Matthew T. McDavitt—Senior Attorney

CIVIL PROCEDURE: UFOs, Aliens, and Helicopters: A Study in Improper Parties

      By federal complaint filed January 9, 2013, plaintiff Shirley Durante—clearly suffering from some unstated mental health issue—sued defendants: (1) Massachusetts real estate broker Todd Sandler, (2) UFOs, (3) Aliens, and (4) Helicopters, alleging that aliens from Jupiter and Mars were harassing her:

Shirley Durante . . . complains that helicopters, UFOs, and aliens have been harassing her with laxatives and bright lights which burn her face and eyes. This harassment is destructive to her property as well, damaging three car mirrors. It appears that in some unspecified way Todd Sandler and family of Randolph, Massachusetts, have something to do with this harassment. Durante has written to the Department of Homeland Security and Senator Susan Collins about this harassment, but apparently has received no assistance. She has also gone to the Maine state courts seeking relief from the harassment. She has now determined that her recourse is to file a federal lawsuit.