(PS) James v. Metzger Mgt. Co.

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

25 Plaintiff commenced this action on June 21, 2023, by filing a complaint and paying the 26 applicable filing fee. ECF No. 1. The FAC, filed April 29, 2024, consists of lengthy, 27 unnumbered paragraphs of loose narration punctuated with citations to various academic sources. 28 It alleges that Defendant blamed Plaintiff for an apartment fire after Plaintiff had filed multiple complaints about his unit. ECF No. 14 at 2-3. The fire department reported that the fire’s cause was “undetermined[,]” but Plaintiff rejects Defendant’s explanation that the fire had started from the stovetop when the electricity had come back on. Id. at 3. The FAC further alleges that Defendant failed to adhere to inspection protocols following the fire. Id. at 4. It argues that this violates Defendant’s duty of care under California Civil Code § 1714(a). Id. The FAC separately argues that Defendant falsely told Plaintiff there were no other units available when there were. Id. at 5. The FAC alleges discriminatory behavior against Plaintiff based both on this falsehood and on Defendant asserting Plaintiff had started the…