ZIEGLER v. CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF (2020)

Joseph Ziegler appeals the district court's order denying his Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b) motion for relief from the court's prior order and judgment dismissing Ziegler's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights complaint. We review the district court's order denying Rule 60(b) relief for an abuse of discretion. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. AMH Roman Two NC, LLC, 859 F.3d 295, 299 (4th Cir. 2017). On appeal from the denial of a Rule 60(b) motion, “we do not review the merits of the underlying order but rather only whether the movant satisfied the requirements for Rule 60(b).” Id. It is well established in this circuit that, “[t]o obtain relief from a judgment under Rule 60(b), a moving party must first show (1) that the motion is timely, (2) that he has a meritorious claim or defense, and (3) that the opposing party will not suffer unfair prejudice if the judgment is set aside.” United States v. Welsh, 879 F.3d 530, 533 (4th Cir. 2018). Once a movant satisfies this threshold showing, he must then demonstrate that he is entitled to relief under one of the six subsections of Rule 60(b). Id.

Upon review of the record, we discern no abuse of discretion in the district court's denial of Ziegler's Rule 60(b) motion. We therefore affirm for the reasons stated by the district court. Ziegler v. Clay Cnty. Sheriff, No. 2:19-cv-00410, 2020 WL 1917768 (S.D.W. Va. Apr. 20, 2020). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM:

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.