Richardson v. Staten Island University Hospital et al

Filing 5

ORDER denying 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. Ordered by Chief Mag. Judge Steven M. Gold on 4/28/2015. (Gold, Steven)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
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ERICA RICHARDSON,
Plaintiff,
-against-

ORDER
CV-15-2367 (JBW)

STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL,
et al.,
Defendants.
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Gold, S., U.S. Magistrate Judge:
Plaintiff, represented by counsel, brings this case alleging claims of employment
discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation. Plaintiff has filed a motion for leave to
proceed in forma pauperis, or “IFP”. Docket Entry 2.
A court may authorize a plaintiff to commence a suit without paying a filing fee if she
submits an affidavit detailing her income and assets and demonstrates that she is unable to make
the payment. Whether a plaintiff qualifies for IFP status rests with the court’s discretion. Pinede
v. New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection, 2013 WL 1410380, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 8,
2013); DiGianni v. Pearson Educ., 2010 WL 1741373, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 30, 2010).
Having reviewed the financial disclosures made by plaintiff on her application, I find that
she has failed to establish her inability to pay the court’s $400 filing fee. Plaintiff is gainfully
employed, earning $2,176 monthly. Plaintiff’s rent is only $650 per month. Plaintiff has more
than $1000 in her checking account and more than $25,000 in investments. Based on these facts,
plaintiff’s motion is denied. Plaintiff is directed to pay the court’s filing fee by May 15, 2015.
SO ORDERED.
/s/
STEVEN M. GOLD
U. S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE
April 28, 2015
Brooklyn, New York