Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_08-cv-01974/USCOURTS-cand-4_08-cv-01974-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PHILLIP E. GRIMES, SR.,

Plaintiff, No. C 08-1974 PJH

ORDER

v.

VALLEJO SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

_________________________________/

On April 15, 2008, plaintiff filed the complaint in this case alleging claims for civil

rights violations, defamation of character, libel, and discrimination. Plaintiff also filed a

request to proceed in forma pauperis. Plaintiff, however, utilized a form complaint for

judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of Social Security, and the clerks

office for this court subsequently characterized the case as a social security appeal. 

Because it appeared to the court that this case may have been improperly characterized

as a social security appeal, on May 7, 2008, the court ordered plaintiff to file no later

than May 21, 2008:

a written supplement clarifying the nature of his complaint, and

specifically, stating whether he has already appeared before an ALJ in this

matter, and is appealing an ALJ’s denial of his application for social

security benefits. If plaintiff is not appealing the denial of social security

benefits but is instead attempting to sue a public agency for civil rights

violations, he must file an amended complaint setting forth the factual and

legal bases for his claims. Plaintiff must also identify with more precision

who he is suing, as “Vallejo Social Security” does not enable a process

server to find the defendant.

In the May 7, 2008 order, the court further advised plaintiff that a social security appeal

Case 4:08-cv-01974-PJH Document 7 Filed 07/07/08 Page 1 of 2
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requires a final decision by an administrative law judge or “ALJ” denying him disability

benefits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The court noted that the standards for

evaluating plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis differ depending on

whether plaintiff is appealing a decision of an ALJ or is filing a civil complaint alleging

certain claims in the first instance. If plaintiff is suing on claims that are not an appeal of

alleged error(s) committed by an ALJ, then the court will screen plaintiff’s complaint

under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. 

Plaintiff failed to file the supplement or amended complaint, and on June 3, 2008,

the court issued an order to show cause, requiring plaintiff to respond no later than

Tuesday, June 17, 2008. On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, plaintiff filed an untimely

response to the court’s order to show cause. That response fails to clarify the factual

and legal bases for plaintiff’s claims, the defendant(s) plaintiff is suing, and also fails to

clarify whether plaintiff is pursuing a social security appeal or is asserting other civil

claims for relief. Plaintiff requests the court allow him to file an audiotape detailing his

claims, and that the court excuse his delay because he is currently a victim of mail

tampering, identity theft, and harassment.

Plaintiff’s request to file the audiotape is DENIED. The court will afford plaintiff

one final opportunity to file the written amended complaint or supplement required by

the court in its May 7, 2008 order. If plaintiff fails to file a written response by Friday,

July 18, 2008, the case will be treated as a non-social security appeal and screened

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, and possibly dismissed thereunder for failure to state a

claim. The court will defer ruling on plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 7, 2008

____________________________________

PHYLLIS J. HAMILTON

United States District Judge

Case 4:08-cv-01974-PJH Document 7 Filed 07/07/08 Page 2 of 2