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Case TitleCITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv00212
Date Filed2020-01-27
Date Closed2022-09-30
JudgeJudge Emmet G. Sullivan
PlaintiffCITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON
Case DescriptionCitizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington submitted three FOIA requests to the Department of Justice for records concerning the cost of trips related to John Dunham's review of the origins of the government's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. CREW also asked for expedited processing for its second and third requests. DOJ acknowledged receipt of the requests and denied CREW's requests for expedited processing. After hearing nothing further from the agency pertaining to any of its three requests, CREW filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Expedited processing, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Opinion/Order [26]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-01-271COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6769247) filed by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 3 Summons U.S. Dep't of Justice, # 4 Summons Attorney General)(Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 01/27/2020)
2020-01-272LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 01/27/2020)
2020-01-28Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (zsb) (Entered: 01/28/2020)
2020-01-283SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zrdj) (Entered: 01/28/2020)
2020-02-044STANDING 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 02/04/20. (Attachment: Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-045RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 2/3/2020, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 2/3/2020., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/3/2020. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/4/2020.) (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-03-046NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher Charles Hair on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 03/04/2020)
2020-03-047ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 03/04/2020)
2020-04-01MINUTE 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 April 24, 2020. The parties' joint proposed scheduling order shall address the following: (1) The status of Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (2) The anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (3) The anticipated date(s) for release of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (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 4/1/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/01/2020)
2020-04-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Scheduling Order due by 4/24/2020 (mac) (Entered: 04/02/2020)
2020-04-248Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 04/24/2020)
2020-04-27MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 8 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than June 8, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/27/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/27/2020)
2020-04-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/8/2020. (mac) (Entered: 04/28/2020)
2020-06-089NOTICE of Appearance by Conor M. Shaw on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON (Shaw, Conor) (Entered: 06/08/2020)
2020-06-0810Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 06/08/2020)
2020-06-10MINUTE ORDER. In view of 10 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than July 8, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/10/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/10/2020)
2020-06-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/8/2020. (mac) (Entered: 06/11/2020)
2020-07-0811Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 07/08/2020)
2020-07-09MINUTE ORDER. In view of 11 joint status report, the parties are directed to comply with the following briefing schedule: the government's motion for summary judgment shall be filed no later than September 2, 2020. Plaintiff Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's ("CREW") opposition shall be filed no later than September 23, 2020. If CREW chooses to file a cross-motion, it shall be combined with the opposition and filed on the same date. The government's reply and, if applicable, combined opposition shall be filed no later than October 7, 2020. CREW's reply, if applicable, shall be filed no later than October 21, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/9/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/09/2020)
2020-07-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Government's Motion For Summary Judgment due by 9/2/2020. Plaintiff ("CREW") Opposition, If Any, Cross-Motion Shall Be Combined With The Opposition due by 9/23/2020. Government Reply, And If Any, Combined Opposition due by 10/7/2020. ("CREW") Reply, If Applicable, due by 10/21/2020 (mac) (Entered: 07/10/2020)
2020-08-2112NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Kathleene A. Molen on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Substituting for attorney Christopher C. Hair (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 08/21/2020)
2020-08-2413NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Anne L. Weismann on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON Substituting for attorney Anne L. Weismann (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 08/24/2020)
2020-08-2414NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Adam J. Rappaport on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON Substituting for attorney Anne Weismann (Rappaport, Adam) (Entered: 08/24/2020)
2020-08-2815Unopposed MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 08/28/2020)
2020-08-28MINUTE ORDER granting 15 unopposed motion to modify briefing schedule. The parties are directed to adhere to the following modified briefing schedule: the government's motion for summary judgment shall be filed no later than September 11, 2020. Plaintiff Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's ("CREW") opposition shall be filed no later than October 2, 2020. If CREW chooses to file a cross-motion, it shall be combined with the opposition and filed on the same date. The government's reply and, if applicable, combined opposition shall be filed no later than October 16, 2020. CREW's reply, if applicable, shall be filed no later than October 30, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/28/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/28/2020)
2020-08-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Government's Motion For Summary Judgment due by 9/11/2020. Plaintiff Citizens For Responsibility And Ethics In Washington's ("CREW") Opposition And If CREW chooses to file a cross-motion due by 10/02/2020. Government's Reply And, If Applicable, Combined Opposition due by 10/16/2020. CREW's Reply, If Applicable, due by 10/30/2020. (mac) (Entered: 08/28/2020)
2020-09-1116MOTION for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Statement of Facts, # 3 Declaration Vanessa R. Brinkmann, # 4 Declaration Vinay J. Jolly, # 5 Declaration John W. Larson, # 6 Appendix Exhibits, # 7 Exhibit A, # 8 Exhibit B, # 9 Exhibit C, # 10 Exhibit D, # 11 Exhibit E, # 12 Exhibit F, # 13 Exhibit G, # 14 Exhibit H, # 15 Exhibit I, # 16 Exhibit 1, # 17 Exhibit 2, # 18 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 09/11/2020)
2020-09-2217Unopposed MOTION to Modify briefing schedule by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Shaw, Conor) (Entered: 09/22/2020)
2020-09-23MINUTE ORDER granting 17 unopposed motion to modify briefing schedule. The parties are directed to adhere to the following briefing schedule: Plaintiff Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's ("CREW") opposition shall be filed no later than October 16, 2020. If CREW chooses to file a cross-motion, it shall be combined with the opposition and filed on the same date. The government's reply and, if applicable, combined opposition shall be filed no later than October 30, 2020. CREW's reply, if applicable, shall be filed no later than November 13, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/23/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Plaintiff Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's ("CREW") Opposition Or, If Any Cross-Motion due by 10/16/2020. Government's Reply And, If Applicable, Combined Opposition due y 10/30/2020. CREW's Reply, If Applicable, due by 11/13/2020. (mac) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-10-1618Cross MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Statement of Facts, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Shaw, Conor) (Entered: 10/16/2020)
2020-10-1619Memorandum in opposition to re 16 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON. (See Docket Entry 18 to view document). (znmw) (Entered: 10/22/2020)
2020-10-2720Unopposed MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 10/27/2020)
2020-10-27MINUTE ORDER granting 20 unopposed motion to modify briefing schedule. The parties shall adhere to the following modified briefing schedule: (1) Defendant's combined opposition and reply shall be filed by no later than November 6, 2020; and (2) Plaintiff's reply shall be filed by no later than November 20, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/27/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/27/2020)
2020-10-28Set/Reset Deadlines: (Defendant's Combined Opposition And Reply due by 11/06/2020. Plaintiff's Reply due by 11/20/2020.(mac) (Entered: 10/28/2020)
2020-11-0621REPLY to opposition to motion re 16 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Declaration Second Declaration Vinay Jolly, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2020-11-0622Memorandum in opposition to re 18 Cross MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Declaration Second Declaration Vinay Jolly, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2020-11-2023REPLY to opposition to motion re 18 Cross MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment filed by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON. (Shaw, Conor) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
2021-11-1024NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Patricia K. McBride on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Substituting for attorney Kathleen Molen (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2022-01-1925NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON. Attorney Conor M. Shaw terminated. (Shaw, Conor) (Entered: 01/19/2022)
2022-09-3026MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 09/30/2022. (lcegs2) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-09-3027ORDER granting 16 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying 18 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 09/30/2022. (lcegs2) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-09-3028JUDGMENT in favor of Defendant against Plaintiff. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 09/30/2022. (lcegs2) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-10-0329CLERK'S JUDGMENT in favor of Defendant against Plaintiff. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/03/22. (mac) (Entered: 10/03/2022)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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