Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_10-cv-01039/USCOURTS-caed-2_10-cv-01039-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 220
Nature of Suit: Foreclosure
Cause of Action: 15:1601 Truth in Lending

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CAROLINE BIRK, No. CIV S-10-1039-MCE-CMK

Plaintiff, 

vs. ORDER

GATEWAY FUNDING CORP., et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, brings this civil action. The court is required

to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer

or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court is also required to

screen complaints brought by litigants who have been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. 

See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Under these screening provisions, the court must dismiss a

complaint or portion thereof if it: (1) is frivolous or malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon

which relief can be granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from

such relief. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(A), (B) and 1915A(b)(1), (2). Moreover, pursuant to

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h), this court must dismiss an action “[w]henever it 

appears . . . that the court lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter . . . .” Because plaintiff, who is

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not a prisoner, has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis, the court will screen the

complaint pursuant to § 1915(e)(2). Pursuant to Rule 12(h), the court will also consider as a

threshold matter whether it has subject-matter jurisdiction.

In this case, plaintiff alleges violations of the federal Truth in Lending Act as well

as violations of various state laws with respect to the refinancing of a loan secured by real

property located in Hammond Ranch, California, and subsequent foreclosure of that property. 

The court concludes that it has subject matter jurisdiction and that the complaint is appropriate

for service by the United States Marshal without pre-payment of costs. If plaintiff desires service

of process by the United States Marshal without pre-payment of costs, plaintiff must comply

with the requirements outlined below. Plaintiff is warned that failure to comply with this order,

or otherwise effect service pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, may result in dismissal

of the action for lack of prosecution and failure to comply with court rules and orders. See Local

Rule 11-110. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of the Court shall issue a summons in a civil case, the

undersigned’s new case documents, and an order setting this matter for an initial scheduling

conference;

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff the summons, ten USM-285

forms, and a copy of the complaint;

3. Within 15 days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

summons by indicating the addresses of the named defendants and shall submit to the United

States Marshal at the address indicated below the following documents:

a. The completed summons;

b. One completed USM-285 form for each named defendant;

c. Eleven copies of the complaint; and

/ / /

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d. Ten copies of the court’s initial scheduling conference order issued

herewith;

4. Within 20 days of the date of this order, plaintiff shall file a notice

indicating that the documents described above have been submitted to the United States Marshal;

5. The United States Marshal is directed to serve all process without prepayment of costs not later than 60 days from the date of this order, such service of process to be

completed by serving a copy of the summons, complaint, and initial scheduling conference order

on the defendants at the addresses provided by plaintiff; and

6. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the

United States Marshal at 501 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814.

DATED: May 6, 2010

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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