Case ID: f-appx_144/html/0216-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Eugene E. CHATMAN, Appellant v. ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA; RSI Property Management; Steven Baskin; Karen Baskin; James Butler; Judith Butler; David K. Rudov.
    No. 05-2050.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted For Possible Dismissal Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) June 16, 2005.
    Decided June 28, 2005.
    
      Carl B. Zacharia, Office of Allegheny County Law Department, Pittsburgh, PA, for Appellant.
    Karen M. Baskin, Pittsburgh, PA, David K. Rudov, Rudov & Stein, Pittsburgh, PA, Carl B. Zacharia, for Appellee.
    Before SLOVITER, NYGAARD and FUENTES, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Appellant Eugene Chatman appeals an order of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania dismissing his in forma pauperis complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). We will dismiss his appeal pursuant to the same statutory provision.

Although difficult to decipher, Chat-man’s initial pro se complaint, brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, appears to allege that Judith Butler, the manager for the RSI Management property where Chatman resided, called the police, who then removed Chatman from his apartment. Chatman also alleged that several of the defendants assaulted him. The District Court noted that Chatman had previously filed civil complaints against some of the named defendants, and that the instant complaint appears to arise from the same incident. The court found that Chatman’s complaint did not provide sufficient information as to the defendants’ involvement in the alleged incidents. Thus, the District Court dismissed the complaint, permitting Chatman to amend the complaint if he further described (1) how each defendant caused him an injury; (2) the nature of his claims against each defendant; and (3) the relief requested. Chatman filed an Amended Complaint, again asserting general allegations that he was assaulted, harassed, falsely imprisoned, and kidnapped by the defendants. The District Court found that the Amended Complaint suffered from the same infirmities as the original, and dismissed it with prejudice.

Chatman timely filed this appeal and a motion for leave to proceed informa pauperis on appeal. The decision whether to grant leave to file an appeal in forma pauperis depends solely on whether the applicant is economically eligible, not whether the action or appeal is frivolous. See Sinwell v. Shapp, 536 F.2d 15, 19 (3d Cir.1976). The Supreme Court has held that a plaintiff need not “be absolutely destitute to enjoy the benefit of the statute.” Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339, 69 S.Ct. 85, 93 L.Ed. 43 (1948). Rather, it is sufficient for the affiant to show that he is “unable to pay the costs of his suit.” Walker v. People Express Airlines, Inc., 886 F.2d 598, 601 (3d Cir.1989). Chatman’s affidavit of indigency indicates that he receives monthly social security income of about $1000, and has $25 in a checking account. Chat-man’s monthly expenses total approximately $980. Based upon his limited income and monthly liabilities, Chatman’s motion for leave to appeal in forma pauperis is granted.

When an appellant proceeds informa pauperis, this Court must dismiss the appeal if it is “frivolous.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). A frivolous appeal has no arguable basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989). We will dismiss this appeal as frivolous.

After carefully reviewing the record, we agree with the District Court that Chat-man has pled insufficient facts to state a claim that (1) the conduct complained of was committed by a person acting under the color of state law, or (2) that the conduct complained of deprived Chatman of rights, privileges or immunities secured by the law or the Constitution of the United States. See Kost v. Kozakiewicz, 1 F.3d 176, 184 (3d Cir.1993). Furthermore, Chatman’s complaint did not adequately state the time, place and persons responsible for his alleged injuries. See Rode v. Dellarciprete, 845 F.2d 1195, 1207 (3d Cir. 1988). Given these deficiencies, which Chatman failed to remedy with the filing of his Amended Complaint, we will dismiss the appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)®.