(PS) Sassman v. US Dept. of State National Passport Center and its Chief Officer

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 WILLIAM ARTHUR SASSMAN, II, No. 2:20–cv–1803–JAM–KJN PS Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

DENYING PLAINTIFF’S IFP REQUEST

v. (ECF No. 2) US DEPT. OF STATE, et al.,

15 Defendants. 16 Presently pending before the court is plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (authorizing the commencement of an action “without prepayment of fees or security” by a person that is unable to pay such fees). (ECF No. 2.) Presently, a filing fee of $400.00 is required to commence a civil action in this Court. The affidavit in support of the motion indicates that plaintiff’s gross wages are $18,000 annually, and that he has approx. $2,600 in liquid assets. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines), the poverty guideline for a household of 1 not residing in Alaska or Hawaii is $12,760.00 for 2020. Thus, plaintiff’s gross household income is well above poverty…