Jordan v. Semple et al

Filing 7

ORDER denying 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis; dismissing 6 Motion to Amend/Correct, without prejudice to renewal when Plaintiff submits required filing fee. Signed by Judge Victor A. Bolden on 1/11/2017.(Ghosh, S.)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT

BRYAN A. JORDAN,
Plaintiff,
v.
SCOTT SEMPLE, ET AL.,
Defendants.

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PRISONER
Case No. 3:16cv1454(VAB)

RULING AND ORDER
Plaintiff, Bryan A. Jordan, is an inmate at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional
Institution in Uncasville, Connecticut. He moves the court for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 in this civil action.
It is well settled that the decision to proceed in forma pauperis in civil cases is committed
to the “sound discretion of the district court.” Monti v. McKeon, 600 F. Supp. 112, 113 (D.
Conn. 1984), aff'd mem. 788 F.2d 1 (2d Cir. 1985); see also Rowland v. California Men’s
Colony, Unit II Men’s Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 217-18 (1993). A litigant need not be
absolutely destitute in order to qualify for in forma pauperis status. When evaluating a motion to
proceed in forma pauperis, the Court considers whether the burden of paying the fees for filing
and service would hamper the plaintiff’s ability to obtain the necessities of life or force him to
abandon the action. See Adkins v. E.I. Dupont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948);
Potnick v. Eastern State Hospital, 701 F.2d 243, 244 (2d Cir. 1983).
Mr. Jordan has $439.02 in his inmate account. Furthermore, deposits of at least $50.00
have been made to Mr. Jordan’s account every month since March 2016. As a prisoner, Mr.
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Jordan bears no costs for room or board and no one is dependent on him for support. From this
information, this Court can discern no reason why requiring Mr. Jordan to pay the $400.00 filing
fee to commence this action would force him to forego the necessities of life or abandon this
action. See Potnick, 701 F.2d at 244; Jones v. Lara, No. 3:11-706 (AWT), 2011 U.S. Dist.
LEXIS 75323, at *2 (D. Conn. July 8, 2011) (Ordering payment of $5 filing fee when
petitioner’s inmate account contained $7.81, because it “[wa]s clear that the petitioner has
received regular deposits to the account from outside sources and earns a salary for work in the
prison”). Mr. Jordan has not demonstrated a substantial showing of indigence which is required
before in forma pauperis status may be granted under 28 U.S.C. § 1915.
The Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis [Doc. No. 2] is DENIED. The
Motion for Leave to Amend [Doc. No. 6] is DENIED without prejudice. Mr. Jordan may renew
his motion after he submits the filing fee.
All further proceedings in the matter shall be held in abeyance for 20 days pending Mr.
Jordan’s delivery of the filing fee in the amount of $400.00 (cash or bank check made payable to
the Clerk of Court) to the Clerk’s Office, 915 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06604.
Failure to tender the filing fee within 20 days of this order will result in the dismissal of this
action.
SO ORDERED at Bridgeport, Connecticut this 11th day of January, 2017.
______________________________
VICTOR A. BOLDEN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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