Dist.Ct. did not err in dismissing plaintiff-prisoner’s section 1983 action alleging that defendants-prison medical personnel provided constitutionally deficient medical care, where basis for dismissal was finding that plaintiff had obstructed discovery. Record showed that: (1) plaintiff falsely claimed that defendants had failed to adequately respond to plaintiff’s discovery requests; (2) plaintiff failed to answer straight-forward questions regarding his claim during deposition; and (3) plaintiff falsely accused opposing counsel of bringing contraband into prison. Fact that Dist. Ct. did not conduct hearing prior to imposing sanctions did not require different result, where plaintiff had opportunity to explain his conduct in response to order to show cause. Also, dismissal of plaintiff lawsuit was appropriate sanction, where prior warnings were ineffective, counsel was unable to obtain appropriate answers in deposition, and fines would be ineffective given plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status.
