The opinion
FILED
AUG 3 1 2011
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ,fj'rJc. u.s D{s~'
arts tor U,e Di;~~c~ :tcnkruptCY
olumbia
DONALD D. WILLIS, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. L1 lQ6~
)
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter comes before the court on review of plaintiffs' applications to proceed in
forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The court will grant the applications, and dismiss the
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
1
doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
Plaintiff alleges, in vague and conclusory terms, that "the actions of the defendant(s) have
been racial and discriminatory due to the business fraud and deception and, discrimination and
disparate activities which have made life unbearable for the plaintiff." CompI. ~ 6. The
complaint does not state what those actions are, however. Without factual allegations sufficient
to put defendant on notice of the claims against him, the complaint does not comply with Rule
8(a) and it will be dismissed.
An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.
DATE: <Z( 15/'2;0//
2