Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleSCOVILLE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv01987
Date Filed2019-07-03
Date Closed2023-04-26
JudgeJudge Randolph D. Moss
PlaintiffRYAN SCOVILLE
Case DescriptionRyan Scoville, an academic researcher, submitted three FOIA requests to the Department of State. His first request asked for records concerning presidential reports submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pursuant to statute since 1980. His second FOIA request asked for Chief of Mission Leadership Surveys since 2012. His third FOIA request was for the number of agreements withheld from publication since 1994. The agency acknowledged receipt of Scoville's requests, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Scoville filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-07-031COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-6233145) filed by RYAN SCOVILLE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Civil Cover Sheet, # 9 Summons)(Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 07/03/2019)
2019-07-032NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Hart Burday on behalf of RYAN SCOVILLE (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 07/03/2019)
2019-07-05Case Assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (zjd) (Entered: 07/05/2019)
2019-07-053SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zjd) (Entered: 07/05/2019)
2019-07-084STANDING ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives set forth in the attached Standing Order. See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 7/8/2019. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 07/08/2019)
2019-07-245ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .NOTICE of Appearance by Damon William Taaffe on behalf of All Defendants (Taaffe, Damon) Modified on 7/29/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-07-29NOTICE OF ERROR re 5 Notice of Appearance; emailed to damon.taaffe@usdoj.gov, cc'd 4 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect header/caption/case number, 2. Please refile document (ztd, ) (Entered: 07/29/2019)
2019-08-026RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 7/24/2019 (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 08/02/2019)
2019-08-027RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 7/16/2019. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 08/02/2019)
2019-08-028RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 7/16/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 8/15/2019. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 08/02/2019)
2019-08-069NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of RYAN SCOVILLE (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-08-1310ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 08/13/2019)
2019-08-21MINUTE ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for an Initial Scheduling Conference on September 27, 2019, at 2:15 p.m. in Courtroom 21. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall confer in advance of the Initial Scheduling Conference on (1) whether any records can be released, and (2) the proper next steps in this litigation. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 08/21/19. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 08/21/2019)
2019-08-21Set/Reset Hearings: Initial Scheduling Conference set for 9/27/2019, at 2:15 PM, in Courtroom 21, before Judge Randolph D. Moss. (kt) (Entered: 08/21/2019)
2019-09-2311MOTION for Leave to Appear by Telephone by RYAN SCOVILLE (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 09/23/2019)
2019-09-2312RESPONSE re 11 MOTION for Leave to Appear by Telephone filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 09/23/2019)
2019-09-23MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Plaintiff's motion to appear by telephone 11 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is granted. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 09/23/19. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 09/23/2019)
2019-09-27Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Initial Scheduling Conference held on 9/27/2019. Joint Status Report due on or before 11/29/2019. As to the first two categories, the State Department shall begin the process of releasing records, with the first tranche of responsive records due on or before 10/28/2019. (Court Reporter: Jeff Hook.) (kt) (Entered: 09/27/2019)
2019-11-2913Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 11/29/2019)
2019-12-02MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' joint status report 13 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a further joint status report on or before January 26, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 12/2/19. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 12/02/2019)
2020-01-1614NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brenda A. Gonzalez on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Damon Taaffe (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 01/16/2020)
2020-01-2715Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 01/27/2020)
2020-02-07MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before March 11, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 2/7/20. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-03-1116Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 03/11/2020)
2020-03-12MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' joint status report 16 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before April 27, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/12/20. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 03/12/2020)
2020-04-2717Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 04/27/2020)
2020-06-04MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' joint status report 17 , it is hereby ORDERED that they shall file a further joint status report on or before June 25, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/4/20. (lcrdm3, ) (Entered: 06/04/2020)
2020-06-0518NOTICE of Appearance by Michael A. Tilghman on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/05/2020)
2020-06-0519Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/05/2020)
2020-06-2520Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/25/2020)
2020-07-0621Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 07/06/2020)
2020-08-0622Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 08/06/2020)
2020-08-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 22 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before September 7, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 08/13/2020. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 08/13/2020)
2020-08-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/7/2020. (kt) (Entered: 08/13/2020)
2020-09-0423Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 09/04/2020)
2020-09-04MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 23 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before October 7, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 09/04/2020. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 09/04/2020)
2020-09-2324NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. Attorney Brenda A Gonzalez terminated. (Gonzalez, Brenda) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-10-0725Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 10/07/2020)
2020-10-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 25 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before November 9, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 10/10/2020. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 10/10/2020)
2020-11-0926Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 11/09/2020)
2020-11-09MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 26 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before December 9, 2020. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/9/2020. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 11/09/2020)
2020-12-0927Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/09/2020)
2020-12-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 27 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before January 8, 2021. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 12/10/2020. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 12/10/2020)
2021-01-0828Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 01/08/2021)
2021-01-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 28 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before February 8, 2021. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall file subsequent joint status reports on the first business day of every month, beginning in March 2021, until Defendant the United States Department of State has completed its supplemental search of hard copy off site records. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/11/2021. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 01/11/2021)
2021-02-0829Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/08/2021)
2021-03-0130Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 03/01/2021)
2021-04-0731Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 04/07/2021)
2021-05-0332Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 05/03/2021)
2021-06-0133Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 06/01/2021)
2021-07-0134Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 07/01/2021)
2021-07-06MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 34 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before August 30, 2021. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall file further joint status reports every subsequent 60 calendar days. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 7/6/2021. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
2021-08-3035Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 08/30/2021)
2021-10-2936Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2021-12-2837Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/28/2021)
2022-02-2838Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/28/2022)
2022-04-2939NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of RYAN SCOVILLE (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-04-2940NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen DeGenaro on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-04-2941Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-06-2842Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 06/28/2022)
2022-07-0843NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. Attorney Stephen DeGenaro terminated. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 07/08/2022)
2022-08-2944Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 08/29/2022)
2022-09-0645NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brenda A. Gonzalez Horowitz on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Substituting for attorney Michael Tilghman (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 09/06/2022)
2022-10-2746Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 10/27/2022)
2022-10-28MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 46 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before December 29, 2022, in the event that a joint stipulation of dismissal is not filed on or before that date. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 10/28/2022. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 10/28/2022)
2022-12-2947Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 12/29/2022)
2023-01-2348NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of RYAN SCOVILLE (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-01-2349MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by RYAN SCOVILLE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-01-23MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Plaintiff's motion to withdraw Joshua Burday as counsel, Dkt. 49 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court shall terminate Joshua Burday as attorney for Plaintiff. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/23/2023. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-02-2750Joint STATUS REPORT by RYAN SCOVILLE. (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-04-2651STIPULATION of Dismissal by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 04/26/2023)
2023-04-26MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' stipulation of dismissal, Dkt. 51 , it is hereby ORDERED that this action is DISMISSED with prejudice. The Clerk of Court is hereby directed to terminate the case. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 4/26/2023. (lcrdm3) (Entered: 04/26/2023)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar