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Case TitleBUZZFEED INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv02704
Date Filed2020-09-22
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Randolph D. Moss
PlaintiffBUZZFEED INC.
Case DescriptionBuzzFeed submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute of Health for records concerning communications to Anthony Fauci pertaining to a project entitled Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence. BuzzFeed also requested expedited processing. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. The agency granted expedited processing but denied the request under Exemption 7(A) (interference with ongoing investigation or proceeding). BuzzFeed filed an administrative appeal. After hearing nothing further from the agency, BuzzFeed filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DefendantNATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
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
2020-09-221COMPLAINT against NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7624281) filed by BUZZFEED INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-E, # 2 Exhibit F-J, # 3 Exhibit K-M, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 09/22/2020)
2020-09-222NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of BUZZFEED INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 09/22/2020)
2020-09-223LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by BUZZFEED INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 09/22/2020)
2020-09-23Case Assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (zsb) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-244STANDING 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 9/24/2020. (lcrdm2) (Entered: 09/24/2020)
2020-09-245SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 09/24/2020)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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