The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PRINCESS MARIA SPENCER, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 23-0374 (UNA)
)
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on review of this pro se plaintiff’s application to proceed
in forma pauperis and her civil complaint.
The Court has reviewed the plaintiff’s complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed
by pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than are applied to formal pleadings drafted
by lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants 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).
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Plaintiff alleges that she met with an employee of the Internal Revenue Service who
advised plaintiff she had “3 COVID stimulus checks” that “were stolen along with an amended
tax check [and] all [her] personal belongings” with proof, presumably of the theft, and the name
of the employee with whom plaintiff spoke. Compl. at 1. Missing from the complaint are
allegations establishing the grounds for this Court’s jurisdiction, a statement of the claim
showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief, and a demand for any particular relief. As drafted,
the complaint fails to meet the minimal pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a).
The Court will grant the plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2),
deny as moot her motion to issue subpoena (ECF No. 3) and will dismiss the complaint and this
civil action without prejudice. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued
separately.
/s/
RANDOLPH D. MOSS
DATE: March 13, 2023 United States District Judge
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