Opinion
4:24-cv-1291
08-13-2024
DAVID C. LETTIERI, Plaintiff, v. PAUL E. BONANNO, Defendant.
Magistrate Judge Reuben J. Sheperd
OPINION AND ORDER
J. Philip Calabrese United States District Judge Northern District of Ohio
Pro se Plaintiff David C. Lettieri, a federal prisoner currently incarcerated in FCI Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, filed this action against Paul E. Bonanno, an individual located in Buffalo, New York. (ECF No. 1.) The complaint is very brief. He claims Mr. Bonanno has in his possession a list of business records for Plaintiff's limited liability company that would demonstrate that he (Mr. Lettieri) was cleaning his house and taking a friend to the airport on October 12, 2020, clearing him of the charges on which he was convicted. He seeks production of this document that he claims was on his counter. He claims that if the document cannot be produced, Mr. Bonanno should have criminal charges filed against him under 18 U.S.C. § 242.
Plaintiff did not pay the filing fee, but instead filed a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (ECF No. 2.) For the reasons that follow, the Court DENIES that motion and DISMISSES this action.
Plaintiff is a serial frivolous filer who has filed multiple frivolous lawsuits in this District and others and has been barred from proceeding in forma pauperis under the three strikes rule set out in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Lettieri v. Garver, No. 4:24-cv-1219, 2024 WL 3557155, at *1-2 (N.D. Ohio July 26, 2024) (denying pauper status and dismissing the case under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g); Lettieri v. NEOCC, No. 4: 24-cv-00032, 2024 WL 107749 (N.D. Ohio Jan. 10, 2024) (denying pauper status, dismissing the case under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), and barring Plaintiff from proceeding in forma pauperis in future actions).Nothing in Mr. Lettieri's present complaint suggests that he is in “imminent danger of serious physical injury” to allow him to proceed in forma pauperis under the exception set out in the three-strikes rule.
Plaintiff filed at least 15 prior cases while incarcerated that this Court dismissed under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). See Lettieri v. Vilando, No. 4:23-cv-1660 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 30, 2023); Lettieri v. Four In One, No. 4:23--1661 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 30, 2023); Lettieri v. Vilando, No. 4:23-cv-1686 (N.D. Ohio Dec. 11, 2023); Lettieri v. Northeast Ohio Corr. Ctr., No. 4:23-cv-1690 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 22, 2023); Lettieri v. Federal Marshals, No. 4:23-cv-1872 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 30, 2023); Lettieri v. Olivett Prods. LLC, No. 4:23-cv-2028 (N.D. Ohio Apr. 15, 2024); Lettieri v. New York State Troopers, No. 4:23-cv2077 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 21, 2023); Lettieri v. Federal Marshals, No. 4:23-cv-2167 (N.D. Ohio Jan. 19, 2024); Lettieri v. Northeast Ohio Corr. Ctr., No. 4:23-cv-2172 (N.D. Ohio Dec. 11, 2023); Lettieri v. Federal Marshals, No. 4:23-cv-2202 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 30, 2023); Lettieri v. Northeast Ohio Corr. Ctr., No. 4:24-cv-0032 (N.D. Ohio Jan. 10, 2024); Lettieri v. Federal Marshals, No. 4:24-cv-1021 (N.D. Ohio July 31, 2024); Lettieri v. Garver, 4:24-cv-1219 (N.D. Ohio July 26, 2024); Lettieri v. Bonanno, 4:24-cv-1227 (N.D. Ohio Aug 2, 2024); Lettieri v. Bonanno, 4:24-cv-1284 (N.D. Ohio Aug. 1, 2024). These cases include the following claims: Plaintiff did not understand the ingredients in a flavoring packet offered for sale in the correctional facility. Defendant failed to provide envelopes, and Plaintiff had to wait two weeks for money to be available in his inmate trust account. Defendant denied Plaintiff the opportunity to “complete a program to best oneself.” Plaintiff was “transferred for no reason.” Defendant refused to arrest Plaintiff's ex-girlfriend. Plaintiff mailed a letter that was returned “for reasons.” Plaintiff wanted production of documents on his computer. A complaint simply claimed “negligence” with no factual allegations. Additionally, a search of PACER reveals that Plaintiff has filed at least 205 complaints and appeals in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, the Southern District of Florida, the Northern District of Georgia, the Southern District of Iowa, the Central District of Illinois, the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Missouri, the Southern District of New York, the Western District of New York, the Northern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, the District of Massachusetts, the Northern District of Texas, the Northern District of California, the Southern District of California, the District of the District of Columbia, the District of Kansas, the District of Maryland, the District of New Jersey, the Northern District of Ohio, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Western District of Washington. He was enjoined from filing any new cases without leave of court by the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. See In re Lettieri, No. 3:24 pf 0001 (N.D.N.Y. May 10, 2024). The Northern District of New York noted that almost all of Plaintiff's cases have been found to be frivolous or without merit. Order Dismissing Complaint, Lettieri v. Allegany Cnty. Jail, No. 24-cv-21114 (S.D. Fla. Mar.26, 2024), ECF No. 4, at 2.
Further, due to his repeated frivolous filings, he is now prohibited from proceeding in forma pauperis in this District and is barred from filing any new civil action unless he first pays the full filing fee. See Lettieri v. Garver, 4:24-cv-1219 (N.D. Ohio July 26, 2024). The Court cautions Mr. Lettieri that, if he continues to file patently frivolous actions, he will be permanently enjoined from filing new actions without first seeking and obtaining leave of court.
For all these reasons, the Court DENIES Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis in this case (ECF No. 2) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) and DISMISSES his complaint. Plaintiff may reopen this case within thirty (30) days by first paying the full filing fee of $405.00 and then filing a motion to reopen. The Clerks Office shall NOT accept any motions or other documents for filing in this case, unless and until the filing fee has been paid in full within the thirty (30) day period specified here. This includes any proposed motion to reopen and any motion for reconsideration, motion to alter or amendment judgment under Rule 59(e) or motion for relief from judgment under Rule 60. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), the Court certifies that an appeal from this decision could not be taken in good faith.
SO ORDERED.