Opinion
Case No.: 17cv1636-MMA (MDD)
08-23-2017
MONTOREY LLC, MONTOREY DANYELL HARPER, Plaintiffs, v. UNITED STATES, UN, NATO, Defendants.
ORDER DENYING MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS [Doc. No. 2]
On August 14, 2017, Plaintiffs Montorey LLC and Montorey Danyell Harper filed this action against the United States, UN, and NATO. Plaintiff Montorey Harper simultaneously filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis ("IFP"). Doc. No. 2.
All parties instituting any civil action, suit or proceeding in a district court of the United States, except an application for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of $400. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may proceed despite a plaintiff's failure to prepay the entire fee only if he is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). "To proceed in forma pauperis is a privilege not a right." Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965). A party need not be completely destitute to proceed in forma pauperis. Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948). But "the same even-handed care must be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, either frivolous claims or the remonstrances of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in material part, to pull his own oar." Temple v. Ellerthorpe, 586 F. Supp. 848, 850 (D.R.I. 1984). Further, although only one filing fee is required per case, where there are multiple plaintiffs, a court may consider the availability of funds from each of the plaintiffs in determining whether to grant IFP status. See Nur v. Blake Development Corp., 664 F. Supp. 430, 431 (N.D. Ind. 1987).
Plaintiff Montorey Harper states that has a monthly income of $4,231.00 per month—$2,915.00 in disability payments, and $1,316.00 in other funds. He also avers that he has $220.00 in cash and $80.88 in bank accounts. Plaintiff states that his monthly expenses amount to $3,100.00, meaning that his net income amounts to more than $1,000.00 per month. Accordingly, the Court finds Plaintiff is able to pay the $400 filing fee in order to institute this action. Thus, the Court DENIES without prejudice Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP. Doc. No. 2; see Civ. L.R. 3.2. Within fourteen days of the date of this Order, Plaintiff shall either: (a) pay the requisite $400 filing fee, or (b) file a renewed motion for IFP containing the requisite information regarding his ability to pay the costs of commencing this action. If Plaintiff fails to timely submit payment or a renewed motion for IFP, this case shall be dismissed.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Date: August 23, 2017
/s/_________
Hon. Michael M. Anello
United States District Judge