Case Detail

FOIA Project Annotation: A federal court in Illinois has ruled that the FBI conducted an adequate search for records requested by James Skrzypek. Skrzypek requested records bearing the signature of John Burke that were signed at Skrzypek's house in July 1997. The agency disclosed one redacted page. Skrzypek then resubmitted his request with Burke's privacy waiver. After Skrzypek filed suit, the agency found a file under his name and released 338 pages in whole or in part. Unsatisfied, Skrzypek asked the agency to continue its search. It did a further hand search of the remainder of Skrzypek's file but found no more records pertaining to Burke's signature. Although Skrzypek challenged the agency's search, the court concluded the agency's search was adequate. The court noted that "the record specifically describes the manner of search conducted including the indices and search terms used. . .When Skrzypek requested additional searches, the FBI searched the related file and sub-file. This Court believes, and Skrzypek presents no evidence to refute, that the search undertaken by the FBI was reasonably calculated to uncover all relevant documents."
Issues: Adequacy - Search

Date Filed	Doc #	Docket Text
2013-12-17	1	RECEIVED Complaint and 3 copies by James R. Skrzypek (Exhibits). (jmp, ) (Entered: 12/18/2013)
2013-12-17	2	CIVIL Cover Sheet. (jmp, ) (Entered: 12/18/2013)
2013-12-17	3	MOTION by Plaintiff James R. Skrzypek for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (jmp, ) (Entered: 12/18/2013)
2013-12-17	4	PRO SE Appearance by Plaintiff James R. Skrzypek. (jmp, ) (Entered: 12/18/2013)
2014-03-17	5	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Status hearing set for 4/7/2014 at 09:15 AM. on plaintiff's motion for leave to appear in forma pauperis 3 .Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 03/17/2014)
2014-04-07	6	ORDER: Status hearing held. Plaintiff's application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis 3 is granted. The U.S. Marshal is directed to serve summons. Plaintiff shall complete a USM-285 form for each defendant being served, if he has not done so. Status hearing set for 6/9/2014 at 09:00 AM. Signed by the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 4/7/2014: Mailed notice (jmp, ) (Entered: 04/09/2014)
2014-04-07	7	COMPLAINT filed by James R. Skrzypek; Jury Demand (Exhibits). (jmp, ) (Entered: 04/09/2014)
2014-04-09		SUMMONS Issued to the U.S. Marshal's Office for service as to Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation via email. (jmp, ) (Entered: 04/23/2014)
2014-05-30	8	DESIGNATION of Sarah J. North as U.S. Attorney for Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation (North, Sarah) (Entered: 05/30/2014)
2014-05-30	9	SUMMONS Returned Executed by James R. Skrzypek as to AUSA, United States Attorney's Office served on 5/21/2014, answer due 7/21/2014; Gary S. Shapiro Acting United States Attorney, answer due 5/21/14, answer due 7/21/14. (Attachments: # 1 Gary S. Shapiro Acting United States Attorney)(ea, ) (Entered: 06/05/2014)
2014-06-09	10	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Status hearing held on 6/9/2014. Plaintiff did not appear. Contrary to the date given in open court, status hearing set for 7/21/2014 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 06/09/2014)
2014-07-07	11	AFFIDAVIT of Service regarding civil served on Eric Holder on 6/20/2014 by the U.S. Marshal's Service. (jh, ) (Entered: 07/09/2014)
2014-07-11	12	MOTION by Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation for extension of time to respond to Complaint (Agreed Motion) (North, Sarah) (Entered: 07/11/2014)
2014-07-11	13	NOTICE of Motion by Sarah J. North for presentment of extension of time 12 before Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 7/17/2014 at 08:45 AM. (North, Sarah) (Entered: 07/11/2014)
2014-07-16	14	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Defendant's agreed motion for extension of time to 9/19/2014 to file responsive pleading to the complaint 12 is granted. No appearance required on 7/17/2014. Status hearing set for 7/21/2014 is stricken and reset to 9/29/2014 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 07/16/2014)
2014-09-17	15	MOTION by Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation for extension of time to respond to complaint (Agreed Motion) (North, Sarah) (Entered: 09/17/2014)
2014-09-17	16	AGREED NOTICE of Motion by Sarah J. North for presentment of extension of time 15 before Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 9/25/2014 at 08:45 AM. (North, Sarah) Modified on 9/17/2014 (ea, ). (Entered: 09/17/2014)
2014-09-23	17	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Defendant's agreed motion for extension of time to 11/18/2014 to file responsive pleading to the complaint 15 is granted. No appearance required on 9/24/2014. Status hearing set for 9/29/2014 is stricken and reset to 11/21/2014 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 09/23/2014)
2014-11-18	18	MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM or, in the alternative, for summary judgment (North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-18	19	NOTICE of Motion by Sarah J. North for presentment of Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim 18 before Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 11/21/2014 at 09:00 AM. (North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-18	20	MEMORANDUM by Federal Bureau of Investigation in support of Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim 18 or, in the alternative, for Summary Judgment (North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-18	21	AFFIDAVIT by Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation in Support of MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM or, in the alternative, for summary judgment 18 Declaration of David M. Hardy (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibits A - S)(North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-18	22	RULE 56 (a) Statement by Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim 18 or, in the alternative, for Summary Judgment (North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-18	23	Notice to Pro Se Litigant Opposing Motion for Summary Judgment by Federal Bureau of Investigation (North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-18	24	CERTIFICATE of Service by Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding affidavit in support of motion, 21 (North, Sarah) (Entered: 11/18/2014)
2014-11-21	25	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Status hearing held on 11/21/2014. On defendant's Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim 18 , plaintiff to file a response by 1/22/2015. Defendant's reply due by 2/12/2015. Once fully briefed, the matter is taken under advisement.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 11/21/2014)
2014-12-16	26	MOTION by Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation to set a briefing schedule AGREED MOTION (North, Sarah) (Entered: 12/16/2014)
2014-12-16	27	NOTICE of Motion by Sarah J. North for presentment of motion by filer to set a briefing schedule 26 before Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 12/30/2014 at 08:45 AM. (North, Sarah) (Entered: 12/16/2014)
2014-12-17	28	NOTICE of Motion by Sarah J. North for presentment of motion by filer to set a briefing schedule 26 before Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 1/7/2015 at 08:45 AM. (North, Sarah) (Entered: 12/17/2014)
2014-12-22	29	RESPONSE by Plaintiff James R. Skrzypek to the United States' amended agreed motion 26 (Exhibit) (jl, ) (Entered: 12/24/2014)
2014-12-29	30	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: The United States' Agreed Motion to Vacate the Briefing on its Motion to Dismiss and Set a Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule 26 is granted. Defendant's Motion to Dismiss 18 is now moot. Defendant to file a motion for summary judgment and supporting memorandum by 1/30/2015, Plaintiff's response is due 3/30/2015, and Defendant's reply is due 4/20/2015. No appearance is necessary on 1/7/2015 at 8:45 a.m.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 12/29/2014)
2015-01-30	31	MOTION by Defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation for summary judgment (North, Sarah) (Entered: 01/30/2015)
2015-01-30	32	MEMORANDUM by Federal Bureau of Investigation in support of motion for summary judgment 31 (North, Sarah) (Entered: 01/30/2015)
2015-01-30	33	RULE 56 (a) Statement by Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding motion for summary judgment 31 (North, Sarah) (Entered: 01/30/2015)
2015-01-30	34	DECLARATION of David M. Hardy regarding Rule 56 statement 33 , motion for summary judgment 31 Second Hardy Declaration (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - U)(North, Sarah) (Entered: 01/30/2015)
2015-02-27	35	MOTION by Plaintiff James R. Skrzypek for voluntary dismissal without prejudice (Exhibits). (rm, ) (Entered: 03/03/2015)
2015-03-05	36	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Status hearing set for 4/13/2015 at 09:00 AM.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 03/05/2015)
2015-04-13	37	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Status hearing held on 4/13/2015. Plaintiff's motion to voluntarily dismiss without prejudice 35 is denied. Plaintiff's oral motion to extend the briefing schedule is granted. On defendant's motion for summary judgment 31 , Plaintiff's response shall be filed by 6/12/2015. Defendant's reply due by 7/6/2015. Once fully briefed the motion is taken under advisement. Oral argument may be set thereafter.Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 04/13/2015)
2015-07-23	38	MINUTE entry before the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman: Based on the foregoing, defendant FBI's motion for summary judgment 31 is granted. Enter Memorandum Opinion and Order. Civil case terminated. Mailed notice (rth, ) (Entered: 07/23/2015)
2015-07-23	39	MEMORANDUM Opinion and Order Signed by the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman on 7/23/2015:Mailed notice(rth, ) (Entered: 07/23/2015)
2015-07-23	40	ENTERED JUDGMENT Signed on 7/23/2015:Mailed notice(rth, ) (Entered: 07/23/2015)
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