Keyron Lamonte Binns v. American General Life Insurance Company

I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

On January 5, 2024, Keyron Lamonte Binns and Sharif Ali Gentry (“Plaintiffs”), proceeding pro se, filed a Complaint against American General Life Insurance Company (“AGL”) and several of its employees, the California Department of Insurance (“CDI”), former CDI Commissioner David Jones, and CDI employee Cynthia Urena asserting various claims arising out of Plaintiffs’ dissatisfaction with the amount of a death benefit paid to them under a life insurance policy. (Compl., ECF No. 1-2.) On September 23, 2024, AGL removed the case to federal court on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. (Notice of Removal, ECF No. 1.) On October 15, 2024, Plaintiffs filed an “opposition” to removal, which the Court construed as a Motion to Remand. (Mot. to Remand, ECF No. 14.) This is the second lawsuit brought by Plaintiffs against AGL concerning the same life insurance policy. (Mot. to Remand at 2.) Plaintiffs filed the original lawsuit (hereafter “Binns I’) in the Eastern District of California, but that court dismissed the case after AGL challenged subject matter jurisdiction by arguing Plaintiffs could not demonstrate they satisfied the amount in controversy…