FILED
3/18/2021
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Clerk, U.S. District & Bankruptcy
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Court for the District of Columbia
ANTONIO GENAO, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 21-0683 (UNA)
)
THE UNITED STATES, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis and
his pro se civil 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 doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498
(D.D.C. 1977).
1
As drafted, the plaintiff’s complaint fails to meet the minimal pleading standard set forth
in Rule 8(a). The complaint itself alleges no facts, and taken together with its attachments, fails
to articulate a single viable legal claim. Therefore, the Court will dismiss the complaint and this
civil action without prejudice. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued
separately.
/s/
AMIT P. MEHTA
United States District Judge
DATE: March 18, 2021
2