Case Detail

FOIA Project Annotation: Judge Amit Mehta has ruled that the National Security Division at the Department of Justice has not shown that it properly invoked a Glomar response neither confirming nor denying the existence of records in response to a FOIA request from journalist Jason Leopold for records concerning leaks of classified information identified in 152 news articles included in a report from the Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee. The day after the report was released in July 2017, Leopold requested records from various DOJ components related to the identified articles. The National Security Division issued a Glomar response, but four years after Leopold filed suit, NSD's only defense was that Leopold had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. However, NSD then added a Glomar response. NSD argued that it provided Leopold with a final determination letter in August 2017, while Leopold insisted, he never received such a letter. Mehta rejected NSD's contention that Leopold did receive the final determination letter. He noted that "the court has no reason to doubt that DOJ issued a final determination letter; the sole question is whether Leopold received it. And he says he did not." Noting that Leopold's contention that he did not receive the final determination was made under oath, Metha observed that "defendant offers nothing that causes the court to question Leopold's veracity." NSD based its Glomar response on Exemption 1 (national security) and Exemption 7(A) (interference with ongoing investigation or proceeding). Leopold argued that NSD had failed to substantiate what categories of protected information were covered and how disclosure would harm national security. Mehta faulted the agency's explanation of why the records could not be disclosed under Exemption 1, noting that "while [the agency affidavit] cites to one of the Classification Categories, it is not for the responsive records but for 'classified information in NSD records in general." He indicated that the affidavit 'undercuts even that minimal offering by later writing that 'the particular reason a piece of information that was provided to a reporter might haven classified could span the entirety of the reasons information is classified under Executive Order 13526.' This language does speak more directly to the requested records, but it is premised on equivocal language that 'the particular reason. . .could span' the full roster of reasons available under the Executive Order." Mehta then noted that "NSD's evaluation of potential damage requires more than simply saying that disclosure could lead adversaries to obtain 'operational valuable information.' It has not met its burden under Section 1.4(a)(4) of the Executive Order." On Exemption 7(A), Mehta pointed out that "plaintiffs request crimes reports, media lead questionnaires, and correspondence relating to 152 articles on a variety of subject matters spanning the course of 16 years. It is not clear to the court how divulging the existence (and nothing more) of a crimes report, for instance, would tell the public anything about whether there was any classified information in one of 152 articles or that there was an ongoing leak investigation regarding any particular article." Mehta explained that "even with the substantial deference the court must afford in the national security setting, NSD has not persuaded the court that its Glomar response in this case is plausible or logical." Because he was concerned about the national security implications of ordering disclosure now, Mehta sent the Exemption 1 claims back to NSD to supplement its argument.
Issues: Determination - Glomar response

Date Filed	Doc #	Docket Text
2017-12-28	1	COMPLAINT against DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5266649) filed by JASON LEOPOLD, BUZZFEED, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 12/28/2017)
2017-12-28	2	LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by BUZZFEED, INC. (Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 12/28/2017)
2017-12-28		Case Assigned to Judge Amit P. Mehta. (zsb) (Entered: 12/28/2017)
2017-12-28	3	SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsb) (Entered: 12/28/2017)
2018-02-07	4	NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua M. Kolsky on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 02/07/2018)
2018-02-07	5	ANSWER to 1 Complaint by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 02/07/2018)
2018-02-08		MINUTE ORDER. Both a Complaint and Answer are now before the court in this FOIA case. It is hereby ordered that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before February 22, 2018. The Joint Status Report shall include (1) the status of Plaintiffs' FOIA requests; (2) the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiffs' FOIA requests; (3) the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiffs; (4) whether a motion for stay is likely under Open America v. Watergate Special Prosecution Force, 547 F.2d 605 (D.C. Cir. 1976); and (5) whether the parties anticipate summary judgment briefing and, if so, a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/08/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/08/2018)
2018-02-08		Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 2/22/2018. (zcdw) (Entered: 02/12/2018)
2018-02-22	6	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 02/22/2018)
2018-02-23		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 6 February 22, 2018, Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before April 26, 2018, that updates the court on the status of production and, if necessary, proposes a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/23/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/23/2018)
2018-02-23		Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 4/26/2018. (zcdw) (Entered: 02/26/2018)
2018-04-26	7	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 04/26/2018)
2018-04-27		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 7 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before May 17, 2018, indicating whether summary judgment briefing will be necessary and, if so, proposing a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 04/27/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 04/27/2018)
2018-05-17	8	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 05/17/2018)
2018-05-21		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 8 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before June 14, 2018, that updates the court on the status of the additional searches and, if necessary, proposes a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 05/21/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 05/21/2018)
2018-05-21		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/14/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 05/24/2018)
2018-06-14	9	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 06/14/2018)
2018-06-15		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 9 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before July 16, 2018, that updates the court on their progress and, if necessary, proposes a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 06/15/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/15/2018)
2018-06-15		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/16/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 06/18/2018)
2018-07-16	10	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 07/16/2018)
2018-07-17		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before August 13, 2018, that updates the court on their progress and, if necessary, proposes a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 07/17/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 07/17/2018)
2018-07-17		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/13/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 07/18/2018)
2018-07-17		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/13/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 07/18/2018)
2018-08-13	11	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 08/13/2018)
2018-08-14		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before September 12, 2018, that proposes a production schedule or, if necessary, a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 08/14/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/14/2018)
2018-08-14		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/12/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 08/15/2018)
2018-09-12	12	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 09/12/2018)
2018-09-13		MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiffs' 12 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report nunc pro tunc to September 12, 2018. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 09/13/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/13/2018)
2018-09-13	13	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 09/13/2018)
2018-09-14		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before November 16, 2018, that updates the court on their progress and, if necessary, proposes a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 09/14/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/14/2018)
2018-09-14		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/16/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 09/17/2018)
2018-11-16	14	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Kolsky, Joshua) (Entered: 11/16/2018)
2018-11-19		MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 14 November 16, 2018, Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before January 15, 2019, that updates the court on the search progress. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/19/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 11/19/2018)
2018-11-19		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/15/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 11/21/2018)
2018-12-26	15	NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Paul Cirino on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Substituting for attorney Joshua M. Kolsky (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 12/26/2018)
2019-01-23	16	Consent MOTION to Stay in Light of Lapse in Appropriations by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 01/23/2019)
2019-01-25		MINUTE ORDER denying 16 Defendant's Consent Motion to Stay Proceedings as soon-to-be moot. The parties shall file a Joint Status Report no later than February 5, 2019, updating the court on Defendant's search and processing of responsive information. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 01/25/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 01/25/2019)
2019-01-25		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/5/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 01/29/2019)
2019-02-05	17	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
2019-02-06		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file their next Joint Status Report by April 5, 2019, updating the court on search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/06/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/06/2019)
2019-02-06		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/5/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 02/06/2019)
2019-04-04	18	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-06-04	19	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 06/04/2019)
2019-06-05		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file their next Joint Status Report by August 1, 2019, updating the court on search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 06/05/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/05/2019)
2019-06-05		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/1/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 06/06/2019)
2019-08-01	20	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 08/01/2019)
2019-08-02		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file their next Joint Status Report by September 30, 2019, updating the court on search and production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 08/02/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/02/2019)
2019-08-02		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/30/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 08/02/2019)
2019-09-30	21	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 09/30/2019)
2019-10-01		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file their next Joint Status Report by November 29, 2019, proposing a schedule for further proceedings in this matter. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/01/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/01/2019)
2019-10-01		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/29/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 10/01/2019)
2019-11-27	22	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 11/27/2019)
2019-11-27		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by January 28, 2020, which updates the court on search and production efforts and proposes a briefing schedule, if appropriate, on the Glomar response. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/27/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 11/27/2019)
2019-11-27		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/28/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 12/03/2019)
2020-01-28	23	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 01/28/2020)
2020-01-29		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by March 30, 2020, which updates the court on search and production efforts and proposes a briefing schedule, if appropriate, on the Glomar response. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 1/29/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 01/29/2020)
2020-01-29		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/30/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 01/29/2020)
2020-03-30	24	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 03/30/2020)
2020-03-31		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall submit an additional Joint Status Report by May 29, 2020, and every 60 days thereafter, which updates the court on the search and processing of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/31/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 03/31/2020)
2020-03-31		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/29/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 03/31/2020)
2020-05-29	25	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 05/29/2020)
2020-07-23	26	NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Kathleene A. Molen on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Substituting for attorney Paul Cirino (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 07/23/2020)
2020-07-28	27	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 07/28/2020)
2020-09-25	28	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 09/25/2020)
2020-11-24	29	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 11/24/2020)
2021-01-25	30	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 01/25/2021)
2021-03-24	31	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-05-24	32	Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 05/24/2021)
2021-05-25		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by June 7, 2021, that advises whether any disputes remain and, if so, proposes a schedule for further proceedings in this matter. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/25/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-06-07	33	PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 06/07/2021)
2021-06-08	34	ORDER entering the briefing schedule proposed in the parties' 33 Proposed Briefing Schedule. The schedule for further proceedings in this matter is as follows: (1) Defendant's motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before August 27, 2021; (2) Plaintiffs' combined opposition to Defendant's motion for summary judgment and cross-motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before September 27, 2021; (3) Defendant's combined reply and opposition to Plaintiffs' cross-motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before October 27, 2021; and (4) Plaintiffs' reply shall be filed on or before November 26, 2021. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 6/7/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/08/2021)
2021-08-18	35	Consent MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 08/18/2021)
2021-08-19	36	ORDER granting Defendant's 35 Consent Motion to Modify the Briefing Schedule. Defendant shall file its Motion for Summary Judgment on or before September 17, 2021. Plaintiffs shall file their combined Opposition and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment on or before October 18, 2021. Defendant shall file its combined Opposition and Reply on or before November 17, 2021. Plaintiffs shall file their Reply on or before December 20, 2021. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 8/19/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/19/2021)
2021-09-17	37	Consent MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 09/17/2021)
2021-09-20	38	ORDER granting Defendant's 37 Consent Motion to Modify the Briefing Schedule. Defendant shall file its Motion for Summary Judgment on or before September 21, 2021. Plaintiffs shall file their combined Opposition and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment on or before October 22, 2021. Defendant shall file its combined Opposition and Reply on or before November 17, 2021. Plaintiffs shall file their Reply on or before December 20, 2021. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 9/20/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/20/2021)
2021-09-21	39	MOTION for Summary Judgment by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Memorandum in Support, # 3 Declaration Vanessa R. Brinkmann, # 4 Exhibit OIP Exhibits A-K, # 5 Declaration Michael G. Seidel, # 6 Declaration Kevin G. Tiernan, # 7 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 09/21/2021)
2021-09-27	40	MOTION for Order Directing Defendant to Amend Its Motion for Summary Judgment by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 09/27/2021)
2021-10-08	41	Memorandum in opposition to re 40 MOTION for Order Directing Defendant to Amend Its Motion for Summary Judgment filed by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 10/08/2021)
2021-10-19		MINUTE ORDER granting 40 Plaintiff's Motion for an Order Directing Defendant to Amend its Motion for Summary Judgment [hereinafter Pl.s Mot.]. Defendant filed its motion for summary judgment on September 21, 2021. See 39 Def.'s Mem. of P&A in Support of Def.'s Mot. for Summ. J., [hereinafter Def.'s Mot.]. With respect to sub-component National Security Division (NSD), Defendant's motion raised only one affirmative defense: failure to exhaust administrative remedies. See id. at 24-26. NSD, however, asserted other defenses during the administrative proceedings, including a Glomar response for one request and directing the requester to other agencies as to others. See 39 Decl. of Kevin G. Tiernan ISO Def.'s Mot. Plaintiff now asks the court to compel Defendant to assert these additional defenses in summary judgment to avoid piecemeal litigation. Pl.'s Mot. at 4. The court agrees that this is the better course. To be sure, the failure-to-exhaust, if established, is bar to judicial review. Hidalgo v. FBI, 344 F.3d 1256, 1259 (D.C. Cir. 2003). But it is a prudential consideration rather than a jurisdictional prerequisite, and so the court actually can decide a FOIA case on the merits without reaching the question of exhaustion. Wilbur v. CIA, 355 F.3d 675, 677 (D.C. Cir. 2004). Here, the court is disinclined to allow a second round of summary judgment if it rejects Defendant's exhaustion defense. Such an approach would be inefficient, as it would deny the court full consideration of all affirmative defenses at once. It also would delay disclosure of records if the court were to side with Plaintiff. Defendant cites no authority in support of its favored piecemeal approach. Accordingly, Defendant shall supplement its motion for summary judgment to assert additional defenses with respect to NSD by November 3, 2021. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/19/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-10-22	42	Consent MOTION to Stay Summary Judgment Briefing by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 10/22/2021)
2021-10-22	43	ORDER granting 42 Motion to Stay Summary Judgment Briefing. All current briefing deadlines are vacated, briefing is stayed, and the parties shall file a proposed new briefing schedule on or before October 29, 2021. Please see attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/22/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/22/2021)
2021-10-29	44	PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2021-10-29	45	ORDER entering the briefing schedule proposed in the parties' 44 Proposed Briefing Schedule. The schedule for further proceedings in this matter is as follows: (1) NSD's supplemental motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before January 7, 2022; (2) Plaintiffs combined opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before February 7, 2022; (3) Defendant's combined reply and opposition to Plaintiff's cross-motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before March 9, 2022; and (4) Plaintiff's reply shall be filed on or before April 8, 2022. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/29/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2021-11-04	46	NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Stephen DeGenaro on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Substituting for attorney Kathleene Molen (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 11/04/2021)
2022-01-07	47	Supplemental MOTION for Summary Judgment by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Supplemental Statement of Facts, # 2 Memorandum in Support, # 3 Declaration of Kevin G. Tiernan, # 4 Declaration of Patrick N. Findlay, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 01/07/2022)
2022-02-07	48	Memorandum in opposition to re 47 Supplemental MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-2, # 2 Declaration Jason Leopold, # 3 Statement of Facts, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 02/07/2022)
2022-02-07	49	Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-2, # 2 Declaration Jason Leopold, # 3 Statement of Facts, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 02/07/2022)
2022-03-09	50	Memorandum in opposition to re 49 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Defendant's Response to Plaintiffs' Statement of Facts)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 03/09/2022)
2022-03-09	51	REPLY to opposition to motion re 47 Supplemental MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 03/09/2022)
2022-04-08	52	REPLY to opposition to motion re 49 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 04/08/2022)
2022-09-30	53	MEMORANDUM OPINION. For the reasons stated in the court's Memorandum Opinion, Defendant's 47 Supplemental Motion for Summary Judgment and Plaintiffs' 49 Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment are both denied without prejudice. The parties shall submit a Joint Status Report by October 14, 2022, which proposes a schedule for further proceedings. See the attached Memorandum Opinion for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 9/30/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/30/2022)
2022-10-14	54	Joint STATUS REPORT by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (Venguswamy, Kartik) (Entered: 10/14/2022)
2022-10-16		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 19, 2022, which advises the court on the following: (1) Defendant's decision as to a renewed Glomar response for Subparts 1, 3, and 4; (2) the processing and production of records in response to Subpart 5, and; (3) any other matters the parties may wish to bring to the court's attention. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/16/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/16/2022)
2022-12-19	55	Joint STATUS REPORT by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 12/19/2022)
2022-12-19		MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by February 16, 2023, which updates the court as to (1) Defendant's decision to renew a Glomar response for Subparts 1, 3, and 4 and (2) whether any disputes remain as to Subpart 5. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/19/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/19/2022)
2023-02-16	56	Joint STATUS REPORT by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 02/16/2023)
2023-02-20		MINUTE ORDER. The following schedule shall govern further proceedings in this matter: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before April 24, 2023; Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before May 24, 2023; Defendant's Reply in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before June 23, 2023; Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before July 24, 2023. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/20/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/20/2023)
2023-04-21	57	NOTICE of Appearance by Derek S. Hammond on behalf of All Defendants (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 04/21/2023)
2023-04-21	58	Consent MOTION to Modify the Briefing Schedule by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 04/21/2023)
2023-04-21	59	ENTERED IN ERROR.....Joint STATUS REPORT by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (Hammond, Derek) Modified on 4/21/2023 (zed). (Entered: 04/21/2023)
2023-04-21		NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 59 Status Report. The following error(s) need correction: Incorrect court header/case caption/case number. Please refile. (zed) (Entered: 04/21/2023)
2023-04-21		MINUTE ORDER granting 58 Consent Motion to Modify the Briefing Schedule. Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before June 23, 2023; Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before July 24, 2023; Defendant's Reply in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before August 22, 2023; Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before September 22, 2023. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 04/21/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 04/21/2023)
2023-06-16	60	Unopposed MOTION to Modify the Briefing Schedule by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 06/16/2023)
2023-06-16		MINUTE ORDER granting 60 Motion to Modify. The following schedule shall govern further proceedings in this matter: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before July 7, 2023; Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before August 7, 2023; Defendant's Reply in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before September 5, 2023; Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be due on or before October 6, 2023. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 06/16/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/16/2023)
2023-07-07	61	MOTION for Summary Judgment by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Memorandum in Support, # 3 Declaration of Kevin G. Tiernan, # 4 Declaration of Patrick N. Findlay, # 5 Second Declaration of Kevin G. Tiernan, # 6 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 07/07/2023)
2023-07-07	62	NOTICE of Lodging of Classified Declaration by US DEPT OF JUSTICE (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 07/07/2023)
2023-08-08	63	NOTICE by BUZZFEED, INC., JASON LEOPOLD re 61 Motion for Summary Judgment, (Light, Jeffrey) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
2023-09-05	64	REPLY to opposition to motion re 61 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by US DEPT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 09/05/2023)
2024-03-25	65	MEMORANDUM OPINION re: 61 Defendant's Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment. Please see the attached Memorandum Opinion for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/25/24. (lcapm2) (Entered: 03/25/2024)
2024-03-25	66	ORDER: For the reasons stated in the 65 Memorandum Opinion, the court grants Defendant's Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 61, insofar as it defends its Glomar response. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/25/24. (lcapm2) (Entered: 03/25/2024)
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