The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
Case No. 23-cv-21766-BLOOM
TASH JERNAZIAN,
Plaintiff,
v.
CITY OF MIAMI – PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
Defendant.
_________________ /
ORDER DISMISSING CASE
THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon a sua sponte review of the record. On May 11,
2023, Plaintiff Tash Jernazian docketed a Complaint for Violation of Civil Rights, ECF No. [1]
(“Complaint”). As of the date of this order, Plaintiff has not paid the $402 filing fee ($350 + $52
administrative fee) or filed a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
“Parties instituting a civil action are required to pay filing fees[.]” Castro v. Director,
F.D.I.C., 449 F. App’x 786, 788 (11th Cir. 2011) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a), (c)). Plaintiffs who
cannot pay the filing fee may file a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis to proceed with
their action without initial payment of the fee. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Section 1915 requires that
plaintiffs file a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis accompanied by “an affidavit that
includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses that the person is unable to pay such fees
or give security therefor. Such affidavit shall state the nature of the action, defense or appeal and
affiant’s belief that the person is entitled to redress.” Id. at (a)(1). “Despite the statute's use of the
phrase ‘prisoner possesses,’ the affidavit requirement applies to all persons requesting leave to
proceed IFP.” Martinez v. Kristi Kleaners, Inc., 364 F.3d 1305, 1306 n.1 (11th Cir. 2004) (citation
Case No. 23-cv-21766-BLOOM
omitted).
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), a district court may dismiss a complaint
for failure to prosecute or failure to comply with a court order or the federal rules. See Brown v.
Blackwater River Corr. Facility, 762 F. App’x 982, 985 (11th Cir. 2019) (“[A] district court may
sua sponte dismiss a suit for failure to prosecute or failure to comply with an order.”). Because
Plaintiff failed to pay the filing fee or file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis with a supporting
financial affidavit, the Complaint is dismissed for failure to prosecute.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that this action is DISMISSED
without prejudice. The Clerk is DIRECTED to close the case and all pending motions are
DENIED as moot.
DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida, on May 11, 2023.
BETHBLOOM i ists
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Copies to:
Tash Jernazian
3601 NW Ist Ave., Unit C
Miami, FL 33137