7 Cal. 2008).

8 Here, plaintiff has not alleged that she filed an administrative complaint with the Elk

9 Grove Police Department. Plaintiff has included an exhibit titled “Citizen Complaint Form” that

10 she filed with the Elk Grove Police Department (ECF No. 52 at 27), however this form explicitly

11 states “Warning This Is Not a Claim for Damages Form.” Accordingly, plaintiff has not properly

12 complied with the presentation requirements, and the City defendants’ motion to dismiss should

13 be granted as to plaintiff’s state law claims.

14 a. Claims 8 and 9: Tort Causes of Action

15 Plaintiff’s eighth and ninth claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress and

16 negligent infliction of emotional distress also fail because plaintiff has not sufficiently plead the

17 elements of these claims. Plaintiff alleges in various places in her complaint that defendants’

18 actions caused her humiliation, mental pain and suffering. (See, e.g., ECF No. 52 ¶ 30.) The City

19 defendants argue that plaintiff has not adequately pled the elements of the claims. (See ECF No.

20 53 at 25-26.)

21 Plaintiff’s claims do not specify the specific individuals who committed the torts or what

22 specific duties are owed to the plaintiff. See J.C. v. City of Vallejo, 2024 WL 5146021, at *6

23 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 17, 2024). “Negligent infliction of emotional distress is a form of the tort of

24 negligence; plaintiff must demonstrate facts satisfying the elements of duty, breach of duty,

25 causation, and damages.” Hill, 2022 WL 17821715, at *7; (citing Huggins v. Longs Drug Stores

26 California, Inc., 6 Cal.4th 124, 129 (1993)). In California “there is no independent tort of

27 negligent infliction of emotional distress;” rather, “[t]he tort is negligence, a cause of action in

28 which a duty to the plaintiff is an essential element.” Potter v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., 6

1 Cal.4th 965, 984 (1993). The existence of a duty is a question of law. Marlene F. v. Affiliated

2 Psychiatric Medical Clinic, Inc., 48 Cal.3d 583, 588 (1989). The elements of a cause of action

3 for negligent infliction of emotional distress are: (1) the “defendant engaged in negligent

4 conduct”; (2) the “plaintiff suffered serious emotional distress”; and (3) the “defendants’

5 negligent conduct was a cause of the serious emotional distress.” Butler-Rupp v. Lourdeaux, 134

6 Cal.App.4th 1220, 1226 n.1 (2005).

7 Plaintiff has offered no facts supporting any of the elements or described how she suffered

8 serious emotional distress.

9 A claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress requires “(1) extreme and

10 outrageous conduct by the defendant with the intention of causing, or reckless disregard of the

11 probability of causing, emotional distress; (2) the plaintiff’s suffering severe or extreme

12 emotional distress; and (3) actual and proximate causation of the emotional distress by the

13 defendant’s outrageous conduct.” Hughes v. Pair, 46 Cal. 4th 1035, 1050 (2009) (citation and

14 internal quotation marks omitted). A defendant’s conduct is “outrageous” when it is so “extreme

15 as to exceed all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community.” Id.

16 Here, plaintiff also has not offered any facts showing that any defendants’ conduct was so

17 extreme that it exceeded all bound of what is usually tolerated. She also has not demonstrated

18 that defendants acted in any way that would cause her emotional distress.

19 For these reasons, plaintiff’s emotional distress claims should be dismissed.

20 b. Claim 5: California Government Code §§ 11135 and 11139

21 Plaintiff’s fifth claim asserts that the Elk Grove Police Department violated the California

22 Government Code sections 11135 and 11139, alleging that the “methods employed by the [Elk

23 Grove Police Department] discriminate against African-American motorists traveling through Elk

24 Grove.” (ECF No. 52 ¶ 56.) The City defendants argue that plaintiff has not alleged that they

25 denied her participation in any program or activity receiving state financial assistance. (ECF No.

26 53 at 21.)

27 Under California Government Code section 11135, state agencies and state-funded

28 programs cannot subject anyone to discrimination on the basis of, among other things, race.

1 Section 11139 sets out the remedy for any violations of section 11135. For the same reasons that

2 the Court concludes Plaintiff has not stated a claim for intentional discrimination on the basis of

3 race under Title VI or for violation of the equal protection clause, the Court also concludes that

4 Plaintiff has not adequately alleged that she was discriminated against because of her race.

5 Plaintiff fails to state a claim for violation of California Government Code sections 11135 and

6 11139 and the City defendant’s motion to dismiss regarding claim five should be granted and

7 plaintiff’s claim should be dismissed.

8 c. Claim 7: California Civil Code § 52.1(b)

9 The Tom Bane Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 52.1, “protects individuals from

10 conduct aimed at interfering with rights that are secured by federal or state law, where the

11 interference is carried out ‘by threats, intimidation or coercion.’” Reese v. County of Sacramento,

12 888 F.3d 1030, 1040-41 (9th Cir. 2018). When a Bane Act claim is based on an alleged federal

13 constitutional violation, plaintiffs may rely on the same allegations to prove that defendants

14 deprived them of a constitutional right and threatened, intimidated or coerced them. See id. at

15 1043 (“[T]he Bane Act does not require the ‘threat, intimidation or coercion’ element of the claim

16 to be transactionally independent from the constitutional violation alleged.”). “[P]roving a Bane

17 Act claim,” however, “requires specific intent to violate protected rights.” Agro Dynamics, LLC

18 v. United States, 692 F. Supp. 3d 1003, 1019 (S.D. Cal. 2023) (citing Sandoval v. County of

19 Sonoma, 912 F.3d 509, 519 (9th Cir. 2018)).

20

The specific intent inquiry for a Bane Act claim is focused on two questions: First,

21 “[i]s the right at issue clearly delineated and plainly applicable under the

circumstances of the case,” and second, “[d]id the defendant commit the act in

22 question with the particular purpose of depriving the citizen victim of his

enjoyment of the interests protected by that right?” So long as those two

23 requirements are met, specific intent can be shown “even if the defendant did not

in fact recognize the unlawfulness of his act” but instead acted in “reckless

24

disregard” of the constitutional right.

25 Sandoval, 912 F.3d at 520 (citations omitted).

26 Here, while the Court previously found that plaintiff stated a claim based on her federal

27 constitutional rights, she has not alleged any facts that show any defendant had a “specific intent”

28

1 to violate plaintiff’s rights. Therefore, the City defendants’ motion as to plaintiff’s seventh claim

2 should be granted and plaintiff’s claim should be dismissed.

3 IV. Leave to Amend

4 If the court finds that a complaint or claim should be dismissed for failure to state a claim,

5 the court has discretion to dismiss with or without leave to amend. See Davis v. Miranda, 2020

6 WL 1904784, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 17, 2020). Leave to amend should be freely granted when

7 justice so requires, Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a), and if it appears possible that the defects in the

8 complaint could be corrected, especially if a plaintiff is pro se, Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1130-31; Cato

9 v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995) (“A pro se litigant must be given leave to

10 amend his or her complaint, and some notice of its deficiencies, unless it is absolutely clear that

11 the deficiencies of the complaint could not be cured by amendment.” (citation omitted)).

12 However, if, after careful consideration, it is clear that a claim cannot be cured by amendment,

13 the court may dismiss without leave to amend. Cato, 70 F.3d at 1105-06; Cal. Architectural

14 Bldg. Prod. v. Franciscan Ceramics, Inc., 818 F.2d 1466, 1472 (9th Cir. 1987) (“Valid reasons

15 for denying leave to amend include undue delay, bad faith, prejudice, and futility.”).

16 Here, plaintiff was given an opportunity to amend her claims, and she did not cure the

17 defects identified. Therefore, it appears that further leave to amend would be futile. Accordingly,

18 plaintiff’s claims should be dismissed without leave to amend.

19 V. Conclusion

20 For the reasons set forth above, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED as follows:

21 1. Defendants City of Elk Grove, Davis, Durham, and Smith’s (“City

22 defendants”) motion to dismiss (ECF No. 53) be granted and plaintiff’s claims

23 dismissed without leave to amend.

24 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge

25 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen (14)

26 days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written

27 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned

28 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections

1 || shall be served on all parties and filed with the court within seven (7) days after service of the

2 || objections. Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the

3 | District court’s order. Turner vy. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. □□□□□ 951

4 | F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991).

5 | Dated: June 6, 2025 Card ht fa he

6 CAROLYN K DELANEY?

7 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

8 5, roge.0475.24

9

10

1]

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

18