Opinion
1:21-cv-01285-GSA-PC
09-24-2021
BRYAN E. SAYLOR, Plaintiff, v. ALLISON, et al., Defendants.
ORDER FOR CLERK OF COURT TO RANDOMLY ASSIGN A UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE TO THIS CASE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, RECOMMENDING THAT PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO PROCEED IN IN FORMA PAUPERIS BE DENIED (ECF NO. 2.) OBJECTIONS, IF ANY, DUE IN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS
GARY S. AUSTIN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
I. FINDINGS
Bryan E. Saylor (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with this civil right action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. Plaintiff filed the Complaint commencing this action o August 24, 2021. (ECF No. 1.)
On August 24, 2021, Plaintiff filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis and a certified copy of his prison trust account statement, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF No. 2.) It appear from a review of Plaintiff's trust account statement, that Plaintiff can afford the costs of this action. Evidence shows that on August 20, 2021, the average monthly balance in Plaintiff's account during the past six months was $910.99, and the balance of Plaintiff's account was $1,371.20. (Id. at 2.)
The Court notes that some of the funds in Plaintiff's account may be from “stimulus checks.” (Id. at 3-4.). However, Plaintiff has not cited to any law, and the Court is not aware of any, preventing “stimulus checks” from being included when determining whether a plaintiff can afford to pay the filing fee. Additionally, other courts in this district have included the funds when making the determination. See, e.g., Hammler v. Zydus Pharmacy, 2021 WL 3048380, at *1-2 (E.D. Cal. July 20, 2021) (considering the plaintiff's “economic impact payments” when determining that the plaintiff was “financially able to pay the filing fee”); Corral v. California Highway Patrol, 2021 WL 2268877, at *1 (E.D. Cal. June 3, 2021) (including the plaintiff's “pandemic stimulus payments” in determining that the “plaintiff has made an inadequate showing of indigency”).
Therefore, Plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis should be denied, and Plaintiff should be required to pay the statutory filing fee of $402.00 for this action in full.
II. ORDER, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND CONCLUSION
A. Order
The Clerk of Court is HEREBY ORDERED to randomly assign a United States District Judge to this case; and
B. Recommendations and Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:
1. Plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis, filed on August 24, 2021, be DENIED; and
2. Plaintiff be required to pay the $402.00 filing fee for this action in full within thirty days.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen (14) days after the date of service of these findings and recommendations, Plaintiff may file written objections with the court. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations.” Plaintiff is advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
IT IS SO ORDERED.