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Case TitleNational Public Radio, Inc. v. U.S. Central Command et al
DistrictSouthern District of California
CitySan Diego
Case Number3:2021cv01079
Date Filed2021-06-09
Date Closed2022-12-19
JudgeJudge Michael M. Anello
PlaintiffNational Public Radio, Inc.
PlaintiffGraham Smith
Case DescriptionNational Public Radio submitted a FOIA request to U.S. Central Command for records concerning a 2004 friendly fire incident in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. Marines. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, National Public Radio filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. Central Command
DefendantU.S. Department of Defense
AppealNinth Circuit 23-55062
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Opinion/Order [12]
Opinion/Order [14]
Opinion/Order [27]
Opinion/Order [38]
Opinion/Order [40]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-06-091COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ACASDC-15811289.), filed by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B) The new case number is 3:21-cv-1079-MMA-AHG. Judge Michael M. Anello and Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard are assigned to the case. (Burke, Thomas)(zda) (jms). (Entered: 06/09/2021)
2021-06-092Summons Issued. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should print this summons and serve it in accordance with Rule 4, Fed.R.Civ.P and LR 4.1. (zda) (jms). (Entered: 06/09/2021)
2021-06-093NOTICE of Party With Financial Interest by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith . No Parties With Financial Interest. (Burke, Thomas) (tcf). (Entered: 06/09/2021)
2021-06-154Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee received: $ 213 receipt number ACASDC-15832396.) (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Kalinowski, Caesar) (rmc). (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-165ORDER Approving the Pro Hac Vice Application of Caesar D. Kalinowski (Re: ECF No. 4 Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice). Signed by Judge Michael M. Anello on 6/16/2021.(jrd) (Entered: 06/16/2021)
2021-08-026MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment 1, # 2 Declaration)(Keehn, Douglas)Attorney Douglas Keehn added to party U.S. Central Command(pty:dft), Attorney Douglas Keehn added to party U.S. Department of Defense(pty:dft) (tcf). (Entered: 08/02/2021)
2021-08-307RESPONSE in Opposition re 6 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(Burke, Thomas) (tcf). (Entered: 08/30/2021)
2021-09-038REPLY to Response to Motion re 6 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Keehn, Douglas) (jmo). (Entered: 09/03/2021)
2021-09-079Minute Order Taking Motion Under Submission : Defendant's 6 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction is currently set for hearing on September 13, 2021. The Court finds this matter suitable for determination on the papers and without oral argument pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 78(b) and Civil Local Rule 7.1.d.1. Accordingly, no appearances are required, and the hearing is taken off calendar. SO ORDERED by Judge Michael M. Anello on September 7, 2021. (kff) (Entered: 09/07/2021)
2021-11-0410MOTION for Early Neutral Evaluation Conference Early Neutral Evaluation Letter Request by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service)(Burke, Thomas) QC mailer sent re: Improperly formatted document (tcf). (Entered: 11/04/2021)
2021-11-0511ORDER Setting Briefing Schedule and Motion Hearing re 10 Plaintiffs' Motion for Pre-Answer Early Neutral Evaluation Conference. Defendants' Opposition, or notice of non-opposition, must be filed by 11:00 AM on 11/12/2021. Videoconference motion hearing set for 11/16/2021 at 9:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 11/5/2021.(hmw) (Entered: 11/05/2021)
2021-11-1012ORDER Denying 6 Defendant's Motion to Dismiss. The Court DENIES Defendants' motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The Court DIRECTS Defendants to file a response within the time specified by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a)(4)(A). Signed by Judge Michael M. Anello on 11/10/2021. (tcf) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2021-11-1213NOTICE of Non-Opposition to Motion for ENE by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense re 10 MOTION for Early Neutral Evaluation Conference Early Neutral Evaluation Letter Request (Parker, Katherine)Attorney Katherine L. Parker added to party U.S. Central Command(pty:dft), Attorney Katherine L. Parker added to party U.S. Department of Defense(pty:dft) (tcf). (Entered: 11/12/2021)
2021-11-1214ORDER (1) Vacating Motion Hearing, (2) Granting 10 Plaintiffs' Motion for Pre-Answer Early Neutral Evaluation Conference, and (3) Setting Early Neutral Evaluation Conference and Case Management Conference. Motion Hearing scheduled for 11/16/2021 is VACATED. ENE set for 12/15/2021 at 9:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard. In the event the case does not settle at the ENE, the Court will immediately thereafter hold a CMC. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 11/12/2021. (hmw) (Entered: 11/12/2021)
2021-11-2315ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense.(Church, Rebecca)Attorney Rebecca Grace Church added to party U.S. Central Command(pty:dft), Attorney Rebecca Grace Church added to party U.S. Department of Defense(pty:dft) (tcf). (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-11-3016Joint MOTION for Discovery Stipulation and Joint Motion to Vacate Discovery Obligations by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense. (Church, Rebecca) (tcf). (Entered: 11/30/2021)
2021-11-3017ORDER Granting In Part 16 Joint Motion to Vacate Discovery Deadlines. The Court will incorporate additional case management scheduling components into the parties' Confidential ENE Statements. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 11/30/2021. (hmw) (Entered: 11/30/2021)
2021-12-1518Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard: Early Neutral Evaluation Conference and Case Management Conference held on 12/15/2021. The case did not settle. However, the Court will continue to assist the parties narrow issues for summary judgment. Written Order to issue. (Plaintiff Attorneys Thomas Rohlfs Burke and Caesar D. Kalinowski). (Defendant Attorney Rebecca Grace Church). (no document attached) (hmw) (Entered: 12/15/2021)
2021-12-1519SCHEDULING ORDER: The Court set deadlines for email exchanges and motions for summary judgment. Status Conference set for 2/16/2022 at 9:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 12/15/2021.(hmw) (Entered: 12/15/2021)
2022-02-1620Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard: Status Conference and Second Early Neutral Evaluation Conference held on 2/16/2022. The Court will continue to assist the parties narrow issues for summary judgment by issuing a Mediator's Proposal with supplemental search terms and considering amending the summary judgment briefing schedule. (Plaintiff Attorneys Thomas Rohlfs Burke, Caesar D. Kalinowski, and Jean Fundakowski). (Defendant Attorneys Douglas Keehn and Rebecca Grace Church). (no document attached) (hmw) (Entered: 02/16/2022)
2022-02-2821FIRST AMENDED SCHEDULING ORDER. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 2/28/2022.(hmw) (Entered: 02/28/2022)
2022-03-3022NOTICE of Withdrawal of Counsel by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense (Church, Rebecca) (tcf). (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-04-0623MOTION for Summary Judgment by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Statement of Facts)(Keehn, Douglas) (tcf). (Entered: 04/06/2022)
2022-04-1924***Document withdrawn per ECF 25 *** Ex Parte MOTION to Vacate 21 Order Setting Briefing Schedule by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Memo of Points and Authorities, # 2 Declaration of Thomas R. Burke, # 3 Exhibit Nos. 1-7 to Declaration of Thomas R. Burke)(Burke, Thomas) (tcf). Modified to withdraw on 4/21/2022 (tcf). (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-2025NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF DOCUMENT by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith re 24 Ex Parte MOTION to Vacate 21 Order Setting Briefing Schedule filed by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith . (Burke, Thomas) (tcf). (Entered: 04/20/2022)
2022-04-2026Joint MOTION to Vacate 21 Order Setting Briefing Schedule / Opposed Joint Motion to Vacate First Amended Scheduling Order by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Memo of Points and Authorities, # 2 Declaration of Thomas R. Burke, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit Nos. 1-7)(Burke, Thomas) (tcf). (Entered: 04/20/2022)
2022-04-2127ORDER Resolving 26 Opposed Joint Motion Regarding Briefing Schedule, and Granting Plaintiffs' Motion to Vacate Scheduling Order. All briefing schedule deadlines, including the 7/11/2022 hearing before Judge Anello, are VACATED. Status Videoconference set for 5/10/2022 at 2:00 PM before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard. Joint email update due 5/6/2022. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 4/21/2022. (hmw) (Entered: 04/21/2022)
2022-05-1028Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard: Status Conference, regarding Defendants' third search, held on 5/10/2022. (ECR: conference recorded on the Court's Videoconference Software. 2:05-2:09). (Plaintiff Attorneys Jean Fundakowski and Thomas Rohlfs Burke). (Defendant Attorneys Douglas Keehn and Leslie Gardner). (no document attached) (hmw) (Entered: 05/10/2022)
2022-05-1029ORDER Setting Status Conference. Status videoconference set for 6/27/2022 at 10:00 AM before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard. Joint email regarding disputes due 6/24/2022 at 1:00 PM (no email required if the parties do not have any disputes). Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 5/10/2022.(hmw) (Entered: 05/10/2022)
2022-06-2730Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard: Status Conference, regarding Defendants' third search, held on 6/27/2022. Based on the representations of counsel, the Court will issue an updated scheduling order. (Plaintiff Attorney Jean Fundakowski). (Defendant Attorneys Douglas Keehn and Leslie Gardner). (no document attached) (hmw) (Entered: 06/27/2022)
2022-06-2731SECOND AMENDED SCHEDULING ORDER. Motion Hearing tentatively set for 11/29/2022 at 2:30 PM in Courtroom 3C before Judge Michael M. Anello. Upon completion of the briefing, Judge Anello will issue a Minute Order either confirming the hearing or vacating the hearing and taking the matters under submission. Signed by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard on 6/27/2022.(hmw) (Entered: 06/27/2022)
2022-09-0132RESPONSE in Opposition re 23 MOTION for Summary Judgment Plaintiffs Omnibus Opposition to Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment filed by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Jean M. Fundakowski, # 2 Exhibit 1 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 3 Exhibit 2 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 4 Exhibit 3 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 5 Exhibit 4 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 6 Exhibit 5 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 7 Exhibit 6 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 8 Exhibit 7 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 9 Exhibit 8 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 10 Exhibit 9 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 11 Exhibit 10 to Fundakowski Declaration, # 12 Declaration of Graham Smith, # 13 Exhibit 1 to Smith Declaration, # 14 Exhibit 2 to Smith Declaration, # 15 Exhibit 3 to Smith Declaration, # 16 Exhibit 4 to Smith Declaration, # 17 Exhibit 5 to Smith Declaration, # 18 Exhibit 6 to Smith Declaration, # 19 Declaration of Thomas Wagoner, # 20 Exhibit 1 to Wagoner Declaration, # 21 Exhibit 2 to Wagoner Declaration, # 22 Exhibit 3 to Wagoner Declaration, # 23 Exhibit 4 to Wagoner Declaration, # 24 Statement of Uncontroverted Facts and Conclusions of Law, # 25 Statement of Genuine Issues of Material Fact, # 26 Proposed Order)(Burke, Thomas) QC mailer sent re: proposed order attached (tcf). (Entered: 09/01/2022)
2022-10-0333REPLY to Response to Motion re 23 MOTION for Summary Judgment and OPPOSITION to 32 Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment filed by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense. (Attachments: # 1 US Reply Att 1 - Stipulation (Apr. 6, 2022), # 2 US Reply Att 2 - Stipulation (May 16, 2022), # 3 US Reply Att 3 - Correspondence (Feb. 11, 2022))(Keehn, Douglas) (tcf). (Entered: 10/03/2022)
2022-10-1734REPLY - Other re 32 Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith. (Burke, Thomas) (tcf). (Entered: 10/17/2022)
2022-10-2035Minute Order Vacating and Resetting Hearing Date : The Court VACATES the previously scheduled November 29, 2022 hearing date on the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment. The Court RESETS the hearing to December 12, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom 3C . IT IS SO ORDERED by Judge Michael M. Anello on October 20, 2022. (lkg) (Entered: 10/20/2022)
2022-11-2836NOTICE of Change of Address by Thomas Rohlfs Burke (Burke, Thomas) (tcf). (Entered: 11/28/2022)
2022-11-2837NOTICE of Appearance by Jean M. Fundakowski on behalf of National Public Radio, Inc., Graham Smith (Fundakowski, Jean)Attorney Jean M. Fundakowski added to party National Public Radio, Inc. (pty:pla), Attorney Jean M. Fundakowski added to party Graham Smith(pty:pla) (tcf). (Entered: 11/28/2022)
2022-12-0538Notice and Order Providing Tentative Ruling re Cross Motions for Summary Judgment. 23 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Department of Defense. Signed by Judge Michael M. Anello on 12/5/2022.(ave) (Entered: 12/05/2022)
2022-12-1239Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael M. Anello: Motion Hearing re 23 Motion for Summary Judgment held on 12/12/2022. Matter taken under submission. Court to issue order. (Court Reporter Juliet Eichenlaub). (Plaintiff Attorney Jean M. Fundakowski and Thomas Rohlfs Burke). (Defense Attorney Douglas Keehn). (no document attached) (pdc) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2022-12-1940ORDER Affirming Tentative Rulings Re: Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment and Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment - granting 23 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Michael M. Anello on 12/19/2022. (ave) (Entered: 12/19/2022)
2022-12-1941CLERK'S JUDGMENT. IT IS SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED - The Court Grants Defendants' motion for summary judgment and Denies Plaintiffs' cross-motion for summary judgment. In addition, Plaintiffs' request for attorney's fees and costs is Denied, as they are not the prevailing party.(ave) (Entered: 12/19/2022)
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