Magno J. Ortega, M.D. v. Dennis Michael O'connor, M.D. And Richard Friday

REINHARDT, Circuit Judge:

In 1981, defendants Dr. Dennis Michael O’Connor and Richard Friday, who were then officials at California’s Napa State Hospital, directed an extensive inquiry that they contend was a lawful administrative investigation of Dr. Magno Ortega’s management practices. The investigation led to a highly intrusive search of Dr. Ortega’s private office and all of the personal possessions he kept there, among which were private letters and romantic mementos. In the course of the search, the defendants seized most of the items that were in Dr. Ortega’s office, including the items…