Randal N. Wiideman, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Juan P. Ignacio, Individually, Defendant-appellee, 999 F.2d 546 (9th Cir. 1993)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Randal N. Wiideman, a Nevada state prisoner, appeals pro se the district court's order imposing a $200.00 sanction against him pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 11. In this consolidated action, Wiideman alleged that certain prison officials had embezzled money and killed a former prison employee. Additionally, Wiideman also submitted a forged document from a United States federal government agency. We review the district court's imposition of sanctions for abuse of discretion. Townsend v. Holman Consulting Corp., 929 F.2d 1358, 1365-66 (9th Cir. 1990). We affirm.

Rule 11 provides that an unrepresented party shall sign all papers filed with the court to certify that "to the best of the signer's knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry [the party's pleading] is well grounded in fact." Fed. R. Civ. P. 11. Rule 11 applies to pro se litigants as well as to attorneys and parties represented by attorneys. Business Guides, Inc. v. Chromatic Communications Enter., 111 S. Ct. 922, 930 (1991). Sanctions must be imposed on the signer if the filing is "frivolous." Townsend, 929 F.2d at 1362. We define a frivolous filing as one "that is both baseless and made without a reasonable and competent inquiry." Id.

Here, Wiideman alleged that defendants killed a former prison employee. Additionally, he submitted a forged document from a United States federal government agency. We agree with the district court that there is nothing in the record to indicate that Wiideman made a reasonable or competent inquiry prior to making his allegations and submitting his exhibits. Moreover, because Wiideman's allegation of murder is baseless, the district court did not abuse its discretion by imposing sanctions on Wiideman. See id. at 1365-66.

AFFIRMED.