Rushdan v. Davey et al.
Filing
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ORDER DENYING Plaintiff's 79 Motion for Reimbursement of Funds, signed by Magistrate Judge Gary S. Austin on 9/5/2020. (Martin-Gill, S)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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SALADIN RUSHDAN aka
ROBERT STANLEY WOODS,
Plaintiff,
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ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION
FOR REIMBURSEMENT
(ECF No. 79.)
vs.
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1:16-cv-00988-NONE-GSA-PC
D. DAVEY, et al.,
Defendants.
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I.
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BACKGROUND
Saladan Rushdan aka Robert Stanley Woods (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding
pro se and in forma pauperis with this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This case
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now proceeds with Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint filed on March 9, 2018, against
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defendant Correctional Officer Casas (“Defendant”) for use of excessive force in violation of the
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Eighth Amendment and related state claims. (ECF No. 28.)
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On July 23, 2020, Plaintiff filed a motion for reimbursement of funds. (ECF No. 79.) On
August 20, 2020, Defendant filed an opposition to the motion. (ECF No. 83.)
II.
MOTION FOR REIMBURSEMENT
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Plaintiff contends that he is entitled to attorney’s fees as reimbursement for his labor,
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postage, paper, copies, and anxiety. Defendant argues that Plaintiff’s motion is premature
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because the case is not concluded and Plaintiff has not been found to be the prevailing party;
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Plaintiff has not provided any documentation that he actually incurred any costs; and, because
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plaintiff is proceeding pro se he is not entitled to an award of attorney’s fees.
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Defendant’s arguments have merit. As a plaintiff proceeding pro se with this case,
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Plaintiff is not entitled to attorney’s fees. “In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of
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section[] 1983. . . , the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party. . . reasonable
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attorney’s fees. . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b). Plaintiff’s contention that he is entitled to attorney’s
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fees for his time spent or anxiety suffered while litigating this case is without merit. Plaintiff is
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representing himself in this action. Because Plaintiff is not represented by an attorney, he is not
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entitled to recover attorney’s fees. See Friedman v. Arizona, 912 F.2d 328, 333 n.2 (9th Cir.
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1990), superseded by statute as stated in Warsoldier v. Woodford, 418 F.3d 989 (9th Cir. 2005);
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Gonzalez v. Kangas, 814 F.2d 1411, 1412 (9th Cir. 1987); see also Rickley v. Cnty. of Los
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Angeles, 654 F.3d 950, 954 (9th Cir. 2011) (“The Court accordingly adopted a per se rule,
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categorically precluding an award of attorney’s fees under § 1988 to a pro se attorney-plaintiff.”)
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Therefore, Plaintiff’s motion for reimbursement of funds shall be denied.
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III.
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CONCLUSION
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for reimbursement of
funds, filed on July 23, 2020, is DENIED.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:
September 5, 2020
/s/ Gary S. Austin
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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