Venturi v. Universal Media Firm LLC

Background

Anita Venturi brought this action without a lawyer. To proceed in the Southern District of New York, she had to either pay $405 in fees—$350 for filing and $55 for administration—or submit a signed application asking to proceed without paying the fees upfront.

Venturi submitted such an application, but she left blank the questions about how she pays her expenses. The opinion notes that this suggested she had no income and no expenses. Statements attached to her complaint instead said, “I pay all my bills, family money. I have low-income.” The court found that the application did not fully explain her financial circumstances, including the sources of her low income and family money.

Order

The court ordered Venturi, within 30 days of May 6, 2025, to either pay the $405 in fees or submit an amended application. The amended application must use docket number 25-CV-3531 (LTS) and provide facts showing that she cannot pay the filing fees. If the court grants that amended application, she may proceed without paying the fees upfront.

No summons will issue at this time. If Venturi complies, the Clerk’s Office will process the case under its procedures. If she does not comply within the permitted time, the action will be dismissed.

Appeal and Classification

Judge Laura Taylor Swain certified that any appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to proceed without prepaying fees for an appeal. This order addresses fees and the application to proceed without prepayment; it does not decide the underlying claims.