Padilla

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 RYAN STEPHEN EHRENREICH, No. 2:20-cv-02422-JAM-CKD PS Plaintiff, 13 v. ORDER and FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

ALEX PADILLA,

15 Defendant. 16 Plaintiff proceeds pro se in this action and has requested authority to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF No. 2.) This action was referred to this court by Local Rule 302(c)(21). Plaintiff has submitted the affidavit required by section 1915(a) showing that plaintiff is unable to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Accordingly, plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). I. Screening under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 The federal in forma pauperis statute authorizes federal courts to dismiss a case if the action is legally “frivolous or malicious,” fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. 27 …