Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation v. John H. Meyer (510 U.S. 471)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided February 23, 1994 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 510 U.S. 471 · 114 S. Ct. 996
- Decided
- February 23, 1994
- Term
- October Term 1993
- Vote
- 9–0
- Majority author
- Justice Thomas
- Issue area
- Economic Activity
- Disposition
- Reversed
- Outcome
- Petitioning party won
- Ideological direction
- Liberal
Opinion excerpt
Justice Thomas delivered the opinion of the Court. In Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 U. S. 388 (1971), we implied a cause of action for damages against federal agents who allegedly violated the Constitution. Today we are asked to imply a similar cause of action directly against an agency of the Federal Government. Because the logic of Bivens itself does not support such an extension, we decline to take this step. I On April 13, 1982, the California Savings and Loan Commissioner seized Fidelity Savings and Loan Association (Fidelity), a California-chartered thrift institution, and appointed the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) to serve as Fidelity’s receiver under state law. That same day, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board appointed FSLIC to serve as Fidelity’s receiver under federal law. In its capacity as receiver, FSLIC had broad authority to “take such action as may be necessary to put [the thrift] in a sound solvent condition.” 48 Stat. 1259, as amended, 12 U. S. C. § 1729(b)(l)(A)(ii) (repealed 1989). Pursuant to its general policy of terminating the employment of a failed thrift’s senior management, FSLIC, through its special representative Robert L. Pattullo, terminated respondent John H. Meyer, a senior Fidelity officer. Approximately one year later, Meyer filed this lawsuit against a number of defendants, including FSLIC and…
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