Opinion
9:03-cv-423 (GLS/GJD).
October 29, 2007
FOR THE PLAINTIFF: JEFFREY GILBERT, Plaintiff, Pro Se, Schenectady, New York.
FOR THE DEFENDANTS: JAMES J. SEAMAN, Assistant Attorney General, HON. ANDREW M. CUOMO, Attorney General for the State of New York, The Capitol, Albany, New York.
ORDER
On November 10, 2003, the U.S. Marshals Service filed process receipt and return papers indicating it was unable to serve the above defendants at the addresses provided. See Dkt. No. 16. Subsequently, on July 22, 2005, the court adopted the Report-Recommendation of Chief Magistrate Judge Gustave J. DiBianco which, in relevant part, ordered Gilbert to properly serve the defendants or request assistance in doing so from the court. See Dkt. No. 21, 22. As of the date of this order he has done neither.
Under FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b) "a defendant may move for dismissal of an action" in the event of a "failure [by] the plaintiff to prosecute or to comply with . . . any order of court." Courts have the power to order such dismissal sua sponte under the doctrine set forth by the Supreme Court in Link v. Wabash Railroad Co., 370 U.S. 626 (1962), and, in this district, under N.D.N.Y. R. 41.2(a). It is entirely proper for courts to dismiss an action for neglect to prosecute when, as in the present case, the plaintiff has failed to timely serve the defendants with process. See Waterman v. Nelson, 195 F.2d. 523 (2d Cir. 1952). This is especially true given that the court has provided Gilbert ample opportunity to effect such service and warning of his failure to do so.
WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, it is hereby
ORDERED that Gilbert's complaint ( Dkt. No. 1) is DISMISSED IN ITS IN ENTIRETY; and it is further
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court enter judgment and close this case; and it is further
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court provide a copy of this Order to the parties by regular mail.