Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2015cv02030
Date Filed2015-11-20
Date Closed2018-03-28
JudgeJudge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning cooperation agreements for the years 2014 and 2015 between the agency and voluntary agencies involving the reception and placement of refugees in the U.S. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2015-11-201COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-4323319) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney General, # 4 Summons U.S. Department of State)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 11/20/2015)
2015-11-202LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 11/20/2015)
2015-11-20Case Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. (sth) (Entered: 11/23/2015)
2015-11-233SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons)(sth) (Entered: 11/23/2015)
2015-11-234ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on November 23, 2015. (NS) (Entered: 11/23/2015)
2015-12-085RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/30/2015. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/30/2015.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/30/2015., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 11/30/2015 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 12/08/2015)
2015-12-216NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua M. Kolsky on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 12/21/2015)
2015-12-307ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 12/30/2015)
2016-01-048ORDER requiring parties to meet and confer and file Joint Status Report regarding further proceedings. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 1/4/2016. (lcckk2) (Entered: 01/04/2016)
2016-01-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/29/2016. (dot) (Entered: 01/04/2016)
2016-01-299Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 01/29/2016)
2016-02-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless). In light of the parties' 9 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report no later than MARCH 18, 2016, proposing a schedule for the complete production of all responsive, non-exempt records and, if necessary, an anticipated briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 2/1/2016. (lcckk2) (Entered: 02/01/2016)
2016-02-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/18/2016. (dot) (Entered: 02/03/2016)
2016-03-1810Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 03/18/2016)
2016-03-21MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file Joint Status Reports on the date of each document production by Defendant in this case, beginning on May 2, 2016 and continuing every thirty days until such time as the document production is complete. In addition, the parties shall file a joint status report within thirty days after the completion of Defendant's document production stating whether briefing will be necessary and, if so, proposing a briefing schedule to the Court. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 3/21/2016. (lcckk2) (Entered: 03/21/2016)
2016-03-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/2/2016 and continuing every thirty days until such time as the document production is complete. (dot) (Entered: 03/24/2016)
2016-05-0211Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 05/02/2016)
2016-06-0112Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 06/01/2016)
2016-07-0113Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 07/01/2016)
2016-08-0114Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 08/01/2016)
2016-08-3115Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 08/31/2016)
2016-09-3016Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 09/30/2016)
2016-10-2517NOTICE of Appearance by Paul J. Orfanedes on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 10/25/2016)
2016-10-3118Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 10/31/2016)
2016-11-3019Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 11/30/2016)
2016-12-0920ERRATA by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 18 Status Report filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 12/09/2016)
2016-12-3021Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 12/30/2016)
2017-01-3022Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 01/30/2017)
2017-03-0123Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 03/01/2017)
2017-03-03MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report. Therein, Plaintiff indicates that there are 119 documents remaining to be processed to finalize Defendant's response in this matter. According to the Joint Status Report, Plaintiff requested that Defendant produce the remaining non-exempt records within the next 60 days, but Defendant has declined to agree to that schedule. In light of the parties' representations, the Court ORDERS that a further Joint Status Report shall be filed as scheduled on MARCH 31, 2017. The Joint Status Report shall include an explanation by Defendant as to why it cannot complete the production of the remaining non-exempt records within the next 60 days, and shall provide an estimate as to when the production of non-exempt records will be complete.Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 3/3/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 03/03/2017)
2017-03-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/31/2017. (dot) (Entered: 03/06/2017)
2017-03-3124Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 03/31/2017)
2017-04-03MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 24 Joint Status Report. In light of Defendant's representation that it "will complete its production of reasonably segregable, responsive records by May 31, 2017," the Court ORDERS the parties to file a Joint Status Report by JUNE 14, 2017, updating the Court on the status of the production, and indicating how the parties intend to proceed in this matter. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 4/3/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 04/03/2017)
2017-04-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/14/2017. (dot) (Entered: 04/04/2017)
2017-05-0125Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 05/01/2017)
2017-05-04MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 25 Joint Status Report. In light of Defendant's representation that it has completed the review and production of non-exempt materials, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report by May 22, 2017, stating how they intend to proceed in this matter, and proposing a briefing schedule if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 5/4/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 05/04/2017)
2017-05-2226Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 05/22/2017)
2017-05-23MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 26 Joint Status Report. In light of the parties' representation that additional time may aid the resolution of the remaining issues in this case, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report by JUNE 19, 2017, stating how they intend to proceed in this matter, and proposing a briefing schedule if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 5/23/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 05/23/2017)
2017-05-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/19/2017. (dot) (Entered: 05/25/2017)
2017-06-1927Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 06/19/2017)
2017-06-29MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 27 Joint Status Report. In light of the parties' representation that additional time may aid the resolution of the remaining issues in this case, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report by JULY 19, 2017, stating how they intend to proceed in this matter, and proposing a briefing schedule if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 6/29/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 06/29/2017)
2017-06-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/19/2017. (dot) (Entered: 06/30/2017)
2017-07-1928Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 07/19/2017)
2017-07-27MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 28 Joint Status Report. In light of the parties' representation that additional time may aid the resolution of the remaining issues in this case, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report by AUGUST 18, 2017, stating how they intend to proceed in this matter, and proposing a briefing schedule if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 7/27/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 07/27/2017)
2017-07-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/18/2017. (dot) (Entered: 07/28/2017)
2017-08-1829Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 08/18/2017)
2017-08-28MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 29 Joint Status Report. In light of the parties' representation that additional time may aid the resolution of the remaining issues in this case, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report by OCTOBER 17, 2017, stating how they intend to proceed in this matter, and shall propose a briefing schedule if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 8/28/2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 08/28/2017)
2017-08-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/17/2017. (dot) (Entered: 09/01/2017)
2017-10-1730Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 10/17/2017)
2017-10-2631Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 10/26/2017)
2017-11-06MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 30 and 31 Joint Status Reports. In light of the parties' representation that additional time would further facilitate settlement discussions, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report by NOVEMBER 16, 2017, stating whether the parties have settled, and if not, how they intend to proceed in this matter, including a briefing schedule if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on November 6, 2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 11/06/2017)
2017-11-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/16/2017. (dot) (Entered: 11/07/2017)
2017-11-1632Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 11/16/2017)
2017-12-1833SCHEDULING AND PROCEDURES ORDER. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on December 18, 2017. (lcckk1) (Entered: 12/18/2017)
2017-12-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's Summary Judgment motion due by 1/30/2018. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/1/2018. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/21/2018. Plaintiff's Cross Motion due by 3/1/2018. Response to Cross Motion due by 3/21/2018. Reply to Cross Motion due by 4/20/2018. (dot) (Entered: 12/18/2017)
2018-01-3034MOTION for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration (Stein), # 3 Exhibit 1, # 4 Exhibit 2-17, # 5 Declaration Kekic, # 6 Declaration Wright, # 7 Declaration Alvero, # 8 Declaration Hetfield, # 9 Declaration Hartke, # 10 Declaration Sime, # 11 Declaration Canny, # 12 Declaration Negash, # 13 Declaration Gray)(Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 01/30/2018)
2018-02-2035Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 34 MOTION for Summary Judgment by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 02/20/2018)
2018-02-26MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received Plaintiff's 35 Consent Motion for Extension of Time, with respect to its Opposition to Defendant's 34 Motion for Summary Judgment and Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. With Defendant's consent, and for good cause shown, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's 35 Motion. Plaintiff shall file its Opposition to Defendant's 34 Motion for Summary Judgment and Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment by MARCH 15, 2018 . Defendant shall file its Reply in support of its 34 Motion for Summary Judgment and its Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment by APRIL 4, 2018 . Plaintiff shall file its Reply in support of its Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment by MAY 4, 2018 . No further extensions shall be granted. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on February 26, 2018. (lcckk1) (Entered: 02/26/2018)
2018-02-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Plaintiff's Cross Motion due by 3/15/2018. Response to Cross Motion due by 4/4/2018. Reply to Cross Motion due by 5/4/2018. Plaintiff's Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/15/2018. Defendant's Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 4/4/2018. (dot) (Entered: 02/27/2018)
2018-02-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/15/2018. Response to Cross Motion due by 4/4/2018. Reply to Cross Motionsdue by 5/4/2018. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/15/2018. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 4/4/2018. (gdf) (Entered: 02/27/2018)
2018-03-2736STIPULATION of Dismissal by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 03/27/2018)
2018-03-2837ORDER. This case is DISMISSED. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on March 28, 2018. (lcckk1) (Entered: 03/28/2018)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar