Tetrault

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 GEORGE AUSTIN, esq., No. 2:20-cv-0216 KJM DB PS Plaintiff, v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS GABRIELLE TETRAULT, esq., et al., Defendants. 16 Plaintiff George Austin is proceeding in this action pro se. This matter was referred to the undersigned in accordance with Local Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Pending before the court are plaintiff’s second amended complaint and motion to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF Nos. 2 & 13.) The second amended complaint concerns allegations of defamatory statements made by various defendants. The court is required to screen complaints brought by parties proceeding in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see also Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). Here, plaintiff’s second amended complaint is deficient. Accordingly, for the reasons stated below, the undersigned recommends that plaintiff’s second amended…