O.G. v. Francis

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK wee KX O.G., : Petitioner, : : 25-CV-08977 (JAV) -v- : : ORDER LaDeon FRANCIS, et al., : Respondents. : wee KX JEANNETTE A. VARGAS, United States District Judge: Petitioner’s request for leave to proceed under a pseudonym is GRANTED. Petitioner has made a sufficient showing that the Petition “involves matters that are ‘highly sensitive and [of a] personal nature.’” Sealed Plaintiff v. Sealed Defendant, 537 F.3d 185, 190 (2d Cir. 2008) (quoting M.M. v. Zavaras, 139 F.3d 798, 803 (10th Cir. 1998)). The Court also notes that “[s]uits against the government ‘involve no injury to the Government’s reputation.’” Doe v. Skyline Automobiles Inc., 375 F. Supp. 3d 401, 406 (S.D.N.Y. 2019) (quoting North Jersey Media Grp. Inc. v. Doe Nos. 1-5, No. 12-CV-6152 (VM) (KNF), 2012 WL 5899331, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 26, 2012)). Since Respondents are all named in their official capacity here, Petitioner proceeding under a pseudonym poses little to no prejudice to Respondents. Moreover, when challenging unlawful government action, “it is in the public interest that the price of access to the courts not be too high.” Doe v. Del Rio, 241 F.R.D. 154, 158 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (citing EW v. New York Blood Ctr., 213 F.R.D. 108, 112 (E.D.N.Y. 2003)). The Court therefore finds that, in this instance, Petitioner’s “interest in anonymity” outweighs “both the public interest in disclosure and any prejudice to the [respondents].” Sealed Plaintiff, 537 F.3d at 189. The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate ECF No. 2. SO ORDERED. . Dated: November 5, 2025 LORMAL GARE New York, New York FEANNETTE A. VARGAS. / United States District Judge