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Case TitleEDDINGTON v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv02794
Date Filed2019-09-18
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Rudolph Contreras
PlaintiffPATRICK EDDINGTON
Case DescriptionPatrick Eddington, a researcher at the Cato Institute, submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning Amir Mohamed Meshal, a U.S. citizen who had been held by both Kenya and Ethiopia. Eddington also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and denied Eddington's request for expedited processing. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Eddington filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text
2019-09-181COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-6383977) filed by PATRICK EDDINGTON. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet, # 7 Summons)(Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 09/18/2019)
2019-09-182NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Hart Burday on behalf of PATRICK EDDINGTON (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 09/18/2019)
2019-09-20Case Assigned to Judge Rudolph Contreras. (zeg) (Entered: 09/20/2019)
2019-09-203SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zeg) (Entered: 09/20/2019)
2019-10-034NOTICE of Appearance by Paul Cirino on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 10/03/2019)
2019-10-075RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 9/27/2019 (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 10/07/2019)
2019-10-076RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 9/26/2019. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 10/07/2019)
2019-10-077RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 9/26/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 10/26/2019. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 10/07/2019)
2019-10-288ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 10/28/2019)
2019-10-29MINUTE ORDER directing the parties to meet, confer, and jointly submit a proposed briefing schedule by November 12, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on October 29, 2019. (lcrc3) (Entered: 10/29/2019)
2019-11-129Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 11/12/2019)
2019-11-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 9 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by January 15, 2020, and every 45 days thereafter, to update the Court about the status of Defendant's response to Plaintiff's FOIA request. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on November 13, 2019. (lcrc3) (Entered: 11/13/2019)
2019-11-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 1/15/2020 (tj) (Entered: 11/14/2019)
2020-01-1510Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 01/15/2020)
2020-01-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 10 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a further joint status report by March 19, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on January 15, 2020. (lcrc3) (Entered: 01/15/2020)
2020-01-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 3/19/2020. (tj) (Entered: 01/16/2020)
2020-03-1911Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 03/19/2020)
2020-03-19MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 11 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit a further joint status report by June 17, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on March 19, 2020. (lcrc3) (Entered: 03/19/2020)
2020-03-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/17/2020 (tj) (Entered: 03/20/2020)
2020-04-0112Consent MOTION to Stay Proceedings by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Eric F. Stein, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 04/01/2020)
2020-04-01MINUTE ORDER granting 12 Defendant's consent motion to stay proceedings. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendant's obligation to process and produce documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request is STAYED. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by May 1, 2020, and every 30 days thereafter, until the stay is lifted. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on April 1, 2020. (lcrc3) (Entered: 04/01/2020)
2020-04-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 5/1/2020 (zj) (Entered: 04/02/2020)
2020-05-0113Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 05/01/2020)
2020-06-0114Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 06/01/2020)
2020-07-0115Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 07/01/2020)
2020-07-01MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 15 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the stay on Defendant's obligation to process and produce documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request is LIFTED. It is FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant's next production date shall be August 7, 2020. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before August 14, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 07/01/2020. (lcrc3) (Entered: 07/01/2020)
2020-07-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/14/2020. (tj) (Entered: 07/02/2020)
2020-08-1416Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-08-14MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 16 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before October 14, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 08/14/2020. (lcrc3) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-08-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/14/2020. (tj) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-10-1417Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-10-14MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 17 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before December 14, 2020, and every 60 days thereafter. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 10/14/2020. (lcrc3) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-10-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 12/14/2020 (tj) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-12-1418Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 12/14/2020)
2021-02-1219Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-04-1320Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 04/13/2021)
2021-04-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 20 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before June 14, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 4/13/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 04/13/2021)
2021-04-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/14/2021 (tj) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-06-1421ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) Modified on 6/14/2021 (ztd). (Entered: 06/14/2021)
2021-06-1422Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 06/14/2021)
2021-06-14NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: re 21 Status Report was entered in error and counsel refiled said pleading at docket entry no. 22 . (ztd) (Entered: 06/14/2021)
2021-06-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 22 the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before August 13, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 6/15/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/13/2021. (tj) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-08-1323Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 08/13/2021)
2021-08-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 23 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before October 12, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 8/13/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 08/13/2021)
2021-10-1224Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 10/12/2021)
2021-10-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 24 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before December 13, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 10/12/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 10/12/2021)
2021-12-1325Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 12/13/2021)
2021-12-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 25 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before February 11, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 12/13/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 12/13/2021)
2022-02-0826MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney for Joshua Burday by PATRICK EDDINGTON. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/08/2022)
2022-02-08MINUTE ORDER granting 26 Motion to Withdraw as Counsel. The Clerk of the Court is directed to withdraw the appearance of Joshua Burday on behalf of Plaintiff. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 2/8/2022. (lcrc3) (Entered: 02/08/2022)
2022-02-1127Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 02/11/2022)
2022-02-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 27 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before April 12, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 2/11/2022. (lcrc3) (Entered: 02/11/2022)
2022-04-1128NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of PATRICK EDDINGTON (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 04/11/2022)
2022-04-1229Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 04/12/2022)
2022-04-20MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 29 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before May 17, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 4/20/2022. (lcrc3) (Entered: 04/20/2022)
2022-05-1730Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 05/17/2022)
2022-05-18MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 30 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before July 15, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 5-18-2022 (lcrc3) (Entered: 05/18/2022)
2022-07-1531Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Cirino, Paul) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-07-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 31 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report on or before September 2, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 7-15-2022. (lcrc3) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-07-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 9/2/2022. (tj) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-08-2332NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Thomas Duffey on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Substituting for attorney Paul Cirino (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 08/23/2022)
2022-09-0233Joint STATUS REPORT by PATRICK EDDINGTON. (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 09/02/2022)
2022-09-02MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 33 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report before or on November 2, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 9-2-2022. (lcrc3) (Entered: 09/02/2022)
2022-11-0234Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 11/02/2022)
2022-11-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 34 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report before or on January 3, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 11-3-2022. (lcrc3) (Entered: 11/03/2022)
2023-01-0335Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 01/03/2023)
2023-01-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 5 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before March 6, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 1-3-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 01/03/2023)
2023-02-2736NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of PATRICK EDDINGTON (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-03-0637Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 03/06/2023)
2023-03-07MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 37 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before May 8, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 3-7-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 03/07/2023)
2023-03-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 5/8/2023 (tj) (Entered: 03/08/2023)
2023-05-0838Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 05/08/2023)
2023-05-08MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 38 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before July 10, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 5-8-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 05/08/2023)
2023-05-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/10/2023 (tj) (Entered: 05/10/2023)
2023-07-1039Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 07/10/2023)
2023-07-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 39 the parties' Joint Status Report, the Court declines the proposed date for the next status report, and it is instead hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before September 8, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 7-10-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 07/10/2023)
2023-07-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 9/8/2023 (tj) (Entered: 07/11/2023)
2023-09-0740Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 09/07/2023)
2023-09-07MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 40 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before October 10, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 9-7-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 09/07/2023)
2023-10-1041Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 10/10/2023)
2023-10-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 41 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before December 11, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 10-10-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 10/10/2023)
2023-12-1142Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 12/11/2023)
2023-12-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 42 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before February 11, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 12-11-2023. (lcrc3) (Entered: 12/11/2023)
2024-02-1243Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-02-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 43 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another joint status report on or before May 10, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 2-12-2024. (lcrc3) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-05-1044Joint STATUS REPORT with proposed order by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 05/10/2024)
2024-05-19MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 44 the parties' Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern further proceedings in this case: Defendant's motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before July 15, 2024; Plaintiff's brief in opposition and any cross-motion shall be filed on or before August 15, 2024; Defendant's reply and opposition, if any, shall be filed on or before September 6, 2024; and Plaintiff's reply, if any, shall be filed on or before September 27, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 05/19/2024. (lcrc2) (Entered: 05/19/2024)
2024-07-1245Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File with proposed order by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 07/12/2024)
2024-07-12MINUTE ORDER granting 45 Motion for Extension of Time to File: It is hereby ORDERED that Defendant's motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before August 15, 2024; Plaintiff's brief in opposition and any cross-motion shall be filed on or before September 16, 2024; Defendant's reply and opposition, if any, shall be filed on or before October 7, 2024; and Plaintiff's reply, if any, shall be filed on or before October 28, 2024. The Court's prior minute order establishing briefing deadlines is VACATED. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 7/12/2024. (lcrc3) (Entered: 07/12/2024)
2024-08-1546MOTION for Summary Judgment with proposed ordeer by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Statement of Facts, # 3 Exhibit A First Weetman Declaration, # 4 Exhibit B Second Weetman Declaration, # 5 Exhibit C Vaughn Index)(Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 08/15/2024)
2024-08-1547ERRATA by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE re 46 Motion for Summary Judgment,. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Corrected Exhibit A First Weetman Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Corrected Exhibit B Second Weetman Declaration)(Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 08/15/2024)
2024-09-1648NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Stich Match on behalf of PATRICK EDDINGTON (Match, Stephen) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-1649Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment by PATRICK EDDINGTON. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration Eddington Decl, # 3 Statement of Facts, # 4 Statement of Facts SOF Response, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Match, Stephen) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-1650Memorandum in opposition to re 46 Motion for Summary Judgment, filed by PATRICK EDDINGTON. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Eddington Decl, # 2 Statement of Facts, # 3 Statement of Facts SOF Response, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Match, Stephen) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
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