Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-6_05-cv-06012/USCOURTS-arwd-6_05-cv-06012-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 320
Nature of Suit: Assault, Libel, and Slander
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Libel,Assault,Slander

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

HOT SPRINGS DIVISION

BRUCE SIMPSON PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 05-6012

MONTGOMERY GRIFFITH-MAIR, et al. DEFENDANTS

MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

On August 9, 2005, the court's clerk entered an order (Doc. 19) directing the plaintiff to

show cause within 10 days why this action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute

against the following defendants: Anglican Rite Synod of America, Anglican Church House,

United States Anglican Church House, U.S. Anglican Church House, British Church House,

National Anglican Church, National Anglican Church House, Father Monty Foundation, Knights

of the Lehighton Order, Oak Bay Youth Mission, White-Lenhart-Bridgehouse, Online Edition

Archbishops.org, Episcopal CC, Fathermoney. org, Padremonty.org, Scalawagz.org, and All nonincorporated entities, etc. The plaintiff had failed to serve these entities.

In response to the show cause order, the plaintiff states that "[a]ll entities listed in the

show cause order are non-incorporated and nothing more than alter egos of [Montgomery

Griffith-]Mair." (Doc. 20.) The plaintiff attaches as an exhibit the return of service for GriffithMair. (Doc. 20.) 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(b) provides that where the named party is an

unincorporated association, the determination as to whether that entity has the authority to sue

or be sued "shall be determined by the law of the state in which the district court is held." In

Arkansas, generally, unincorporated associations do not have the capacity to sue or be sued. See

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

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Fausett and Co., Inc. v. Bogard, 685 S.W.2d 153, 155 (Ark. 1985). Based on the plaintiff's

assertion that the relevant defendants are unincorporated entities that serve merely as aliases for

defendant Griffith-Mair, the relevant defendants do not have the capacity to be sued, and thus

should be dismissed from this action. The plaintiff will not be harmed to by the dismissal of

these defendants as Griffith-Mair remains a defendant in the action, and plaintiff contends that

Griffith-Mair is the person in charge of and running these various entities.

Furthermore, plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that service was executed on these

various unincorporated entities, thus dismissal would be appropriate under Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 4(m) (if service not made on defendant within 120 days after filing complaint, court

shall dismiss action without prejudice to that defendant). 

Therefore, it is recommended that the following defendants should be dismissed from this

action: Anglican Rite Synod of America, Anglican Church House, United States Anglican

Church House, U.S. Anglican Church House, British Church House, National Anglican Church,

National Anglican Church House, Father Monty Foundation, Knights of the Lehighton Order,

Oak Bay Youth Mission, White-Lenhart-Bridgehouse, Online Edition Archbishops.org,

Episcopal CC, Fathermoney. org, Padremonty.org, Scalawagz.org, and All non-incorporated

entities, etc. 

The parties have ten days from receipt of this report and recommendation in which

to file written objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file timely

written objections may result in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. The parties

are reminded that objections must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by

the district court. 

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

-3-

DATED this 25th day of August 2005.

/s/ Bobby E. Shepherd

_________________________________________

HON. BOBBY E. SHEPHERD 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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