Greene v. Angeles IPA
4:25-cv-00617
E.D. Mo.Jun 27, 2025Background
- Plaintiff Cedric Greene, proceeding pro se, sought to file a lawsuit without prepaying fees against Angeles IPA, a healthcare network in California.
- Greene claimed Angeles IPA mishandled a referral to a pain specialist, resulting in delayed medical care and sought monetary damages.
- Both plaintiff and defendant are located in California, and the alleged conduct occurred entirely in California.
- Plaintiff filed the action in the Eastern District of Missouri, though neither party nor the conduct has ties to Missouri.
- Greene has a history of extensive and repetitive litigation, often resulting in dismissals for improper venue or lack of jurisdiction in various federal courts.
- The Missouri court considered whether transferring the case (rather than dismissing it) would serve the interests of justice, given the plaintiff's litigation history.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proper Venue | Suit properly filed in Missouri | Venue improper, all ties to California | Venue is improper; proper venue is California |
| In Forma Pauperis | Greene cannot pay filing fees | - | Granted application to waive filing fees |
| Transfer vs. Dismissal | Action should not be dismissed, or deserves transfer | - | Dismissal appropriate due to plaintiff's bad faith |
| Interests of Justice | Transfer warranted despite improper venue | - | Transfer not warranted given litigation history |
Key Cases Cited
- Greene v. Sprint Nextel Corp., [citation="750 F. App'x 661"] (10th Cir. 2018) (discussing federal courts imposing filing restrictions on Greene)
- In re Hall, Bayoutree Assocs., 939 F.2d 802 (9th Cir. 1991) (holding dismissal, not transfer, is proper where improper filing shows bad faith)
- LGT Enters., LLC v. Hoffman, 614 F. Supp. 2d 825 (W.D. Mich. 2009) (finding interests of justice do not warrant transfer when a case is brought in bad faith or for harassment)