Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00438/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00438-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRIAN F. ROGERS,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 11 CV 0438 MMA (WVG)

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

[Doc. No. 2]

vs.

APARTMENT MANAGEMENT

CONSULTANTS, LLC,

Defendant.

On March 3, 2011, Plaintiff Brian F. Rogers, proceeding pro se, filed a purported class

action complaint alleging breach of contract, fraud, and misrepresentation. [Doc. No. 1.] Plaintiff

also filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). [Doc. No. 2.]

MOTION TO PROCEED IFP

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 of $350. See 28

U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may proceed despite a plaintiff’s failure to prepay the entire fee only

if the plaintiff is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See

Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). “To proceed in forma pauperis is a

privilege not a right.” Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965). 

In his affidavit, Plaintiff states he is self-employed and receives approximately $1,300 to

$1,400 per month in income. [Doc. No. 2, p.2.] Plaintiff reports he has a checking account with a

Case 3:11-cv-00438-MMA-WVG Document 3 Filed 03/28/11 Page 1 of 3
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balance of $450, and that he owns a 1987 Honda Accord. [Id.] Plaintiff also reports he does not

have any debt obligations. [Id. at p.3.]

A party need not be completely destitute to proceed in forma pauperis. Adkins v. E.I.

DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948). But “the same even-handed care must

be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense,

either frivolous claims or the remonstrances of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in

material part, to pull his own oar.” Temple v. Ellerthorpe, 586 F. Supp. 848, 850 (D.R.I. 1984). 

The affidavit submitted by Plaintiff in support of his motion to proceed IFP does not demonstrate

that he lacks the financial resources or assets to pay the costs of commencing this action. 

Plaintiff states in his affidavit that he is currently self-employed and receives

approximately $1,300 to $1,400 per month from his employment. Further, in addition to

Plaintiff’s monthly income, he owns his automobile outright, he does not have any outstanding

debt obligations, and he has $450 in a checking account. Based on the foregoing, the undersigned

finds that Plaintiff has not satisfied the indigency requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) and that

he is able to pay costs to commence this action. 

CLASS ACTION CLAIMS

As a non-attorney, Plaintiff may appear pro se on his own behalf, but he has no authority to

appear as an attorney for others than himself. Johns v. County of San Diego, 114 F.3d 874, 877

(9th Cir. 1997); see also FED. R. CIV. P. 11(a) (“Every pleading, written motion, and other paper

shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney’s original name, or if the party is

not represented by an attorney, shall be signed by the party.”). Accordingly, Plaintiff may not

bring his claims as a class action.

/ / /

/ / /

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CONCLUSION AND ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, the Court ORDERS as follows:

(i) Plaintiff’s Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis [Doc. No. 2] is DENIED;

(ii) Plaintiff shall pay the $350 filing fee within fourteen (14) days of the date of this

Order or this action shall be dismissed without prejudice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: March 28, 2011

Hon. Michael M. Anello

United States District Judge

Case 3:11-cv-00438-MMA-WVG Document 3 Filed 03/28/11 Page 3 of 3