Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleThe Protect Democracy Project, Inc. v. U.S. Department of State
DistrictDistrict of Massachusetts
CityBoston
Case Number1:2019cv12115
Date Filed2019-10-11
Date Closed2022-11-21
JudgeJudge Douglas P. Woodlock
PlaintiffThe Protect Democracy Project, Inc.
Case DescriptionThe Protect Democracy Project submitted two FOIA requests to the Department of State for records concerning communications between Rudy Giuliani and members of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. PDP also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, PDP filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Expedited processing, Public Interest Fee Waiver, 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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-10-111COMPLAINT against U.S. Department of State Filing fee: $ 400, receipt number 0101-7921073 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Category Form)(Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 10/11/2019)
2019-10-112ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Douglas P. Woodlock assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 10/11/2019)
2019-10-113Summons Issued as to U.S. Department of State. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (Pacho, Arnold) (Entered: 10/11/2019)
2019-10-284SUMMONS Returned Executed U.S. Department of State served on 10/21/2019, answer due 11/12/2019. (Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 10/28/2019)
2019-10-285SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. U.S. Department of State served on 10/17/2019, answer due 12/16/2019. (Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 10/28/2019)
2019-10-286SUMMONS Returned Executed by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 10/28/2019)
2019-10-317MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jessica A. Marsden Filing fee: $ 100, receipt number 0101-7948961 by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 10/31/2019)
2019-10-318Judge Douglas P. Woodlock: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jessica A. Marsden. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must register for electronic filing if the attorney does not already have an ECF account in this district. To register go to the Court website at www.mad.uscourts.gov. Select Case Information, then Electronic Filing (CM/ECF) and go to the CM/ECF Registration Form. (McDonagh, Christina) (Entered: 10/31/2019)
2019-11-189ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by U.S. Department of State.(Abbuhl, Joshua) (Main Document 9 replaced on 11/19/2019) (McDonagh, Christina). (Entered: 11/18/2019)
2019-11-1910NOTICE of Appearance by Jason C. Weida on behalf of U.S. Department of State (Weida, Jason) (Entered: 11/19/2019)
2019-11-1911STATUS REPORT by both parties by U.S. Department of State. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 11/19/2019)
2019-11-2112NOTICE OF STATUS CONFERENCE - Conference is SCHEDULED for 12/4/2019 at 3:15 p.m. in Courtroom 1 before Judge Douglas P. Woodlock. (Beatty, Barbara) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-11-2713MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of John Paredes Filing fee: $ 100, receipt number 0101-7992257 by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 11/27/2019)
2019-12-0514Clerk's Notes for Status Conference held before Judge Douglas P. Woodlock: Court GRANTS 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Added John Paredes as counsel for the plaintiff. Court makes inquiry regarding the status of the case. Discovery ongoing. Further Joint Status Report to be filed by 12/20/2019. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must register for electronic filing if the attorney does not already have an ECF account in this district. To register go to the Court website at www.mad.uscourts.gov. Select Case Information, then Electronic Filing (CM/ECF) and go to the CM/ECF Registration Form. ; (Court Reporter: Kelly Mortellite at mortellite@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Paredes, Berwick, AUSA Weida, Abbuhl) (Beatty, Barbara) (Entered: 12/05/2019)
2019-12-2015STATUS REPORT by U.S. Department of State. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 12/20/2019)
2020-01-0716NOTICE by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc. re 15 Status Report requesting resolution of production timeline dispute (Paredes, John) (Entered: 01/07/2020)
2020-01-1517Emergency MOTION for Scheduling Order re 15 Status Report, 16 Notice (Other) requesting resolution of production timeline dispute by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Paredes, John) (Entered: 01/15/2020)
2020-01-1618Judge Douglas P. Woodlock: PROCEDURAL ORDER - The Defendant shall file its response to the 17 Emergency Motion for Scheduling Order no later than 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. (Beatty, Barbara) (Entered: 01/16/2020)
2020-01-2119Opposition re 17 Emergency MOTION for Scheduling Order re 15 Status Report, 16 Notice (Other) requesting resolution of production timeline dispute filed by U.S. Department of State. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 01/21/2020)
2020-01-2420Consent MOTION for Leave to File Reply by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Paredes, John) (Entered: 01/24/2020)
2020-01-3021NOTICE OF MOTION HEARING - Hearing on Motion for Scheduling Order 17 is SCHEDULED for 2/4/2020 at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1 before Judge Douglas P. Woodlock. (Beatty, Barbara) (Entered: 01/30/2020)
2020-02-0424Clerk's Notes for Motion Hearing held before Judge Douglas P. Woodlock: Parties to further discuss and submit by 2/28/2020, their position regarding an MDL assignment for this case or a consolidation/transfer to an another jurisdiction. Also by 2/28/2020, if not sooner, counsel shall file a detailed explanation of overlaps in other (related) cases filed or otherwise requesting State Department action in review of similar FOIA requests. Parties to further discuss an increase in the number of documents produced per month moving forward. Motion for Scheduling Order 17 DENIED. Motion for Preliminary Injunction to be filed no later than 3/13/2020 and opposition by 3/27/2020. (Court Reporter: James Gibbons at jamesgibbonsrpr@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Paredes, Abbuhl) (Beatty, Barbara) Modified to correct dates upon review of the transcript 22 on 2/10/2020 (Beatty, Barbara). (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-0622Transcript of Motion Hearing held on February 4, 2020, before Judge Douglas P. Woodlock. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: James Gibbons at jamesgibbonsrpr@gmail.com Redaction Request due 2/27/2020. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 3/9/2020. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 5/6/2020. (Scalfani, Deborah) (Entered: 02/06/2020)
2020-02-0623NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at http://www.mad.uscourts.gov/attorneys/general-info.htm (Scalfani, Deborah) (Entered: 02/06/2020)
2020-02-2825MEMORANDUM OF LAW by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc. to 24 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief,,,, Order on Motion for Leave to File,,,, Motion Hearing,,,. (Paredes, John) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-02-2826RESPONSE TO COURT ORDER by U.S. Department of State Statement Concerning Overlap of Ukraine FOIA Cases, the Multidistrict Litigation Panel, and Transfer of Venue . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-02-2827MOTION to Change Venue by U.S. Department of State. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Transfer Venue, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C)(Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-03-0628Consent RESPONSE to Motion re 27 MOTION to Change Venue filed by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Paredes, John) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2022-11-1829STIPULATION of Dismissal by U.S. Department of State. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 11/18/2022)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar