DRESSER v. AT&T et al, No. 1:2018cv00248 - Document 6 (D. Me. 2018)

Court Description: REPORT AND RECOMMENDED DECISION re 5 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE, 1 Complaint, filed by JAY P DRESSER. Objections to R&R due by 9/19/2018. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (MFS)

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DRESSER v. AT&T et al Doc. 6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MAINE JAY P. DRESSER, Plaintiff v. AT&T, et al., Defendants ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 1:18-cv-00248-JDL RECOMMENDED DECISION BASED ON PLAINTIFF’S FAILURE TO PROSECUTE On June 20, 2018, Plaintiff filed a complaint (ECF No. 1), but did not pay the filing fee, or file a motion to proceed in forma paueris. On June 25, 2018, the Court ordered Plaintiff to show cause as to why he had not paid the filing fee or filed an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (ECF No. 2.) On July 9, 2018, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Leave to Proceed In Form Pauperis, and the Court granted the motion. (Order, ECF No. 4.) In its order, the court ordered Plaintiff to notify the Court no later than August 1, 2018, of his intent to proceed with this action and to acknowledge that he understands his obligation to pay the complete filing fee as the requisite funds become available to him. (Id.) Through the order, the Court informed Plaintiff that a failure to comply with the order would result in the recommended dismissal of this action. (ECF Nos. 3, 4.) Because Plaintiff failed to comply with the order, on August 16, 2018, the Court issued an Order to Show Cause. (ECF No. 5.) In the order, the Court established August 30, Dockets.Justia.com 2018, as the date by which Plaintiff must show cause in writing as to why he failed to comply with the Court’s order requiring that he notify the Court of his intent to proceed with this action. The Court again advised Plaintiff that if he failed to show cause, his complaint could be dismissed. (Id.) Plaintiff has not responded to the Show Cause Order, and has not Given Plaintiff’s failure to show cause, I otherwise communicated with the Court. recommend the Court dismiss the matter without prejudice. Discussion “A district court, as part of its inherent power to manage its own docket, may dismiss a case sua sponte for any of the reasons prescribed in Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).” CintronLorenzo v. Dep’t de Asumtos del Consumidor, 312 F.3d 522, 526 (1st Cir. 2002) (citing Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 629 – 31 (1962)). Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) authorizes the Court to dismiss an action for a party’s failure to prosecute and failure to comply with the Court’s orders. Here, Plaintiff has (a) failed to comply with the Court’s July 11, 2018, Order that required Plaintiff to notify the Court of his intent to proceed (ECF No. 4), and (b) failed to show cause in accordance with the Court’s Order to Show Cause. (ECF No. 5.) Plaintiff thus has not only failed to comply with two of the Court’s orders, but insofar as he has not notified the Court of his intent to proceed, Plaintiff has also failed to prosecute his claim. Given Plaintiff’s failure to comply with the Court’s orders, his failure otherwise to prosecute the action, and his lack of communication with the Court in this matter following 2 the filing of the complaint and Application for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, dismissal is warranted. Conclusion Based on the foregoing analysis, I recommend the Court dismiss Plaintiff’s complaint without prejudice. NOTICE A party may file objections to those specified portions of a magistrate judge’s report or proposed findings or recommended decisions entered pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) for which de novo review by the district court is sought, together with a supporting memorandum, within fourteen (14) days of being served with a copy thereof. Failure to file a timely objection shall constitute a waiver of the right to de novo review by the district court and to appeal the district court’s order. /s/ John C. Nivison U.S. Magistrate Judge Dated this 5th day of September, 2018. 3

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