Woubetu v. Claridge Tower

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SAMSON WOUBETU, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 23-0943 (UNA)
)
CLARIDGE TOWER, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
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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Plaintiff alleges, in wholly conclusory fashion, that the District of Columbia Housing
Authority discriminates against him “by put[t]ing [him] in the waiting list longer than two or
four years.” Compl. at 1. Plaintiff once lived at Claridge Tower, and now “want[s] to get [his
own] place” to avoid having “[t]he shelters tak[e]” his belongings. Id. There are practically no
facts alleged, such that the complaint fails to meet the minimal pleading requirement of Rule
8(a). Missing are a basis for the Court’s jurisdiction, a short and plain statement of claim, and a
demand for relief from the named defendants.
A separate order will issue.
/s/
TANYA S. CHUTKAN
DATE: June 12, 2023 United States District Judge
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