448 F. App'x 159
2d Cir.2012Background
- Lubrano, proceeding pro se, sued the United States and related defendants in the Eastern District of New York.
- The district court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) and/or 12(b)(6).
- Lubrano appealed the district court’s dismissal to the Second Circuit.
- The Second Circuit reviews de novo a district court’s dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction or for failure to state a claim.
- The court liberally construes the complaint, accepts factual allegations as true, and draws reasonable inferences in plaintiff’s favor, but affirms where the district court’s reasoning is persuasive.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject matter jurisdiction issue | Lubrano contends district court lacked jurisdiction. | Appellees argue dismissal for lack of jurisdiction was proper. | Affirmed district court on jurisdiction grounds. |
| Failure to state a claim | Lubrano contends complaint states a plausible claim. | Appellees contend complaint fails to plead plausible claims. | Affirmed district court on the failure-to-state-a-claim basis. |
Key Cases Cited
- Triestman v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, 470 F.3d 471 (2d Cir. 2006) (liberal pleading approach; standard for pro se pleadings)
- Chambers v. Time Warner, Inc., 282 F.3d 147 (2d Cir. 2002) (plausibility review under Rule 12(b)(6))
- Makarova v. United States, 201 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2000) (jurisdictional dismissal when court lacks power)
- Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (S. Ct. 2007) (plausibility standard for pleading)