Braun v. Robertson

Filing 6

MEMORANDUM OPINION re 2 Complaint. Signed by Judge Richard G. Andrews on 5/3/2013. (nms)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE BRENDA LEE BRAUN, Plaintiff, v. Civ. No. 13-448-RGA DAVID ROBERTSON, Defendants. Brenda Lee Braun, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, ProSe Plaintiff. MEMORANDUM OPINION May], 2013 Wilmington, Delaware Plaintiff Brenda Lee Braun filed this action seeking payment for theft of food stamps, non-payment of rent, and the purchase of "porno" films on cable television without her permission. She appears prose and has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis (D. I. 4). The Court proceeds to review and screen the Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). The acts of which Plaintiff complains occurred in Reading, Pennsylvania. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant owes her money and promised to pay her, but never showed up when he said he would. The films that Defendant rented without her permission caused her cable bill to be "very high." The civil cover sheet indicates that Plaintiff seeks $1,009.00 in damages. While the civil cover sheet asserts jurisdiction by reason of a federal question, the Court perceives no basis for federal jurisdiction. Plaintiff was a citizen of the State of Delaware at the time she filed the Complaint (she now resides in Pennsylvania); Defendant is a citizen of the State of Pennsylvania; and Plaintiff alleges damages in the amount of $1,009.00 Hence, the requisites for diversity jurisdiction are not met. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a) (for diversity jurisdiction the matter in controversy must exceed the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs). Hence, the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this matter. In addition, it does not appear that the case is properly venued in this district. In a civil action, venue is proper only in: (1) a judicial district where any defendant resides, if all defendants reside in the same state; (2) a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated; or (3) a judicial district in which any defendant may be found, if there is no district in which the action may otherwise be brought. See 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). Here, Defendant resides in Pennsylvania and the events giving rise to the claim occurred in Pennsylvania. For the above reasons, the Court will dismiss the Complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff will be given leave to amend the Complaint, in the event she can cure the pleading deficiencies. Any amendment shall set clarify whether venue is proper in this judicial district. An appropriate order will be entered. 2

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