Gragg v. Saul

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

ASHEVILLE DIVISION

1:19-cv-00129-RJC

PAMELA GRAGG, ) )

Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ORDER )

ANDREW SAUL, Acting )

Commissioner of Social Security, ) )

Defendant. ) )

THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorneys’ Fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412, filed on September 14, 2020. (Doc. No. 17). Defendant has responded that he has no objection to the requested fees, provided that the United States Department of the Treasury finds that Plaintiff owes no debt to it. (Doc. No. 19). Having reviewed the Motion, supporting materials, memorandum in support, and the case file, the Court determines that Plaintiff should be awarded attorneys’ fees under EAJA, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $5,000.90.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorneys’ Fees, (Doc. No. 17), is GRANTED. The Court will award attorneys’ fees in the amount of $5,000.90, and pursuant to Comm’r of Soc. Sec. v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010) the fee award will first be subject to offset of any debt Plaintiff may owe to the United States. The Commissioner will determine whether Plaintiff owes a debt to the United States. If so, that debt will be satisfied first, and if any funds remain, they will be made payable to Plaintiff and mailed to Plaintiffs counsel. If the United States Department of the Treasury reports to the Commissioner that the Plaintiff does not owe any debt, the Government will exercise its discretion and honor an assignment of EAJA fees, and pay those fees directly to Plaintiff's counsel. No additional petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) shall be filed.

July 2, 2021

Robert J. Conrad, Jr. 9,

United States District Judge “ae