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Case TitlePROJECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC. v. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv00445
Date Filed2018-02-26
Date Closed2020-07-30
JudgeJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson
PlaintiffPROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC.
Case DescriptionThe Protect Democracy Project submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security for records concerning contacts with White House staff pertaining to changes in agency policies. PDP also submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for communications between the Executive Office of the President and the agency pertaining to Hillary Clinton. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. Several components told PDP that they would not have records. PDP filed an administrative appeal of those responses. After hearing nothing further from the agencies, PDP filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantDEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Documents
Docket
Complaint
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User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2018-02-261COMPLAINT against DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5349175) filed by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit M, # 14 Exhibit N, # 15 Exhibit O, # 16 Exhibit P, # 17 Exhibit Q, # 18 Exhibit R, # 19 Exhibit S, # 20 Exhibit T, # 21 Civil Cover Sheet, # 22 Declaration Certificate Rule LCvR 7.1)(Murphy, Allison) (Attachment 21 replaced on 2/27/2018) (jd) (Entered: 02/26/2018)
2018-02-262REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to Defendant DOJ, et al. re 1 Complaint,, filed by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. Related document: 1 Complaint,, filed by The Protect Democracy Project, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Summons to Defendant DHS, # 2 Summons to Attorney General, # 3 Summons to U.S. Attorney for D.C.)(Murphy, Allison) (Entered: 02/26/2018)
2018-02-263LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC. (jd) (Entered: 02/27/2018)
2018-02-26Case Assigned to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. (jd) (Entered: 02/27/2018)
2018-02-274SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(jd) (Entered: 02/27/2018)
2018-03-095RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY served on 3/6/2018; DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 3/7/2018 (Murphy, Allison) Modified on 3/9/2018 to correct filer information to reflect attorney of record(zrdj). (Entered: 03/09/2018)
2018-03-096RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/7/2018. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/6/2018. (Murphy, Allison) Modified on 3/9/2018 to correct filer information to reflect attorney of record(zrdj). (Entered: 03/09/2018)
2018-03-097RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 3/7/18. (Murphy, Allison) Modified on 3/9/2018 to correct filer information to reflect attorney of record(zrdj). (Entered: 03/09/2018)
2018-04-068NOTICE of Appearance by Vinita B. Andrapalliyal on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 04/06/2018)
2018-04-069ANSWER to Complaint by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 04/06/2018)
2018-04-09MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall promptly confer and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure, on or before 4/23/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 04/09/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 04/09/2018)
2018-04-2310Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 04/23/2018)
2018-04-26MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 6/7/2018, which shall contain a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 04/26/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 04/26/2018)
2018-06-0711Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 06/07/2018)
2018-06-11MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representation in the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 7/30/2018. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 06/11/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 06/11/2018)
2018-07-3012Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 07/30/2018)
2018-07-31MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 9/10/2018, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 7/31/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 07/31/2018)
2018-07-3113NOTICE of Appearance by Justin G. Florence on behalf of PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC. (Florence, Justin) (Entered: 07/31/2018)
2018-07-3114NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC.. Attorney Allison F. Murphy terminated. (Murphy, Allison) (Entered: 07/31/2018)
2018-09-1015Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 09/10/2018)
2018-09-1216GENERAL ORDER AND GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO FOIA CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON. The Court will hold the parties and counsel responsible for following these directives, and parties and counsel should pay particular attention to the Court's instructions for processing and production of records, batching motions, and filing exhibits. Failure to adhere to this Order may, when appropriate, result the imposition of sanctions and/or sua sponte denial of non-conforming motions. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 9/12/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 09/12/2018)
2018-10-2217Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 10/22/2018)
2018-10-23MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 12/6/2018, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 10/23/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 10/23/2018)
2018-12-0618Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 12/06/2018)
2018-12-07MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 2/1/2019, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 12/7/2018. (lckbj1) (Entered: 12/07/2018)
2018-12-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 2/1/2019. (gdf) (Entered: 12/10/2018)
2019-02-0119ENTERED IN ERROR.....Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) Modified on 2/4/2019 (zjf). (Entered: 02/01/2019)
2019-02-04NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: Document No. re 19 Status Report was entered in error and counsel was instructed to refile said pleading with corrected pleading. (jf) (Entered: 02/04/2019)
2019-02-0820VACATED PURSUANT TO COURT'S ORDER DATED 2/8/2019.......PROVISIONAL ORDER DISMISSING case due to settlement. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 2/8/2019. (lckbj1) Modified on 2/10/2019 (zcdw). (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-0821NOTICE of Filing of Corrected Joint Status Report by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE re Notice of Corrected Docket Entry, 19 Status Report (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-08MINUTE ORDER VACATING 20 Provisional Order Dismissing Case due to settlement. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 2/8/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-21MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 4/2/2019, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 2/21/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 02/21/2019)
2019-04-0222Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 04/02/2019)
2019-04-05MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before 6/04/2019, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 4/5/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 04/05/2019)
2019-04-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/4/2019 (tj) (Entered: 04/09/2019)
2019-06-0423Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 06/04/2019)
2019-06-11MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 8/6/2019, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 6/11/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 06/11/2019)
2019-08-0724Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 08/07/2019)
2019-08-0725Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Staus Report (nunc pro tunc) by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 08/07/2019)
2019-08-09MINUTE ORDER granting 25 Motion for Extension of Time to File Status Report, nunc pro tunc. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties' 24 Joint Status Report is accepted as timely. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 8/9/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 08/09/2019)
2019-08-13MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 24 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 10/1/2019, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 8/13/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 08/13/2019)
2019-10-0126Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 10/01/2019)
2019-10-02MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 26 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 12/3/2019, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 10/2/2019. (lckbj1) (Entered: 10/02/2019)
2019-10-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Further Joint Status Report from the parties due by 12/3/2019. (zjch) (Entered: 10/02/2019)
2019-10-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/3/2019 (hs) (Entered: 10/04/2019)
2019-12-0327Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 12/03/2019)
2019-12-04MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 27 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 1/14/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 12/4/2019. (jag) (Entered: 12/04/2019)
2020-01-1428Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 01/14/2020)
2020-01-24MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 28 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 2/11/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 1/24/2020. (jag) (Entered: 01/24/2020)
2020-02-1129Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 02/11/2020)
2020-02-11MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 29 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 3/12/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 2/11/2020. (jag) (Entered: 02/11/2020)
2020-03-1030NOTICE of Appearance by Allison F. Murphy on behalf of PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC. (Murphy, Allison) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
2020-03-1231Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 03/12/2020)
2020-03-18MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 31 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 4/7/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 3/18/2020. (jag) (Entered: 03/18/2020)
2020-04-0732Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 04/07/2020)
2020-04-17MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 32 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 5/7/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 4/17/2020. (jag) (Entered: 04/17/2020)
2020-05-0733Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 05/07/2020)
2020-05-11MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 33 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 6/5/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 5/11/2020. (jag) (Entered: 05/11/2020)
2020-06-0534Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 06/05/2020)
2020-06-25MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 34 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 7/10/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 6/25/2020. (jag) (Entered: 06/25/2020)
2020-07-1035Joint STATUS REPORT by PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC.. (Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 07/10/2020)
2020-07-14MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 35 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 7/21/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 7/14/2020. (jag) (Entered: 07/14/2020)
2020-07-2136Joint STATUS REPORT by PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC.. (Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 07/21/2020)
2020-07-23MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 36 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 7/30/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 7/23/2020. (jag) (Entered: 07/23/2020)
2020-07-3037Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Andrapalliyal, Vinita) (Entered: 07/30/2020)
2020-07-30MINUTE ORDER. Where only attorneys' fees remain at issue in a FOIA case, it is the practice of this Court to close the case administratively while it awaits notice from the parties regarding settlement of the attorneys' fees or a joint proposed schedule for briefing this remaining dispute. Accordingly, in light of the representations in the parties' 37 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that this matter be ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSED. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall file a joint status report on or before 9/3/2020, which shall contain a proposed schedule for briefing the issue of attorneys' fees, if such briefing is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 7/30/2020. (jag) (Entered: 07/30/2020)
2020-09-0338STIPULATION of Dismissal by PROTECT DEMOCRACY PROJECT, INC.. (Berwick, Benjamin) (Entered: 09/03/2020)
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