Opinion

Bogolub

Court
District Court, N.D. California
Filed
Jul 30, 2026
Cited by
0 cases

The opinion

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4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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7 RICHARD SHELBY BOGOLUB, Case No.26-cv-06164-ASK

8 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S

APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN

9 v. FORMA PAUPERIS AND SCREENING

PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT

10 BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM, Re: Dkt. No. 2

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Defendant.

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13 On June 22, 2026, Plaintiff Richard Shelby Bogolub filed this civil action and an

14 Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. See generally Dkts. 1, 2. Pursuant to the in forma

15 pauperis statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the Court assesses the Application (Dkt. 2) and screens the

16 Complaint (Dkt. 1), as follows.

17 Ordinarily, a plaintiff bringing a civil action in federal court must pay a filing fee. See 28

18 U.S.C. § 1914(a). But a federal court “may authorize the commencement” of a civil suit without

19 prepayment of fees if the plaintiff submits an affidavit which “includes a statement of all assets”

20 and which shows that the plaintiff is “unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.” 28 U.S.C.

21 § 1915(a)(1). The IFP statute does not provide further instruction with respect to assessing

22 indigency, which leaves the granting or denying of IFP status “within the sound discretion of the

23 district court.” See Venable v. Meyers, 500 F.2d 1215, 1216 (9th Cir. 1974) (citations omitted).

24 Here, the Court has considered Plaintiff’s affidavit and finds that it satisfies the requirements of

25 Section 1915(a)(1). See generally Dkt. 2. The Court accordingly GRANTS Plaintiff’s Application

26 to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.

27 The IFP statute also provides for dismissal if at any time the Court determines that the

] claim on which relief may be granted; or (111) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is

2 |} immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see Pratt v. Sumner, 807 F.2d 817, 819 (9th

3 Cir. 1987) (recognizing the general proposition that a complaint should be dismissed as frivolous

4 || on Section 1915 review where subject matter jurisdiction is lacking).

5 The Court has screened Plaintiff's Complaint pursuant to Section 1915(e)(2)(B). The Clerk

6 of Court SHALL issue the summons. Furthermore, the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of

7 || California SHALL serve, without prepayment of fees, a copy of the Complaint, any amendments

8 or attachments, and this Order upon Defendants.

9 While this case is pending, Plaintiff must promptly inform the Court of any change of

10 || address. Failure to do so may result in dismissal of this action. Because Plaintiff is unrepresented,

11 he may wish to contact the Federal Pro Bono Project’s Help Desk—a free service for

12 || unrepresented litigants—for assistance by calling (415) 782-8982 to make an appointment. While

13 || the Help Desk does not provide legal representation, a licensed attorney there may assist Plaintiff

14 || 1 preparing his case. Plaintiff may also wish to consult a handbook and other resources that the

3 15 Court has developed to assist unrepresented litigants, which may be accessed at:

16 https://cand.uscourts.gov/pro-se-litigants/.

17 IT IS SO ORDERED.

18 || Dated: July 30, 2026

19 : .

20 AY SN{RISHNAN

21 United States Magistrate Judge

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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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