Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01388/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01388-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 375
Nature of Suit: False Claims Act
Cause of Action: 31:3729 False Claims Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BYRON ARNOLD, et al.,

Plaintiff,

v.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT FEDERAL TORT 

CLAIMS CENTER; et al.

Defendants.

1:24-cv-01388-KES-BAM 

ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFFS TO 

FILE COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS OR 

PAY FILING FEE WITHIN THIRTY 

DAYS

 Completed IFP Due: December 20, 2024

Plaintiffs Byron Arnold and Kimbly Arnold, proceeding pro se, filed this civil action on 

November 13, 2024. (Doc. 1.) The same day, Plaintiff Kimbly Arnold filed an application to 

proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). (Doc. 1, 2.) However, as there are deficiencies with the IFP 

application and Plaintiff Byron Arnold has not filed an IFP application, the Court will direct 

Plaintiffs to each file a new and separate application.

First, under item 2 on the IFP application, Plaintiff Kimbly Arnold writes that their gross 

pay or wages are “$1300” and their take-home pay or wages are “$1300,” but does not specify 

the pay period or the employer’s name and address as required on the form. (Doc. 2 at 1.)

Under item 7, which required Plaintiff to name all persons dependent on Plaintiff for support, 

Plaintiff’s relationship to each person, and how much Plaintiff contributes to their support, 

Case 1:24-cv-01388-KES-BAM Document 3 Filed 11/15/24 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff simply wrote “Byron Arnold.” (Id. at 2.) Plaintiff Byron Arnold submitted no IFP 

application or other financial information. (See Docs. 1-2.)

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), a pro se plaintiff may proceed without prepayment of fees 

by submitting “an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such [person] possesses that the 

person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.” See Flores v. California Corr. 

Women’s Facility, No. 1:19-cv-1509-NONE-JLT, 2020 WL 8821643, at *1 (E.D. Cal. June 24, 

2020) (noting that § 1915(a)(1) applies to non-prisoner plaintiffs). Without knowing each 

Plaintiffs’ financial circumstances, the Court cannot conclude that they are unable to pay the

$405.00 filing fee for this case. Accordingly, the Court will require each Plaintiff to file a 

complete application that addresses the deficiencies listed above.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of Court is directed to mail each Plaintiff a form IFP application. (Form

AO 240);

2. Plaintiffs shall complete this IFP application, accurately, truthfully, and

completely answering all questions and shall file the form by no later than December 20, 

2024. Alternatively, Plaintiffs may pay the $405.00 filing fee to proceed with this case;

3. No extension of time will be granted without a showing of good cause; and

4. The failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal of this action, 

without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 15, 2024 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-01388-KES-BAM Document 3 Filed 11/15/24 Page 2 of 2