W. Eugene Scott v. Edward L. Kuhlmann, Etc., 746 F.2d 1377 (9th Cir. 1984). · Go Syfert
W. Eugene Scott v. Edward L. Kuhlmann, Etc., 746 F.2d 1377 (9th Cir. 1984). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
G Cite
cited 5× by 5 distinct cases, 2012–2014→ Stable · …defense raises no disputed issues of fact. at p. 1378
cited 5× by 5 distinct cases, 2020–2025 · 4 courts→ Stable · …the defense raises no disputed issues of fact. at p. 1378
cited 3× by 3 distinct cases, 2023–2024 · 3 courts→ Stable · …the defense raises no disputed issues of fact at p. 1378
221 citation events (202 in the last 25 years) across 33 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1985 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1985 2005 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Daniel Quinn v. Southern California Edison Company
C.D. Cal. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
ordinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised 26 by a motion to dismiss, . . . but this is not true when, as here, the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) R. Andre Klein v. Timothy D. Cook
N.D. Cal. · 2024 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
ordinarily affirmative defenses may not 21 be raised by motion to dismiss . . . but this is not true when, as here, the defense raises no disputed 22 issues of fact.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Shai Segui, et al. v. Donna Moniz, et al.
D. Ariz. · 2026 · confidence medium
Scott v. 4 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Foster Lee Brown III v. CMG Mortgage, Inc. (d/b/a CMG Financial)
D. Haw. · 2026 · confidence medium
STANDARD OF REVIEW Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), a defendant may move for dismissal based on a “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” A Rule 12(b)(6) motion may also be granted based on an affirmative defense, such as res judicata, if the defense “raises no disputed issues of fact.” Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam); see also Demoruelle v. Rao, 2021 WL 310339 , at *3 (D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jean-Paul Prentice, et al. v. Wells Fargo Bank NA., et al.
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Cal. 2011) (citing Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Emmanuel Lopez v. County of San Joaquin, a California municipal corporation; City of Stockton, a California municipal corporation; Peter Devencenzi; Genevieve Vallotton; Phirun Var
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Threadbare recitals of 12 the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 13 statements, do not suffice.” Id. 14 An affirmative defense may be raised by motion to 15 dismiss when “the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” 16 Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wesco Insurance Company v. Sentry Insurance Company
N.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Wesco contends that Sentry’s defenses fail because (1) “Sentry 26 impliedly consented to entry of the judgment against Taylor”; (2) there is no evidence of 27 collusion; and (3) “Sentry’s own breaches of its duty to settle . . . prevent Sentry from relying on 1 Here, the Court finds that Sentry’s defenses cannot be resolved at the pleadings stage. 2 “Ordinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised by motion to dismiss, but this is not true when 3 . . . the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th 4 Cir. 1984) (internal citation o…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Timothy Bumb v. Steven Gobin
N.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
However, affirmative 25 defenses may be raised and adjudicated when “the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” Scott 26 v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) McNeff v. Pleasanton Police Department
9th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
The district court erred in concluding that the anonymous complaint against McNeff was “another rationale” for the adverse employment actions that “dooms his claim.” A government defendant’s claim to have acted with a non- retaliatory motive is an affirmative defense that “[o]rdinarily . . . may not be raised by motion to dismiss.” Boquist v. Courtney, 32 F.4th 764 , 774, 784 (9th Cir. 2022) (quoting Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Formtec, LLC v. Wolff (2×) also: Cited "see"
D. Or. · 2025 · confidence medium
Claim Preclusion In considering the application of claim preclusion, the Ninth Circuit explained that “[o]rdinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised by motion to dismiss.” Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mason v. C.D.C.R Officers
N.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dismissal is appropriate also when pleadings show a “lack of cognizable legal theory,” or “the absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory,” Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990) (citation omitted), or when an affirmative defense is premised on facts alleged in the complaint, Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1994).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Faison v. Alameda County
N.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
But these are affirmative defenses, and dismissal is only appropriate 10 at the pleading stage “[w]hen an affirmative defense is obvious on the face of a complaint,” Rivera 11 v. Peri & Sons Farms, Inc., 735 F.3d 892, 902 (9th Cir. 2013), or when “the defense raises no 12 disputed issues of fact.” Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (citing C.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Rodriguez v. County of Sacramento
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 14 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 15 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 16 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 17 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 18 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Witkin v. Thomas
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 1 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 2 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 3 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 4 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 5 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Smith v. City of Sacramento
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 18 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) 19 (per curiam)). 20 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 21 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 22 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 23 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Osburn v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 328 (1989) (“When a 13 complaint raises an arguable question of law which the district court ultimately finds is correctly 14 resolved against the plaintiff, dismissal on Rule 12(b)(6) grounds is appropriate[.]”); see also 15 Headwaters Inc. v. U.S. Forest Serv., 399 F.3d 1047, 1054 (9th Cir. 2005) (“As a general matter, 16 a court may, sua sponte, dismiss a case on preclusion grounds where the records of that court 17 show that a previous action covering the same subject matter and parties had been dismissed.”) 18 (internal quotation marks and ci…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Hamilton v. Ables
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 1 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 2 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 3 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 4 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 5 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Reiger v. St. Charles Health System, Inc.
D. Or. · 2025 · confidence medium
Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984). could have been raised in the prior action.” Owens v. Kaiser Found.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brinich-Barnes v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
CA, 2025).” (Doc. 25.) The Court notes that 27 Plaintiff filed another lawsuit against Defendant in this Court on April 21, 2025, but expresses no opinion on its merits. 28 5 In fact, one of the documents at issue, the Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale, is attached to Plaintiff’s First Amended 1 Yosemite Community College District, 1:19-cv-00795-LJO-EPG, 2019 WL 6878237 , at *5 (E.D. 2 Cal. Dec. 17, 2019) (“Res judicata may properly be raised in a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss 3 based upon the court taking judicial notice of the record in the prior case where no disputed 4 issues of fact appe…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Henreid v. Haynes
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 28 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 1 A pro se litigant is entitled to notice of the deficiencies in the complaint and an 2 opportunity to amend, unless the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured by amendment.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Henreid v. Haynes
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 15 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 16 A pro se litigant is entitled to notice of the deficiencies in the complaint and an 17 opportunity to amend, unless the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured by amendment.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Sewell v. Franklin Credit Mgt. Corp.
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 11 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 12 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 13 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 14 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 15 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PS) James v. Metzger Mgt. Co.
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 26 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 27 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 28 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 1 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 2 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) J'Weial v. CDCR
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 3 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 4 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 5 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 6 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 7 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Black v. De Rose
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
In other words, dismissal based on an affirmative defense is permitted 16 when the complaint establishes the defense.”) (Internal citation omitted.)); Scott v. Kuhlmann, 17 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (affirmative defenses may be resolved in a motion 18 to dismiss when there are no disputed factual issues).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Key Tronic Corporation v. Cognitive LLC
E.D. Wash. · 2025 · confidence medium
Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th 24 Cir. 1984).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Newlin v. Lakeside Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, PLLC
D. Idaho · 2025 · confidence medium
Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Heart v. Bank of New York Mellon, The
D. Haw. · 2025 · confidence medium
A. Preliminary Issues “[A]lthough res judicata is, ordinarily, an affirmative defense to be raised in a responsive pleading, rather than a motion to dismiss, the Ninth Circuit has explained that this is ‘not true when, as here, the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.’” Levitz, 2024 WL 5136685 , at *4 n.5 (quoting Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Orji v. Walmart Superstores, Inc
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 22 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 23 “[A] district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading 24 was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of 25 other facts.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Doe, 58 F.3d 26 494, 497 (9th Cir. 1995)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Balu v. Druckman
N.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
In Scott v. 22 Kuhlmann, an individual filed two successive lawsuits contending that employees of the Federal 23 Communications Commission had violated his constitutional rights. 746 F.2d 1377, 1377 (9th Cir. 24 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC)Spears v. Chang
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
DISCUSSION 9 A. Preclusion Principles Apply to Plaintiff’s Claim 10 Although res judicata is an affirmative defense that typically rests on facts outside the 11 complaint, the Ninth Circuit has routinely held that a res judicata defense may be raised in a 12 motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) so long as it does not depend on disputed issues of fact. 13 Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984); see also Bayone v. Baca, 130 F. App'x 14 869 , 872 n.5 (9th Cir. 2005) (“We have held that the affirmative defense of res judicata may be 15 raised in a motion to dismiss under Rule …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Milless v. Montana State Prison Infirmary
D. Mont. · 2024 · confidence medium
See id. at 215–16, 127 S.Ct. 910 ; Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir.1984) (per curiam);[…] Aquilar–Avellaveda v. Terrell, 478 F.3d 1223, 1225 (10th Cir.2007) (“[O]nly in rare cases will a district court be able to conclude from the face of the complaint that a prisoner has not exhausted his administrative remedies and that he is without a valid excuse.”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Chand v. Rich-Banales
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Scott v. 24 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 25 //// 26 //// 27 //// 28 //// 1 III.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Newberg Crestview, LLC v. City of Newberg
D. Or. · 2024 · confidence medium
Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Foster v. Ma
D. Nev. · 2024 · confidence medium
Nev. 2021) (citing 13 Intri—Plex Techs., Inc. v. Crest Group, Inc., 499 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir. 2007); 14 Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984)). 15 A. Nevada Claim Preclusion Bars Plaintiff’s Claims. 16 Claims that received a final judgment in state court usually cannot be 17 relitigated in federal court.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cruz v. Ford Motor Company
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Cal. Feb. 7, 2011), aff'd, 478 F. App'x 474 (9th Cir. 2012) (citing Scott v. 20 Kuhlman, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Shinshuri v. California Physicians' Services
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Biological Dynamics, Inc. v. Exokeryx, Inc.
S.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
First, it argues the arbitration 4 decision and the state court order confirming that decision render this case res judicata. 5 Second, Defendant asserts Plaintiff has failed to allege sufficient facts to support the 6 element of misappropriation. 7 A. Res Judicata 8 An affirmative defense, such as res judicata, may be raised in a motion to dismiss 9 under Rule 12(b)(6) only when “the defense raises no disputed issues of fact,” Scott v. 10 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984), and the affirmative defense “clearly 11 appears on the face of” the complaint.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rabin, CPA v. Google LLC
N.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
“Ordinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised by motion to 15 dismiss, but this is not true when … the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” Scott v. 16 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (cleaned up); see also Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) (PS) Hedrington v. David Grant Medical Center
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Cal. 2011) (citing Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Burns v. Thuney
D. Or. · 2023 · confidence medium
Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (concluding that although normally affirmative defenses may not be raised in a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the res judicata defense could be raised in that case because “the defense raises no disputed issues of fact”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Mitchell v. Gonzales
E.D. Cal. · 2023 · confidence medium
Res Judicata 24 Although res judicata is an affirmative defense that typically rests on facts outside the 25 complaint, the Ninth Circuit has routinely held that a res judicata defense may be raised in a 26 motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) so long as it does not depend on disputed issues of fact. 27 Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984); see also Goldberg v. Cameron, 694 Fed. 28 App’x. 564, 566 (9th Cir. 2017). 1 Under the Full Faith and Credit Act, “judicial proceedings ... shall have the same full faith 2 and credit in every court within the United States and its Te…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Leishman v. Washington Attorney General's Office
W.D. Wash. · 2023 · confidence medium
Wash. May 30, 2023) (citing Scott v. 14 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mashrique v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
N.D. Cal. · 2023 · confidence medium
A 26 defendant may bring the affirmative defense of claim preclusion under a Rule 12(b)(6) motion. 27 See Scott v. Kuhlman, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Westhoff Vertriebsges mbH v. Berg
S.D. Cal. · 2023 · confidence medium
“If, from the 16 allegations of the complaint as well as any judicially noticeable materials, an asserted 17 defense raises disputed issues of fact, dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) is improper.” 18 ASARCO, 765 F.3d at 1004 (citing Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) 19 (per curiam)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Alonso v. El Centro Police Department
S.D. Cal. · 2023 · confidence medium
(Id. at 6:1–2, 6:21–22.) 19 “Ordinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised by motion to dismiss . . . but 20 this is not true when, as here, the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” Scott v. 21 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (citations omitted); see also Portnoy v. 22 City of Woodland, 368 F. App’x 836, 837 (9th Cir. 2010) (“The district court properly 23 dismissed the Fourth Amendment claims that police officers lacked probable cause to 24 arrest Portnoy because the record establishes that he had a full and fair opportunity to 25 litigate that issue at hi…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Richman v. Native Village of Selawik
D. Alaska · 2023 · confidence medium
Co., 765 F.3d 999, 1004 (9th Cir. 2014). 45 Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984). 46 See generally Docket 12. 47 Docket 1 ¶ 6. 48 See id. ¶¶ 69–73.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. United States Territory of Guam
D. Guam · 2023 · confidence medium
If a court considers other evidence, “it must normally 7 convert the 12(b)(6) motion into a Rule 56 motion for summary judgment, and it must give the 8 nonmoving party an opportunity to respond.” Id. at 907 (citations omitted). 9 “Ordinarily, affirmative defenses . . . may not be raised on a motion to dismiss except when 10 the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” Lusnak v. Bank of Am., N.A., 883 F.3d 1185 , 1194 11 n.6 (9th Cir. 2018) (citing Scott v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)). 12 The reason is because “Rule 8 does not require plaintiffs to p…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lopez v. United States
D. Ariz. · 2023 · confidence medium
Defendants are attempting to use an 26 affirmative defense to throw this case out at the 12(b)(6) stage when courts generally look 27 only at the face of a complaint; “[o]rdinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised by 28 motion to dismiss, ... [unless] the defense raises no disputed issues of fact.” Scott v. 1 Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) (citation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bright v. Treehouse Group LLC
D. Ariz. · 2023 · confidence medium
“Res judicata, however, may be asserted in 7 a motion to dismiss so long as it does not raise any disputed issues of fact.” Id. (citing Scott 8 v. Kuhlmann, 746 F.2d 1377, 1378 (9th Cir. 1984) and Day v. Moscow, 955 F.2d 807 , 811 9 (2d Cir. 1992)). 10 “Res judicata, also known as claim preclusion, bars litigation in a subsequent action 11 of any claims that were raised or could have been raised in the prior action.” Western Radio 12 Services Co., Inc. v. Glickman, 123 F.3d 1189, 1192 (9th Cir. 1997) (citations omitted).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
W. Eugene SCOTT, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
Edward L. KUHLMANN, Etc., Defendants-Appellees
83-5585.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Nov 6, 1984.
746 F.2d 1377
Joanne L. Frank, Edward L. Marsy, Sherman Oaks, Cal., for plaintiff-appellant., Peter Osinoff, Los Angeles, Cal., for defendants-appellees.
Browning, Wallace, Norris.
Cited by 193 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM:

Dr. W. Eugene Scott appeals the dismissal of his complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief for alleged violations of his first amendment rights arising out of an FCC investigation of broadcast operations licensed to Faith Center Church, Inc., of which Scott is pastor and president. The district court dismissed the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and, alternatively, for failure to exhaust administrative remedies.

Scott’s complaint is in two counts. Count One alleges the FCC violated Scott’s free exercise rights by demanding access to records reflecting his donations to Faith Center, Inc. Count Two alleges the FCC violated Scott’s first amendment right to[*1378] privacy by inquiring into Scott’s “sexual habits” during a “secret deposition” of a former employee of Faith Center, Inc.

The claim asserted in Count One cannot be distinguished from that rejected by this court in Scott v. Rosenberg, 702 F.2d 1263 (9th Cir.1983). It is evident from the record in Scott v. Rosenberg, of which we take notice, see Harrington v. Vandalia-Butler Bd. of Education, 649 F.2d 434, 441 (6th Cir.1981), and the pleadings in this case, that the issues raised in both cases are the same. Different individuals are named defendants in the two suits, but all are employees of the FCC who participated in the inquiry in which records of Scott’s donations were sought. “There is privity between officers of the same government so that a judgment in a suit between a party and a representative of the United States is res judicata in relitigation of the same issue between that party and another officer of the government.” Sunshine Anthracite Coal Co. v. Adkins, 310 U.S. 381, 402-03, 60 S.Ct. 907, 917, 84 L.Ed. 1263 (1940). See also Boone v. Kurtz, 617 F.2d 435, 436 (5th Cir.1980) (per curiam); Mervin v. FTC, 591 F.2d 821, 830 (D.C.Cir. 1978).

The district court based dismissal on lack of subject matter jurisdiction rather than res judicata, but we “must affirm a correct decision on any ground fairly supported by the record.” Maykuth v. Adolph Coors Co., 690 F.2d 689, 695 (9th Cir.1982). The defendants raised res judicata in their motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), rather than in a responsive pleading. Ordinarily affirmative defenses may not be raised by motion to dismiss, C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 1277, at 328-30, but this is not true when, as here, the defense raises no disputed issues of fact. Id. at 332. See also Concordia v. Bendekovic, 693 F.2d 1073, 1075-76 (11th Cir.1982); Boone v. Kurtz, supra. In the circumstances of this case it is appropriate to affirm the district court’s order of dismissal of Count One as res judicata even if we assume dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction was improper. Southard v. Southard, 305 F.2d 730, 732 (2d Cir.1962).

As to Count Two, Scott argues his “sexual habits” are within the zone of privacy protecting marriage, procreation, and contraception recognized in Carey v. Population Services Int'l, 431 U.S. 678, 97 S.Ct. 2010, 52 L.Ed.2d 675 (1977) and Eisenstadt v. Baird, 405 U.S. 438, 92 S.Ct. 1029, 31 L.Ed.2d 349 (1972). Even assuming Scott’s “sexual habits” are within a zone of privacy protected by the first amendment, the district court properly dismissed Count Two as frivolous. Scott failed to allege facts suggesting the FCC “chilled” or “interfered” with the interest. He alleged only that the FCC asked a former employee of Faith Center Church, Inc. and her husband questions about Scott’s sexual encounters, and that those questions were not relevant to any legitimate interest of the FCC. Scott relies entirely upon the fact that the questions were asked. He does not allege they were answered, that the answers, if any, reflected in any way upon Scott (indeed he asserts they did not), that the FCC published any information it may have obtained, used it to discredit him, or threatened to do so. Accepting the facts in Scott’s complaint as true, and construing them most favorably to him, he fails to allege more than a trivial or incidental interference with his putative privacy interest. The district court did not err in dismissing Count Two on jurisdictional grounds. See Hagans v. Lavine, 415 U.S. 528, 536-38, 94 S.Ct. 1372, 1378-79, 39 L.Ed.2d 577 (1974); Ambassador College v. Geotzke, 675 F.2d 662, 663 (5th Cir.1982); Franklin v. Oregon, 662 F.2d 1337, 1342-43 (9th Cir.1981).

AFFIRMED.