Case ID: f-appx_297/html/0081-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Elizabeth LIGGON-REDDING, Appellant v. AMERICAN SECURITIES INS; National City Mortgage.
    No. 07-2658.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted for Possible Dismissal Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) or Summary Action
    Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 27.4 and I.O.P. 10.6 Dec. 13, 2007.
    Opinion Filed Oct. 28, 2008.
    Elizabeth Liggon-Redding, Rancocas, NJ, pro se.
    Before: McKEE, RENDELL and SMITH, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Elizabeth Liggon-Redding appeals from the order of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania dismissing her complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)® & (ii). For the reasons that follow, we will summarily vacate and remand.

Since January 2006, Liggon-Redding has filed three separate complaints against Appellees. The District Court dismissed her first complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. (M.D.Pa.06-cv-00227). Liggon-Redding appealed and that appeal is currently pending before this Court. (C.A. No. 06-1764). On May 9, 2007, Lig-gon-Redding filed a second complaint against Appellees, citing 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-68, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1984 (“RICO”), as the basis for her complaint. (M.D.Pa.07-cv-00847). Without giving Liggon-Redding an opportunity to amend, the District Court dismissed the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Liggon-Redding did not appeal. On May 23, 2007, Liggon-Redding filed a third complaint, which again alleged RICO violations. The District Court sua sponte dismissed the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)® & (ii) without giving Lig-gon-Redding an opportunity to amend. Liggon-Redding appeals and has filed a motion for the appointment of counsel.

We have held that when a complaint is dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, a plaintiff should be granted the opportunity to amend her complaint unless amendment would be inequitable or futile. Grayson v. Mayview State Hosp., 293 F.3d 103, 106 (3d Cir.2002). Here, the District Court dismissed Liggon-Redding’s complaint because it failed to allege prior related predicate acts, an element necessary to plead a RICO civil action. See Lum v. Bank of Am. 361 F.3d 217, 223 (3d Cir.2004). Although the District Court also dismissed the complaint as frivolous, we cannot conclude, at this early stage, that any amendment to Liggon-Redding’s complaint would be futile. Accordingly, the District Court should have granted Liggon-Red-ding an opportunity to amend her complaint.

Because this appeal presents no substantial question, we will summarily vacate the District Court’s order and remand for further proceedings. See Third Circuit LAR 27.4 and I.O.P. 10.6. Liggon-Red-ding’s motion for the appointment of counsel is denied.