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Case TitleLEOPOLD et al v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv00577
Date Filed2021-03-04
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Rudolph Contreras
PlaintiffJASON LEOPOLD
PlaintiffBUZZFEED INC.
Case DescriptionBuzzFeed Reporter Jason Leopold submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, and the Department of the Army for records concerning the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the government's response. Leopold also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further any of the agencies, Leopold filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DefendantNATIONAL GUARD BUREAU
DefendantU.S. ARMY
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-03-041COMPLAINT against NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8277002) filed by JASON LEOPOLD, BUZZFEED INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-9, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-042NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-043LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by BUZZFEED INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-04Case Assigned to Judge Rudolph Contreras. (adh, ) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-044SUMMONS (5) Issued Electronically as to NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-04-055RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. ARMY served on 3/25/2021 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/05/2021)
2021-04-056RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE served on 3/25/2021 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/05/2021)
2021-04-057RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU served on 3/22/2021 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/05/2021)
2021-04-058RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 3/26/2021. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/05/2021)
2021-04-059RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/26/2021. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/25/2021. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/05/2021)
2021-04-2610ANSWER to Complaint by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.(Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-04-26MINUTE ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet, confer, and jointly submit a proposed briefing schedule on or before May 10, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 4/26/2021. (lcrc2) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-04-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 5/10/2021. (tj) (Entered: 04/27/2021)
2021-05-1011Joint STATUS REPORT and Request to Defer Briefing Schedule by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 05/10/2021)
2021-05-10MINUTE ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a joint status report on or before July 15, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 5/10/2021. (lcrc2) (Entered: 05/10/2021)
2021-05-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/15/2021. (tj) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-07-1512Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 07/15/2021)
2021-07-15MINUTE ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a joint status report on or before September 15, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 7/15/2021. (lcrc2) (Entered: 07/15/2021)
2021-09-1513Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 09/15/2021)
2021-09-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 13 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before November 16, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 09/15/2021. (lcrc2) (Entered: 09/15/2021)
2021-11-1614Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2021-11-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 14 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before January 23, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 11/16/2021. (lcrc2) (Entered: 11/16/2021)
2021-11-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/23/2022 (hs) (Entered: 11/17/2021)
2022-01-2115Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-01-21MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 15 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before March 14, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 1/21/2022. (lcrc2) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-03-1116NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 03/11/2022)
2022-03-1417Joint STATUS REPORT by BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-03-14MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 17 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before May 13, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 3/14/2022. (lcrc2) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-05-1018Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 05/10/2022)
2022-05-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 18 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before July 12, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 5/10/22. (lcrc2) (Entered: 05/10/2022)
2022-07-1219Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 07/12/2022)
2022-07-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 19 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before September 10, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 7/12/22. (lcrc2) (Entered: 07/12/2022)
2022-09-1020Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 09/10/2022)
2022-09-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 20 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before November 8, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 9/12/2022. (lcrc2) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-11-0821Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2022-11-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 21 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before January 10, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 11/16/22. (lcrc2) (Entered: 11/16/2022)
2023-01-1022Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 01/10/2023)
2023-01-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 22 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before March 13, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 1/10/23. (lcrc2) (Entered: 01/10/2023)
2023-02-2123NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 02/21/2023)
2023-02-22RESOLVED...NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Wayne, Merrick), Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 3/1/2023. (zbaj) Modified on 2/23/2023 (znmw). Modified on 3/2/2023 (zbaj). (Entered: 02/22/2023)
2023-03-1324Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 03/13/2023)
2023-03-14MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 24 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before May 15, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 3/14/23. (lcrc2) (Entered: 03/14/2023)
2023-05-1525Joint STATUS REPORT by BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-05-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 25 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before July 13, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 5/15/23. (lcrc2) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-07-1326Joint STATUS REPORT by BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 07/13/2023)
2023-08-17MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 26 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before September 14, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 8/17/23. (lcrc2) (Entered: 08/17/2023)
2023-09-1327Joint STATUS REPORT by BUZZFEED INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 09/13/2023)
2023-09-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 27 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before November 9, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 09/13/2023. (lcrc2) (Entered: 09/13/2023)
2023-11-0928Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 11/09/2023)
2023-11-09MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 28 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before January 11, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 11/09/2023. (lcrc2) (Entered: 11/09/2023)
2024-01-1129Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 01/11/2024)
2024-01-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 29 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before March 7, 2024. SO ORDERED Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 01/11/2024. (lcrc2) (Entered: 01/11/2024)
2024-03-0730Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 03/07/2024)
2024-03-07MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 30 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before May 9, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 03/07/2024. (lcrc2) (Entered: 03/07/2024)
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