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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2016cv02027
Date Filed2016-10-11
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning the agency's decision to delete from its Youtube channel an exchange between Fox News Reporter James Rosen and State spokeswoman Jen Psaki regarding Iranian nuclear negotiations. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE The Executive Office, Office of the Legal Adviser
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2016-10-111COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-4704516) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons State Department, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, # 4 Summons U.S. Attorney Genearl)(Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 10/11/2016)
2016-10-112LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 10/11/2016)
2016-10-113NOTICE of Appearance by Paul J. Orfanedes on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 10/11/2016)
2016-10-114NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. Case related to Case No. 16-1679. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 10/11/2016)
2016-10-11Case Assigned to Judge Amy Berman Jackson. (md) (Entered: 10/12/2016)
2016-10-135SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Consent Forms)(jd) (Entered: 10/13/2016)
2016-10-206RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/17/2016. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 11/16/2016.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 10/17/2016., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 10/17/2016 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 10/20/2016)
2016-11-167ANSWER to Complaint by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Kishore, Deepthy) (Entered: 11/16/2016)
2016-11-178ORDER. Defendant shall file a dispositive motion or, in the alternative, a report setting forth the schedule for the completion of its production of documents to plaintiff on or before December 16, 2016. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 11/17/16. (lcabj2) (Entered: 11/17/2016)
2016-11-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant shall file a dispositive motion or, in the alternative, a report setting forth the schedule for the completion of its production of documents to plaintiff on or before 12/16/2016. (jth) (Entered: 11/17/2016)
2016-12-169STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kishore, Deepthy) (Entered: 12/16/2016)
2016-12-23MINUTE ORDER. In light of 9 defendant's status report, defendant shall produce its responsive, non-exempt records to plaintiff on a rolling basis with its first production by January 13, 2017. The parties must file a status report with the Court by January 18, 2017 to advise the Court of the status of defendant's productions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/23/2016. (lcabj2) (Entered: 12/23/2016)
2016-12-28Set/Reset Deadlines: The parties are directed to file a Report with the Court by 1/18/2017 to advise of the status of defendant's productions. (jth) (Entered: 12/28/2016)
2017-01-1810Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kishore, Deepthy) (Entered: 01/18/2017)
2017-01-19MINUTE ORDER. In light of 10 defendant's status report, defendant shall continue producing its responsive, non-exempt records to plaintiff on a rolling basis with its next production by February 13, 2017. The parties must file a status report with the Court by February 17, 2017 to advise the Court of the status of defendant's productions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 1/19/2017. (lcabj2) (Entered: 01/19/2017)
2017-02-1711Joint STATUS REPORT Second Joint Status Report by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 02/17/2017)
2017-02-20MINUTE ORDER. In light of 11 the parties' joint status report, the parties must file a status report with the Court by March 17, 2017 to advise the Court of the status of defendant's productions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 2/20/2017. (lcabj2) (Entered: 02/20/2017)
2017-03-03Set/Reset Deadlines: The parties must file a Joint Report by 3/17/2017, to advise the Court of the Status of Defendant's productions. (jth) (Entered: 03/03/2017)
2017-03-1712Third STATUS REPORT Third Joint Status Report by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 03/17/2017)
2017-03-17MINUTE ORDER. In light of 12 the parties' joint status report, the parties must file a status report with the Court by June 20, 2017 to advise the Court of the status of defendant's productions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 3/17/2017. (lcabj2) (Entered: 03/17/2017)
2017-03-20Set/Reset Deadlines: The parties must file a Report by 6/20/2017, to advise the Court of the Status of Defendant's productions. (jth) (Entered: 03/20/2017)
2017-06-2013Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kishore, Deepthy) (Entered: 06/20/2017)
2017-06-21MINUTE ORDER. In light of 13 the parties' joint status report, the parties must file a status report with the Court by August 23, 2017 to advise the Court of the status of defendant's productions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 6/21/2017. (lcabj2) (Entered: 06/21/2017)
2017-06-3014NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Cesar A. Lopez-Morales on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE Substituting for attorney Deepthy Kishore (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 06/30/2017)
2017-08-2315Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-08-23MINUTE ORDER. In light of 15 the parties' joint status report, the parties must file a status report with the Court by November 21, 2017 to advise the Court of the status of defendant's productions. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 8/23/2017. (lcabj2) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-11-01Case directly reassigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Judge Amy Berman Jackson is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr) (Entered: 11/01/2017)
2017-11-21MINUTE ORDER: In light of the recent assignment of this case to Judge McFadden, the parties are advised that the pre-existing schedule for this case remains in effect. The parties shall comply with all deadlines as previously ordered. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/21/2017. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/21/2017)
2017-11-2116Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 11/21/2017)
2017-11-22MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report on February 19, 2018 updating the Court on the status of Defendant's response to Plaintiff's request, including the anticipated schedule for completion of its production of documents to Plaintiff. The parties shall also indicate whether the parties anticipate filing any motions for which the Court must enter a briefing schedule. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/22/2017. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/22/2017)
2017-11-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/19/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 11/22/2017)
2018-02-0617NOTICE of Appearance by David Francis Rothstein on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Rothstein, David) (Entered: 02/06/2018)
2018-02-0618Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 02/06/2018)
2018-02-08MINUTE ORDER granting the parties' 18 Joint Motion for Extension of Time. The parties' Joint Status Report shall now be due before or on March 2, 2018. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/7/2018. (lctnm3) (Entered: 02/08/2018)
2018-02-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/2/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 02/08/2018)
2018-03-0219Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 03/02/2018)
2018-03-02MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file further joint status reports on June 1, 2018; September 4, 2018; December 4, 2018; and March 4, 2019. Should Defendant's productions be completed before the current anticipated deadline of the end of February 2019, the parties shall timely notify the Court and propose a schedule for proceeding in this matter. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/2/2018. (lctnm3) (Entered: 03/02/2018)
2018-03-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Reports due by 6/1/2018, 9/4/2018, 12/4/2018, and 3/4/2019. (hmc) (Entered: 03/02/2018)
2018-04-2320STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Courtesy copies are excused for all filings predating the entry of this Standing Order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/20/2018. (lctnm3) (Entered: 04/23/2018)
2018-06-0121Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 06/01/2018)
2018-08-1722Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 08/17/2018)
2018-09-3023NOTICE of Change of Address by Cesar A. Lopez-Morales (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 09/30/2018)
2018-10-0224STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 10/02/2018)
2018-10-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Defendant's 24 Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Plaintiff shall confer with Defendants and file an update proposing a schedule for further proceedings in this matter on or before October 24, 2018. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/3/2018. (lctnm3) (Entered: 10/03/2018)
2018-10-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/24/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 10/04/2018)
2018-10-2425STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 10/24/2018)
2018-10-26MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Plaintiff's 25 Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further update on or before January 4, 2019. This update shall propose a schedule for further proceedings if necessary. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/26/2018. (lctnm3) (Entered: 10/26/2018)
2018-10-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/4/2019. (hmc) (Entered: 10/29/2018)
2018-12-2726Consent MOTION to Stay Parties' Joint Status Report Deadline In Light of Lapse in Appropriations by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 12/27/2018)
2019-01-02MINUTE ORDER granting 26 Motion to Stay. Upon considering the Defendant's 26 Motion to Stay, it is hereby ordered that this matter shall be stayed until Congress has restored appropriations to the Department of Justice. It is further ordered that the Defendant will notify the Court immediately upon resumption of appropriations. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/2/2019.(lctnm2) (Entered: 01/02/2019)
2019-01-2827NOTICE of Restoration of Appropriations by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE re Order on Motion to Stay, (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 01/28/2019)
2019-01-29MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Defendant's 27 Notice, the Court hereby lifts the stay in this case. The parties are ORDERED to file a status report on or before February 5, 2019. This Report shall propose a schedule for further proceedings as necessary. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/29/19. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/29/2019)
2019-01-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/5/2019. (hmc) (Entered: 01/29/2019)
2019-02-0528STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Lopez-Morales, Cesar) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
2019-02-0629STIPULATION of Dismissal by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 02/06/2019)
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