Opinion
Case No.: 20-CV-714 W (BGS)
04-16-2020
TERRY WILSON, Plaintiff, v. NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORP., dba AMTRAK, et al., Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
[DOC. 2]
On April 14, 2020, Plaintiff Terry Wilson commenced this wrongful termination case against Defendant National Railroad Passenger Corporation, dba Amtrak. Along with the Complaint, Plaintiff filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis ("IFP").
The determination of indigency falls within the district court's discretion. California Men's Colony v. Rowland, 939 F.2d 854, 858 (9th Cir. 1991), reversed on other grounds, 506 U.S. 194 (1993) ("Section 1915 typically requires the reviewing court to exercise its sound discretion in determining whether the affiant has satisfied the statute's requirement of indigency."). It is well-settled that 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). To satisfy the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), "an affidavit [of poverty] is sufficient which states that one cannot because of his poverty pay or give security for costs ... and still be able to provide himself and dependents with the necessities of life." Id. at 339. At the same time, however, "the same even-handed care must be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, ... 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).
District courts, therefore, tend to reject IFP applications where the applicant can pay the filing fee with acceptable sacrifice to other expenses. See, e.g., Stehouwer v. Hennessey, 851 F.Supp. 316, (N.D.Cal. 1994), vacated in part on other grounds, Olivares v. Marshall, 59 F.3d 109 (9th Cir. 1995) (finding that district court did not abuse discretion in requiring partial fee payment from prisoner with $14.61 monthly salary and $110 per month from family); Allen v. Kelly, 1995 WL 396860 at *2 (N.D. Cal. 1995) (Plaintiff initially permitted to proceed in forma pauperis, later required to pay $120 filing fee out of $900 settlement proceeds); Ali v. Cuyler, 547 F.Supp. 129, 130 (E.D. Pa. 1982) (in forma pauperis application denied: "plaintiff possessed savings of $450 and the magistrate correctly determined that this amount was more than sufficient to allow the plaintiff to pay the filing fee in this action."). Moreover, the facts as to the affiant's poverty must be stated "with some particularity, definiteness, and certainty." United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981).
Having read and considered the papers submitted, the Court finds Plaintiff meets the requirements for IFP status under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Plaintiff was terminated and contends his income has reduced to $1,400. (App. [Doc. 2] ¶ 1.) In contrast, his monthly expenses total $4,187. (Id. ¶ 8.) He also contends his wife does not have any income. (Id. ¶ 1.) He has a combined $60 in two bank accounts and owns no assets of value. (Id. ¶¶ 4, 5.) Thus, it appears Plaintiff would be unable to pay the filing fee without sacrificing the necessities of life. See Adkins, 335 U.S. at 339-40. As a result, he is entitled to IFP status. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. // //
For the reasons addressed above, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP [Doc. 2]. However, if Plaintiff succeeds in this case, whether at trial or through a settlement, Plaintiff shall be required to pay the costs of this litigation.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: April 16, 2020
/s/_________
Hon. Thomas J. Whelan
United States District Judge