Woubetu v. Catholic Charities ( 2023 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SAMSON WOUBETU, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 23-0946 (UNA)
)
CATHOLIC CHARITIES, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on consideration of plaintiff’s application to proceed in
forma pauperis and pro se complaint. The Court grants the application and, for the reasons
discussed below, the dismisses the complaint.
A pro se litigant’s pleading is held to less stringent standards than would be applied to a
formal pleading drafted by lawyer. 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 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 doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498
(D.D.C. 1977).
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Defendant operates a shelter in Washington, DC where plaintiff has been staying in
recent months. See Compl. at 1. According to plaintiff, defendant’s staff “refuse to stop
assaulting” him, take his books and other property, refuse to provide him a single room or
apartment, and “insult and disrespect” him. Id. Missing from the complaint is a statement
establishing a basis for this Court’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, there are so few factual
allegations that defendant cannot reasonably be expected to identify the claim or claims brought
against it so that it may prepare a proper response.
As drafted, the complaint fails to comply with the minimum pleading standard set forth in
Rule 8(a) and, therefore, must be dismissed. A separate order will issue.
/s/
TANYA S. CHUTKAN
DATE: April 12, 2023 United States District Judge
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