
    In re Scott Lee SHARP, Petitioner.
    No. 01-6283.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
    Submitted May 17, 2001.
    Decided May 25, 2001.
    Scott Lee Sharp, petitioner pro se.
    Before WIDENER, NIEMEYER, and MICHAEL, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM.

Scott Lee Sharp has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus seeking reversal of a magistrate judge’s order denying Sharp’s motion for recusal. Mandamus is a drastic remedy to be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. United States Dist. Court, 426 U.S. 394, 402, 96 5. Ct. 2119, 48 L.Ed.2d 725 (1976). Mandamus relief is only available when there are no other means by which the relief sought could be granted, In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir.1987), and may not be used as a substitute for appeal. In re United Steelworkers, 595 F.2d 958, 960 (4th Cir.1979). The party seeking mandamus relief carries the heavy burden of showing that he has no other adequate means to attain the relief he desires and that his right to such relief is clear and indisputable. Allied Chem. Corp. v. Daiflon, Inc., 449 U.S. 33, 35, 101 S.Ct. 188, 66 L.Ed.2d 193 (1980). Sharp has not made such a showing. Accordingly, we deny his motion to proceed in forma pauperis and deny mandamus relief. We grant Sharp’s motions to waive filing of multiple copies of his petition. We dispense with oral argument -because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED.  