Summary
holding presumption of receipt three days after issuance rebutted where plaintiffs “submitted sworn affidavits indicating that they never received the right-to-sue letter” and defendants did not “submit any contrary evidence, and ... rel[ied] solely on the ... presumption that Plaintiff received the letter three days after it was dated”
Summary of this case from Weathersbee v. Balt. City Fire Dep'tOpinion
08-CV-6552CJS.
February 2, 2010
ORDER
By order dated December 9, 2009, the above-captioned matter has been referred to the undersigned for the supervision of pretrial discovery and the hearing and disposition of all non-dispositive motions, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1)(A) and (B). (Docket # 9).
This action was filed on December 5, 2008 by pro se plaintiff Ronnie Hilton ("Hilton"). (Docket # 1). On December 29, 2008, United States District Judge Richard J. Arcara granted Hilton's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (Docket # 4). On April 3, 2009, counsel appeared on behalf of Hilton. (Docket # 5). Currently pending before this Court is defendants' motion to rescind Hilton's in forma pauperis status on the basis that an attorney has appeared on Hilton's behalf. (Docket # 8).
The court may authorize the commencement of a lawsuit without prepayment of fees upon a person's showing that the person is "unable to pay such fees or give security therefor." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Hilton has submitted an updated in forma pauperis affidavit indicating that his financial condition has not changed since he originally filed the motion. (Docket # 14). In addition, during a telephone conference with this Court, Hilton's counsel represented that Hilton has not compensated him for his services. Thus, this Court declines to disturb the District Court's order on the basis that Hilton has secured counsel because there has been no showing that Hilton no longer financially qualifies to proceed in forma pauperis.
Defendants argue that Local Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(c) provides that only pro se litigants may apply for in forma pauperis status. (Docket # 8). A review of 28 U.S.C. § 1915 reveals that the statute does not preclude represented parties from proceeding in forma pauperis. This Court declines to interpret the local rule in a more restrictive manner than the authorizing statute.
For the foregoing reasons, defendants' motion to rescind Hilton's in forma pauperis status (Docket # 8) is DENIED.