Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00079/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00079-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BARON BOWER,

Plaintiff,

v.

FOSTER FARMS,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:15-cv-00079---SAB

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

(ECF No. 4)

On January 16, 2015, Plaintiff Baron Bower (“Plaintiff”) filed the complaint in this 

action. (ECF No. 1.) Plaintiff also filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis without 

prepayment of the filing fee on the same day. (ECF No. 2.) On January 22, 2015, Plaintiff 

application was denied without prejudice and he was ordered to file a long form application in

forma pauperis. Plaintiff filed a second application to proceed in forma pauperis on February 9, 

2015. (ECF No. 4.)

In order to proceed in court without prepayment of the filing fee, Plaintiff must submit an 

affidavit demonstrating that he “is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.” 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a)(1). In assessing whether a certain income level meets the poverty threshold under 

Section 1915(a)(1), courts look to the federal poverty guidelines developed each year by the 

Department of Health and Human Services. See, e.g., Lint v. City of Boise, No. CV09-72-SEJL, 2009 WL 1149442, at *2 (D. Idaho Apr. 28, 2009) (and cases cited therein).

Case 1:15-cv-00079-GEB-SAB Document 7 Filed 02/12/15 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff’s application states that his three children depend upon Plaintiff for support. The 

2015 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states for a household of five is $28,410.00. 2015

Poverty Guidelines, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm (last visited January 21, 2015).

Plaintiff states that he receives $2,083.00 per month from retirement and disability 

payments. Plaintiff’s wife receives $2,750.00 per month income from her employment. This 

amounts to $57,996.00 per year. Plaintiff also indicated that he and his wife are owed over $6 

million dollars from Foster Farms. Further, the Court notes that Plaintiff has received a 

settlement from Foster Farms in a prior action. 

Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis demonstrates that Plaintiff is able to 

pay the $400.00 filing fee in this action as his reported annual income is significantly higher than 

the 2015 Poverty Guidelines.

Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiff is not eligible to proceed in forma

pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s 

application to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED and Plaintiff shall pay the $400.00 filing fee 

within thirty (30) days. If the filing fee is not paid within thirty (30) days, this action will be 

dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 11, 2015 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00079-GEB-SAB Document 7 Filed 02/12/15 Page 2 of 2