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Case TitleASHLEY v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv02923
Date Filed2021-11-05
Date Closed2023-12-14
JudgeJudge Reggie B. Walton
PlaintiffJONATHAN ASHLEY
Case DescriptionJonathan Ashley, a law librarian at the University of Virginia Law School, submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Justice for records concerning DOJ's list of deferred and non-prosecution agreements that were mentioned in a 209 GAO report. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. Ashley also submitted a FOIA request to the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys for records concerning five non-prosecution agreements. The agency acknowledged of the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Ashley filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Public Interest Fee Waiver, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-11-051COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8848310) filed by JONATHAN ASHLEY. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons Agency Summons, # 7 Summons AG Summons, # 8 Summons USAO Summons)(Rottman, Gabriel) (Entered: 11/05/2021)
2021-11-08Case Assigned to Judge Reggie B. Walton. (znmg) (Entered: 11/08/2021)
2021-11-082SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmg) (Entered: 11/08/2021)
2021-11-173NOTICE of Appearance by Wendy Liu on behalf of JONATHAN ASHLEY (Liu, Wendy) (Entered: 11/17/2021)
2021-11-224RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 11/12/2021 (Rottman, Gabriel) (Main Document 4 replaced on 11/24/2021) (ztth). (Entered: 11/22/2021)
2021-11-225RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/12/2021. (Rottman, Gabriel) (Main Document 5 replaced on 11/24/2021) (ztth). (Entered: 11/22/2021)
2021-11-226RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/12/2021. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/12/2021. (Rottman, Gabriel) (Main Document 6 replaced on 11/24/2021) (ztth). (Entered: 11/22/2021)
2021-12-017GENERAL ORDER FOR CIVIL CASES BEFORE THE HONORABLE REGGIE B. WALTON. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on December 1, 2021. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 12/01/2021)
2021-12-138ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/13/2021)
2021-12-279Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/27/2021)
2021-12-30MINUTE ORDER. The Court requiring additional information regarding the requests in the parties' 9 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on January 13, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on December 30, 2021. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 12/30/2021)
2022-01-03Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 1/13/2022 at 10:00 AM by Telephonic/VTC before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (adh) (Entered: 01/03/2022)
2022-01-0510NOTICE of Appearance by Lin Weeks on behalf of JONATHAN ASHLEY (Weeks, Lin) (Entered: 01/05/2022)
2022-01-13Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 1/13/2022. Defendant's Status Report due by 2/4/2022. (Court Reporter Cathryn Jones.) (adh, ) (Entered: 01/13/2022)
2022-01-1411ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before February 4, 2022, the defendant shall complete its search for records responsive to the plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act requests, absent extenuating circumstances. It is further ORDERED that, on or before February 4, 2022, the parties shall file a joint status report regarding the status of the defendant's searches and productions. In the event that extenuating circumstances prevent the defendant from completing its search on or before February 4, 2022, the defendant shall advise the Court regarding the circumstances and indicate the date by which it can complete its search. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on January 14, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 01/14/2022)
2022-01-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's search for records due by 2/4/2022. Joint Status Report due by 2/4/2022. (adh, ) (Entered: 01/18/2022)
2022-02-0412Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/04/2022)
2022-02-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before February 11, 2022, the defendant shall produce to the plaintiff the records responsive to the plaintiff's Mail Unit Request that it located in the search completed by the Executive Office of United States Attorneys. It is further ORDERED that, on or before April 5, 2022, the defendant shall complete the additional search by the Criminal Division FOIA/PA Unit for the records potentially responsive to part one of the plaintiff's Mail Unit Request. It is further ORDERED that, on or before April 5, 2022, the parties shall submit a joint status report regarding how they wish to proceed in this case. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on February 8, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 02/08/2022)
2022-02-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/5/2022. (adh, ) (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-04-0413Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/04/2022)
2022-04-0414NOTICE of Appearance by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/04/2022)
2022-04-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on April 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on April 8, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 04/08/2022)
2022-04-11Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Status Conference set for 4/25/2022 at 2:00 PM via Telephonic/VTC before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (zcdw) (Entered: 04/11/2022)
2022-04-25Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Hearing held telephonically on 4/25/2022; a further Status Hearing is scheduled for 5/2/2022, at 11:00 AM telephonically before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter Cathryn Jones.) (ztg) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-04-2715ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on May 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). It is further ORDERED that, at the forthcoming status conference, a representative from the defendant's Criminal Division shall be prepared to advise the Court as to (1) why the defendant's proposed timeline for the processing of the records responsive to the plaintiff's remaining request is reasonable, in light of the nature of the responsive records, and (2) the relative priority of the plaintiff's FOIA request in comparison to the other FOIA requests currently being processed by the defendant, in terms of the date of submission of the FOIA request and the date on which litigation commenced regarding the request. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on April 27, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 04/27/2022)
2022-05-02Minute Entry for proceedings held Via Phone before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 5/2/2022. The Court Heard Arguments From The Parties. The Court Will Continue This Matter. Status Conference set for 7/5/2022 at 10:00 AM in Telephonic/VTC before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter CATHRYN JONES.) (mac) (Entered: 05/02/2022)
2022-05-0216ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before July 5, 2022, the defendant shall complete its initial review of the records responsive to part one of the plaintiff's Mail Unit Request. It is further ORDERED that, on July 5, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on May 2, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 05/02/2022)
2022-05-03Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Telephonic Status Conference set for 7/5/2022 at 10:00 AM before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (zcdw) (Entered: 05/03/2022)
2022-07-01MINUTE ORDER. Due to a change in the Court's calendar, it is hereby ORDERED that the status conference currently scheduled for July 5, 2022, is CONTINUED to July 7, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. The parties shall appear before the Court via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on July 1, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 07/01/2022)
2022-07-07Minute Entry for proceedings held Telephonically before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 7/7/2022. Parties Updated The Court In Regards To Production. Further Status Conference set for 11/16/2022 at 10:30 AM in Telephonic/VTC before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter CATHRYN JONES.) (mac) (Entered: 07/07/2022)
2022-07-1117ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before November 9, 2022, the defendant shall complete its production to the plaintiff of the non-exempt portions of all records responsive to the plaintiff's requests. It is further ORDERED that, on November 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on July 11, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 07/11/2022)
2022-07-11Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Status Conference set for 11/16/2022 at 10:30 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (zcdw) (Entered: 07/11/2022)
2022-08-2618NOTICE of Appearance by Michael T. Kirkpatrick on behalf of JONATHAN ASHLEY (Kirkpatrick, Michael) (Entered: 08/26/2022)
2022-10-27MINUTE ORDER. Due to a change in the Court's calendar, it is hereby ORDERED that the status conference currently scheduled for November 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., via teleconference, is CONTINUED to 2:00 p.m. on that same date. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on October 27, 2022. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 10/27/2022)
2022-10-27Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 11/16/2022 at 2:00 PM Via Teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (mac) (Entered: 10/27/2022)
2022-11-1519NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Kartik Narayan Venguswamy on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Substituting for attorney Michael Tilghman, Dedra Curteman (Venguswamy, Kartik) (Entered: 11/15/2022)
2022-11-16Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 11/16/2022. A further Status Conference set for 1/12/2023 at 9:00 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter: Lisa Moreira) (zcdw) (Entered: 11/23/2022)
2023-01-11MINUTE ORDER. Due to a change in the Court's calendar, and in light of the parties' representations to the Court, it is hereby ORDERED that the status conference currently scheduled for January 12, 2023, is CONTINUED to February 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on January 11, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 01/11/2023)
2023-01-11Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 2/2/2023 at 10:30 AM Via Teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (mac) (Entered: 01/11/2023)
2023-02-02Minute Entry for proceedings held Telephonically before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 2/2/2023. Parties Made Representations To The Court About The Current Posture Of This Matter. Further Status Conference set for 3/13/2023 at 11:30 AM Via Teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter ELIZABETH SAINT-LOTH.) (mac) (Entered: 02/02/2023)
2023-02-16MINUTE ORDER. Due to a change in the Court's calendar, it is hereby ORDERED that the status conference currently scheduled for March 13, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., is CONTINUED to 2:30 p.m. on that same date. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on February 16, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 02/16/2023)
2023-02-16Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 3/13/2023 at 2:30 PM Via Teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (mac) (Entered: 02/16/2023)
2023-03-13Minute Entry for telephonic proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 3/13/2023. Joint oral request for a continuance; heard and granted. Status Conference set for 5/18/2023 at 9:00 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter: Stacy Heavenridge) (zalh) (Entered: 03/13/2023)
2023-05-1720Joint MOTION to Continue by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Venguswamy, Kartik) (Entered: 05/17/2023)
2023-05-17MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Motion to Continue Status Conference, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties' 20 Joint Motion to Continue Status Conference is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that, on July 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference via teleconference by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on May 17, 2023. (lcrbw3) (Entered: 05/17/2023)
2023-06-26MINUTE ORDER. Due to a change in the Court's calendar, it is hereby ORDERED that the status conference currently scheduled for July 6, 2023, is CONTINUED to July 25, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. The parties shall appear before the Court via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on June 26, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 06/26/2023)
2023-06-27MINUTE ORDER. Due to a change in the Court's calendar, it is hereby ORDERED that the status conference currently scheduled for July 25, 2023, is RESCHEDULED for July 24, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. The parties shall appear before the Court via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on June 27, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 06/27/2023)
2023-07-24Minute Entry for telephonic proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 7/24/2023. Status Conference set for 8/29/2023 at 9:00 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter: Sherry Lindsay) (zalh) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-07-2421ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on August 29, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on July 24, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-08-29Minute Entry for telephonic proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 8/29/2023. Status Conference set for 9/26/2023 at 9:15 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter: Jeffrey Hook) (zalh) (Entered: 08/29/2023)
2023-08-2922ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on September 26, 2023, at 9:15 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Courts access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on August 29, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 08/29/2023)
2023-09-26Minute Entry for telephonic proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 9/26/2023. Status Conference set for 11/28/2023 at 9:00 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter: Elizabeth Saint-Loth) (zalh) (Entered: 09/26/2023)
2023-09-2623ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on November 28, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on September 26, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 09/26/2023)
2023-11-28Minute Entry for telephonic proceedings held before Judge Reggie B. Walton: Status Conference held on 11/28/2023. Status Conference set for 12/15/2023 at 10:00 AM via teleconference before Judge Reggie B. Walton. (Court Reporter: Sherry Lindsay) (zalh) (Entered: 11/28/2023)
2023-11-2824ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that, on December 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., the parties shall appear before the Court for a status conference, via teleconference, by calling 1-877-873-8017 and entering the Court's access code (8583213) followed by the pound key (#). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on November 28, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 11/28/2023)
2023-12-1225STIPULATION of Dismissal by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Venguswamy, Kartik) (Entered: 12/12/2023)
2023-12-1326ORDER. In accordance with the attached Order, it is hereby ORDERED that the terms and conditions of the parties' 25 Stipulation and Proposed Order are ADOPTED and made an Order of this Court. It is further ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. It is further ORDERED that all pending deadlines and hearings in this case are VACATED. It is further ORDERED that this case is CLOSED. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on December 13, 2023. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 12/13/2023)
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