Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00486/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00486-1/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAVID HUME,

Plaintiff,

v.

JULIE SU, et al.,

Defendants.

_____________________________________

Case No. 1:15-cv-00486-LJO-SKO

ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT AS 

DUPLICATIVE

BACKGROUND

On August 25, 2014, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement filed suit 

against David Hume ("Hume") stating one cause of action for backpay and injunctive relief for 

unlawful discharge in violation of California Labor Code Section 98.6. (Su v. Hume et al., 

("Hume I"), 1:14-cv-01917-JAM-GSA, Doc. 1, p. 7-14.) On December 3, 2014, Hume removed 

the case to this Court asserting federal jurisdiction. (Hume I, 1:14-cv-01917-JAM-GSA, Doc. 1.) 

Among other things, Hume predicated his assertion of federal jurisdiction on a "cross-complaint" 

he filed on December 11, 2014, after he removed the case to federal court. (See Hume I, 1:14-cv01917-JAM-GSA, Doc. 6.) The cross-complaint asserted 19 causes of action against Julie Su, 

Christine Baker, Ethera Clemons, Barbara Beckerley, World Financial Corporation, Primerica 

Corporation, and ROES 1-100. (Hume I, 1:14-cv-01917-JAM-GSA, Doc. 6.) 

Hume filed a First Amended Cross-Complaint in Hume I on February 2, 2015. (See Hume 

I, 1:14-cv-01917-JAM-GSA, Doc. 21.) On April 2, 2015, Judge Mendez determined neither the 

complaint nor the First Amended Cross-Complaint supplied subject matter jurisdiction, and the 

matter was remanded to Fresno County Superior Court, where it remains pending. (Hume I, 1:14-

Case 1:15-cv-00486-LJO-SKO Document 4 Filed 08/03/15 Page 1 of 2
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cv-01917-JAM-GSA, Doc. 25; Su v. Hume, et al., 14-CE-CG-02826 (Fresno County Superior 

Court).) 

On March 25, 2015, Hume filed a verified complaint in this action (Hume v. Su, et al.,

("Hume II"), 1:15-cv-00486-LJO-SKO) which is virtually identical to the First Amended CrossComplaint filed in Hume I.

DISCUSSION

Duplicative or repetitious litigation of virtually identical causes of action is subject to 

dismissal under 28 U.S.C. §1915(d). Bailey v. Johnson, 846 F.2d 1019, 1021 (5th Cir. 1988).

"[A]n IFP complaint that merely repeats pending or previously litigated claims may be considered 

abusive and dismissed under the authority of section 1915(d)." Id. 

Upon review of the dockets of both Hume I, 1:14-cv-01917-JAM-GSA and Sue v. Hume, 

et al., 14-CE-CG-02826, the complaint in this action, Hume II, is duplicative of the First Amended 

Cross-Complaint now pending before the Fresno County Superior Court. The causes of action 

alleged are identical and arise out of the same factual allegations made in the First Amended 

Cross-Complaint in Hume I. See Adams v. Cal. Dep't of Health Services, 487 F.3d 684, 688 (9th 

Cir. 2007) ("[A] suit is duplicative if the claims, parties, and available relief do not significantly 

differ between the two actions."). Therefore, Hume II shall be dismissed as duplicative of Hume I.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff's complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice as duplicative of his First 

Amended Cross-Complaint currently pending before the Fresno County Superior 

Court; and

2. The Clerk of Court shall close this case.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 3, 2015 /s/ Lawrence J. O’Neill 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00486-LJO-SKO Document 4 Filed 08/03/15 Page 2 of 2