Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-02347/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-02347-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 220
Nature of Suit: Foreclosure
Cause of Action: 38:1816 Deficiency balance on VA Mortgage Foreclosure (Reg. Governing the VA Loan Guaranty Prgm)

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROBERT FRANK HARRIS,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 17cv2347-GPC(AGS)

ORDER

1) GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S

AMENDED MOTION FOR LEAVE

TO PROCEED IN FORMA

PAUPERIS;

[Dkt. No. 4]

(2) SUA SPONTE DISMISSING

PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT FOR

FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM; 

vs.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA &

CENLAR FSB,

Defendants.

On November 20, 2017, Plaintiff Robert Frank Harris, proceeding pro se, filed

a Complaint against Defendants United States of America and Cenlar Federal Savings

Bank. (Dkt. No. 1.) Plaintiff also filed an amended motion for leave to proceed in

forma pauperis (“IFP”) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). (Dkt. Nos. 4.) For the

following reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP, but sua

sponte DISMISSES the action.

Discussion

A. Amended Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

All parties instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of

the United States, except an application for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee

- 1 - [13cv1113-GPC(RBB)]

Case 3:17-cv-02347-GPC-AGS Document 7 Filed 12/14/17 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

of $400. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a).1 An action may proceed despite a plaintiff’s failure

to prepay the entire fee only if he is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to § 1915(a).

See Andrews v. Cervantes, 493 F.3d 1047, 1051 (9th Cir. 2007); Rodriguez v. Cook,

169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). The plaintiff must submit an affidavit

demonstrating his inability to pay the filing fee, and the affidavit must include a

complete statement of the plaintiff’s assets. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). When a plaintiff

moves to proceed IFP, the court first “grants or denies IFP status based on the

plaintiff’s financial resources alone and then independently determines whether to

dismiss the complaint” pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) (“§ 1915(e)(2)”). Franklin

v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1226 n.5 (9th Cir. 1984). 

Here, Plaintiff submitted an amended declaration reporting that he receives

$5,068.00 in disability income and has $5,068.00 in expenses. The Court finds that

Plaintiff has sufficiently demonstrated that he is unable to pay the required filing fee

and meets the § 1915(a) requirements to proceed IFP. Therefore, the Court GRANTS

Plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed IFP.

B. Sua Sponte Review Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)

A complaint filed by any person proceeding IFP pursuant to § 1915(a) issubject

to mandatory sua sponte review and dismissal by the Court if it is “frivolous, or

malicious; fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or seeks monetary

relief against a defendant immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B);

Calhoun v. Stahl, 254 F.3d 845, 845 (9th Cir. 2001) (“[T]he provisions of 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(e)(2)(B) are not limited to prisoners.”); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126-

27 (9th Cir. 2000). § 1915(e)(2) mandates that a court reviewing a complaint filed

pursuant to the IFP provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915 make and rule on its own motion

to dismiss before directing that the complaint be served by the U.S. Marshal pursuant

1

In addition to the $350 statutory fee, civil litigants must pay an additional administrative fee

of $50. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a) (Judicial Conference Schedule of Fees, District Court Misc. Fee

Schedule, § 14 (eff. Dec. 1, 2014)). The additional $50 administrative fee does not apply to persons

granted leave to proceed IFP. Id.

- 2 - [13cv1113-GPC(RBB)]

Case 3:17-cv-02347-GPC-AGS Document 7 Filed 12/14/17 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

to Federal Rule of Civil Procedures 4(c)(2). Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1127.

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a)(2), a pleading must contain “a short

and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R.

Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Here, while Plaintiff has presented facts concerning a grievance against

Defendants, he has not alleged any claims or causes of action for relief. Therefore, the

Court cannot determine whether he has sufficiently stated a claim for relief. 

Accordingly, theCourt sua sponte DISMISSES Plaintiff’s complaint without prejudice

for failing to state a claim pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).

Conclusion

Based on the above, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s amended motion to proceed

IFP and sua sponte DISMISSES Plaintiff’s complaint without prejudice for failing to

state a claim pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: December 14, 2017

HON. GONZALO P. CURIEL

United States District Judge

- 3 - [13cv1113-GPC(RBB)]

Case 3:17-cv-02347-GPC-AGS Document 7 Filed 12/14/17 PageID.<pageID> Page 3 of 3