Moon v. Hahn

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia grants the plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis but dismisses the complaint as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). The court concludes that the rambling allegations of an expansive criminal conspiracy and other wrongdoing are irrational, wholly incredible, and insufficient to establish subject-matter jurisdiction.

Holdings

1. A complaint may be dismissed as frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis in law or fact or alleges irrational, wholly incredible, or fanciful events; the complaint at issue met that standard.
2. Federal courts lack power to entertain claims that are so attenuated and unsubstantial as to be absolutely devoid of merit; the complaint therefore did not invoke subject matter jurisdiction.
3. A complaint must contain sufficient factual matter to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face; this complaint did not satisfy that standard.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the pro se complaint should be dismissed on initial review as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).
2. Whether allegations that are irrational, wholly incredible, fanciful, or otherwise patently insubstantial deprive the court of subject matter jurisdiction.

Disposition

dismissed