Caro v. LJB Facilities Management LLC

Background

Randy Caro, acting without a lawyer, sued LJB Facilities Management LLC for alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York City Human Rights Law. The opinion does not describe the underlying factual allegations in detail and instead refers to an earlier report and recommendation.

LJB moved to dismiss the complaint on April 29, 2024. Caro did not file a substantive opposition. On November 4, 2024, Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker recommended that the motion be granted without prejudice. On March 31, 2025, the district court adopted that recommendation, granted the motion to dismiss without prejudice, declined to exercise jurisdiction over Caro’s New York City law claims, directed the Clerk to close the case, and entered judgment.

Request to Reopen the Case

On April 11, 2025, Caro asked the court to reconsider the March 31 order insofar as it directed the Clerk to close the case. He requested that the judgment be vacated, the case reopened, and that he be allowed to amend his complaint or seek permission to amend it.

On April 18, 2025, Judge Parker recommended reopening the case, vacating the judgment, and permitting Caro to file an amended complaint within 30 days after reopening. She also recommended that, if Caro did not file an amended pleading within that period, the case be closed and judgment re-entered for LJB. The report and recommendation warned the parties that failing to object would waive further judicial review. Neither party objected or requested more time.

Court’s Review and Ruling

Because no objections were filed, Judge Rearden reviewed the report and recommendation for clear error rather than conducting a new review of the disputed issues. The court stated that it had reviewed the recommendation and found no clear error; it also described the recommendation as well reasoned.

Judge Rearden adopted Judge Parker’s recommendation. The Clerk was directed to reopen the case and vacate the judgment at ECF No. 38. Caro was permitted to file an amended complaint within 30 days of the case being reopened. The court stated that if he does not file an amended pleading within that period, the case will be closed and judgment re-entered on behalf of LJB. This order did not decide whether Caro’s discrimination claims have merit.