Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01047/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01047-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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1

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEVEN WHITFIELD,

Plaintiff,

vs.

JOSEFINA SANDOVAL, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

1:06-cv-01047-AWI-SMS

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS (Doc. 17)

ORDER DISMISSING SECOND

AMENDED COMPLAINT WITHOUT

LEAVE TO AMEND (Doc. 16)

Plaintiff is proceeding pro se with an action for damages and other relief concerning

alleged civil rights violations. The matter has been referred to the Magistrate Judge pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Rules 72-302 and 72-304.

On October 26, 2007, the Magistrate Judge reviewed Plaintiff’s second amended

complaint. The Magistrate Judge determined the complaint failed to state a claim, and she filed

Findings and Recommendations that recommended the complaint be dismissed without leave to

amend. The Findings and Recommendations were served on Plaintiff and gave notice that any

objections to the Findings and Recommendations were to be filed within thirty (30) days. On

November 15, 2007, Plaintiff filed objections to the Magistrate Judge’s Findings and

Recommendations.

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Local Rule 73-305,

this Court has conducted a de novo review of this case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file,

the Court finds the Findings and Recommendations to be supported by the record and by proper

Case 1:06-cv-01047-AWI -SMS Document 19 Filed 11/29/07 Page 1 of 2
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analysis. The act under which Plaintiff sues concerns actions taken by debt collectors. The

definition of a debt collector is quite narrow, and it includes a “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 includes any

creditor who, in the process of collecting his own debts, uses any name other than his own which

would indicate that a third person is collecting or attempting to collect such debts.” 15 U.S.C. §

1692a(6). Here, there are no allegations that Defendants are in the primary business of

collecting debts. Plaintiff admits that Defendants are his landlords and they were attempting to

collect back rent. The term "debt collector" does not include "any person collecting or

attempting to collect any debt owed . . . to the extent such activity . . . concerns a debt which was

originated by such person. Id. Thus, Plaintiff has not provided a reason to not adopt the

Findings and Recommendations. 

Normally, the court would give a pro se litigant such as Plaintiff notice of a complaint’s

pleading deficiencies and an opportunity to amend prior to dismissing an action. See Lopez v.

Smith, 203 F.3d 1122 (9 Cir. 2000); Noll v. Carlson, 809 F. 2d 1446, 1448 (9 Cir. 1987). th th

Here, Plaintiff has already been given one opportunity to amend the complaint, and the

complaint’s deficiencies remain. Plaintiff is either unable or unwilling at allege facts that would

state a claim.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Findings and Recommendations, filed October 26, 2007, are ADOPTED IN

FULL; 

2. Plaintiff’s second amended complaint, filed August 24, 2007, is DISMISSED

without leave to amend; and

3. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to close this file.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 27, 2007 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:06-cv-01047-AWI -SMS Document 19 Filed 11/29/07 Page 2 of 2