Opinion
2:22-CV-220-Z-BR
07-17-2023
DAVID WASHINGTON, Plaintiff, v. BENJAMIN LEEAH, et al.,
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION TO DISMISS COMPLAINT FOR FAILURE TO PAY FILING FEE
LEE ANN RENO, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
The Clerk filed Plaintiff's civil rights complaint on November 8, 2022. (ECF 3). Plaintiff's Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis includes a statement of Plaintiff's Inmate Trust Fund account stating a balance of $1,999.49 as of July 11, 2023. (ECF 17 at 3).
Plaintiff does not qualify for a grant of pauper's status. Plaintiff possesses, has possessed, or has had access to, the funds needed to pay the $350.00 filing fee and $52.00 administrative fee in the instant cause and should have included such payment with the submission of his application or subsequent to such submission. Plaintiff's Complaint should be DISMISSED for failure to pay the requisite fee.
RECOMMENDATION
It is the RECOMMENDATION of the United States Magistrate Judge to the United States District Judge that Plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis be DENIED, and that the civil rights complaint filed by Plaintiff be DISMISSED for failure to pay the $350.00 filing fee and $52.00 administrative fee.
NOTICE TO PLAINTIFF OF EFFECT OF PAYING FILING FEE
If Plaintiff pays the $350.00 filing fee and the $52.00 administrative fee within thirty (30) days after the “entered” date of these Findings, Conclusions and Recommendation, then the recommendation of dismissal will be withdrawn.
If, within fourteen (14) days after the “entered” date of these Findings, Conclusions and Recommendation, Plaintiff submits to this Court evidence that he has authorized his institution to disburse the requisite funds from his trust account by properly completing and submitting to the prison a Form I-25 entitled “Inmate Request for Withdrawal,” then this case will be held in abeyance for thirty (30) days from the date of the Form I-25, pending receipt of the filing fee. If payment has been received during the 30-day time period, the recommendation of dismissal will be withdrawn. If no payment has been received at the end of the 30-day time period, the case will remain subject to dismissal. It is Plaintiff's responsibility to monitor the disbursement of the requisite funds from his trust account, and ensure that such funds have been withdrawn and transmitted to the Court. Plaintiff shall advise the Court, prior to the expiration of the 30-day period, as to any legitimate reason why the funds will not be received by the Court within the time period.
Plaintiff is advised that the payment of the filing fee will not guarantee that this Court will reach the merits of Plaintiff's complaint.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE
The United States District Clerk is directed to send a copy of these Findings, Conclusions and Recommendation to each party by the most efficient means available.
IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.
* NOTICE OF RIGHT TO OBJECT *
Any party may object to these proposed findings, conclusions and recommendation. In the event parties wish to object, they are hereby NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing objections is fourteen (14) days from the date of filing as indicated by the “entered” date directly above the signature line. Service is complete upon mailing, Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(b)(2)(C), or transmission by electronic means, Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(b)(2)(E). Any objections must be filed on or before the fourteenth (14th) day after this recommendation is filed as indicated by the “entered” date. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b); Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b)(2); see also Fed.R.Civ.P. 6(d).
Any such objections shall be made in a written pleading entitled “Objections to the Findings, Conclusions and Recommendation.” Objecting parties shall file the written objections with the United States District Clerk and serve a copy of such objections on all other parties. A party's failure to timely file written objections shall bar an aggrieved party, except upon grounds of plain error, from attacking on appeal the unobjected-to proposed factual findings, legal conclusions, and recommendation set forth by the Magistrate Judge and accepted by the district court. See Douglass v. United Services Auto. Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1428-29 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc), superseded by statute on other grounds, 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), as recognized in ACS Recovery Servs., Inc. v. Griffin, 676 F.3d 512, 521 n.5 (5th Cir. 2012); Rodriguez v. Bowen, 857 F.2d 275, 276-77 (5th Cir. 1988).