Chicopee Lions Club v. District Attorney for the Hampden District

The Chicopee Lions Club (the club) (plaintiff) was a nonprofit organization that assisted people with sight or hearing impairments. The club planned to hold a “Monte Carlo night” in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts in March 1983. Monte Carlo nights were popular charity-hosted events where patrons could engage in simulated gambling, with proceeds going to the organizing charity. The club obtained a permit for the Monte Carlo night and spent substantial time and money preparing for the event, including executing a rental agreement for simulated-gambling equipment. On the afternoon of the planned Monte Carlo night, the district attorney for the Hampden District (the DA) (defendant) learned of the event and became upset. The DA called the Chicopee police chief—who was already in attendance at the event along with 800 other local residents—to tell him that the event was illegal. The DA threatened to have police raid the event, confiscate the gambling equipment and proceeds, and arrest attendees. In response to the DA’s threats, the club canceled the Monte Carlo night. The club sued the DA in Massachusetts state court, alleging under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and a Massachusetts statute that the DA had violated the club’s constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, and peaceful assembly. The club also asserted that the DA had interfered with the club’s contractual relations, damaged the club’s reputation, and harmed the club’s ability to raise funds at future charitable events. The trial court dismissed the action, finding that the DA was immune from suit. The club appealed directly to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.