The opinion
FILED
7/20/2020
Clerk, U.S. District & Bankruptcy
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Court for the District of Columbia
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CONSUELO JORDAN, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 20-1820 (UNA)
)
ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis and
her pro se civil complaint. The application will be granted, and the complaint will be dismissed.
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).
This complaint begins with what appears to be a claim for pension benefits. In rambling
and disjointed form, the complaint mentions plaintiff’s late mother and sister, plaintiff’s
educational background, past employment discrimination and sexual harassment claims plaintiff
has made, her complaints against a Metropolitan Police Department Officer, threats plaintiff has
received, the improper use of a government seal, and a security clearance. What the complaint
lacks, however, is a short and plain statement showing plaintiff’s entitlement to the relief she
demands, an award of $138 million. For this reason, the complaint fails to meet the pleading
standard set forth in Rule 8(a) and must be dismissed.
An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.
DATE: July 20, 2020 /s/
JAMES E. BOASBERG
United States District Judge