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Case TitleWILDEARTH GUARDIANS v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv00232
Date Filed2018-01-31
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Ana C. Reyes
PlaintiffWILDEARTH GUARDIANS
Case DescriptionWildEarth Guardians submitted four FOIA requests to the Department of the Interior for Secretary Ryan Zinke's communications records, Vincent DeVito's communications records, Katherine MacGregor's communications records, and David Bernhardt's communications records. The agency acknowledged receipt of all four requests, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, WildEarth Guardians filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DefendantDEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
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

2018-01-311COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Office of the Secretary ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5312414) filed by WILDEARTH GUARDIANS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Summons to Attorney General, # 3 Summons Summons to U.S. Attorney, # 4 Summons Summons to Dept. of Interior)(Kagan, Neil) (Attachment 1 replaced on 2/1/2018) (zsth). (Entered: 01/31/2018)
2018-01-312Corporate Disclosure Statement by WILDEARTH GUARDIANS. (Kagan, Neil) (Entered: 01/31/2018)
2018-01-31Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (zsth) (Entered: 02/01/2018)
2018-02-013SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsth) (Entered: 02/01/2018)
2018-02-024STANDING ORDER: The parties are directed to read the attached Standing Order Governing Civil Cases Before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in its entirety upon receipt. The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives in the attached Standing Order. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 02/02/18. (Attachment: # 1 Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 02/02/2018)
2018-02-085CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by WILDEARTH GUARDIANS re 4 Order, . (Kagan, Neil) (Entered: 02/08/2018)
2018-02-206NOTICE of Appearance by Scott Leeson Sroka on behalf of All Defendants (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 02/20/2018)
2018-02-217NOTICE of Appearance by Kelly E. Nokes on behalf of WILDEARTH GUARDIANS (Nokes, Kelly) (Main Document 7 replaced on 2/22/2018) (znmw). (Entered: 02/21/2018)
2018-03-058RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 02/20/2018. (Kagan, Neil) (Entered: 03/05/2018)
2018-03-059RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/22/2018. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/24/2018. (Kagan, Neil) (Entered: 03/05/2018)
2018-03-0510RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR served on 2/20/2018 (Kagan, Neil) (Entered: 03/05/2018)
2018-03-2311Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 03/23/2018)
2018-03-23MINUTE ORDER granting 11 government's consent motion for extension of time to file answer. Therefore, the defendant shall answer, or otherwise respond, to the plaintiff's complaint by April 24, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/23/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/23/2018)
2018-03-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant Answer Or Otherwise Response To The Plaintiff's Complaint due by 4/24/2018. (mac) (Entered: 03/26/2018)
2018-04-2412ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.(Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 04/24/2018)
2018-05-3013NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to WILDEARTH GUARDIANS. Attorney Neil S. Kagan terminated. (Nokes, Kelly) (Entered: 05/30/2018)
2018-06-12MINUTE ORDER. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. 552. The parties are directed to meet and confer and propose a joint scheduling order for further proceedings in this case by no later than July 12, 2018. The parties' joint proposed scheduling order shall address the following: (1) The status of plaintiff's FOIA request; (2) The anticipated number of documents responsive to plaintiff's FOIA request; (3) The anticipated date(s) for release of documents responsive to plaintiff's FOIA request; (4) Whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case; (5) Whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case; (6) Whether this case would benefit from referral to a magistrate judge or the District Court Mediation Program for purposes of settlement; and (7) A proposed briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if applicable. If the parties are unable to agree on a joint recommendation, the joint proposed scheduling order shall include each party's individual recommendations. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/12/2018. (lcegs3). (Entered: 06/12/2018)
2018-06-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Scheduling Order due by 7/12/2018. (mac) (Entered: 06/13/2018)
2018-07-1214Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 07/12/2018)
2018-07-16MINUTE ORER in view of 14 joint status report, in which the parties state that the defendant is currently conducting document searches, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by August 7, 2018 following the government's first document release on July 31, 2018. The joint status report shall contain recommendations for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/16/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/16/2018)
2018-07-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/7/2018. (mac) (Entered: 07/16/2018)
2018-08-0715Joint STATUS REPORT by WILDEARTH GUARDIANS. (Nokes, Kelly) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-08MINUTE ORDER in view of 15 joint status report, the parties shall file another joint status report by no later than September 7, 2018. The status report contain recommendations for further proceedings following the defendant's September 5, 2018 update. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/8/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/08/2018)
2018-08-08Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 9/7/2018. (zcdw) (Entered: 08/08/2018)
2018-09-0716Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 09/07/2018)
2018-09-10MINUTE ORDER in view of 16 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than November 7, 2018, setting forth recommendations for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/10/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/10/2018)
2018-09-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/7/2018. (mac) (Entered: 09/10/2018)
2018-09-1817NOTICE of Change of Address by Kelly E. Nokes (Nokes, Kelly) (Entered: 09/18/2018)
2018-11-0718Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 11/07/2018)
2018-11-08MINUTE ORDER in view of 18 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than December 14, 2018 setting forth recommendations for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/8/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
2018-11-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/14/2018. (mac) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
2018-12-1419Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 12/14/2018)
2018-12-17MINUTE ORDER. In view of 19 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than March 14, 2019, setting forth recommendations for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/17/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 12/17/2018)
2018-12-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/14/2019. (mac) (Entered: 12/17/2018)
2019-03-1420Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 03/14/2019)
2019-03-15MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 20 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than May 14, 2019 with a recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/15/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/15/2019)
2019-03-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/14/2019. (mac) (Entered: 03/15/2019)
2019-05-1421Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 05/14/2019)
2019-05-15MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 21 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than July 15, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 5/15/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 05/15/2019)
2019-05-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/15/2019. (mac) (Entered: 05/16/2019)
2019-07-1522Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 07/15/2019)
2019-07-16MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than September 16, 2019, proposing a joint recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/16/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/16/2019)
2019-07-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/16/2019 (mac) (Entered: 07/17/2019)
2019-09-1623Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 09/16/2019)
2019-09-18MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than November 18, 2019, proposing a joint recommendation for further proceedings. The parties shall file a proposed order with each joint status report. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/18/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/18/2019)
2019-09-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/18/2019. (mac) (Entered: 09/19/2019)
2019-11-1824Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 11/18/2019)
2019-11-20MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 24 Joint Status Report, Court hereby grants the parties' request to continue their discussions regarding an adequate production schedule. The parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than January 21, 2020, proposing a joint recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/20/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/20/2019)
2019-11-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/21/2020. (mac) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2020-01-2125Joint STATUS REPORT by WILDEARTH GUARDIANS. (Nokes, Kelly) (Entered: 01/21/2020)
2020-01-21MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 25 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than March 31, 2020, updating the Court on the status of Defendant's response to Plaintiff's FOIA requests and informing the Court as to whether further litigation will be necessary. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/21/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/21/2020)
2020-01-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/31/2020. (mac) (Entered: 01/22/2020)
2020-02-1026NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Sean Michael Tepe on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Substituting for attorney Scott Sroka (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-03-3127Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 03/31/2020)
2020-04-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 27 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later June 1, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/1/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/01/2020)
2020-04-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/1/2020. (mac) (Entered: 04/02/2020)
2020-06-0128Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 06/01/2020)
2020-06-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 28 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later July 31, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/1/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/01/2020)
2020-06-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/31/2020 (mac) (Entered: 06/02/2020)
2020-07-3029Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 07/30/2020)
2020-07-31MINUTE ORDER. In view of 29 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with recommendations for further proceedings by no later than September 29, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/31/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/31/2020)
2020-07-31Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/29/2020 (mac) (Entered: 07/31/2020)
2020-09-2930Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 09/29/2020)
2020-09-30MINUTE ORDER. In view of 30 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than November 30, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/30/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/30/2020)
2020-09-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/30/2020 (mac) (Entered: 09/30/2020)
2020-11-3031Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 11/30/2020)
2020-11-30MINUTE ORDER. In view of 31 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than January 29, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/30/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/30/2020)
2020-12-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/29/2021 (mac) (Entered: 12/01/2020)
2021-01-2932Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 01/29/2021)
2021-01-29MINUTE ORDER. In view of 32 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than March 30, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/29/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/29/2021)
2021-02-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/30/2021 (mac) (Entered: 02/01/2021)
2021-02-1133NOTICE of Change of Address by Kelly E. Nokes (Nokes, Kelly) (Entered: 02/11/2021)
2021-03-2934Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 03/29/2021)
2021-03-29MINUTE ORDER. In view of 34 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than June 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/29/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/29/2021)
2021-03-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/1/2021 (mac) (Entered: 03/30/2021)
2021-06-0135Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 06/01/2021)
2021-06-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of 35 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than August 2, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/1/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/01/2021)
2021-06-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/2/2021. (mac) (Entered: 06/02/2021)
2021-08-0236Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 08/02/2021)
2021-08-02MINUTE ORDER. In view of 36 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than October 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/2/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/02/2021)
2021-08-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/1/2021 (mac) (Entered: 08/03/2021)
2021-10-0137Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 10/01/2021)
2021-10-04MINUTE ORDER. In view of 37 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than December 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/4/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/04/2021)
2021-10-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/1/2021 (mac) (Entered: 10/04/2021)
2021-12-0138Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 12/01/2021)
2021-12-06MINUTE ORDER. In view of 38 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than February 1, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/6/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 12/06/2021)
2021-12-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/1/2022 (mac) (Entered: 12/07/2021)
2022-02-0139Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 02/01/2022)
2022-02-04MINUTE ORDER. In view of 39 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than April 4, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/4/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/04/2022)
2022-02-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/4/2022 (mac) (Entered: 02/04/2022)
2022-04-0440Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 04/04/2022)
2022-04-05MINUTE ORDER. In view of 40 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than June 3, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/5/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/05/2022)
2022-04-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/3/2022 (mac) (Entered: 04/05/2022)
2022-06-0341Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 06/03/2022)
2022-06-06MINUTE ORDER. In view of 41 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than September 1, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/6/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/06/2022)
2022-06-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/1/2022 (mac) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
2022-09-0142Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 09/01/2022)
2022-09-06MINUTE ORDER. In view of 42 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than December 2, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/6/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 09/06/2022)
2022-09-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/2/2022 (mac) (Entered: 09/07/2022)
2022-12-0243Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 12/02/2022)
2022-12-02MINUTE ORDER. In view of 43 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than March 2, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/2/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 12/02/2022)
2022-12-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/2/2023 (mac) (Entered: 12/05/2022)
2023-02-24Case directly reassigned to District Judge Ana C. Reyes. Judge Emmet G. Sullivan is no longer assigned to the case. (rj) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
2023-03-0244Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 03/02/2023)
2023-06-3045Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 06/30/2023)
2023-09-2846Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 09/28/2023)
2023-12-0447NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Tabitha Bartholomew on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Substituting for attorney Sean Tepe (Bartholomew, Tabitha) (Entered: 12/04/2023)
2023-12-2048Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Bartholomew, Tabitha) (Entered: 12/20/2023)
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