Terry L. Gibbs, Plaintiff-appellant, v. the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Defendant-appellee, 968 F.2d 19 (10th Cir. 1992)

Before STEPHEN H. ANDERSON and BALDOCK, Circuit Judges, and CONWAY,^*  District Judge.

ORDER AND JUDGMENT^** 

JOHN E. CONWAY, District Judge, Sitting by Designation.

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of these appeals. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir.R. 34.1.9. The cases are therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Terry L. Gibbs appeals the district court's award of costs and dismissal with prejudice of his employment discrimination suit against the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). The district court dismissed Gibbs' suit in response to the ODOT's motion for sanctions, after finding that Gibbs demonstrated "recurrent bad faith" in his failure to adequately respond to discovery, and in light of his numerous and frivolous filings and his disregard for the court's orders and warnings.

On appeal, Gibbs contends that the district court misused its discretion, and argues extensively about the merits of his underlying case. However, as the ODOT points out, our review on appeal is limited to a determination whether the district court abused its discretion in imposing the sanction of dismissal and in awarding costs. See Willner v. University of Kan., 848 F.2d 1023, 1030 (10th Cir. 1988) (dismissal as sanction for failure to provide discovery), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 1031 (1989); Riggs v. Scrivner, Inc., 927 F.2d 1146, 1149 (10th Cir.) (costs), cert. denied, 112 S. Ct. 196 (1991).

Following our careful review of the record on appeal and the parties' briefs, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing Gibbs' suit or in awarding costs to the ODOT. Therefore, for substantially the reasons set forth in the district court's Order dated August 21, 1991, the judgment of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma is AFFIRMED. All outstanding motions are DENIED. The mandate shall issue forthwith.