Moreno v. Colvin

Filing 26

ORDER granting 23 Stipulated Motion for Attorney Fees Under the Equal Access to Justice Act, by Judge Raymond P. Moore on 05/04/2016.(cthom, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Judge Raymond P. Moore
Civil Action No. 1:14-cv-02637-RM
RAUL A. MORENO,
Plaintiff,
vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING
STIPULATED MOTION FOR FEES UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT
Upon consideration of the parties’ Stipulated Motion for Fees Under the Equal Access to
Justice Act (the “Motion”) (ECF No. 23), the Statement of Attorney Time Expended David F.
Chermol, Esquire (ECF No. 25), the requirements of the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”),
and being otherwise fully advised, the Motion (ECF No. 23) is GRANTED. It is ORDERED
that Defendant shall pay Plaintiff $5,600.00 in attorney fees. Payment of this amount shall
constitute a complete release from and bar to any and all claims Plaintiff may have relating to
EAJA fees in connection with this action. However, the EAJA award is without prejudice to any
right of Plaintiff’s attorney to seek attorney fees pursuant to Social Security Act § 206(b),
42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the offset provisions of the EAJA. See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(c)(1)
(2006).
Under Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 595-98 (2010), EAJA fees awarded by this Court
belong to the Plaintiff and are subject to offset under the Treasury Offset Program (31 U.S.C.

§ 3716(c)(3) (2006)). Thus, fees should be paid to Plaintiff. However, Plaintiff’s attorney has
represented that Plaintiff has assigned his right to EAJA fees to his attorney. Thus, if, after
receiving the Court’s EAJA fee order, the Commissioner (1) determines that Plaintiff does not
owe a debt that is subject to offset under the Treasury Offset Program; and (2) agrees to waive
the requirements of the Anti-Assignment Act, then the EAJA fees will be made payable to
Plaintiff’s attorney. However, if there is a debt owed under the Treasury Offset Program, the
Commissioner will pay the remaining EAJA fees after offset by a check made out to Plaintiff but
delivered to Plaintiff’s attorney.
DATED this 4th day of May, 2016.
BY THE COURT:

____________________________________
RAYMOND P. MOORE
United States District Judge

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