Napolitano v. Powell

Opinion

FILED

8/19/2020

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Clerk, U.S. District & Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

JIMI KAROLYN NAPOLITANO, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) Civil Action No. 20-2115 (UNA)

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JEROME POWELL et al., )

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Defendants. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter, brought pro se, is before the Court on review of plaintiff’s Complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis. The Court will grant the in forma pauperis application and dismiss the case because the complaint fails to meet the minimal pleading requirements of Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Pro se litigants must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires complaints to contain “(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court’s jurisdiction [and] (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a); see Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79 (2009); Ciralsky v. CIA, 355 F.3d 661, 668-71 (D.C. Cir. 2004). The Rule 8 standard ensures that defendants receive fair notice of the claim being asserted so that they can prepare a responsive answer, launch an adequate defense, and determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977). It also assists the Court in determining whether it has jurisdiction over the subject matter.

2

The instant complaint is brought against seemingly private individuals who, save the lead defendant, are alleged to be members of an organized crime family. The rambling allegations comprising the complaint lack a cogent statement of facts, much less facts showing any entitlement to relief. More importantly, the complaint reveals no basis of federal court jurisdiction. A separate order of dismissal accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.

___________s/_______________ COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY

United States District Judge

Date: August 19, 2020