Marshall v. Citibank
Filing
5
ORDER by Magistrate Judge Steven C. Yarbrough granting 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis and Order to Show Cause. (cm)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
ROBERT A. MARSHALL,
Plaintiff,
v.
No. 1:25-cv-00063-SCY
CITIBANK,
Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE
THIS MATTER comes before the Court on pro se Plaintiff’s Civil Rights Complaint
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Doc. 1, filed January 22, 2025 (“Complaint”), and Plaintiff’s
Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs, Doc. 2, filed
January 22, 2025.
Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
The statute for proceedings in forma pauperis, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), provides that the
Court may authorize the commencement of any suit without prepayment of fees by a person who
submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets the person possesses and that the
person is unable to pay such fees.
When a district court receives an application for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis, it should examine the papers and determine if the requirements of
[28 U.S.C.] § 1915(a) are satisfied. If they are, leave should be granted.
Thereafter, if the court finds that the allegations of poverty are untrue or that the
action is frivolous or malicious, it may dismiss the case[.]
Menefee v. Werholtz, 368 F. App’x 879, 884 (10th Cir. 2010) (citing Ragan v. Cox, 305 F.2d 58,
60 (10th Cir. 1962)). “The statute [allowing a litigant to proceed in forma pauperis] was intended
for the benefit of those too poor to pay or give security for costs . . . .” Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de
Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 344 (1948). While a litigant need not be “absolutely destitute,”
“an affidavit is sufficient which states that one cannot because of his poverty pay or give security
for the costs and still be able to provide himself and dependents with the necessities of life.” Id.
at 339.
The Court grants Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying
Fees or Costs. Plaintiff signed an affidavit stating he is unable to pay the costs of these
proceedings and stated: (i) his average monthly income amount during the past 12 months is
$1,500.00; and (ii) his monthly expenses total $1,831.00. The Court finds that Plaintiff is unable
to pay the costs of this proceeding because Plaintiff signed an affidavit stating he is unable to pay
the costs of these proceedings and because his monthly expenses exceed his monthly income.
Order to Show Cause
Plaintiff alleges he discovered fraudulent activity on his account involving a credit card
and notified TransUnion and Defendant Citibank. See Complaint at 1. Plaintiff further alleges
TransUnion and Citibank both failed to conduct investigations and did not provide
documentation to validate the debt. Id. at 2-3. He asserts Citibank falsely reported the alleged
debt to the credit bureaus. Id. The Complaint brings three causes of action, all of which fail to
state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
First, Plaintiff asserts a claim pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692g and 1692e of the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). Section 1692g imposes certain requirements on debt
collectors if a consumer notifies the debt collector that the debt is disputed. Section 1692e
prohibits debt collectors from using false or misleading representations in connection with the
collection of any debt. Plaintiff has not shown that Citibank is a debt collector within the
meaning of the FDCPA.
2
In order to be subject to liability under the FDCPA, the person attempting to
collect a debt must be a “debt collector.” 15 U.S.C. § 1692e. The FDCPA excludes
entities attempting to collect debts owing to them from the definition of debt
collector as long as the collector does not use a name that might lead a debtor to
believe a third party had become involved in the collection effort. 15 U.S.C.
§ 1692a(6).
Daros v. Chase Manhattan Bank, 19 F. App’x 26, 27 (2d Cir. 2001); 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6) (“The
term ‘debt collector’ means any person who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or
the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debts, or who
regularly collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be
owed or due another. . . . The term does not include [] any officer or employee of a creditor
while, in the name of the creditor, collect[s] debts for such creditor.”). There are no allegations
that Citibank took any actions that could be construed as an attempt to collect a debt from
Plaintiff.
Second, Plaintiff asserts a claim pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6050P, Returns relating to the
cancellation of indebtedness of certain entities, of the Internal Revenue Code. See Complaint
at 3. This statute governs the reporting of certain transactions to the IRS. The Complaint does not
explain how Section 6050P is applicable to this case. See Nasious v. Two Unknown B.I.C.E.
Agents, at Arapahoe County Justice Center, 492 F.3d 1158, 1163 (10th Cir. 2007) (“[T]o 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.”).
Third, Plaintiff asserts a claim for “Collection of extension of credit (18 USC 894)” and
“Securities Fraud (15 USC 78ff).” Complaint at 3-4. Sections 894 and 78ff are criminal statutes.
18 U.S.C. § 894 (prohibiting collection of extensions of credit by extortionate means);
15 U.S.C. § 78ff (setting forth penalties for violations under the Securities Exchange Act of
3
1934). The complaint therefore fails to state a claim under these statutes. “[C]riminal statutes do
not provide for private civil causes of action.” Kelly v. Rockefeller, 69 F. App’x 414, 415-16
(10th Cir. 2003); see Diamond v. Charles, 476 U.S. 54, 64 (1986) (“a private citizen lacks a
judicially cognizable interest in the prosecution or nonprosecution of another”).
Thus, the Court orders Plaintiff to show cause why the Court should not dismiss his
lawsuit. If Plaintiff asserts the Court should not dismiss his lawsuit, Plaintiff must file an
amended complaint.
Lastly, although the Complaint references grievances against TransUnion, it does not
assert a claim against TransUnion. See Complaint at 1-2. If Plaintiff is asserting a claim against
TransUnion, the amended complaint must clearly indicate so, cite the legal and factual basis for
the claim, and name TransUnion in the caption.
Service on Defendants
Section 1915 provides that the “officers of the court shall issue and serve all process, and
perform all duties in [proceedings in forma pauperis]”). 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d). The Court will not
order service at this time because the Court is ordering Plaintiff to file an amended complaint.
The Court will order service if: (i) Plaintiff files an amended complaint that states a claim over
which the Court has subject-matter jurisdiction; and (ii) files a motion for service which includes
the address of each Defendant.
Case Management
Generally, pro se litigants are held to the same standards of professional
responsibility as trained attorneys. It is a pro se litigant’s responsibility to become
familiar with and to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the
Local Rules of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (the
“Local Rules”).
4
Guide for Pro Se Litigants at 4, United States District Court, District of New Mexico (October
2022). The Local Rules, the Guide for Pro Se Litigants and a link to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure are available on the Court’s website (http://www.nmd.uscourts.gov).
Compliance with Rule 11
The Court reminds Plaintiff of his obligations pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure. See Yang v. Archuleta, 525 F.3d 925, 927 n.1 (10th Cir. 2008) (“Pro se status
does not excuse the obligation of any litigant to comply with the fundamental requirements of
the Federal Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure.”). Rule 11(b) provides:
Representations to the Court. By presenting to the court a pleading, written
motion, or other paper--whether by signing, filing, submitting, or later advocating
it--an attorney or unrepresented party certifies that to the best of the person's
knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the
circumstances:
(1) it is not being presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause
unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation;
(2) the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law
or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law
or for establishing new law;
(3) the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so
identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for
further investigation or discovery; and
(4) the denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or, if
specifically so identified, are reasonably based on belief or a lack of information.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(b). Failure to comply with the requirements of Rule 11 may subject Plaintiff to
sanctions, including monetary penalties and nonmonetary directives. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(c).
IT IS ORDERED that:
(i)
Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or
Costs, Doc. 2, filed January 22, 2025, is GRANTED.
5
(ii)
Plaintiff shall, within 21 days of entry of this Order: (a) show cause why the
Court should not dismiss Plaintiff’s claims for the reasons stated above; and (b)
file an amended complaint. The amended complaint must comply with the Federal
and Local Rules of Civil Procedure.
Failure to timely show cause and file an amended complaint may result in dismissal of this case.
_____________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
6
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?