Court Issues Order Dismissing Florida Chinese Drywall Claim

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A federal judge in Florida issued a sua sponte order dismissing a Chinese drywall claim after finding, based on the complaint, that it cannot be determined whether the court has jurisdiction over the matter. Kelly v. Knauf GIPS KG, et al., No. 09-80774 (S.D. Fla.).

The May 26 order, issued four days after plaintiff Lawrence Kelly filed his lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, says that questions surrounding Kelly's citizenship made it impossible to determine whether the case belonged in federal court.

The case was dismissed without prejudice for lack of …