Court Opinion

ID: 2673242
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-05-10 03:02:02.871318+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:06:46.743696
License: Public Domain

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                                                                                      No. 13-945 C
                                                                                  Filed: April 23,2014
                                                                                NOT TO BE PUBLISIIED

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                                                                                                                          FILED
                                                                                                                          APR 2   3   2014
MARCUS D. WRIGHT,
                                                                                                                         U.S. COURT OF
                                                                                                                        FEDERAL CLAIMS
                 Plainliff, pro se,

THE T]NITED STATES,

                 Defendant.

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                                                                                    :1.

Marcus D. Wright, San Antonio, Texas, pro                                                             se.

Tanya Beth Koenig, United States Department of Justice, Civil Division, Washington, D.C',
Counsel for the Govemment.

                                                           MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

BRADEN, -/adge.

r.               RELEVANT                           FAcruAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HIsroRY.r
        On September 12,2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") anested Plaintiff in
San Antonio, Texas. Compl. 1-2;see ulso Compl. Ex. A at 2. On October 2'2013, a grand jury
indicted Plaintiffalong with two other defendants for sex trafficking of minors in violation of l8
U.S.C. $ 1591(a) and (bX2). Compl. 12; see also United Stares v. Ilright, No. 13-806 (W'D'
Tex. filed Ocl2,2013) (Criminal Indictment).

       On December 2, 2013, Plaintiff filed a Complaint in the United States Court of Federal
Claims, alleging that, during Plaintiff s September 12,2013 arrest, FBI agents subjected Plaintiff
to unlawful search, seizure and arrest, "without valid anest and seizure warrants." Compl. 1-2,

                  I The relevant facts                  from Plaintiff s December 2, 2013
                                                                         discussed herein were derived
Complaint, entitled "Petition For A 'Writ Of Supervisory Control,"' and the accompanying
Exhibit A.
13. The Complaint alleges that Plaintiff s continued confinement, as a pre-trial detainee, is
unlawfhl^. Compl. 4. The Complaint firrther alleges that Plaintiff has been assigned ineffective
counsel.' Compl. 2-3, 10, 13-14, 16. The Complaint asks the United States Court of Federal
Claims to "monitor and review all further pretrial proceedings and decisions" of the United
States District Court for the Westem District of Texas, "make all further decisions in this federal
criminal cause[,] and monitor all civil rights violations that may further [o]ccur herein." Compl.

        On January 2,2014, Plaintiff frled a Motion For Appointment Of Counsel and a Motion
For Leave To File An Amended Complaint alleging that the federal public defender assigned to
Plaintiff filed a motion for continuance, without Plaintiff s consent because Plaintiff would not
agree to a plea deal. Am. Compl. 2, 12. The Amended Complaint also alleges that the United
States defamed Plaintiff by releasing false information about him to the press' Am. Compl. 3-4.
The Amended Complaint seeks injunctive relief, dismissal of Plaintiff s criminal case, and
damages of $500,000. Am. Compl. 4-5.

        On January 8,2014, Plaintiff filed an Application To Proceed In Formq Pauperis, which
the court granted on January 15,2014. On January 15,2014, Plaintiff filed a series ofdocuments
that included: an "Order To Show Cause For A[] Preliminary Injunction & A Temporary
Restraining order," an "Affidavit In Support of Injunction [And] or Temporary Restraining
Order," a "Request For Production Of Documents," and tax forms apparently related to
Plaintiffls January 8, 2014 Application To Proceed In Forma Pauperis. Plaintiff seeks an
injunction to "suspend all . . . contractual (contracts) agreements between the Department of
Justice and [Plaintiff]" and release Plaintiff from fcderal custody' Dkt. 7 at 12-14.

       On January 17, 2014, the Govemment filed a Response to Plaintiff s Jantary 2' 2014
Motions. On January 23, 2014, Plaintiff filed an "Affidavit Of Discharged & Legal Tender
                      ,,Memorandum of Law In support of Intemal Revenue code-Section
Acknowledgment," a
6226," together with other tax forms and miscellaneous documents.

     On February 11, 2014, Plaintiff filed a "Motion For Stay Of Injunction And Or
Temporary Restraining order," which the court construes as a Reply to the Govemment's
J   anuary 17, 20 1 4 Response.'

        On February 28,2014, the Govemment filed a Motion To Dismiss. On March 26'2014'
Plaintiff filed a 'Notice Of Fault And Oppornrnity To Cure And Contest Acceptance For Value
For Discharge Of Debt." On March 28, 2014,the Government filed a Reply.

          2
          Specifically, the Complaint alleges that the federal public defender assigned to represent
Plaintiff in the criminal case in Texas "manipulat[ed] [Plaintiffl into waiving important due
process rights as a pretrial detainee, namely, 'bond' and 'preliminary' hearing." Compl. 10. In
addition, the public defender "has become severely ill mannered towards [Plaintiff] and is now
refusing to answer any of [Plaintiff s] phone calls." Compl. 10.
          3
              Plaintiffalso filed   a copy   of the February 11,2014 Motion For Stay on March 19,2014.
II.    DISCUSSION.

       A.      Jurisdiction.

       The United States Court of Federal Claims has jurisdiction under the Tucker Act, 28
U.S.C. $ l49l, "to render judgment upon any claim against the United States founded either
upon the Constitution, or any Act of Congress or any regulation of an executive department, or
upon any express or implied contract with the United States, or for liquidated or unliquidated
damages in cases not sounding in tort." 28 U.S.C. $ la9l(a)(l) (2006). The Tucker Act,
however, is "a jurisdictional statute; it does not create any substantive right enforceable against
the United States for money damages . . . . [T]he Act merely confers jurisdiction upon [the
United States Court of Federal Claims] whenever the substantive right exists." United States v.
Testan,424 U.S. 392, 398 (1976).

        Therefore, to pursue a substantive right under the Tucker Act, a plaintiff must identiff
and plead an independent contractual relationship, constitutional provision, federal statute,
and/or executive agency regulation that provides a substantive right to money damages. See
Todd v. tlnited states,386 F.3d 1091, 1094 (Fed. cir. 2004) ("[J]urisdiction under the Tucker
Act requires the litigant to identify a substantive right for money damages against the United
States separate from the Tucker Act itself."); see also Fisher v. United States, 402 F .3d 1167 '
 1172 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc) ("The Tucker Act . . . does not create a substantive cause of
action; . . . a plaintiff must identiff a separate source of substantive law that creates the right to
money damages . . . . [T]hat source must be 'money-mandating."'). Specifically, a plaintiff must
demonstrate that the source of substantive law upon which he relies "can fairly be interpreted as
mandating compensation by the Federal Govemment." United states v. Mitchell,463 u.s. 206,
 217 (1953) (quoting Testan,424 U.S. at 400). And, the plaintiff bears the burden of establishing
jurisdiction by a preponderance of the evidence. See Reynolds v. Army & Air Force Exch. Serv ,
-846F.2d746,748
                       (Fed. Cir. 1988) ("[O]nce the [trial] court's subject matter jurisdiction [is] put
 in question . . . . [the plaintiff] bears the burden of establishing subject matter jurisdiction by a
 preponderance of the evidence.").

        B.      Standard Of Review For Pro Se Litigants.

          The pleadings of a pro se plaintiff are held to a less stringent standard than those of
litigants represented by counsel . See Haines v. Kerner,404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972) (holding that
pri se complaints, "however inartfully pleaded," are held to "less stringent standards than formal
pleadings drafted by lawyers"). It has been the tradition of this court to examine the record "to
 see if la pro se] plaintiff has a cause of action somewhere displayed." Ruderer v. United States,
 412 F.2d 1285, 1292 (Ct. Cl. 1969). Nevertheless, while the court may excuse ambiguities in a
pro se plainliffs complaint, the court "does not excuse [a complaint's] failures."
Henke v. United States,60 F.3d 795, 799 (Fed. Cir. 1995).

        C.      Standard Of Review For Appointment Of Counsel In Civil Proceedings'

        The Sixth Amendment right to counsel attaches at a "criminal defendant's initial
 appearance before a judicial officer, where he leams the charge against him and his liberty is
 subject to restriction." Rothgery v. Gillespie Cnty., Tex.,554 U.S. 191,213 (2008); see also
Johnson v. Zerbst,304 U.S. 458,468 (1938) ("lf the accused . . . is not represented by counsel
and has not competently and intelligently waived his constitutional right, the Sixth Amendment
stands as a jurisdictional bar to a valid conviction and sentence depriving him of his life or his
liberty.").

        The constitutional right to counsel, however, does not extend to civil matters. Instead,
the United States Supreme Court has held that courts should weigh the factors set forlh in
Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976), to evaluate whether due process requires the
appointment of counsel in civil proceedings where the loss of personal liberty may be at stake.
See Lassiter v. Dep't of Soc. Servs.,452 U.S. 18, 31 (1981) (requiring the lower court to apply
the Eldridge factors for appointment of counsel in a child custody termination proceeding); see
also Lariscey v. United States, 861 F.2d 1267,1270 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (holding that the Eldridge
factors do not warrant appointment of counsel for an indigent raising takings and breach of
contract claims against the Govemment). The Eldridge factors require the court to examine (1)
"the private interest that will be affected;" (2) "the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such
interest" along with "the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute safeguards;" and (3)
"the Government's interest." Eldridge,424 U.S. at 335. Even if personal freedom of the
indigent is at stake, the right to counsel is not automatic. See Turner v. Rogers,l3l S' Ct. 2507,
2517 (2011) ("[T]he Court previously had found a right to counsel 'only' in cases involving
incarceration, not that a right to counsel exists in a// such cases[.]" (emphasis in original)).

       The United States Court of Federal Claims also may appoint cotmsel in civil cases,
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. $ 1915(e)(l),4 but this power "should only be exercised in extreme
circumstances." LVashington v. United States, 93 Fed. Cl. 706, 708 (2010). Extreme
circumslances warranting the appointment of counsel may include "quasi-criminal penalties or
severe civil remedies." Id. at708.

         D.    Standard Of Review For A Motion To Dismiss Pursuant To RCFC 12(bX1).

         A challenge to the United States Court of Federal Claims' "general power to adjudicate
in specific areas of substantive law . . . . is properly raised by a [Rule] 12(bxl) motion."
Palmerv.United States, 168 F.3d 1310, 1313 (Fed. Cir. 1999); see a/so RCFC 12(bX1)
(permitting parties to assert "lack of subject matter jurisdiction" as a defense by motion). when
considering whether to dismiss an action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the court is
,,obligated to assume all factual allegations
                                                 [of the complaint] to be true and to draw all
reasonable inferences in plaintiff s favor." Henke,60 F.3d at 797. Nonetheless, Plaintiff bears
the burden of establishing jurisdiction by a preponderance of the evidence. See Reynolds, 846
F.2d at 748 ("[O]nce the [trial] court's subject matter jurisdiction [is] put in question ' . . [the
plaintiffl bears the burden of establishing subject matter jurisdiction by a preponderance of the
evidence.").

         o
         28 U.S.C. $ 1915(e)(l) provides that: "The court may request an attomey to represent
any person unable to afford counsel." Section 2503(d) further provides that "[{lor the purpose of
construing section[] . . . 1915 . . . of this title, the United States Court ofFederal Claims shail be
deemed to be a court of the United States." 28 U.S.C. $ 2503(d).
       E.      Issues Raised   In This Proceeding,

               1.      Plaintiffs December 2, 2013 Request For Supervision Over The
                       Criminal Case In The United States District Court For The Western
                       District Of Texas.

                       a.      Plaintiff   s   Argument,

        The December 2, 2013 Complaint requests that this court supervise "all further pretrial
proceedings and decisions" and "make all further decisions in" Plaintiff s criminal case pending
in the United States District Court for the Westem District of Texas, because of alleged
constitutional violations and unlawful actions by the District Court. Compl. 3-4.

                       b.      The Government's Response,

         The Govemment responds that the United States Court of Federal Claims does not have
jurisdiction to supervise Plaintiffs criminal case. Gov't l/17l14 Resp. 1 (citing Spencer v.
 United States,98 Fed. Cl. 349, 356 (2011) (observing that the United States Court of Federal
 Claims does not have the authority to review a district court's determination)); see also Gov'r
2/28114Mot.6 (citing Joshuav. United States, 17 F.3d378,379-80 (Fed. Cir. 1994) (holding
that the United States Court of Federal Claims does not have authority to review district court
 decisions or jurisdiction over claims based on criminal violations)). Nor does this court have
jurisdiction to adjudicate criminal cases. Gov't 1/l7ll4 Resp. 1 (citing Spencer,98 Fed. Cl. at
 356 (finding the court does not have authority to hear claims brought under the federal criminal
 code)); see also Gov'|2128/14Mot.6 (citingJoshua, 17 F.3d at 379-80 (quoting and summarily
 affirming an order that stated "[t]he [C]ourt [of Federal Claims] has no jurisdiction to adjudicate
 any claims whatsoever under the federal criminal code")).

        To the extent that Plaintiff is seeking a writ of habeds corpus, the United States Court of
Federal Claims does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate such a claim. Gov't 2/28114 Mot. 7
(citing Johnson v. United States,79 Fed. Cl. 769,775 (2007)). And, because Plaintiff has not
been convicted of a crime, he cannot seek relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. $ 1495." Go\'t 2/28114
Mot. 7 (noting that $ 1495 requires a plaintiff to provide a certification that his conviction was
false).

                       c.      The Court's Resolution'

        As a matter of law, the United States Court of Federal Claims does not have jurisdiction
to supervise Plaintiff s criminal case pending in the United States District Court for the Westem
District ofTexas. Joshua, l7 F.3d at 380 ("[T]he [United states] court of Federal claims does
not have jurisdiction to review the decisions of district courts or the clerks of district courts
relating to proceedings before those courts."). Nor does this court have jurisdiction to adjudicate
criminal claims. Id at379; see also Sanders v. United States,252F.3d 1329,1334-35 (Fed. Cir.

        s Section 1495 states that "[t]he United States Court of Federal Claims shall          have
jurisdiction to render judgment upon any claim for damages by any person unjustly convicted of
 an offense asainst the United States and imprisoned." 28 U.S.C. $ 1495.
2001) (holding that the United States Court of Federal Claims does not have jurisdiction over
alleged breaches of criminal plea agreements because such agreements "do not ordinarily give
rise to claims for money damages"). Further, to the extent PlaintifPs filing can be construed to
request the appointment of new counsel in his criminal case, the court also does not have
jurisdiction to review the determination of the United States District Court for the Westem
District of Texas regarding the adequacy of Plaintiffs appointed counsel. Joshua, 17 F.3d at
 380. Nor does this court have jurisdiction to consider a writ of habeas corpus. See
Ledfordv. united states,297 F.3d 1378, 1380-81 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (holding that the United
 States Court ofFederal Claims does not have jurisdiction to consider ftabeas petitions).

       For these reasons, Plaintiff s December 2,2013 Request For Supervision is denied.

               2.      Plaintiffls January 2, 2014 Motion For Appointment Of Counsel.

                       a.      Plaintiff s Argument.

       Next, Plaintiff argues that this court should appoint counsel for his civil matter before this
court. Pl. 1l2ll4 Mot.2. Plaintiff argues that Plaintiff s indigence, confinement as a pre-trial
detainee, limited legal knowledge and inability to access a law library, as well as this case's
complexity, necessitate appointment of counsel. Pl. 1/2114 Mot. l-2.

                       b.      The Government's ResPonse.

       The Govemment responds that Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate any extreme
circumstances justifying appointment of counsel in a civil matter. Gov't 1ll7/14 Resp. l-2
(citing Washington, 93 Fed. Cl. at 709 (noting only exceptional circumstances warrant
appointing an attomey in civil cases)).

                       c.      The Courtts Resolution.

        T\e Etdridge factors do not necessitate the appointment of counsel in this case. See
Eldridge,424 U.S. at 335 (requiring courts to examine (1) the private interest affected by an
official action, (2) "the risk of an enoneous deprivation of such interest" along with the value of
additional procedural safeguards, and (3) the functional and administrative interests of the
Govemment). The underlying criminal proceeding in Texas, on which Plaintiff bases his claims,
does implicate Plaintiffs private interest in personal liberty. Any risk of enoneous deprivation
of Plaintiff s personal liberty, however, would not be significantly lessened by the imposition of
additional safeguards in the form of parallel proceedings in this court. Moreover, Plaintiff has
court-appointed counsel for his criminal matter in Texas. There is no reason on this record to
doubt the adequacy of the due process protections afforded Plaintiff in that criminal matter.
Furthermore, additional procedural safeguards would impose increased fiscal and administrative
burdens upon the Government and impair the Govemment's interest in expeditious resolution of
criminal trials.

       Finally, the Complaint does not allege the type of extreme circumstances necessary to
warrant appointment of counsel under Section 1915. See ,I/qshington,93 Fed. Cl. 708 (finding
that only "extreme circumstances" would warrant appoint of counsel in civil cases). Therefore,
Plaintiffs January 2,2014 Motion For Appointment of Counsel is also denied.
               3.      The Government's Februarv 28.2014 Motion To Dismiss,

                               The Government's Argument.
                       ^.
         The Government argues that the court does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the civil
 rights claims alleged in the January 2,2014 Amended Complaint against an FBI agent, a federal
judge, an Assistant United States Attomey, and a public defender in their personal capacities.
Am. Compl. 4. Moreover, the United States Court of Federal Claims does not have jurisdiction
to adjudicate claims against individual govemment officials. Gov't 2128/14 Mot. 7 (citing
Pikulin v. United States,97 Fed. Cl. 71,'15 (2011)). Nor does the court have jurisdiction to
 consider claims arising under 42 U.S.C. $ 1983, Gov't2/28/14 Mot. 8 (noting that $ 1983 claims
 are the exclusive province of federal district courts).

       In addition, the United States Court of Federal Claims does not have jurisdiction to
adjudicate alleged violations of Plaintiffs Fourth, Sixth and Thirteenth Amendment rights
because these Amendments are not money-mandating. Gov't2/28/14 Mot. 8-10. Nor is the Due
Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment money-mandating. Gov't2/28l14 Mot. 8-10.

        The United States Court of Federal Claims also does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate
Plaintiff s claim that the Govemment "defam[ed] [his] character" or other allegations that may
be construed as tort claims. Gov't2128114 Mot. 10 (quoting Am. Compl. 3).

       As for the January 23, 2014 Affidavit, it appears to seek discharge of an alleged debt,
presumably the $250,000 listed as the maximum fine on PlaintifPs September 10, 2013 Criminal
Complaint. Gov't 2128114 Mot. 10-1 1. Even if Plaintiff actually owed the alleged debt, which
he does not, the request for a discharge of that debt is a claim for equitable relief over which the
United States Court of Federal Claims also does not have jurisdiction. Gov't2128/14 Mot. 11.

                        b.      Plaintiff   s Response.

       Plaintiff responds that the United States Court of Federal Claims has jurisdiction "on any
claim against the United States [G]ovemment," pursuant to the Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. $ 1491.
Pl.2l1l/14 Mot. 2. Plaintiff also argues that this court has jurisdiction pursuant to: 18 U.S.C. $
3626 (" Appropriate remedies with respect to prison conditions"); 28 U.S.C. $ 2283 (limiting
when a federal court may enjoin proceeding in a state court); 28 U.S.C. $ 2284 (imposing
procedures for three-judge district court panels); 28 U.S.C. $ 1334 (granting original and
exclusive jurisdiction to district courts over bankruptcy cases and proceedings unless a
Congressional Act grants jurisdiction to another court); Fed. R. Bankr. P . 7052; and Fed. R. Civ.
P. 52. Pl. 2/11/14 MoL2, 5.

        Plaintiff also contends that the United States may not demand monetary fines relating to
Plaintiff s criminal matter in district court, because Plaintiff has not waived his sovereign
immunity, nor has Plaintiff entered into a contract with the Govemment regarding such a fine.
Pl.2lll/14 Mot. 3-4 ("Congress has never enacted a . . . law or provisions for the imposing of
fines nor any kind of monetary bill . . . . upon free sovereign individuals. . . . The Plaintiff. . . has
not given up his sovereign[] rights").
       In addition, Plaintiff asserts that "defendants' . . . demand[] . . . [of] unconstitutional
payment of$250,000 in fines would be [a] breach of contract and even [a] breach of their drsty to
uphold their Constitution" because Article I of the United States Constitution prohibits states
from "mak[ing] any [] thing but gold [and] silver coin a tender in payment [of] debts." Pl.
2l11l14Mot.3 (emphasis in original) (quoting U.S. Const. art. I, $ 10).

                       c,     The Court's Resolution.

       For the reasons discussed below, the court must dismiss the claims alleged in the
December 2, 2013 Complaint and the January 2, 2014 Amended Complaint.

                              i.      The United States Court Of Federal Claims Does Not
                                      Have Subject Matter Jurisdiction To Adjudicate
                                      Allegations Against Government Officials In Their
                                      Individual Capacities.

        The Tucker Act grants the United States Court ofFederal Claims jurisdiction to consider
onfy "suits against the United States, not against individual federal officials." Brown v. United
Srates, 105 F .3d 621, 624 (Fed. Cir. 1997); see also 28 U.S.C. g 1a91(a)(2) (limiting jurisdiction
to issue orders to United States officials only as "an incident of and collateral to a money
judgment against the United States"). Furthermore, judicial immunity is broad for acts
committed within a judge's judicial jurisdiction. See Pierson v. Ray,386 U.S. 547, 553-54
 (1967) (noting that "[flew doctrines [are] more solidly established . . . than the immunity of
judges from liability for acts committed within their judicial jurisdiction").

                              ii.     The United States Court Of Federal Claims Does Not
                                      Have Jurisdiction To Adjudicate Fifth Amendment Due
                                      Process Claims Or Claims Under The Fourth, Sixth, Or
                                      Thirteenth Amendment           To The United          States
                                      Constitution.

         The United States Court of Federal Claims may adjudicate monetary claims founded
 upon the United States Constitution if the claim arises under a constitutional provision requiring
 the payment of money damages. See Mitchell,463 U.S. at 216 (holding that jurisdiction over
 claims founded upon the Constitution must also satisff the Tucker Act's jurisdictional demands);
see also Noel v. United States,l6 Cl. Ct. 166,169 (1989) (holding that claims must arise under a
 constitutional, regulatory, or statutory provision mandating payment of money to be within the
jurisdiction of the United States Court ofFederal Claims).

       But, Fourth Amendment claims are not within this court's jurisdiction, because it is not a
money-mandating provision ofthe United States Constitution. See Handford v. United States,63
Fed. Cl. 111, 119 (2004). Likewise, the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause is not money-
mandating. See Collins v. United States,67 F.3d284,288 (Fed. Cir. 1995) (holding that a due
process violation "does not obligate the [G]ovemment to pay money damages"). Nor does the
Sixth Amendment mandate payment of money damages. See also Jones v. United States, 104
Fed. Cl. 92, 99-100 (2012) (finding that the Sixth Amendment is not money-mandating) (citing
Treece v. United Stdtes,96 Fed. Cl. 226,231 (2010)). Finally, the Thirteenth Amendment is not
money-mandating. See Johnson, 79 Fed. CL at 774 (finding that a Thirteenth Amendment
involuntary servitude claim is not within the court's jurisdiction "because it does not mandate the
payment of money damages").

                              iii.    The United States Court Of Federal Claims Does Not
                                      Have Jurisdiction To Adjudicate Tort Claims.

       To the extent the January 2,2014 Amended Complaint alleges tortious conduct by the
Government, including but not limited to defamation, the United States Court of Federal Claims
does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate tort claims. See 28 U.S.C. $ 1491 ("The United States
Court of Federal Claims shall have jurisdiction to render judgment upon any claim against the
United States . . . for liquidated damages . . . in cases not sounding in tort.").

                              iv.     The United States Court Of Federal Claims Does Not
                                      Have Jurisdiction To Equitably Discharge Debts.

        The January 23,2014 Affidavit appears to seek discharge of an alleged debt owed by
Plaintiff. Pl. l/23114 Aff.4; see alsoPl.2/11114 Mot.3-4 (arguing that requiring Plaintiff to pay
$250,000 in fines would be unconstitutional and a "breach of contracf'). A claim for discharge
of debt is a request for equitable relief, over which the United States Court of Federal Claims
does not have jurisdiction. See Johnsonr. United States, 105 Fed. Cl.85,94-95 (2012).

III,   CONCLUSION.

       Plaintiff s January 2, 2014 Motion For Appointment Of Counsel is denied.

       The United States Court of Federal Claims does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the
claims asserted in the December 2,2013 Complaint and January 2,2014 Amended Complaint.
Therefore, the Govemment's February 28,2014 Motion to Dismiss is granted. The Clerk of the
Court is ordered to dismiss the December 2,2013 Complaint and January 2, 2014 Amended
Complaint.

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                                .   BRADEN
                                                     Judge