Best v. Apollo Funds ( 2024 )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA EASTERN DIVISION No. 4:24-CV-6-D TIMOTHY BEST, ) Plaintiff, V. ) ORDER APOLLO FUNDS, Defendant. On November 28, 2023, Timothy Best (“Best” or “plaintiff’), proceeding pro se, filed a complaint against Apollo Funds (“Apollo” or “defendant”) [D.E. 1] and a motion to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 [D.E. 2]. On January 23, 2024, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), the court referred the case to Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers, Il for a Memorandum and Recommendation (“M&R”) and for a frivolity review [D.E. 6]. On February 28, 2024, Judge Numbers granted the motion to proceed in forma pauperis and issued an M&R recommending that the court dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim [D.E. 8]. Judge Numbers established March 13, 2024, as the deadline for submitting written objections to the © M&R. See id. at 6. On March 25, 2024, Best filed written objections [D.E. 9]. “The Federal Magistrates Act requires a district court to make a de novo determination of those portions of the magistrate judge’s report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made.” Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 310, 315 (4th Cir. 2005) (cleaned up); see 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Absent a timely objection, “a district court need not conduct a de novo review, but instead must only satisfy itself that there is no clear error on the face of the record in order to accept the recommendation.” Diamond, 416 F.3d at 315 (quotation omitted). If a party makes only general objections, de novo review is not required. See Wells v. Shriners Hosp., 109 F.3d 198, 200 (4th Cir. 1997). In “order to preserve for appeal an issue in a magistrate judge’s report, a party must object to the finding or recommendation on that issue with sufficient specificity so as reasonably to alert the district court of the true ground for the objection.” Martin v. Duffy, 858 F.3d 239, 245 (4th Cir. 2017) (quotation omitted); see United States v. Midgette, 478 F.3d 616, 622 (4th Cir. 2007). The court reviews for clear error. See Diamond, 416 F.3d at 315. The court has reviewed the M&R, the record, and Best’s untimely written objections, There is no clear error on the face of the record. See id. As for Best’s untimely written objections, Best has not established excusable neglect. See, e.g., Smith v. Look Cycle USA, 933 F. Supp. 2d 787, 790 (E.D. Va. 2013) (“Where a party seeks an extension of time after the Rule 6(b) deadline for filing has passed, courts must find excusable neglect before granting the motion.”); cf, Pioneer Inv. Servs. Co. v. Brunswick Assocs. Ltd. P'ship, 507 U.S. 380, 395 (1993) (describing factors to consider concerning excusable neglect). Moreover, and in any event, Best’s objections are baseless. In sum, the court ADOPTS the conclusions in the M&R [D.E. 8] and DISMISSES WITH PREJUDICE plaintiff's complaint for failure to state a claim. The clerk shall close the case. SO ORDERED. This 25 day of March, 2024. United States District Judge