View this case and other resources at:
Brief Fact Summary. The Plaintiff, Joseph C. Steffan (Plaintiff), brought suit against the United States Naval Academy after he resigned following an administrative hearing calling for his dismissal. Plaintiff’s suit was dismissed by the district court for failing to comply with court’s discovery order.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. Court imposed sanctions under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure (FRCP) Rule 37 may not be upheld if there imposition is based upon an error of law.
To ensure fair review of an agency decision a reviewing court should have before it neither more nor less information than did the agency when it made its decision.
View Full Point of LawIssue. When may a court dismiss a complaint for a plaintiff’s refusal to comply with a discovery order under FRCP Rule 37.
Held. The Circuit Court for the District of Columbia reversed the decision of the district court dismissing Plaintiff’s complaint. Sanctions under FRCP Rule 37 may not be upheld if there imposition is based upon an error of law. Judicial review of an administrative action is confined to the grounds upon which the record discloses that the action was based.
Discussion. Essentially, the Circuit Court held that whether Plaintiff engaged in homosexual conduct was irrelevant in his district court suit because it was his personal declarations, not his conduct, which was was the basis of his administrative dismissal.