Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00724/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00724-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

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18cv724-WQH-JMA

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DWIGHT BANKS,

Plaintiff,

v.

MESDAQ INC dba GRAN 

HAVANA CIGAR & HOOKAH 

LOUNGE; MEDINA FAMILY 

TRUST 90-25-2008; and DOES 1-

10, inclusive,

Defendants.

Case No.: 18cv724-WQH-JMA

ORDER

HAYES, Judge:

On April 12, 2018, Plaintiff Dwight Banks initiated this action by filing a complaint 

against Defendants Mesdaq Inc. doing business as Gran Havana Cigar & Hookah Lounge 

and the Medina Family Trust 09-25-2008. Plaintiff alleges that he is a disabled individual 

and brings a number of causes of action under state and federal law arising from 

Defendants’ alleged failure to provide full and equal access to their facilities to individuals 

with disabilities. (ECF No. 1). On April 12, 2018, a motion to proceed in forma pauperis 

was also filed. (ECF No. 3). 

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

United States, other than a petition for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of 

Case 3:18-cv-00724-WQH-JMA Document 4 Filed 04/17/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
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18cv724-WQH-JMA

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$400.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a); CivLR 4.5. An action may proceed despite a party’s 

failure to pay only if the party 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).

While the docket reflects that the motion to proceed in forma pauperis was filed by 

Plaintiff Dwight Banks, the motion to proceed in forma pauperis lists “Jerry Jackson” as 

the Plaintiff and the affidavit in support of the application is also signed by “Jerry Jackson.” 

(ECF No. 3). Dwight Banks is the only named plaintiff included in the complaint in this 

case. The Court has not been provided with sufficient financial information as to Dwight 

Banks to determine if he qualifies to proceed in forma pauperis in this civil action. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis 

(ECF No. 3) is denied without prejudice. Plaintiff shall, within thirty (30) days of the date 

this Order is filed, either (1) pay the filing fee, or (2) submit a motion to proceed in forma 

pauperis reflecting the financial information of the named plaintiff in this case. If Plaintiff

fails to submit payment or a motion to proceed in forma pauperis within thirty days of the 

date of this Order, the Court will dismiss the case without prejudice.

Dated: April 17, 2018

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