MICHAEL L. SANKS
v.
ROBYNN RIHANNA FOSTER
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Michael L. Sanks, proceeding pro se, sued recording artist Rihanna alleging copyright infringement and failure to compensate him for music production work. The magistrate judge recommends dismissal for failure to pay the filing fee and failure to prosecute after Sanks failed to comply with court orders to amend his complaint and address the filing fee issue.
The court recommends dismissing the action without prejudice for failure to pay the filing fee and failure to prosecute.
“Because the one-page complaint is improperly pleaded and fails to state a claim for relief or provide a basis for this Court's jurisdiction, a September 5, 2025, order, Doc. 3, instructs the plaintiff to file an amended complaint no later than September 15, 2025.”
Establishes the deficiencies in the original complaint and the opportunity provided to cure them.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceSanks filed a one-page complaint alleging that Rihanna illegally copied his recordings and failed to compensate him for producing her music. The court…
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The pro se plaintiff Michael L. Sanks sues the recording artist Rihanna and alleges that she illegally copied his recordings and failed to compensate Sanks for his work producing her music. Doc. 1. Because the one-page complaint is improperly pleaded and fails to state a claim for relief or provide a basis for this Court's jurisdiction, a September 5, 2025, order, Doc. 3, instructs the plaintiff to file an amended complaint no later than September 15, 2025. Further, another order entered September 5, 2025, Doc. 2, requires the plaintiff to show cause why this action should not be dismissed for failing to pay the filing fee or, in the alternative, to pay the filing fee or move to proceed in forma pauperis no later than September 15, 2025. Both orders instruct the plaintiff that the failure to comply may result in a recommendation of dismissal. Docs. 2-3. The plaintiff fails to comply or otherwise prosecute this case.
Thus, I recommend dismissing this action without prejudice for failure to pay
the filing fee and failure to prosecute and directing the Clerk to close the case. 28 U.S.C. §1914(c); Rivera v. Allin, 144 F. 3d 719, 722 (11th Cir. 1998); Local Rule 3.10.
REPORTED in Tampa, Florida, on this 24th day of September 2025.
LINDSAY S. GRIFFIN United States Magistrate Judge
NOTICE TO PARTIES
A party has fourteen days from this date to file written objections to the report and recommendation's factual findings and legal conclusions. A party's failure to file written objections waives that party's right to challenge on appeal any unobjected-to factual finding or legal conclusion the district judge adopts from the Report and Recommendation. See 11th Cir. R. 3-1. To expedite resolution, parties may file a joint notice waiving the 14-day objection period.
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