SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG, District Judge.
On December 8, 2010, Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler issued a Report and Recommendation on Defendant Chase Bank USA, N.A.'s ("Defendant") motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(d) for an award of costs in a related action,
On March 30, 2011, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Reconsideration of Order Accepting Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge. Dkt. 65. The sole basis for her motion was that the Court erred in including the $670.05 charge for the subpoena in its cost award.
In an Order dated March 30, 2012, this Court denied Plaintiff's motion for reconsideration, directed her to pay Defendant $1,247.84 in costs within twenty-one (21) days, and stayed the action in the interim. Dkt. 76. The Court specifically warned Plaintiff that "failure to pay within the deadline indicated may result in dismissal of this action, without further notice, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) for lack of prosecution."
On May 1, 2012, Plaintiff filed a motion for extension of time to pay costs, requesting an extension of 180 days because she is disabled and unable to work, and her monthly retirement check in the amount of $1,184.32 is her only income. Dkt. 77. According to Plaintiff, she sent a check in the amount of $150.00 to Defendant on April 27, 2012. Dkt. 78. On May 3, 2012, Defendant filed an opposition to Plaintiff's motion, arguing that Plaintiff's "untimely and defective motion for extension of time should be denied," and that the Court should dismiss this action under Rule 41(b) for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with the Court's March 30, 2012 order. Dkt. 80.
The Court finds that Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that a 180-day extension of time to pay costs is warranted. Plaintiff has been on notice of her obligation to pay Defendant costs since March 16, 2011, the date this Court issued its Order accepting Magistrate Judge Beeler's Report and Recommendation on Defendant's motion under Rule 41(d) for an award of costs. Dkt. 64. Over a year has elapsed since the issuance of this Order. As such, Plaintiff has been given ample time to comply with the Order. While the Court does not countenance Plaintiff's disobedience of its Order or her failure to prosecute this case, which has unreasonably delayed resolution of this action and caused the Court to expend its scarce resources devoted to matters other than the merits of this action, the Court declines to dismiss this action as Defendant requests. In light of this Court's obligation to consider less drastic alternatives before dismissing an action under Rule 41(b) for failure to prosecute and/or failure to comply with a court order,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Within twenty-one (21) days from the date this Order is filed, Plaintiff shall pay Defendant $1,247.84 in costs and shall file a certificate with this Court confirming payment; this action is stayed in the interim. Plaintiff is warned that the failure to timely pay Defendant will result in dismissal of this action under Rule 41(b) for lack of prosecution and failure to comply with a Court Order. In the event Plaintiff does not comply with this Order, Defendant shall notify the Court.
2. This Order terminates Docket 77.