LAGRANDEUR
v.
NAJJAR
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The court held that a plaintiff who misrepresents their litigation history abuses the judicial process and warrants dismissal.
Plaintiff failed to disclose prior lawsuits in his complaint, which were then discovered by the court. He admitted to misrepresentations but did not a…
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Before the Court is Defendants' Motion to Revoke Plaintiffs In Forma Pauperis Status (Doc. 31). The motion alerted the Court to the fact that Plaintiff Jeffrey Lagrandeur misrepresented his litigation history in his Complaint. Magistrate Judge Kyle Dudek reviewed Lagrandeur's litigation history and ordered Lagrandeur to show cause why this action should not be dismissed for abuse of the judicial process. (See Doc. 36). In response, Lagrandeur acknowledged he made "material misrepresentations" in his complaint and attempted to correct them by listing the cases he initially failed to disclose, including cases dismissed for failure to prosecute and abuse of the judicial process. (Doc. 38 at 3). But he does not adequately explain why he misrepresented his litigation history.
The Court finds that Lagrandeur abused the judicial process by misrepresenting his litigation history and thereby avoiding potential dismissal under the three-strikes rule set out in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Allen v. Clark, 266 F. App'x 815, 817 (11th Cir 2008) (dismissals for failure to prosecute and abuse of the judicial process are considered strikes). The Eleventh Circuit has repeatedly found dismissal appropriate when a prisoner misrepresents his litigation history. See Redmon v. Lake Cnty. Sheriff's Off., 414 F. App'x 221, 226 (11th Cir. 2011) (prisoner's failure to disclose a prior lawsuit was an abuse of the judicial process); Shelton v. Rohrs, 406 F. App'x 340, 341 (11th Cir. 2010) (same); and Hood v. Tompkins, 197 F. App'x 818, 819 (11th Cir. 2006) (same). The Court will thus dismiss this action without prejudice. Lagrandeur may file a new action, but he must either pay the filing fee or establish an exception to the three-strike rule.
Accordingly, it is now ORDERED: Defendants' Motion to Revoke Plaintiffs In Forma Pauperis Status (Doc. 31) is GRANTED. This action is DISMISSED without prejudice for abuse of the judicial process. The Clerk is DIRECTED to terminate any pending motions and deadlines, enter judgment, and close this case.
DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida on October 30, 2024. Sher Poster Rappell SHERI POLSTER CHAPPELL UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE SA: FTMP-1 Copies: All Parties of Record