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Case TitleSPARACINO PLLC v. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv03065
Date Filed2019-10-14
Date Closed2021-10-21
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffSPARACINO PLLC
Case DescriptionSparacino PLLC, a law firm representing individuals and families of individuals who had been killed or injured by terrorist attacks in Iraq, submitted three FOIA requests to U.S. Agency for International Development. Two of the requests identified specific records while the third request asked for records about corruption at the Iraqi Ministry of Health. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. After Sparacino PLLC filed an administrative appeal of the agency's failure to respond, the agency told the law firm that it would not consider such an appeal. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Sparacino PLLC filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-10-141COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT against UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6446135) filed by SPARACINO PLLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet, # 7 Summons to USAID, # 8 Summons to DOJ, # 9 Summons to USAO DC)(Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 10/14/2019)
2019-10-142NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Edward Goldsmith on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Goldsmith, Andrew) (Entered: 10/14/2019)
2019-10-143NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew M. Duffy on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 10/14/2019)
2019-10-16Case assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zmc) (Entered: 10/16/2019)
2019-10-164SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 10/16/2019)
2019-10-285NOTICE of Appearance by Marsha Wellknown Yee on behalf of UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 10/28/2019)
2019-11-126RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/21/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 11/20/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 11/12/2019)
2019-11-127RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 10/21/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 11/12/2019)
2019-11-128RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT served on 10/21/2019 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 11/12/2019)
2019-11-209ANSWER to Complaint by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.(Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 11/20/2019)
2019-11-21MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties promptly confer and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure by Thursday, December 5, 2019. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 11/21/2019. (lccrc3) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-11-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 12/5/2019 (lsj) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-12-0510Joint STATUS REPORT (Joint Proposed Schedule) by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 12/05/2019)
2019-12-09MINUTE ORDER: In light of 10 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report on or before Wednesday, January 29, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/9/2019. (lccrc3) (Entered: 12/09/2019)
2019-12-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/29/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 12/10/2019)
2020-01-2911Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 01/29/2020)
2020-01-29MINUTE ORDER: In light of 11 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further Joint Status Report on or before March 4, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 01/29/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/29/2020)
2020-01-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/4/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 01/30/2020)
2020-03-0412Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 03/04/2020)
2020-03-05MINUTE ORDER: In light of 12 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further Joint Status Report on or before April 9, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 03/05/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 03/05/2020)
2020-03-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/9/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-04-0913Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 04/09/2020)
2020-04-10MINUTE ORDER: In light of 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report on or before May 1, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 04/10/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 04/10/2020)
2020-04-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/1/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 04/10/2020)
2020-05-0114Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 05/01/2020)
2020-05-04MINUTE ORDER: In light of 14 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report on or before June 18, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 05/04/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/04/2020)
2020-05-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/18/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 05/04/2020)
2020-06-1815Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 06/18/2020)
2020-06-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of 15 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report on or before August 6, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 06/22/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/6/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
2020-08-0616Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 08/06/2020)
2020-08-07MINUTE ORDER: In light of 16 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report on or before September 17, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 08/07/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 08/07/2020)
2020-08-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/17/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 08/10/2020)
2020-09-1717Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-09-18STATUS REPORT ORDER: Upon consideration of the 17 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further Joint Status Report on or before 11/5/2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 09/18/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 09/18/2020)
2020-11-0518Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 11/05/2020)
2020-11-06MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file a further Joint Status Report on or before 1/8/2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 11/06/2020. (lccrc3) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2021-01-0819Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 01/08/2021)
2021-01-11MINUTE ORDER: The Court has reviewed the 19 Joint Status Report, which indicates that USAID anticipates providing its final response in February 2021. It is hereby ordered that after USAID provides its final response, the parties shall promptly meet and confer to determine whether any disputes remain. It is further ordered that the parties shall file a Joint Status Report on or before March 25, 2021, which shall indicate whether Plaintiff intends to challenge the sufficiency of USAID's searches or any withholdings. If any disputes do remain for summary judgment, the parties shall propose a briefing schedule in the Joint Status Report due March 25, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 01/11/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/11/2021)
2021-03-2520Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 03/25/2021)
2021-03-26MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 20 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before May 5, 2021. If the parties determine that briefing is necessary, the next Joint Status Report shall include a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 03/26/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 03/26/2021)
2021-05-0521Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 05/05/2021)
2021-05-06MINUTE ORDER: The Court has reviewed the 21 Joint Status Report. The parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before June 7, 2021. The next Joint Status Report should include an update on the State Department's processing of the documents referred to it, as well as a proposed briefing schedule, if briefing will be necessary. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 05/06/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/06/2021)
2021-06-0722Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 06/07/2021)
2021-06-08MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before July 22, 2021, including a proposed briefing schedule if one is necessary. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 06/08/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 06/08/2021)
2021-07-2223Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 07/22/2021)
2021-07-26MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before August 12, 2021, including a proposed briefing schedule if one is necessary. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 07/26/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 07/26/2021)
2021-08-1224Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 08/12/2021)
2021-08-13MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 24 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further Joint Status Report on or before September 14, 2021, including a proposed briefing schedule if one is necessary. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 08/13/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 08/13/2021)
2021-08-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/14/2021 (lsj) (Entered: 08/13/2021)
2021-09-1425Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 09/14/2021)
2021-09-16MINUTE ORDER: The Court has reviewed the 25 Joint Status Report, which indicates that the parties continue to exchange information regarding USAID's prior searches and productions. It is hereby ordered that the parties shall promptly meet and confer to determine whether any disputes remain. It is further ordered that the parties shall file a further Joint Status Report on October 21, 2021, which shall indicate whether Plaintiff intends to challenge the sufficiency of USAID's searches or any withholdings. If any disputes remain for summary judgment, the parties shall propose a prompt briefing schedule in the Joint Status Report due October 21, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 9/16/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 09/16/2021)
2021-09-30Minute Entry for video proceedings held before Judge Christopher R. Cooper: Status Conference on 9/30/2021. (Court Reporter: Lisa Edwards) (lsj) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-10-2126STIPULATION of Dismissal by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 10/21/2021)
2021-10-21MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 26 Stipulation of Dismissal, this case is hereby dismissed. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 10/21/2021. (lccrc3) (Entered: 10/21/2021)
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