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Case TitleFOOD & WATER WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv03362
Date Filed2019-11-07
Date Closed2022-05-25
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffFOOD & WATER WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionFood & Water Watch submitted four FOIA requests to the Food Safety and Inspection Service for records concerning the agency's new inspection system for market hogs. FWW also requested expedited processing. The agency acknowledged receipt of FWW's multi-part requests. The agency asked FWW to clarify some items. The agency was able to respond to some items, but all of them. After the agency failed to respond substantively to its requests, FWW filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DefendantFOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-11-071COMPLAINT against FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6514693) filed by FOOD & WATER WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Cover sheet, # 2 Summons Summons USDA, # 3 Summons Summons FSIS, # 4 Summons Summons USAG, # 5 Summons Summons USAO)(Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 11/07/2019)
2019-11-072LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests (and LCR 7.1 certificate) by FOOD & WATER WATCH, INC. (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 11/07/2019)
2019-11-08Case assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zmc) (Entered: 11/08/2019)
2019-11-083SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Main Document 3 replaced to correct missing signature on 11/12/2019) (zmc). (Entered: 11/08/2019)
2019-11-254RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE served on 11/20/2019 (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 11/25/2019)
2019-11-255RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/18/19. (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 11/25/2019)
2019-11-256RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/19/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/19/2019. (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 11/25/2019)
2019-12-167Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Respond to Complaint by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Simon, Jeremy) Modified event on 12/17/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 12/16/2019)
2019-12-178RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE served on 11/18/2019 (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 12/17/2019)
2019-12-17MINUTE ORDER granting 7 Defendants' Motion for Extension of Time. Defendants shall file a response to Plaintiff's complaint by January 7, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/17/19. (lccrc1) (Entered: 12/17/2019)
2019-12-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Answers due by 1/7/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 12/18/2019)
2020-01-079ANSWER to Complaint by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.(Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 01/07/2020)
2020-01-08MINUTE 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 January 29, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/8/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 01/08/2020)
2020-01-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 1/29/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 01/08/2020)
2020-01-2810Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD & WATER WATCH, INC.. (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 01/28/2020)
2020-02-06MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 6 joint status report, the parties are ORDERED to file a further joint status report by March 10, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/6/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 02/06/2020)
2020-02-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 3/10/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 02/06/2020)
2020-03-1011Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
2020-03-11MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 12 joint status report, the parties are ordered to file a further joint status report on April 22, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/11/20. (lccrc1) (Entered: 03/11/2020)
2020-03-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/22/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 03/12/2020)
2020-04-2212Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 04/22/2020)
2020-04-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 12 joint status report, the parties are ordered to file a further joint status report on May 22, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/22/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 04/22/2020)
2020-04-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/22/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 04/23/2020)
2020-05-2213Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD & WATER WATCH, INC.. (Corrigan, Zachary) (Entered: 05/22/2020)
2020-05-26MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 13 joint status report, the parties are ordered to file a further joint status report by June 24, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/26/20. (lccrc1) (Entered: 05/26/2020)
2020-05-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/24/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 05/27/2020)
2020-06-2414Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 06/24/2020)
2020-06-25MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 14 joint status report, the parties are ordered to file a further joint status report by July 23, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/25/20. (lccrc1) (Entered: 06/25/2020)
2020-06-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/23/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 06/26/2020)
2020-07-2315Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 07/23/2020)
2020-07-23MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 15 joint status report, the parties are ordered to file a further joint status report by September 3, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/23/20. (lccrc1) (Entered: 07/23/2020)
2020-07-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/3/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-09-0316Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 09/03/2020)
2020-09-08MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 16 joint status report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report on October 7, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 9/8/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 09/08/2020)
2020-09-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/7/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 09/08/2020)
2020-09-1517STATUS REPORT (Defendants' Supplemental Status Report) by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-10-0718Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 10/07/2020)
2020-10-08MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further Joint Status Report by November 12, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 10/8/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 10/08/2020)
2020-11-1219Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 11/12/2020)
2020-11-13MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further Joint Status Report by December 16, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 11/13/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 11/13/2020)
2020-12-1620Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 12/16/2020)
2020-12-17MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further Joint Status Report by January 25, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/17/2020. (lccrc1) (Entered: 12/17/2020)
2021-01-2521Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 01/25/2021)
2021-01-26MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further Joint Status Report by by February 25, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/26/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 01/26/2021)
2021-02-2522Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 02/25/2021)
2021-02-26MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file a further joint status report by March 25, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/26/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 02/26/2021)
2021-03-2423Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 03/24/2021)
2021-03-29MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 23 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by April 26, 2021; it is further ORDERED that the parties shall appear by video for a status conference on April 27, 2021, at 2 PM. Instructions for videoconference access will be communicated separately. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/29/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 03/29/2021)
2021-04-2624Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-04-27Minute Entry for video Status Conference held before Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/27/2021. Forthcoming Order. (Court Reporter: Lisa Moreira) (lsj) (Entered: 04/27/2021)
2021-04-28MINUTE ORDER: As discussed at the April 27, 2021, status conference, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a joint status report by May 28, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/28/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 04/28/2021)
2021-06-02MINUTE ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to file a joint status report by June 4, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/2/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 06/02/2021)
2021-06-0325Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 06/03/2021)
2021-06-07MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 25 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report by July 22, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/7/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 06/07/2021)
2021-07-2226Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 07/22/2021)
2021-07-23MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 26 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report by September 1, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/23/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 07/23/2021)
2021-09-0127Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 09/01/2021)
2021-09-03MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 27 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report by October 27, 2021. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 9/3/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 09/03/2021)
2021-10-2628Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 10/26/2021)
2021-10-28MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 28 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file a further joint status report by December 16, 2021.The parties should submit a proposed briefing schedule in their next report. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 10/28/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 10/28/2021)
2021-12-1629Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 12/16/2021)
2021-12-16MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 29 Joint Status Report, the Court hereby sets the following summary judgment briefing deadlines. Defendants shall file their motion for summary judgment on or before March 30, 2022. Plaintiff shall file its opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment on or before May 2, 2022. Defendants shall file their reply in support of summary judgment and opposition to Plaintiff's cross-motion on or before June 1, 2022. Plaintiff shall file its reply on or before July 1, 2022. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/16/2021. (lccrc1) (Entered: 12/16/2021)
2022-02-2330Joint MOTION to Vacate Order,,, Set Deadlines,, (Joiint Motion to Vacate Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule) by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 02/23/2022)
2022-02-25MINUTE ORDER granting 30 Joint Motion to Vacate Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule. It is hereby ORDERED that the summary judgment briefing schedule established by this Court's order dated December 16, 2021 is vacated, and it is further ORDERED that the parties shall file a status report on or before April 21, 2022, regarding the status of their discussions, if the case has not yet been dismissed at that time. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/24/2022. (lccrc1) (Entered: 02/25/2022)
2022-04-2031Joint STATUS REPORT by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 04/20/2022)
2022-04-2032ERRATA (Proposed Order re: Joint Status Report) by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE re 31 Status Report filed by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 04/20/2022)
2022-04-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 31 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file a further joint status report by May 26, 2022, if the case has not been voluntarily dismissed by that date. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/22/2022. (lccrc2) (Entered: 04/22/2022)
2022-05-0433NOTICE of Appearance for Adam Carlesco by FOOD & WATER WATCH, INC.. (Carlesco, Adam) Modified event title on 5/4/2022 (znmw). (Entered: 05/04/2022)
2022-05-2534STIPULATION of Dismissal by FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (Simon, Jeremy) (Entered: 05/25/2022)
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