IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA EASTERN DIVISION Case No. 4:20-CV-00170-M

MAURICE STATON, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) Vv. ) ORDER ) COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL ) SECURITY, ) ) Defendant. ) □□ Before the court are the parties’ cross-motions for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. DE 24, 25. Pursuant to

(b)(1) and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(b), United States Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. entered a memorandum and recommendation (“M&R”), recommending that the court deny Plaintiffs motion, grant Defendant’s motion, and affirm the Acting Commissioner’s decision. DE 28. To date, no objections have been filed.! A magistrate judge’s recommendation carries no presumptive weight. The court “may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the . .. recommendation[ ]. . . receive further evidence or recommit the matter to the magistrate judge with instructions.”

(b)(1); accord Mathews v. Weber,

(1976). The court “shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection

' Judge Jones issued the M&R on February 15, 2022. Accordingly, objections were due to be filed on or before March 1, 2022. See

(b)(1); FED. R. CIv. P. 72(b)(2); Local Civil Rule 72.4(b). The parties’ motions and M&R were submitted to this court for disposition on March 7, 2022.

is made.” Jd. § 636(b)(1). Absent a specific and timely objection, the court reviews only for “clear error” and need not give any explanation for adopting the recommendation. Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident Ins. Co.,

(4th Cir. 2005). Upon careful review of the M&R and the record presented, and finding no clear error, the court ADOPTS the recommendation of the magistrate judge as its own. For the reasons stated therein, Plaintiffs motion for judgment on the pleadings [DE 24] is DENIED, Defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings [DE 25] is GRANTED, and the Acting Commissioner’s decision is affirmed. The Clerk of Court is directed to close this case.

SO ORDERED this day of March, 2022.

/ 7 t Lot i Worew 5 RICHARD E. MYERS I] CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE