Faith v. Khosrowshahi et al

Filing 6

ORDER - Before the Court is the in forma pauperis application filed by pro se plaintiff, Michael Faith ("Plaintiff"). (See ECF No. #2 .) Upon review and for the reasons that follow, the application to proceed in forma pauperis is denied. Plaintiff is directed to remit the $402.00 filing fee within fourteen (14) days from the date of this Order to proceed with this case. The Court certifies pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this Order would not be taken in good faith and therefore in forma pauperis status is denied for the purpose of any appeal. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962).SEE ATTACHED ORDER for details. So Ordered by Judge Joan M. Azrack on 1/10/2022. c/m to pro se plaintiff (Coleman, Laurie)

Case 2:21-cv-06913-JMA-JMW Document 6 Filed 01/10/22 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: 40

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
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MICHAEL FAITH,

For Online Publication Only

Plaintiff,
ORDER
21-CV-6913(JMA)(JMW)

-againstDARA KHOSROWSHAHI, et al.,
Defendants.
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AZRACK, United States District Judge:

Before the Court is the in forma pauperis application filed by pro se plaintiff, Michael
Faith (“Plaintiff”).

(See ECF No. 2.)

Upon review and for the reasons that follow, the

application to proceed in forma pauperis is denied. Plaintiff is directed to remit the $402.00 filing
fee within fourteen (14) days from the date of this Order to proceed with this case.
To qualify for in forma pauperis status, the Supreme Court has long held that “an affidavit
is sufficient which states that one cannot because of his poverty pay or give security for the costs
[inherent in litigation] and still be able to provide himself and dependents with the necessities of
life.” Adkins v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339 (1948) (internal quotation
marks omitted). The purpose of the statute permitting litigants to proceed in forma pauperis is to
ensure that indigent persons have equal access to the judicial system. Davis v. NYC Dept. of
Educ., No. 10-CV-3812, 2010 WL 3419671, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 27, 2010) (citing Gregory v.
NYC Health & Hosp. Corp., No. 07-CV-1531, 2007 WL 1199010, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 17,
2007)). The determination of whether an applicant qualifies for in forma pauperis status is within
the discretion of the district court. Pinede v. New York City Dept. of Envtl. Prot., No. 12-CV06344, 2013 WL 1410380, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 8, 2013) (collecting cases). The Court may
dismiss a case brought by a litigant requesting to proceed in forma pauperis if the “allegation of
poverty is untrue.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(A).

Case 2:21-cv-06913-JMA-JMW Document 6 Filed 01/10/22 Page 2 of 2 PageID #: 41

Plaintiff’s application reflects that he has been unemployed since July 2021 and, in the past
twelve months, Plaintiff has received income in the total sum of $30,964. See ECF No. 2 at ¶¶ 23.

Plaintiff reports having $47,000 in cash or in an account as well as a ROTH IRA valued at

$18,000. Id. at ¶¶ 4-5. The only additional asset plaintiff reports owning is a 2011 Toyota Rav4.
Id. ¶ 5. Plaintiff’s reported monthly expenses total approximately $1,285. (Id. at ¶ 6.) Plaintiff
has not listed any dependents and his only reported debt is for a student loan in the total sum of
$53,000 and for which monthly payments are reported to begin this month in an unspecified
amount. See id. at 6-8. Accordingly, given that the filing fee for the complaint is $402.00,
Plaintiff’s application demonstrates that he can afford to pay the Court’s filing fee.
Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis is denied and Plaintiff is
directed to pay the $402.00 filing fee within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order. Plaintiff
is warned that a failure to timely comply with this Order may lead to the dismissal of the complaint
without prejudice for failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).
Plaintiff is further warned that, once paid, there are no refunds no matter the outcome of the case.
Plaintiff is encouraged to avail himself of the free resources provided by the Pro Se Legal
Assistance Program run by Hofstra Law School and he may reach them by telephone at 631-2972575 or by e-mail: [e-mail].
The Court certifies pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this Order
would not be taken in good faith and therefore in forma pauperis status is denied for the purpose
of any appeal. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962).
SO ORDERED.
Dated:

___/s/JMA______________________
JOAN M. AZRACK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

January 10, 2022
Central Islip, New York
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