Opinion
Civil Action No. 15-cv-01446-GPG
07-09-2015
ELIZABETH ANN TAFOYA, Plaintiff, v. STEVE ONLEY; PLATINUM SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE, Defendants.
ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO FILE AMENDED TITLE VII COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Elizabeth Ann Tafoya, has filed pro se a Title VII Complaint (ECF No. 1). She has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915.
The court must construe the Title VII Complaint liberally because Ms. Tafoya is not represented by an attorney. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520-21 (1972); Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1110 (10th Cir. 1991). However, the court should not be an advocate for a pro se litigant. See Hall, 935 F.2d at 1110. For the reasons discussed below, Ms. Tafoya will be ordered to file an amended complaint.
The court has reviewed the Title VII Complaint and finds that the document fails to comply with the pleading requirements of Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The twin purposes of a complaint are to give the opposing parties fair notice of the basis for the claims against them so that they may respond and to allow the court to conclude that the allegations, if proven, show that the plaintiff is entitled to relief. See Monument Builders of Greater Kansas City, Inc. v. American Cemetery Ass'n of Kansas, 891 F.2d 1473, 1480 (10th Cir. 1989). The requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 8 are designed to meet these purposes. See TV Communications Network, Inc. v. ESPN, Inc., 767 F. Supp. 1062, 1069 (D. Colo. 1991), aff'd, 964 F.2d 1022 (10th Cir. 1992). Specifically, Rule 8(a) provides that a complaint "must contain (1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court's jurisdiction, . . . (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief; and (3) a demand for the relief sought." The philosophy of Rule 8(a) is reinforced by Rule 8(d)(1), which provides that "[e]ach allegation must be simple, concise, and direct." Taken together, Rules 8(a) and (d)(1) underscore the emphasis placed on clarity and brevity by the federal pleading rules. Prolix, vague, or unintelligible pleadings violate Rule 8.
Ms. Tafoya fails to provide a short and plain statement of her claims showing she is entitled to relief. Although Plaintiff indicates in the Title VII Complaint that she was discriminated against because of her race, sex, age and religion (see ECF No. 1, at 2), she fails to allege specific facts to demonstrate that she was discriminated against in the terms and conditions of her employment because of her those factors. Instead, she merely states that she was called a felon and suspended and even though she is not a felon. In addition, she claims that Steve Only from Days Inn stated that she would never work for the compant after she attempted to file criminal charges against him. Ms. Tafoya is reminded that the only proper defendant in a Title VII action is her employer or former employer. See Haynes v. Williams, 88 F.3d 898, 899-901 (10th Cir.1996) recognizing that Title VII creates a private right of action against employers who allegedly performed unlawful employment practices); McBride v. Gallegos, No. 02-4216, 72 F. App'x 786, 788 (10th Cir. July 30, 2003) (unpublished) (affirming dismissal of defendant in Title VII action who was not the plaintiff's employer).
Ms. Tafoya must file an amended complaint against an employer or former employer if she wishes to pursue Title VII claims in this action. Plaintiff must allege specific facts to support claims that she was discriminated against on the basis of her race, sex, age or religion. See Nasious v. Two Unknown B.I.C.E. Agents, 492 F.3d 1158, 1163 (10th Cir. 2007) (noting that, to state a claim in federal court, "a complaint must explain what each defendant did to him or her; when the defendant did it; how the defendant's action harmed him or her; and, what specific legal right the plaintiff believes the defendant violated"). The general rule that pro se pleadings must be construed liberally has limits and "the court cannot take on the responsibility of serving as the litigant's attorney in constructing arguments and searching the record." Garrett v. Selby Connor Maddux & Janer, 425 F.3d 836, 840 (10th Cir. 2005). Accordingly, it is
ORDERED that Ms. Tafoya file, within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, an Amended Title VII Complaint that complies with the pleading requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as discussed in this order. It is
FURTHER ORDERED that Ms. Tafoya shall obtain the court-approved Title VII Complaint form, along with the applicable instructions, at www.cod.uscourts.gov. It is
FURTHER ORDERED that, if Ms. Tafoya fails to file an Amended Title VII Complaint that complies with this order within the time allowed, the action will be dismissed without further notice.
DATED July 9, 2015, at Denver, Colorado.
BY THE COURT:
/s Gordon P. Gallagher
Gordon P. Gallagher
United States Magistrate Judge