Fbop Ser Monthly Reports 1998feb-jul
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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum Date: March 16, 1998 Attn of: Sherree L. Sturgis, Regional Counsel, Southeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, GA 30315 Subject: Monthly Report - February 1998 Rep1y to To: Wallace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 . I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY REPORT A. Administrative Tort JAN FEB Cla~s MAR - 1998 APR JON MAY JUL AOG SEP OCT NOV DEC Pending on 1st Rec'd in month Recons. rec'd Ans'd in month Pending at End Over 180 days 39 0 22 117 06 113 55 03 49 118 03 B. Tort Claim Investigation Status: As of February 28, 1998 ATL COL EGL EST GUA JES MIA MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ Pending Over 60 days c. 40 8 0 3 9 4 9 9100013 10 4 0 3 7 3 5 3100100 FOI/Privacy Act Requests - 1998 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Pending on 1st Rec'd in month Ans'd in month Pending at End Over 30 days 12 09 18 21 04 21 10 24 04 D. FOa Requests for records: As of February 28, 1998 ATL COL EGL EST GUA JES MIA MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ Pending Over 30 days 5 2 6 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 100 0 0 0 r 0 0 II. LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1998 SOUTHEAST REGION A. SUMMARY REPORT JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Cases Open New Cases Habeas Corpus FTCA Bivens Other Bivens/FTCA Lit Reports Cases Closed 522 515 16 2 10 1 o 0 5 1 11 1 0 0 1 77 9 o B. SETTLEMENTS AND A~S: NONE C. SIGNIFICANT CASES, TRIALS or BEARINGS: 1. FRESON v. u.s. & ANTHONY RICHARDSON, 97-1373-CIV-GRAHAM - Southern District of Florida A deposition of the plaintiff was taken on February 5, 1998. In this FTCA/Bivens case the plaintiff, a private mail courier by the name of Richard Freson, was being escorted off institution grounds as he was being verbally abusive of staff and was generally disruptive in FCI, Miami's front lobby. Lt. Anthony Richardson, Bivens defendant, was the escorting staff member. While escorting Freson verbal insults were exchanged between the two men. This situation was escalated when Freson, by several staff witnesses accounts, attempted to punch Lt. Richardson. Lt Richardson evaded the punches of Freson and returned one punch to Freson's face. Freson fell striking the U. S. Flag pole. Freson's injuries included a contusion and laceration in the middle of his forehead. Freson claims 1st, 4th and 5th Amendment violations, as well as common law torts. 2. PORTO v. UNITED STATES, 96-8337-CIV-HURLEY - Southern District of Floridd On February 23 through February 26, depositions of three (3) Doctors and the taken. In this FTCA case the plaintiff diagnosis and treatment of a toe lesion, incarcerated at FeI, Jesup, resulting in his leg (below the knee). 3. 1998, the Plaintiff w~rt> alleges neg:lqent while he Wd~ the amputd: ~C/!,"; of SULAYMAN v. UNITED STATES, CV-297-118, Southerr. District of Georgia On February 27, 1998, the plaintiff was deposed. In this EEO case, the plaintiff seeks to retain his position at FCI Jesup. The plaintiff claims he was demoted from Chief Medical Officer in retaliation for a sexual harassment charge filed against him. D. RELIGIOUS CASES: No new cases. E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: No new cases. F. PLRA 1915 DISMISSALS: None G. CRIMINAL CASES: DEFENDANT(S): SCHREIBER, Harry, Reg. No. 40454-004 Institution: FCC Coleman -Low Date of Offense: Various Type of Case: Potential ·Criminal Prosecution Description: A review of telephone monitoring tapes has indicated that inmate Schreiber may be participating in the management of a Health Maintenance Organization through which he may be attempting to commit fraud. Inmate's Schreiber's current offense involves bankruptcy fraud, wire fraud, and concealment of assets, and a specific condition of his Judgment and Commitment Order directs that he is not to become involved in management of an HMO. Status of Referral: Referred to local FBI on 01/13/98. Local FBI have referred further investigation to the FBI in C.D~ Ca., and the u.S. Attorney's Office in W.D. Tex., which originally investigated and prosecuted inmate Schreiber's current offense. DEFENDANT: William Raymond Hock In~titution: FCI, Tallahassee Case Name: U.S.A. vs. William Raymond Hock, Case ~J:~'. 4:97cr75-RH Description: Sexual abuse of inmate by staff merr:t't·:. Trial begins on Monday, March 16, in Tallahd~!-,p~. The officer is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. §2243(b). While th~ Office of Inst't>'~lr General is handling the lead on the case, Wd! l"~, Greer has indicated he wants Dan Rouse to d ~ ~ "~i(j t c assist with the interests of the instituti;: ~ .. 'Thirteen (13) staff members have been SUbPC,f_,:.,J,"'.J tly the defense. XIX. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR March 1998: Sherree L. Sturgis Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None Scheduled Van Vandivier Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None Scheduled Earl Cotton Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled Gere Gooden Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled Patty Dejuneas Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, SER All SER Wardens All Regional Counsel and Associate General Counsel All SER institution attorneys and paralegals o UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum Date: March 11, Reply to Attn of: Subject: To: 1998 Henry J. Sadowski, Regional Counsel, Northeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Monthly Report - February 1998 Wallace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY REPORT A. Administrative Remedies - 1998 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Pending on 1st 110 91 Rec'd in month 113 155 Ans'd in month 132 100 Pending at End 91 146 Over 30 days 0 0 B. Administrative Tort Cla~s - 1998 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Pending on 1st 236 262 Rec'd in month 77 73 Recons. rec'd 3 2 Ans'd in month 54 76 Pending at End 262 261 Over 180 days 0 0 C. Tort Claim Investigation Status: As of February 28, 1998 ALF ALM ALP ALW BRO DAN FAI FTD LEW LOR MCK NYM OTV RBK SCH 3 13 3 0 1 4 13 6 2 9 4 2 5 28* 8 Over 60 days 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Pending * One inmate accounts for 23 of these filings. 2 D. FOI/Privacy Act Requests - 1998 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Pending on 1st 37 13 Rec'd in month 34 28 Ans'd in month 58 35 Pending at End 13 9 Over 30 days 1 1 E. FOIA Requests fo~ records: As of February 28, 1998 ALF ALM ALP,ALW BRO DAN FA! FTD LEW LOR MCK NYM OTV RBK SCH Pending Over 30 days II. 000 1 o 000 1 1 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o o 000 000 LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1998 NORTHEAST REGION A. SUMMARY REPORT JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Cases Open New Cases Habeas Corpus FTCA Bivens Other Bivens/FTCA Lit Reports Cases Closed 670 604 13 15 5 7 1 4 1 2 4 2 2 0 8 10 66 7 B. SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS: 1) Kaqan v. United States, CV 94-3663 (DNJ) This wrongful death civil action originated as a Bivens action filed by the next of kin of inmate Philip I. Kagan, Reg. No. 14361-050, who died in September 1993 at FCI Schuylkill. The complaint alleges that the deceased was denied adequate medical treatment for a known heart condition. As a result, the deceased's health allegedly deteriorated until he lapsed into a coma and died of complications caused by cardiac and pulmonary failure. The District Court dismissed the action in August 1995. On appeal, the Third Circuit held that, although Plaintiff failed 3 to state a claim under Bivens, he did state a cause of action under the Feder~l Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2671, et seq. (FTCA). On remand, the case was converted to an FTCA case and settled for $10,000.00. Settlement was based upon potential exposure to liability and a relatively small amount in a wrongful death case. 2) Markoff v. United States, Civil Action No. 96-2543 (DNJ) This Federal Torts Claim Act complaint was filed by former inmate Morton Markoff, 11116-050, who alleges that as a result of improper medical car~ while housed at the Federal Correctional Institution, Ft. Dix he suffered a permanent injury. and resulting loss of function to his right ring finger and left elbow and arm. The Plaintiff was a practicing medical doctor prior to his incarceration. Settlement for $45,000.00 was approved since there was some exposure based on a delay in medical treatment. c. SIGNIFICANT CASES, TRIALS or HEARINGS: 1) United States v. Camacho-Negron, (MDPA) -- On February 11, 1998, Tom Mueller, Attorney Advisor, FCC Allenwood, assisted at a committed fine hearing before Magistrate Judge Askey. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Magistrate found inmate Antonio Camacho- Negron, Reg. No. 03587-068, to be indigent and he was released on February 13, 1998. 2) Conference re: Attorney visiting privileges Attorney Patrick Stiso was indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and obstruction of justice. As a result of the indictment, the Wardens at MCC NY and MDC Brooklyn suspended Mr. Stiso's attorney visiting privileges at their respective institutions. The attorney representing Mr. Stiso filed an appeal of the Wardens' decisions with the Regional Director. The Regional Director denied the appeal. On March 5, 1998, a status conference was held before the U.S. District Judge Denny Chin, the judge assigned to Mr. Stiso's prosecution. Mr. Stiso's criminal attorney presented arguments concerning his suspension of visiting privileges from MCC New York. Clinton Stroble, Attorney Advisor, MCC NY, attended the conference with Assistant United States Attorney Richard Sullivan, and argued the government's position. The court requested a brief addressing 4 his jurisdiction to consider the issue. D. RELIGIOUS CASES: 1) Muhammad v. Lamer, et. aI, 4:CV-97-1980, (MDPA) - Inmate William Davidson Muhammad, Reg. No. 00471-000, alleges in this Bivens action that his religious rights were violated by his placement in the SHU in October 1996. He alleges the chaplain showed favoritism to other religious groups. The Plaintiff does not mention RFRA. E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: None. F. PLRA 1915 DISMISSALS: None. III. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 1998: Hank Sadowski Travel - March 6 - Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Training, Philadelphia, PA. Annual Leave - None Scheduled Mike Tafelski Travel - March 6 - ADR Training, Phila., PA March 12 - FCI Fairton Annual Leave - None Scheduled Joyce Horikawa Travel March 6 - ADR Training, Phila., PA Annual Leave - March 20 - March 25 Ron Hill Travel - None Scheduled Annual Leave - None Scheduled Les Owen Travel - March 17-19 -- MCC New York Annual Leave"- March 2-6 Rosalind Bingham Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None Scheduled "5 Personnel. notes: Rosalind Bingham has successfully completed the Pd:~:eqdl Training Program and is scheduled t~ graduate on Md:~~. :7, 1998. Joyce Horikawa is reporting to FCI Fort Dix on Ma: .~" .--', 1998. "I thank Joyce for her professionalism and t '-': ~ ~.€. fin~ work she has provided to this office over the :d~~ tour years. cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, NER All NER Wardens All Regional Counsel and Associate General Counsel All NER institution attorneys and paralegals UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum Date: April 7, 1998 Attn of: Sherree L. Sturgis, Regional Counsel, Southeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, GA 30315 Subject: Monthly Report - March 1998 Reply to To: Wallace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federai Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY REPORT A. Administrative Tort Cla~s JAN FEB MAR 113 55 03 49 118 03 69 88 04 69 107 01 APR - 1998 MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Pending on 1st Rec'd in month Recons. rec'd Ans'd in month Pending at End Over 180 days 39 o. 22 117 06 As of March 31, 1998 B. Tort Claim Investigation Status: Pending ATL COL EGL EST GUA JES MIA MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ o 2 9 0 452 0 3 8 33 6 9 Over 60 1 1 days C. FOI/Privacy Act Requests - 1998 Pending on 1st Rec'd in month Ans'd in month Pending at End Over 30 days JAN F'EB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV l'E' . 12 18 O~ 21 18 In IH LL ;:4 04 21 04 03 ' t ..--, 19 D. FOIA Requests for records: Pending As of March 31, 1998 ATL COL EGL EST GUA JES MIA MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 Over 30 1 2 days II. LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1998 SOUTHEAST REGION A. SUMMARY REPORT Cases Open New Cases Habeas Corpus FTCA Bivens Other Bivens/FTCA Lit Reports Cases Closed JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 522 515 525 16 2 18 10 1 9 002 516 101 000 11 77 1 9 2 8 B. SETTLEMENTS AND AMARDS: NONE C. SIGNIFICANT CASES, TRIALS or BEARINGS: 1. Johnson v. Moore Case No. CV297-33 (S.D. Ga.) This case has been set for trial on April 9, 1998. This is Bivens case where the plaintiff alleges that a Correctional Officer forced him to clean a bathroom which was beyond his capabilities and in violation of his medical restriction. This will be a bench trial. Patty DeJuneas will be traveling to Brunswick, Georgia, to provide trial assistance. 2. Gelis v. Wooten, et ale Case No. CV297-23 (S.D. Ga.) This case has been set for trial April 20, 1998. This is a Bivens case where the plaintiff alleges there was a conspiracy to deny him hip replacement' surgery and rehabilitative physical therapy. This will be a jury trial. We anticipate providing attorney assistance, but have not yet determined who will attend the trial in Brunswick, Georgia. 3. Sulayman v. Reno Case No. CV297-118 (S.D.Ga.) This is the Jesup EEO case filed by a doctor claiming he was discriminated against because he had befriended a contract worker who had filed an EEO claim. This doctor had been removed as Chief Medical Officer and later transferred o to Talladega as a result of a focus review. He appears to be claiming this was a pretext for the discriminatory motive. This case is a problem because two correctional health ca"re administrators at Jesup had participated in sexually harassing actions with other (not Dr. Sulayman) health service staff. Sulayman seeks to make his own case by bringing out the facts of these other situations and Judge Alaimo has allowed in spite of our objections. Unfortunately, Judge Alaimo has extended discovery for the plaintiff for the third time. We believe he will want to depose Dr. Moritsugu and Regional Director Matthews, among others. 4. Byrd v. Hasty Case Numbers: 3:96-CV-289-LAC/SMN (Northern District of Florida); 97-2129 (Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals) This case is a habeas corpus action in 'which the inmate challenges the refusal of the Bureau to allow him to participate in the DAP because his current was found to be a crime of violence by reason of a two-point enhancement at . sentencing for possession of a firearm. Oral argument in the Eleventh Circuit is scheduled for 4-16. D. RELIGIOUS CASES: No new cases. E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: No new cases. F. PLRA 1915 DISMISSALS: None G. CRIMINAL CASES: DEFENDANT(S): Eric Paul Pinto 15603-069 Institution Tracking No.: (If any) Name of Case: (U.S. v. Eric Paul Pinto) Court: (Not available) Docket No.: (Not available) Institution: MOe, Guaynabo Date of Offense: January 20, 1998 Description: Inmate who seriously assaulted correctional officer. Inmate is currently housed under 24-hour observation with a camera recording all movement insIde his cell. Psychiatrists appointed by prosecution and defense evaluated inmate and submitted reports to the court. The reports found defendant incompetent (schizophrenic) at the time the crime was committed but found him competent to stand trial. The US Attorney's Office will dismiss "the case on the basis of defendant's incompetence at the time of the offense but will urge the Court to enter an order precluding this individual from entering the United States. III. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR April 1998: Sherree L. Sturgis Travel - Tallahassee April 14, 1998 (meeting with City of Tallahassee officials about road realignment issues; Denver{Sentencing Training) April 26-May 3, 1998 Annual Leave - None Scheduled Van Vandivier Travel - 5-11 to 5-20, MSTC, DHO Training as Resource Personnel Annual Leave - April 16 (4 hours) & 17 {8 hours} Earl Cotton Travel - None Scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled Military Leave 4-27 to 5-18 Gere Gooden Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled Patty DeJuneas Travel Brunswick - April 8 & 9 Annual Leave - None scheduled (Johnson Trial) Saku Hapinto - TDY to ATL 5-4 to 5-8 cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, SER All Regional Counsel and Associate General Counsel .. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum May 7, 1998 Date: Reply to Atm of: Sherree L. Sturgis, Regional Counsel, Southeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, GA 30315 Monthl.y Report - April. 1998 Subject: Wal.l.ace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 To: I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY REPORT A. Administrative Tort Claims - 1998 JAN Pending on 1st Ree's in month Reeons. ree'd Ans'd in month "nding at end ver 180 days 39 0 22 117 6 FEB 113 SS 3 49 118 3 APR 69 38 2 S2 103 3 MAR 69 88 4 69 107 1 MAY 89 JUN B. Tort Cl.aim Investigation Status: ATL c E E G J M 0 S U E I JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC As of April 30, 1998 MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TDG YAZ L G L T A S A PENDIN G 40 5 0 2 4 2 4 6 3 0 0 9 5 9 >60 DAYS 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 C. FOI/Privacy Act Requests - 1998 JAN Pending Ree'd in Ans'd in Pending Over 30 on 1st month month at end days 21 10 24 4 FEB 12 9 18 21 4 MAR 18 18 22 19 3 APR 19 19 26 25 6 D. FOIA Requests for records: MAY 21 JUN JUL AUG SEP As of April. 30, 1998 OCT NI,l\' DEC .SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 2 ATL c 0 L E G L PENDIN G 4 8 0 >30 DAYS 1 3 0 II. E MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TDG YAZ S M I A 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 T G U A 1 0 0 0 0 S J E LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1998 SOUTHEAST REGION A. SUMMARY REPORT Cases Open New Cases Habeas Corpus FTCA Bivens Other Bivens/FTCA -it Reports ~ses Closed JAN 522 16 10 0 5 1 0 11 77 FEB 515 2 1 0 1 0 0 ~R 525 18 9 2 6 1 1 0 2 9 8 APR 535 15 6 2 5 2 0 5 5 ~Y JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC B. SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS: ·Romero, et al. v. U.S., Case No. 1:95cv151-MP (N.D.Fla.) These are claims by the inmates who are plaintiffs in the bus cases. We have begun to pay the settlements administratively for the claims of those plaintiffs whose claims are under $2,500. Three of the five have been paid to date. (Azofra - $2,000; Guzman - $2,000; and Diaz $550) The U.S. Attorney's Office submitted the vouchers for payment of ten other settlements to the GAO on 4/13/98. (One plaintiff (Gallego), against the advice of his attorneys, has rejected the settlement offer. There is one Plaintiff (Olivares) counsel admits they cannot find.) C. SIGNIFICANT CASES, TRIALS or HEARINGS: 1. Johnson v. Moore Case No. CV297-33 (S.D. Ga.) This case was tried on April 9, 1998. This was Bivens case where the plaintiff alleges that a Correctional Officer forced him to clean a bathroom whi~h was beyond his capabilities rtnd in co SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 3 violation of his medical restriction. This was a bench trial. The judge returned a verdict for the defendant. Patty DeJuneas traveled to Brunswick, Georgia, to provide trial assistance. 2. Gelis v. Wooten, et al. Case No. CV297-23 (S.D. Ga.) This case had been set for trial April 20, 1998. This is a Bivens case where the plaintiff alleges there was a conspiracy to deny him hip replacement surgery and rehabilitative physical therapy. The District Court has taken this case off the docket pending resolution of the interlocutory appeal on qualified immunity. 3. Byrd v. Hasty Case Numbers: 3:96-CV-289-LAC/SMN (Northern District of Florida); 97-2129 (Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals) This case is a habeas corpus action in which the inmate challenges the refusal of the Bureau to allow him to participate in the DAP because his current offense was found to be a crime of violence by reason of a two-point enhancement at sentencing for possession of a firearm. Oral argument in the Eleventh Circuit was scheduled for 4-16. Sherree and Van went to observe the argument. All were surprised when the inmate's counsel failed to appear. The court will decide the case based on briefs. The inmate's counsel has written a letter indicating he had miscalendared the date of the oral argument and profusely apologizing to the court and all who were inconvenienced. 4. Wirth v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, et al. Case Number 98-A-2008-N (M.D. Ala.) This is a Bivens case with 22 named individual defendants. The defendants include several high-ranking employees who are in different locations. At least three of the defendants have retired. In the lengthy complaint, the Plaintiff alleges, among other things, a conspiracy to retaliate for exercise of First Amendment Rights, a deprivation of due process in an inmate discipline hearing, denial of a year off under 18 U.S.C. 3621, submission of false information to the court, transfer to Impede his access to counsel and improper assignment of a management variable. He seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive money damages. This is also the case where TOG Attorney Craig Sl~~ons is accused of falsifying documents because of an error he made in a declaration in a previous case. SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 4 5. Alexander v. Hawk, et al. Case Number 96-276-CIV-OC-10 (M.D.rla.) Appeal Number 96-3752 (11th Circuit) This case began as a challenge to the implementation of the Ensign Amendment. The District Court dismissed the case, sua sponte and before service of process, on the ground that the PLRA requires exhaustion of administrative remedies. The inmate appealed. The Eleventh Circuit appointed counsel. Both counsel and the inmate requested that counsel be allowed to withdraw. This was denied. The DOJ Appellate Section has taken an interest in this case. Peter Maier is handling it. Consolidation with Michael Henry Smith v. BOP, App. No. 97-6663, was requested but this was denied. The SG has approved participation by the u.S. as amicus, and a motion requesting to file an amicus brief has been submitted to the 11th Circuit. 6. Kiser v. Hawk, No. 97-195-Civ-Oc-10B, FFLM In this case, COL inmate Stanley Kiser (16395-004)challenged the BOP's decision to deny him eligibility for a reduction in sentence for successful completion of the residential DAP program. We had denied his eligibility after he completed the institution portion of the program at TAL. The basis for our denial was that he is an old law inmate to whom the DAP early release provisions do not apply. The court ruled in our favor on 4-30-98. D. RELIGIOUS CASES: No new cases. E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: No new cases. F. PLRA 1915 DISMISSALS: None G. CRIMINAL CASES: 1. DEFENDANTS(S): Anthony Battle #11451-056 Institution Tracking No.: ATL-94-4170 Name of Case: u.S. v. Battle Court: FGAN Docket No.: 1:95-CR-528 .. SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 5 Institution: ATL Date of Offense: 12/21/94 Type of Case: Criminal Prosecution Description: Inmate convicted of homicide Officer D'Antonio Washington. Special Monitoring: Assigned to special monitoring Status of Referral: Accepted. Update: Convicted and sentenced to death, 1997. Appellate briefs filed by both prosecution and defense. Housed in Alabama DOC facility. DOC would like for us to move him. Seeking to work out problems with· DOC and exploring other possible state placements. Assigned to: AUSA Bill McKinnon, Jan Jenkins FBI: Tyrone Smith Uni ted States v. Jaime Rosado Rosario, Cr. No. : 97-049, 2. D.P.R. Institution: MDC Guaynabo Date of Offense: November 22, 1996 Type of Case: Criminal Prosecution Trial commenced on March 31, 1998. Defendants in this case are charged with arranging and carrying out the murder of a federal witness from within the MDC. Although requested by the prosecution, this case was not certified to carry the death penal ty. Defense counsel and AUSAs have subpoenaed several staff members (i.e. Health Services Administrator and his Assistant, SIA) to testify about the possible ways in which different inmates could meet in the Health Services Uni t or other places and how the inmates could communicate with one another even if not in the same unit. This issue is very relevant to the trial because some government witnesses were testifying to the fact that they had overheard conversations among the defendants in the HSU and other places of the institution. Judge Fuste had previously issued an order for all defense counsel to inspect and tour different areas of the institution in which the meetings among the defendants allegedly took place. Other staff members were also subpoenaed (i.e. ISM, Recreation Specialist) to authenticate records of movement of inmates to court and to testify about the delivery of newspapers to the Unit. The del i very of newspapers was important because defendants knew deta i 1 s of the murder that were only published in one newspaper that takes from two to three days to arrive at the inst it ut ion because the inmates have individual subscriptions to it and they are delivered by regular mail". The prosecution rested. Trial is expected to end May 4 or 5. SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 6 AUSA: John Teakell and Mike Fernandez 2. United States v. Jaime Rosado Rosario Crim. No. 97-049 ( JAF), D . P . R . On April 24, 1998, the Honorable Jose A. Fuste convened a meeting among defense counsels (approximately 7), AUSAs and GUA Attorney Alma Lopez to discuss the need for additional records in the above referenced case. Defense counsel as well as the AUSA had made voluminous requests for records (entries of visits in Legal and Social Visitors, logbooks) dating back to 1996 through the present. There were some discrepancies in the records submitted pursuant to the Government's requests and the defense counsels. All information responsive to the requests had been provided, but some pieces of data addressed more than one request. Cross referencing was not always included. MDC was constrained from discussing defense counsel's request with AUSAs because the Court had specifically instructed MDC that this information was not to be discussed with US Attorney's Office. Judge Fuste ordered production of unredacted copies of the logbooks. It was explained to the judge that this production would compromise the privacy rights of the other inmates whose names appeared in the pages that would satisfy the request. The judge indicated that in order to safeguard those inmates' privacy rights, only two copies of the records would be made (one of AUSAs and the other for the defense counsels). These records could not be reproduced by counsel and upon completion of the trial, these copies as well as the copies given to the jury would be returned to the court for their destruction. 3. U.S.A. vs. William Raymond Hock, 4:97cr75-RH, (N.D.Fla.) This officer is charged with violating 18 USC §2243 (b), sexual abuse of an inmate. While the Office of Inspector General is handling the lead on the case, Warden Greer has indicated he wants Paralegal Dan Rouse to attend to represent the interests of the institution. Thirteen (13) staff members have been subpoenaed by the defense. Trial has been delayed until June 1. III. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR May 1998: Sherree L. Sturgis Travel - None Annual Leave - May 1, 1998 Van Vandivier ,SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 7 Travel 5-11 to 5-20, MSTC, DHO Training as Resource Personnel canceled because the absence of two other attorneys out of the office at the same time. Earl Cotton Travel - None Scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled Military Leave 4-27 'to 5-18 Patricia DeJuneas - last day in office 5-8. Gere Gooden Travel - None scheduled Annual Leave - None scheduled Saku Papino - TDY to ATL 5-4 to 5-8 IV. Other Matters a. P.R. Department of Agriculture's ordered by MOe Retention of foodstuff On April 7, 1998, the P.R. Department of Agriculture stopped a shipment of chicken, fish and coffee ordered by MDC Guaynabo because the coffee is a protected good under federal laws in the Puerto Rican market. As a result, the' importer is required to pay a tariff in order to bring the coffee to Puerto Rico and must have license in order to import coffee into P.R. One of the main controversies in this matter was, that for purposes of the statute, the definition of importer encompassed anyone "causing" the goods to be brought to Puerto Rico. MDC Guaynabo had ordered the foodstuff and therefore had caused" the goods to be brought to PR and in accordance with the definition of statute, MDC was the importer responsible for paying the coffee tariff. Our pos i t ion was that the terms of the sales contract clearly indicated that the shipper (Coast to Coast) was responsible for bringing the goods to MDC Guaynabo, therefore the shipper would be responsible for makin~ the customs entry. After meeting with the Department of Agriculture, several conference calls with the Deputy Regional Counsel, Commercial Law Branch, U. S. Customs, P.R. Department of Agriculture, Coast to Coast (shipper) and the U.S. Attorney's Office, this matter was resolved by Coast to Coast taking the coffee back to the, Un 1 ted U .. SER Monthly Report - April, 1998 Page 8 States and the rest of the goods being delivered to MDC Guaynabo. (A good example of the "Nothing is simple" rule. ) B. Regional Office move to commercial office space is presently scheduled for the last week of June or first week of July. cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, SER All Regional Counsel and Associate General Counsel It UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum June 11, 1998 Date: Attn of: Sherree L. Sturgis, Regional Counsel, Southeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, GA 30315 Subject: Monthly Report - May 1998 Reply to Wallace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 To: I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMtG.RY REPORT A. Administrative Tort Claims - 1998 JAN I Pending on 1st Ree's in month Reeons. ree'd "'1s'd in month nding at end ITer 180 days 39 0 22 117 6 FEB 113 55 3 49 118 3 APR 69 38 2 52 103 3 MAR 69 88 4 69 107 1 JUN 104 MAY 89 63 1 46 111 2 B. Tort Claim Investigation Status: AT L COL E G E G J M S U E I T A S A AUG JUL SEP OCT DEC As of May 31, 1998 MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG Yl,\: L PENOIN NOV 44 13 1 1 4 3 4 6 6 1 0 8 7 , 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G >60 DAYS C. FOI/Privacy Act Requests - 1998 JAN Pending Ree'd in Ans'd in Pending Over 30 on 1st month month at end days 21 10 24 4 FEB 12 9 18 21 4 MAR 18 18 22 19 APR 19 19 26 25 3 6 MAY 21 15 41 15 2 JUN 15 JUL AUG SEP ()(.-;- ~. 1'. rIE" SER Monthly Report - Ma y, 19 9 8 Page 2 D . FOIA Requests for recor ds: c L L T A S M I A PENOIN G 3 2 0 0 0 3 0 >30 DAYS 1 0 0 0 0 0 ATL E G E G J 0 S U E As of May 31, 1998 MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ 0 2 0 0 2 3 0 0 1* 0 0 0 0 0 *lnfo due from FDC OAK - o r l g l na ll y as sl g n ed t o MNA howe v er , i nmate no t th e re and disc o vered req u es t shou l d have g o n e t o OAK attempted to resp o nd from th i s reg i on i n o r der t o resp o nd t imel y. Having diff i cult y getting records fro m OAK. II. LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1 998 SOUTHEAST REGION A . SUMMARY REPORT Ca s es Op e n Ne w Ca s es Ha b eas Corpus "'TCA vens _her Bivens/rTCA Lit Repo r ts Cases Clos e d J AN 5 22 16 10 0 5 1 0 11 77 r EB SIS 2 1 0 1 () 0 1 9 MAR 525 18 9 2 6 1 0 2 8 APR 535 MAY 53 7 IS IS 8 6 2 :1 2 0 ~) 5 B . SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS: JUN JUL AUG S EP OCT NOV DEC 2 5 0 0 5 13 No n e C. S I GNIFICANT CASES , TRIALS or HEARINGS: 1. u.s . Ex r eI . J e ff e r y S la v kovs ky v. Susan Kirk an d Will i a m Buchan n ann Case No. CV2 9 8 -1 00 (S. D. Ga.) (FILED UNDER SEAL ) Th i s i s new case, a Qui Tam c i vi l c o mp l a i nt f i led u nd e r t he False Cl aims Act by a form e r PHS dent i st wh o was a isi gn ed at FCI He al l eges that a c ontract Pharmac y Assist a n t J e su p. f r audulent l y bi ll ed the instituti o n f o r ~er v ices sh e h ad n o rendered wi t h the fu l l kn o wl edge and c o operati o n o f th e He alt h Systems Admin i strat o r. The u.S. Att o r ne y 's Off i ce h as r eques ted t ha t we adv i se t h em of BOP's perspect i ves regarding wh eth er t her e i s mer i t t o t h e r e l at o r 's allegat i o ns and wh e ther the Un ited St ates should, theref o r e , inter v e n e an d pursue th e a cti o n . .. SER Monthly Report - May, 1998 Page 3 D. RELIGIOUS CASES: No new cases. E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: No new cases. F. PLRA 1915 DI"SMISSALS: None G. CRIMINAL CASES: U. S. A. vs. William Raymond Hock, 4: 97cr7 5-RH, (N. D. Fla. ) This officer is charged with violating 18 USC §2243 (b) , sexual abuse of an inmate. While the Office of Inspector General is handling the lead on the case, Warden Greer has indicated he wants Paralegal Dan Rouse to attend to represent the interests of the institution. Thirteen (13) staff members have been subpoenaed by the defense. Trial began on June 1 was recessed on June 4 to June 16. The recess was necessary as Hock's attorney attempted to introduce physical evidence of which the government had no prior knowledge, specifically, photographs of the defendant's penis which showed an alleged birthmark which, according to his girlfriend's testimony, is very obvious. The inference to the jury is that the inmates should have noticed this if the sexual acts occurred as alleged. Hock is scheduled to be examined by a skin doctor to determine if the "mark" is real, how long is may have been there, is it obvious, etc. 1. III. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR June 1998: Sherree L. Sturgis Travel - June 9, 1998-Tallahassee; June 19 Central Office (Legal Eagle workgroup meeting) Annual Leave - June 18 Van Vandivier Travel - None Annual Leave - June 12 Earl Cotton Travel - None Scheduled Annual Leave - June 10-12 Gere Gooden Travel - None scheduled o . SER Monthly Report - May, 1998 Page 4 Annual Leave - None scheduled Loretta Rich, Paralegal Trainee is scheduled to arrive during the week of June 22. Jeffrey Sugg, Honors Attorney is scheduled to arrive August 17. IV. Other Matters A. Regional Office move to commercial office space is presently scheduled for June 22. We expect to be in the process of moving from June 16 on. We plan to have the existing phone numbers remain available during the move. If you have trouble, call Terry Collins at USP, Atlanta. She will be covering for any gap periods. We will send out Email to everyone when we are actually in and operational. Thanks for your patience. B. City of Tallahassee, Connor Blvd./Park Ave. Realignment. - I have been working with City officials for months to try to negotiate a deal for allowing them the use of about 4 acres of land at one corner of the institution property to realign these two roads. The realignment is necessary to permit development of a large tract of land behind the institution for housing projects. The realignment requires relocation of the institution's main staff/visitor and warehouse/staff housing entrances and the upgrading and redirection of roads on the institution property. I believe we are finally close to agreeing on a plan. cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, SER All Regional Counsel and Associate General Counsel . UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum July 8, 1998 Date: Sherree L. Sturgis, Regional Counsel, Southeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, GA 30331 -Reply to Attn of: Monthly Report - June 1998 Subject: Wallace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 To: I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY REPORT A. Administrative Tort JAN Pending on 1st Ree's in month Reeons. ree'd Ans'd in month 'nding at end er 180 days B. Tort 39 0 22 117 6 Cla~ FEB 113 55 3 49 118 3 Cla~s APR 69 38 2 52 103 3 MAR 69 88 4 69 107 1 - 1998 MAY 89 63 1 46 111 2 JUN 104 36 0 58 101 3 Investigation Status: c E 0 0 JUL 101 AUG SEP OCT NOV As of June 30, 1998 L G E G L T A S M I A PENOIN G 38 9 0 0 1 4 4 5 4 7 1 0 4 6 17 >60 DAYS 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JUN 15 24 14 JUL 31 AUG ...-,!::.t OCT N( ,-; ATL E G J S U E DEC MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ C. FOI/Privacy Act Requests - 1998 JAN Pending Ree'd in Ans'd in Pending Over 30 on 1st month month at end days FEB 12 21 10 24 18 21 4 4 9 MAR 18 18 22 MAY 21 15 41 19 APR 19 19 26 25 15 7 3 6 2 2 D. FOIA Requests for records: r-~ As of June 30, 1998 DEC . . SER Monthly Report - June, 1998 Page 2 c MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TOG YAZ L E G L T A S M I A PENOIN G 6 4 0 4 0 3 0 0 5 2 0 2 5 0 >30 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ATL 0 E G J S U E .DAYS II. LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1998 SOUTHEAST REGION A. SUMMARY REPORT Cases Open New Cases Habeas Corpus FTCA Bivens Other Bivens/FTCA Lit Reports Cases Closed JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN 522 16 10 0 5 1 0 11 77 515 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 525 18 535 15 6 2 5 2 0 5 5 537 15 8 2 5 0 0 5 13 542 10 8 0 2 0 0 0 5 9 9 2 6 1 0 2 8 JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC B. SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS: 7-7-98 Adverse Judgement, Chilton v. US, FMOE, 4: 96CV02533MLM: $781,000. Wrongful death, FTCA, suicide after. change in antidepressant medication 7-7-98 Recommended Settlement in SUlayman v. US, FGAS, 297-118, EEO case involving doctor at JES, $70,000 recommended. C. SIGNIFICANT CASES, TRIALS or HEARINGS: 1. Figueroa v. Franco, et al. Case No. 95-1791 (D. Puerto Rico) We are very pleased to advise that the district court has vacated its previous judgment for $1.00 against the individual defendants and dismissed this case with prejudice. This is the Bivens action from Puerto Rico where the court had found that two defendants violated the right of the inmate to receive a copy of the DHO report in a timely m?nner, and awarded $1.00 damages against the defendants on summary judgment. Pursuant to a Rule 60(b) (6) motion, the court reconsidered and vacated its preVlOUS order. SER Monthly Report - June, 1998 Page 3 D. RELIGIOUS CASES: No new cases. E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: No new cases. F. PLRA 1915 DISMISSALS: None G. CRIMINAL CASES: FCI, Edgefield has started its Legal Services life early and with a bang by having a walk away from the work cadre. FCI, Yazoo has referred two relatively minor drug possession cases for prosecution on the theory that we should begin with a strong statement. Both were accepted. A good start. 1. DEFENDANTS(S): David Shane Shelby #05374-081 Institution Tracking No.: ATL-7143 Name of Case: US v. David Shane Shelby Court: NDGA Docket No.: 1:98-CR-0020 Institution: ATL Date of Offense: 7/23/97 Type of Case: Criminal Prosecution Description: Inmate Shelby held Ms. D. Ross at knife point in the food service department. Special Monitoring: Not assigned to special monitoring Status of Referral: Accepted Update: Inmate Shelby is shceduled to enter a guil ty plea to Assault on a Correctional Offic~r on 7/20/98. Assigned to: AUSA: Jan Jenkins FBI: Daron Cheney III. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR July 1998: Sherree L. Sturgis Travel -Jul y 2 6-Jul y 31, 1998; DC-Attorney and Pa r a: f-oqd 1 Training July 15 - Settlement Conference, Savannah, Sulayman v. ~s Annual Leave - July 6 Van Vandivier Travel -Jul y 2 6-Jul y 31, Training 1998; DC-Attorney and Pa r a: pqa 1 to SER Monthly Report - June, 1998 Page 4 Annual Leave Earl Cotton Travel -July 5, Chilton v. US Annual Leave Gere Gooden Travel - None Annual Leave - 1998-July 8, 1998; St. Louis-Trial July 3, 1998 Loretta Rich-New Paralegal Trainee Travel - July 5- July 17, 1998-Denver-Paralegal Training Annual Leave - None IV. Other Matters a. b. 7-24 Closing date for SERO FOI paralegal announcement 7-31 Former Regional Director, now USPO Jerry Williford retires On June 30, 1998, Alma Lopez, Attorney Advisor, GUA, attended seminar offered to all Public Defenders and court appointed attorneys to discuss issues and difficul ties attorneys encounter when visiting the MDC. New legal visiting procedures were thoroughly discussed. The attorneys were given a list of 10 DO's and DON'Ts When Visiting the MDC to avoid difficulties in the processing of their legal visits. A:ttorneys raised concerns about the health services offered to inmates, process ing of their visits and the delays in bringing the inmates to the visiting room.· The meeting ended in a positive note. c. cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, SER All Regional Counsel and Associate General Counsel II UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum Date: Reply to Attn of: Subject: To: August 5, 1998 Sherree L. Sturgis, Regional Counsel, Southeast Region Federal Bureau of Prisons, Atlanta, GA 30331 Monthly Report - July 1998 Wallace H. Cheney, General Counsel and Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C. 20534 I. ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY REPORT A. Administrative Tort Claims - 1998 3 MAR 69 88 4 49 6q 1] H 107 1 FEB 113 55 JAN Pending on 1st Ree's in month Reeons. ree'd n.ns'd in month 'nding at end Jer 180 days 39 0 22 117 6 3 APR 69 38 ,52 103 MAY 89 63 1 46 111 3 2 ') JUN 104 36 0 58 101 3 B. Tort Claim Investigation Status: ATL PENDING >60 DAYS 36 10 c E E E L C, T A S I A ~) 1 G L 0 G lJ M 0 E S J 0 ], 4 4 0 () 0 0 0 1 JUL 101 74 3· 54 88 0 SEP AUG 88 OCT NOV DEC As of July 31, 1998 MIM MNA MON PEN ~) ~) q 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 TAL T:·, YA:': , 4 " , 'l L 0 C. FOI/Privacy Act Requests - As of July 31, 1998 'JAN Pending Ree'd in Ans',d in Pending Over 30 on 1 "t month month at end days 21 10 24 4 FEB 12 q lK 21 4 MAR 18 18 APR 19 MAY 21 19 }") 41 1q 26 2 :J 3 6 2 ')'l <- <. D. FOIA Requests for records: 15 .lUN 15 24 14 7 2 .JUL 31 AUG 27 SEP 24 33 27 9 As of July 31, 1998 (, .. -: . ,''~ r 't .' .. SER Monthly Report - August, 1998 Page 2 PENDING >30 DAYS II. AT L 4 0 COL EGL EST GUA JES MIA MIM MNA MON PEN TAL TDG 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 YA Z 0 0 LITIGATION ACTIVITY - 1998 SOUTHEAST REGION A. SUMMARY REPORT Cases Open New Cases Habeas Corpus FTCA Bivens Other Bivens/FTCA Lit Reports Cases Closed JAN 522 16 10 0 5 1 FEB 515 2 1 0 1 0 11 0 0 1 77 9 MAR 525 18 9 2 6 1 0 2 8 APR 535 15 6 " L 5 2 0 5 5 MAY 537 15 8 2 5 0 0 5 13 JUN 542 10 8 0 2 0 0 JUL 539 11 6 1 4 0 0 AUG 531 SEP OCT NOV DEC 0 5 14 B. SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS: Pamela Ruth Chilton, et al. v. United States, 4:96-CV-2533 COP (E.O. Missouri) Trial was held in this case where the inmate committed suicide at Fcr Jesup shortly after arrival and his prescription for was changed from Xanax to Lorazepam. The court found that the Government was negligent and awarded damages to the plaintiffs in the amount of $781,000. This consisted of $725,000 lost income, $50,000 intangible value and $6,000 funeral expenses. SUlayman v. U.S., FGAS, 297-118 - Settled for $55,000 at settlement conference on 7-15. C. SIGNIFICANT CASES, TRIALS or HEARINGS: Salvador Magluta v. F. P. Sam Samples, et al., App No. 97-8417 (ll t t. Cir.) The defendants reply brief was submitted to the court, ar(~uing that the district court's dismissal of the plaintiff's Bi ve:1!' action on the basis of the fugitive from justice doctrine was permissible and should be upheld. Maria Simon, OOJ Appelldte Attorney, prepared and filed the brief for the defendants. We awai t the court's decision. It SER Monthly Report - August, 1998 Page 3 D. RELIGIOUS CASES: E. ENSIGN AMENDMENT CASES: F. PLRA 1915 DISMISSALS: NONE G. CRIMINAL CASES: No significant cases to report. III. TRAVEL AND LEAVE SCHEDULE FOR August 1998: Sherree L. Sturgis Travel None Annual Leave - None Van Vandivier Travel - None Annual Leave - August 17, 25-31 Earl Cotton Travel - August 30-September 2, CSRE training Denver Annual Leave - None Jeffrey Sugg - Honors Attorney Travel - None Annual Leave - None Gere Gooden Travel - None Annual Leave - August 10 Loretta Rich-New Paralegal Trainee Travel None Annual Leave - None Beverly Snell - Legal Intern Travel - 8-20-21 Assist AUSA Porto v. US, FFLS · SER Monthly Report - August, 1998 Page 4 Annual Leave -August 14 IV. Other Matters Orientation for new wardens, 7-13 by Sturgis & Vandivier cc: Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, SER All Regional Counsel·and Associate General Counsel