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Case TitleCAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv01800
Date Filed2018-08-01
Date Closed2021-04-23
JudgeJudge Amit P. Mehta
PlaintiffCAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE
Case DescriptionCause of Action Institute submitted a FOIA request to the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Justice for emails sent by either former FBI director James Comey or former FBI chief of staff James Rybicki from a personal email account pertaining to the conduct of agency business. OIG acknowledged receipt of the request. Cause of Action also submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for the same records. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. Cause of Action also submitted a FOIA request to the Office of Information Policy for emails sent by Sarah Isgur Flores on a non-governmental account responding to news accounts that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had met with Russians during the 2016 Presidential campaign. OIP acknowledged receipt of the request. However, after hearing nothing further from any of the agencies, Cause of Action filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

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
Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2018-08-011COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5613837) filed by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Civil Cover Sheet, # 9 Summons DOJ, # 10 Summons U.S. Att'y Gen., # 11 Summons Civil Process Clerk)(Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 08/01/2018)
2018-08-012Corporate Disclosure Statement by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 08/01/2018)
2018-08-013NOTICE of Appearance by Lee A. Steven on behalf of CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE (Steven, Lee) (Entered: 08/01/2018)
2018-08-02Case Assigned to Judge Amit P. Mehta. (zsb) (Entered: 08/02/2018)
2018-08-024SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsb) (Entered: 08/02/2018)
2018-08-075RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/6/2018. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/5/2018. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-076RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 08/06/2018. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-077RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 8/6/2018 (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-158NOTICE of Appearance by Damon William Taaffe on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 08/15/2018)
2018-09-059ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 09/05/2018)
2018-09-0610ORDER. Both a Complaint and an 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 September 20, 2018. The Joint Status Report shall include (1) the status of Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (2) the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA requests; (3) the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff; (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 09/06/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/06/2018)
2018-09-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/20/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 09/07/2018)
2018-09-2011Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 09/20/2018)
2018-09-20MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report on or before October 22, 2018, and every 30 days thereafter until the completion of production. The status report filed after the completion of production shall advise the court whether the parties intend to litigate this matter further and, if so, propose a briefing schedule for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 09/20/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/20/2018)
2018-09-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/22/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 09/21/2018)
2018-10-2212Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 10/22/2018)
2018-11-2113Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Taaffe, Damon) (Entered: 11/21/2018)
2018-11-21MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 13 November 21, 2018, Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another Joint Status Report, on or before December 21, 2018, that updates the court on their progress. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/21/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 11/21/2018)
2018-11-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/21/2018. (zjd) (Entered: 11/26/2018)
2018-12-2014Joint STATUS REPORT by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 12/20/2018)
2018-12-20MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report no later than February 8, 2019, advising the court whether the production of responsive information is complete and whether summary judgment briefing will be required and, if so, proposing a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/20/2018. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/20/2018)
2018-12-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/8/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 12/21/2018)
2019-02-0815Joint STATUS REPORT by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-08MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report no later than March 8, 2019, advising the court whether the production of responsive information is complete and whether summary judgment briefing will be required and, if so, proposing a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/08/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/8/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-1516NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Christopher Charles Hair on behalf of All Defendants (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 02/15/2019)
2019-02-2717MOTION to Compel Preservation and MOTION to Expedite Consideration by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Ryan P. Mulvey, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Mulvey, Ryan). Added MOTION to Expedite on 2/27/2019 (jf). (Entered: 02/27/2019)
2019-03-0818Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 03/08/2019)
2019-03-12MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by April 10, 2019, which updates the court on Defendants' response to Plaintiff's FOIA requests. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 03/12/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 03/12/2019)
2019-03-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/10/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 03/21/2019)
2019-03-1319Memorandum in opposition to re 17 MOTION to Compel Preservation and Request for Expedited Consideration MOTION to Expedite filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Vanessa R. Brinkmann)(Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 03/13/2019)
2019-03-2020REPLY to opposition to motion re 17 MOTION to Compel Preservation and Request for Expedited Consideration MOTION to Expedite filed by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 03/20/2019)
2019-04-1021Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 04/10/2019)
2019-04-16MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by May 10, 2019, which updates the court on the FBI's production efforts and estimates a date of completion. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 04/16/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 04/16/2019)
2019-04-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/10/2019. (tb) (Entered: 04/16/2019)
2019-04-2522ORDER granting 17 Plaintiff's Motion for Preservation Order. See attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 04/25/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 04/25/2019)
2019-04-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's Status Report due by 5/2/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 04/25/2019)
2019-05-0223NOTICE of Compliance with Court Order (Interim) by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE re 22 Order on Motion to Compel, Order on Motion to Expedite (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 05/02/2019)
2019-05-0924NOTICE of Compliance With Court Order by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE re 22 Order on Motion to Compel, Order on Motion to Expedite (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 05/09/2019)
2019-05-1025Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 05/10/2019)
2019-06-06MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by July 9, 2019, which updates the court on production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 06/06/2019. (lcapm1) Modified to include document type on 6/7/2019 (zjd). (Entered: 06/06/2019)
2019-06-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/9/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 06/07/2019)
2019-07-0926Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 07/09/2019)
2019-07-10MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by August 6, 2019, which updates the court on production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 07/10/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 07/10/2019)
2019-07-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/6/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 07/12/2019)
2019-08-0627Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-08-06MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by October 8, 2019, which updates the court on production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 08/06/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-08-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/8/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-10-0828Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 10/08/2019)
2019-10-3129NOTICE of Change of Address by Lee A. Steven (Steven, Lee) (Entered: 10/31/2019)
2019-11-25MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 6, 2019, which updates the court on production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/25/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 11/25/2019)
2019-11-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/6/2019. (zjd) (Entered: 11/26/2019)
2019-12-0630Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 12/06/2019)
2019-12-09MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by February 4, 2020, which updates the court on production efforts. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/9/2019. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/09/2019)
2019-12-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/4/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 12/09/2019)
2020-02-0431Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-10MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by March 5, 2020, that updates the court on whether any outstanding issues remain with respect to Defendant's production and, if so, proposes a summary judgment briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/10/2020. (lcapm1). (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-02-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/5/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-03-0532Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 03/05/2020)
2020-03-06MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by May 4, 2020, that updates the court on whether any outstanding issues remain with respect to Defendant's production and, if so, proposes a summary judgment briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/6/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-03-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/4/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 03/17/2020)
2020-05-0433Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 05/04/2020)
2020-05-04MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by June 19, 2020, that updates the court on whether any outstanding issues remain with respect to Defendant's production and, if so, proposes a summary judgment briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/4/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 05/04/2020)
2020-05-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/19/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 05/05/2020)
2020-06-1934Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-19MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by August 18, 2020, that updates the court on whether any outstanding issues remain with respect to Defendant's production and, if so, proposes a summary judgment briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 6/19/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/19/2020)
2020-06-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/18/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
2020-08-1835Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 08/18/2020)
2020-08-19MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by September 18, 2020, that updates the court on whether any outstanding issues remain with respect to Defendant's production and, if so, proposes a summary judgment briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 8/19/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/19/2020)
2020-08-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/18/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 08/19/2020)
2020-09-1836Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 09/18/2020)
2020-09-18MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by November 13, 2020, which updates the court on the processing and production of the remaining potentially responsive emails. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 9/18/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 09/18/2020)
2020-09-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/13/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 09/22/2020)
2020-11-1337Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 11/13/2020)
2020-11-14MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 18, 2020, that updates the court on the processing and production of the remaining potentially responsive emails. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/14/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 11/14/2020)
2020-11-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/18/2020. (zjd) (Entered: 11/17/2020)
2020-12-1838Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 12/18/2020)
2020-12-21MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by February 1, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of the remaining potentially responsive emails. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/21/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/21/2020)
2020-12-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/1/2021. (zjd) (Entered: 12/23/2020)
2021-02-0139Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 02/01/2021)
2021-02-02MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by March 18, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of the remaining potentially responsive emails. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/2/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/02/2021)
2021-03-1840Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Hair, Christopher) (Entered: 03/18/2021)
2021-03-18MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall submit an additional Joint Status Report by May 17, 2021, that advises whether any disputes remain and, if so, proposes a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/18/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 03/18/2021)
2021-04-2341STIPULATION of Dismissal by CAUSE OF ACTION INSTITUTE. (Mulvey, Ryan) (Entered: 04/23/2021)
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