1 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 2 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 3 ***
4 LAURIE HUMBERD, Case No.: 2:19-cv-01419-GMN-EJY
5 Plaintiff, ORDER 6 v.
7 BANK OF DENE, et al.,
8 Defendant(s).
9 10 Presently before the Court is pro se Plaintiff Laurie Humberd’s (“Humberd”) Application 11 to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 1) attached to which is Plaintiff’s Complaint against 12 Defendants Bank of Dene; Prime Business Services, Inc.; and Michael Stephen Young. 13 I. In Forma Pauperis Application 14 Plaintiff has submitted the declaration required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) showing an inability 15 to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request to proceed in 16 forma pauperis will be granted. 17 II. Screening the Complaint 18 Upon granting a request to proceed in forma pauperis, a court must screen the complaint 19 under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). In screening the complaint, a court must identify cognizable claims 20 and dismiss claims that are frivolous, malicious, file to state a claim on which relief may be 21 granted, or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. 22 § 1915(e)(2). Dismissal for failure to state a claim under § 1915(e)(2) incorporates the standard 23 for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Watison v. Carter, 668 24 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012). To survive § 1915 review, a complaint must “contain sufficient 25 factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” See Ashcroft 26 v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The court liberally construes pro se complaints and may only 27 1 dismiss them “if it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of 2 his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Nordstrom v. Ryan, 762 F.3d 903, 908 (9th Cir. 2014) 3 (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678). 4 In considering whether the complaint is sufficient to state a claim, all allegations of material 5 fact are taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Wyler Summit 6 P’ship v. Turner Broad. Sys. Inc., 135 F.3d 658, 661 (9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). Although 7 the standard under Rule 12(b)(6) does not require detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff must 8 provide more than mere labels and conclusions. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 9 555 (2007). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action is insufficient. Id. Unless 10 it is clear the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured through amendment, a pro se plaintiff 11 should be given leave to amend the complaint with notice regarding the complaint’s deficiencies. 12 Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995). 13 On August 16, 2019, Plaintiff filed her Complaint alleging the following facts. On July 14 26, 2017, Plaintiff entered into a contractual agreement with GTF Holdings, LLC, and its owner 15 Lewis E. Taylor, III, wherein Plaintiff agreed to leverage a property purchase for the purposes of 16 funding a “Species Survival Facility for Southern Black Rhino” in exchange for compensation. 17 ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 7. On September 11, 2017, pursuant to the agreement, $5,000,000.00 was 18 transferred from the Bank of Dene account of Gene Holdings, LLC and/or Lewis E. Taylor, III, to 19 Plaintiff’s Bank of Dene checking account. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 8. On or about September 11, 2017, 20 Plaintiff confirmed through the Bank of Dene’s business computer account management system 21 that her checking account was credited with the sum of $5,000,000.00, said funds to be held free 22 and clear of any liens or holds against Plaintiff’s access to those funds. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 9. 23 On or about September 13, 2017, Plaintiff initiated multiple wire transfers of the funds held 24 in her Bank of Dene account to other banking institutions for the benefit of funding escrow and 25 closing the property purchase. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 10. Every attempted wire transfer failed. ECF No. 26 27 1 1-1 ¶ 11. On or about September 15, 2017, Plaintiff again initiated multiple wire transfers to 2 transfer funds held in her Bank of Dene account to other banking institutions, and again, each 3 attempted wire transfer failed. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 12. 4 On or about April 17, 2018, Plaintiff again initiated multiple wire transfers to transfer funds 5 held in her Bank of Dene account. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 14. Although Plaintiff does not explicitly state 6 that her third attempted wire transfer failed, it is apparent from the face of her Complaint that is 7 again what happened. 8 Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Michael Young (“Young”) intentionally precluded funds 9 from being accessed for her use. ECF No. 1-1 ¶¶ 3, 11-13, 19, 21, 25, 29, 33, 36, 38. Plaintiff 10 alleges that Young is the President and Chairman of the Bank of Dene and that Defendant Prime 11 Business Services, Inc., is a common law trust for Bank of Dene, directly and proximately involved 12 with the bank’s overall operations and oversight. ECF No. 1-1 ¶¶ 2, 3, 13, 15, 18, 20. Further, 13 Plaintiff asserts claims against Defendants sued herein as Does 1-10 and Roe Corporations 1-10. 14 ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 4. Generally, “Doe” pleading is improper in federal court. See Bogan v. Kenne 15 Corp., 852 F.2d 1238, 1239 (9th Cir. 1988). The Federal Statutes and the Federal Rules of Civil 16 Procedure do not provide for the use of fictitious parties. Fifty Associates v. Prudential Ins. Co., 17 446 F.2d 1187, 1191 (9th Cir. 1970). It is unnecessary and improper to include “Doe” parties in 18 the pleadings, but this fact does not “preclude a party’s right, upon learning of the participation of 19 additional parties, to seek to amend the complaint and have the amendment relate back in time to 20 the original filing if the circumstances justify it.” Graziose v. American Home Products Corp., 21 202 F.R.D. 638, 643 (D. Nev. 2001). Here, Plaintiff stated that she will amend her complaint to 22 show the fictitious Defendants’ true names and capacities when the same are ascertained. ECF 23 No. 1-1 ¶ 4. Accordingly, the Court will allow Plaintiff’s complaint to proceed against Bank of 24 Dene, Prime Business Services, Inc., and Michael Stephen Young. The Court reserves the right 25 to grant Plaintiff leave to amend her complaint and have the amendment relate back in time to the 26 original filing if Plaintiff learns of the participation of additional parties. 27 1 Plaintiff brings claims for (1) violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt 2 Organizations Act of 1970 (“RICO”), 18 U.S.C. Section 1961 et seq.; (2) negligent supervision; 3 (3) breach of contract; (4) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and (5) 4 fraud and misrepresentation against Defendants. ECF No. 1-1 ¶¶ 17-39.
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1 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 2 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 3 ***
4 LAURIE HUMBERD, Case No.: 2:19-cv-01419-GMN-EJY
5 Plaintiff, ORDER 6 v.
7 BANK OF DENE, et al.,
8 Defendant(s).
9 10 Presently before the Court is pro se Plaintiff Laurie Humberd’s (“Humberd”) Application 11 to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 1) attached to which is Plaintiff’s Complaint against 12 Defendants Bank of Dene; Prime Business Services, Inc.; and Michael Stephen Young. 13 I. In Forma Pauperis Application 14 Plaintiff has submitted the declaration required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) showing an inability 15 to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request to proceed in 16 forma pauperis will be granted. 17 II. Screening the Complaint 18 Upon granting a request to proceed in forma pauperis, a court must screen the complaint 19 under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). In screening the complaint, a court must identify cognizable claims 20 and dismiss claims that are frivolous, malicious, file to state a claim on which relief may be 21 granted, or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. 22 § 1915(e)(2). Dismissal for failure to state a claim under § 1915(e)(2) incorporates the standard 23 for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Watison v. Carter, 668 24 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012). To survive § 1915 review, a complaint must “contain sufficient 25 factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” See Ashcroft 26 v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The court liberally construes pro se complaints and may only 27 1 dismiss them “if it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of 2 his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Nordstrom v. Ryan, 762 F.3d 903, 908 (9th Cir. 2014) 3 (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678). 4 In considering whether the complaint is sufficient to state a claim, all allegations of material 5 fact are taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Wyler Summit 6 P’ship v. Turner Broad. Sys. Inc., 135 F.3d 658, 661 (9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). Although 7 the standard under Rule 12(b)(6) does not require detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff must 8 provide more than mere labels and conclusions. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 9 555 (2007). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action is insufficient. Id. Unless 10 it is clear the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured through amendment, a pro se plaintiff 11 should be given leave to amend the complaint with notice regarding the complaint’s deficiencies. 12 Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995). 13 On August 16, 2019, Plaintiff filed her Complaint alleging the following facts. On July 14 26, 2017, Plaintiff entered into a contractual agreement with GTF Holdings, LLC, and its owner 15 Lewis E. Taylor, III, wherein Plaintiff agreed to leverage a property purchase for the purposes of 16 funding a “Species Survival Facility for Southern Black Rhino” in exchange for compensation. 17 ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 7. On September 11, 2017, pursuant to the agreement, $5,000,000.00 was 18 transferred from the Bank of Dene account of Gene Holdings, LLC and/or Lewis E. Taylor, III, to 19 Plaintiff’s Bank of Dene checking account. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 8. On or about September 11, 2017, 20 Plaintiff confirmed through the Bank of Dene’s business computer account management system 21 that her checking account was credited with the sum of $5,000,000.00, said funds to be held free 22 and clear of any liens or holds against Plaintiff’s access to those funds. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 9. 23 On or about September 13, 2017, Plaintiff initiated multiple wire transfers of the funds held 24 in her Bank of Dene account to other banking institutions for the benefit of funding escrow and 25 closing the property purchase. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 10. Every attempted wire transfer failed. ECF No. 26 27 1 1-1 ¶ 11. On or about September 15, 2017, Plaintiff again initiated multiple wire transfers to 2 transfer funds held in her Bank of Dene account to other banking institutions, and again, each 3 attempted wire transfer failed. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 12. 4 On or about April 17, 2018, Plaintiff again initiated multiple wire transfers to transfer funds 5 held in her Bank of Dene account. ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 14. Although Plaintiff does not explicitly state 6 that her third attempted wire transfer failed, it is apparent from the face of her Complaint that is 7 again what happened. 8 Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Michael Young (“Young”) intentionally precluded funds 9 from being accessed for her use. ECF No. 1-1 ¶¶ 3, 11-13, 19, 21, 25, 29, 33, 36, 38. Plaintiff 10 alleges that Young is the President and Chairman of the Bank of Dene and that Defendant Prime 11 Business Services, Inc., is a common law trust for Bank of Dene, directly and proximately involved 12 with the bank’s overall operations and oversight. ECF No. 1-1 ¶¶ 2, 3, 13, 15, 18, 20. Further, 13 Plaintiff asserts claims against Defendants sued herein as Does 1-10 and Roe Corporations 1-10. 14 ECF No. 1-1 ¶ 4. Generally, “Doe” pleading is improper in federal court. See Bogan v. Kenne 15 Corp., 852 F.2d 1238, 1239 (9th Cir. 1988). The Federal Statutes and the Federal Rules of Civil 16 Procedure do not provide for the use of fictitious parties. Fifty Associates v. Prudential Ins. Co., 17 446 F.2d 1187, 1191 (9th Cir. 1970). It is unnecessary and improper to include “Doe” parties in 18 the pleadings, but this fact does not “preclude a party’s right, upon learning of the participation of 19 additional parties, to seek to amend the complaint and have the amendment relate back in time to 20 the original filing if the circumstances justify it.” Graziose v. American Home Products Corp., 21 202 F.R.D. 638, 643 (D. Nev. 2001). Here, Plaintiff stated that she will amend her complaint to 22 show the fictitious Defendants’ true names and capacities when the same are ascertained. ECF 23 No. 1-1 ¶ 4. Accordingly, the Court will allow Plaintiff’s complaint to proceed against Bank of 24 Dene, Prime Business Services, Inc., and Michael Stephen Young. The Court reserves the right 25 to grant Plaintiff leave to amend her complaint and have the amendment relate back in time to the 26 original filing if Plaintiff learns of the participation of additional parties. 27 1 Plaintiff brings claims for (1) violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt 2 Organizations Act of 1970 (“RICO”), 18 U.S.C. Section 1961 et seq.; (2) negligent supervision; 3 (3) breach of contract; (4) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and (5) 4 fraud and misrepresentation against Defendants. ECF No. 1-1 ¶¶ 17-39. Taking all allegations of 5 material fact as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, the Court finds that 6 the complaint is sufficient to state a claim.1 7 Accordingly, 8 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Application for Leave to Proceed In Forma 9 Pauperis (ECF No. 1) is GRANTED. Plaintiff will not be required to pay the filing fee in this 10 action. Plaintiff is permitted to maintain this action to conclusion without the necessity of 11 prepayment of any additional fees or costs or the giving of a security for fees or costs. This Order 12 granting leave to proceed in forma pauperis does not extend to the issuance of subpoenas at 13 government expense. 14 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall file Plaintiff’s complaint 15 (ECF No. 1-1). 16 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall issue Summons to Defendants 17 (1) Bank of Dene; (2) Prime Business Services, Inc.; and (3) Michael Stephen Young at (1) 700 18 Fairbanks Ave., Fairbanks, Alaska 99709; (2) 10624 South Eastern Ave., Henderson, Nevada 19 89052; and (3) 700 Fairbanks Ave., Fairbanks, Alaska 99709, respectively. The Clerk of Court 20 shall deliver the same to the U.S. Marshal for service. 21 Plaintiff shall have twenty days in which to furnish the U.S. Marshal with the required 22 Form USM-285.2 Within twenty days after receiving from the U.S. Marshal a copy of the Form 23 USM-285, showing whether service has been accomplished, Plaintiff must file a notice with the 24
25 1 When the court screens a complaint, it does so without the benefit of an adversarial presentation. Cf. Bucheit v. Green, 705 F.3d 1157, 1161 (10th Cir. 2012) (noting that screening “a complaint without 26 benefit of an adversarial presentation if often an uncertain and time-consuming task.”). Nothing in this Order precludes Defendant from filing a motion to dismiss as to any claim brought by Plaintiff. 27 2 The USM-285 form is available at www.usmarshals.gov/process/usm285.pdf. 1 court identifying whether Defendants were served. If Plaintiff wishes to have service attempted 2 again on an unserved Defendant, a motion must be filed with the Court identifying the unserved 3 Defendant and specifying a more detailed name and/or address for said Defendant, or whether 4 some other manner of service should be attempted. 5 Pursuant to Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, service must be 6 accomplished within 90 days from the date this order is entered. 7 From this point forward, Plaintiff shall serve upon Defendants or, if appearance has been 8 entered by counsel, upon the attorney(s), a copy of every pleading, motion or other document 9 submitted for consideration by the court. Plaintiff shall include with the original paper submitted 10 for filing a certificate stating the date that a true and correct copy of the document was personally 11 served or sent by mail to the Defendants or counsel for the Defendants. The Court may disregard 12 any paper received by a district judge or magistrate judge that has not been filed with the Clerk, 13 and any paper received by a district judge, magistrate judge, or the Clerk that fails to include a 14 certificate of service. 15 IT IS SO ORDERED. 16 17 DATED THIS 27th day of August, 2019. 18 19
20 ELAYNA J. YOUCHAH UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 21 22 23 24 25 26 27