Case 1:16-cv-00540-AJT-MSN Document 37 Filed 07/28/17 Page 20 of 20 PageID# 3276
This Court does not have original subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintifrs state law
defamation claim, as there is no federal question or diversity jurisdiction over that claim. This
Court may exercise jurisdiction over that claim only based on its supplemental jurisdiction under
28 U.S.C. § l 367(a), however. 'While supplemental jurisdiction exists under Section 1367(a), 28
U.S.C. § l367(c)(3) grants district courts the specific discretion not to exercise that jurisdiction if
"the district court has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction." In this case,
the Court has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction and declines to exercise
its supplemental jurisdiction over the only remaining claim, which is a Virginia state law claim
that arises within the context of a core state function, the administration of the public school
system. Accordingly, Plaintiff's defamation claim in Count VIII is dismissed without prejudice.
IV.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, Counts I-VII are dismissed and Count vrn is dismissed
without prejudice.
The Court will issue an appropriate order.
The Clerks is directed to forward a copy of this Memorandum Opinion to all counsel of
record.
Alexandria, Virginia
July 28, 2017
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