Filed Date: March 14, 2012
Closed Date: April 25, 2012
Clearinghouse coding complete
The case is about seeking reparations for descendants of enslaved Black individuals.
On March 14, 2012, plaintiff filed a pro se lawsuit against the U.S. government in the Northern District of California. Plaintiff, a private citizen and lawyer, filed on behalf of all descendants of enslaved Black people in the U.S. Plaintiff sought ten trillion dollars in damages, to be divided up between all descendants, as well as an official apology from the U.S. government.
On April 25, 2012, Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu dismissed the case, holding that Plaintiff's complaint was frivolous as it fell outside of the court's subject matter jurisdiction. Judge Ryu noted that Plaintiff had not included any legal claims in his complaint and that it had no arguable basis in law. She noted that the U.S. government had not been served served and therefore was not a defendant in the case.
The case is closed.
Summary Authors
Avery Coombe (9/22/2024)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5935648/parties/levy-v-united-states/
Ryu, Donna M. (California)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5935648/levy-v-united-states/
Last updated July 24, 2025, 1:41 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 14, 2012
Closing Date: April 25, 2012
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Private citizen.
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
United States (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: