UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MARYLAND

Chambers of 101 West Lombard Street GEORGE L. RUSSELL, III Baltimore, Maryland 21201 Chief United States District Judge 410-962-4055

September 17, 2025

MEMORANDUM TO COUNSEL RE: Hoffman v. Hoover et al. Civil Action No. GLR-17-2431

Dear Counsel:

The Court is in receipt of a letter from Plaintiff Michael J. Hoffman, dated September 2, 2025, in which Hoffman requests reimbursement of his filing fees because he “is in desperate need[] of funds to get personal items and legal papers to support his claims in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.” (Letter at 1, ECF No. 113). For the reasons that follow, Hoffman’s request will be denied.

It is well settled that “a plaintiff’s obligation to pay the filing fee is incurred at the time the action is filed.” Fox v. Samuels, No. CIV.A. 1:12-0242,

, at *2 (S.D.W.Va. July 13, 2012), report and recommendation adopted, No. CIV.A. 1:12-0242,

(S.D.W.Va. Aug. 3, 2012); see, e.g., Green v. Bank of America, No. 2:12-cv-02093-GED-CKD PS,

, at *1 (E.D.Cal. Oct. 17, 2012) (denying refund of filing fee after pro se plaintiff voluntarily dismissed complaint under Rule 41 (a)). Here, Plaintiff Hoffman initiated this lawsuit on August 24, 2017 (ECF No. 1), at which point he became responsible for the filing fee. Hoffman provides no citation to any authority that permits the refund of the filing fee in this case. Accordingly, his Request for Reimbursement of Filing Fee (ECF No. 113) is DENIED. Despite the informal nature of this memorandum, it shall constitute an Order of this Court, and the Clerk is directed to docket it accordingly.

Very truly yours,

/s/ George L. Russell, III Chief United States District Judge