Federal Court Allows FTCA Claim to Proceed against BIA Cops

Here is the opinion in Garvais v. United States (E.D. Cal.) — Garvais v USA DCT Order

An excerpt:

The United States has now moved for dismissal arguing that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the claims of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution because the only factual basis for such claim were the acts of tribal police officers and the tribal prosecutor, who do not qualify as federal employees for purposes of the FTCA. In response to the motion, Plaintiff concedes that any claim based upon the conduct of the tribal officials could not proceed against the United States. Instead, Plaintiff argues that the United States has misconstrued the factual basis of his claim. Plaintiff argues his claims against the United States are based upon the conduct of the investigating BIA officer, Officer Little. There is no dispute that Officer Little qualifies as an “investigative or law enforcement officer[] of the United States” for purposes of 28 U.S.C § 2680(h). Accordingly, the court DENIES the United States’ Motion to Dismiss based upon lack of subject matter jurisdiction.