Kilgore’s $15 Billion Claim Against Bitcoin Dismissed by Federal Court

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a civil lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Stuart Kilgore against Bitcoin and two of its alleged developers. The case, titled Kilgore v. Nakamoto, was dismissed without prejudice, allowing the plaintiff the opportunity to refile with proper amendments.

Kilgore, a District of Columbia resident representing himself, filed the complaint alongside an application to proceed in forma pauperis, which permitted him to pursue the case without paying court fees. The court granted this application. However, the complaint itself was found lacking in clarity and substance, leading to its dismissal.

In the complaint, Kilgore claimed that Bitcoin, referred to as “the company,” was created with an agreement for equal profit sharing. He sought approximately $15 billion in dividends dating back to 2018. The filing did not specify any legal cause of action or provide supporting legal authority, nor did it include detailed allegations to substantiate the claims.

Judge Chutkan’s memorandum opinion highlighted that the complaint failed to meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a). This rule mandates that a complaint must include a clear statement of the court’s jurisdiction and a concise explanation of the claim demonstrating the plaintiff’s entitlement to relief. The vague and sparse nature of Kilgore’s allegations did not provide sufficient notice to the defendants, preventing them from preparing an adequate defense.

Additionally, the court noted that Kilgore’s filing did not establish the court’s subject matter jurisdiction, further justifying the dismissal. The accompanying court order confirmed the granting of the in forma pauperis application and the dismissal of the complaint and case. The order was designated as final and appealable, allowing Kilgore the option to appeal the decision within the timeframe outlined in federal appellate rules.

Please contact BlockTribune for access to a copy of this filing.