WILLIS v. VILSACK, No. 1:2011cv01568 - Document 3 (D.D.C. 2011)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION Signed by Judge Robert L. Wilkins on 8/25/2011. (ls, )
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FILED AUG 3 1 2011 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ,fj'rJc. u.s D{s~' arts tor U,e Di;~~c~ :tcnkruptCY olumbia DONALD D. WILLIS, Plaintiff, v. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil Action No. L1 lQ6~ MEMORANDUM OPINION This matter comes before the court on review of plaintiffs' applications to proceed in forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The court will grant the applications, and dismiss the complaint. The Court has reviewed plaintiff s complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed by pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than those applied to formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants, however, 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 that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court's jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claim being asserted, sufficient to prepare a responsive answer, to prepare an adequate defense and to determine whether the 1 doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977). Plaintiff alleges, in vague and conclusory terms, that "the actions of the defendant(s) have been racial and discriminatory due to the business fraud and deception and, discrimination and disparate activities which have made life unbearable for the plaintiff." CompI. ~ 6. The complaint does not state what those actions are, however. Without factual allegations sufficient to put defendant on notice of the claims against him, the complaint does not comply with Rule 8(a) and it will be dismissed. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately. DATE: <Z( 15/'2;0// 2
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