Opinion
Civil Action No. 18-0188 (UNA)
02-28-2018
KIRK SCHULTZ, Plaintiff, v. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, et al., Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
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); see Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79 (2009). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claims 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).
Defendants, among which are federal government agencies, media outlets and actors, allegedly have entered into a conspiracy, the purpose of which is unclear. This complaint fails to include a short and plain statement showing that plaintiff is entitled to the relief he demands, and defendants could not be expected to prepare an adequate response to the complaint in its current form. Therefore, the Court will grant the plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and will dismiss the complaint without prejudice because it fails to meet the minimal pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a). An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately. DATE: 2/28/18
/s/_________
United States District Judge