Bobby Smith, Aka Johnny Cooper, Plaintiff-appellant, v. C/o Herriott, et al., Defendants-appellees, 967 F.2d 591 (9th Cir. 1992)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Bobby Smith, a state prisoner, appeals the district court's dismissal of his action under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a) (4) (B), Washington's public records disclosure statutes, RCW 42.17.250 et seq., the Washington State Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97.010 et seq., and RCW 9.95.140. We affirm.

Smith brought this suit for denial of access to documents regarding a punishment that state prison authorities allegedly imposed in late February 1991. He contends that those documents contain derogatory and prejudicial allegations against him, made without independent investigation and an opportunity for a hearing.

The Freedom of Information Act applies only to agencies defined in 5 U.S.C. § 551(1) as "authorit [ies] of the Government of the United States." The Act does not cover state agencies such as the Washington Department of Corrections. St. Michael's Convalescent Hospital v. California, 643 F.2d 1369, 1373 (9th Cir. 1981). The district court properly held that it did not have jurisdiction over Smith's federal claim. Because Smith did not have a federal claim, the district court properly held that it lacked jurisdiction over his state law claims. Doe v. Klein, 599 F.2d 338, 341 (9th Cir. 1979).

AFFIRMED.