DEWAYNE v. JP MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION CORP (2020)

Bishop Ruben Dewayne appeals the district court's orders accepting the recommendation of the magistrate judge and dismissing Dewayne's civil action, and denying his motion for reconsideration. On appeal, we confine our review to the issues raised in the informal brief. See 4th Cir. R. 34(b). Because Dewayne's informal brief does not challenge the basis for the district court's disposition, he has forfeited appellate review of the court's orders. See Jackson v. Lightsey, 775 F.3d 170, 177 (4th Cir. 2014) (“The informal brief is an important document; under Fourth Circuit rules, our review is limited to issues preserved in that brief.”).

On appeal, Dewayne also contends that the district court judge should have recused herself. Because Dewayne did not move the district court for recusal, we review his claim only for plain error. See United States v. Minard, 856 F.3d 555, 557 (8th Cir. 2017). Dewayne fails to establish that recusal was required. See Belue v. Leventhal, 640 F.3d 567, 572-74 (4th Cir. 2011) (noting that judicial rulings are rarely valid basis for bias or partiality motion). Thus, the district court's failure to recuse did not amount to error, plain or otherwise.

Accordingly, we affirm the district court's orders. We also deny Dewayne's motion to strike counsel for Appellees’ appearances. 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Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.