Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleBrennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law et al v. United States Federal Bureau of Investigation
DistrictSouthern District of New York
CityFoley Square
Case Number1:2020cv00947
Date Filed2020-02-04
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Arun Subramanian
PlaintiffBrennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law
PlaintiffDefending Rights & Dissent
Case DescriptionThe Brennan Center for Justice submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning the agency's Foreign Influence Task Force. The Brennan Center also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After the agency failed to respond within the statutory time limits, the Brennan Center filed an administrative appeal. The Office of Information Policy told the Brennan Center that its request for expedited processing was denied. OIP also told the Brennan Center that since the FBI had not yet made an adverse determination there was nothing to review. The Brennan Center then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Public Interest Fee Waiver, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUnited States Federal Bureau of Investigation
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Opinion/Order [11]
Opinion/Order [69]
Opinion/Order [72]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-02-041COMPLAINT against United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Filing Fee $ 400.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-18686163)Document filed by Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, Defending Rights & Dissent. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - FITF Request).(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-042CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-043REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to UNITED STATES FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, re: 1 Complaint,. Document filed by Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, Defending Rights & Dissent..(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-044RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law..(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-045RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by Defending Rights & Dissent..(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 02/04/2020)
2020-02-05CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Vernon S. Broderick. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges . Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions . .(pne) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-05Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses is so designated. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf . (pne) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-05Case Designated ECF. (pne) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-056ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(pne) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-077SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED (FOIA CASE) Summons and Complaint, served. United States Federal Bureau of Investigation served on 2/6/2020, answer due 3/9/2020. Service was made by Mail. Document filed by Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law; Defending Rights & Dissent..(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-03-098SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED (FOIA CASE) Summons and Complaint, served. United States Federal Bureau of Investigation served on 2/24/2020, answer due 3/25/2020. Service was made by Mail. Document filed by Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law; Defending Rights & Dissent..(Nolan, Francis) (Entered: 03/09/2020)
2020-03-099NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Anthony Jan-Huan Sun on behalf of United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 03/09/2020)
2020-03-0910ANSWER to 1 Complaint,. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 03/09/2020)
2020-07-0711ORDER AND NOTICE OF INITIAL CONFERENCE: It is hereby: ORDERED that, in light of the public health crisis, the Court will not be holding an initial pretrial conference. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, by July 17, 2020, the parties submit a joint letter, not to exceed three (3) pages, providing the following information in separate paragraphs: 1. A brief description of the nature of the action and the principal defenses thereto; 2. A brief explanation of why jurisdiction and venue lie in this Court. If any party is a corporation, the letter shall state both the place of incorporation and the principal place of business. If any party is a partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust, the letter shall state the citizenship of each of the entity's members, shareholders, partners and/or trustees; 3. A brief description of all contemplated and/or outstanding motions; 4. A brief description of any discovery that has already taken place, and/or that which will be necessary for the parties to engage in meaningful settlement negotiations; 5. A brief description of prior settlement discussions (without disclosing the parties' offers or settlement positions) and the prospect of settlement; 6. The estimated length of trial; and 7. Any other information that the parties believe may assist the Court in advancing the case to settlement or trial, including, but not limited to, a description of any dispositive issue or novel issue raised by the case. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties also jointly submit to the Court a proposed case management plan and scheduling order. A template for the order is available at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/judge/Broderick. The status letter and the proposed case management plan should be filed electronically on ECF, consistent with Section 13.1 of the Court's Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Rules & Instructions, available at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-relatedinstructions. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 7/7/2020) (nb) (Entered: 07/07/2020)
2020-07-07***DELETED DOCUMENT. Deleted document number 12 ORDER AND NOTICE OF INITIAL CONFERENCE. The document was incorrectly filed in this case. (nb) (Entered: 07/07/2020)
2020-07-1612LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 7/16/2020 re: status update in lieu of initial pretrial conference. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 07/16/2020)
2020-07-1913MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 12 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. The parties are directed to submit a joint status letter on September 17, 2020. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 7/19/2020) (mro) Modified on 7/20/2020 (mro). (Entered: 07/20/2020)
2020-09-1714LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 9/17/2020 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-09-2015MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 14 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 9/20/2020) (mro) (Entered: 09/21/2020)
2020-10-0216LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 10/2/2020 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
2020-10-0717MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 16 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 10/7/2020) (mro) (Entered: 10/07/2020)
2020-12-0418LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 12/04/2020 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 12/04/2020)
2020-12-0719MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 18 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 12/7/2020) (rro) Modified on 12/22/2020 (rro). (Entered: 12/07/2020)
2021-01-2920LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 1/29/2021 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 01/29/2021)
2021-02-0221MEMO ENDORSEMENT re: 20 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 2/2/2021) (nb) (Entered: 02/02/2021)
2021-03-0122LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 3/1/2021 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 03/01/2021)
2021-03-0223MEMO ENDORSEMENT re: 22 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 3/2/2021) (nb) (Entered: 03/02/2021)
2021-04-3024LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 4/30/2021 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 04/30/2021)
2021-05-0425MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 24 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 5/4/2021) (kv) (Entered: 05/04/2021)
2021-06-3026LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 6/30/2021 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 06/30/2021)
2021-07-0627MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 26 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 7/6/2021) (kv) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
2021-08-3128LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 8/31/2021 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 08/31/2021)
2021-09-0129MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 28 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 9/1/2021) (kv) (Entered: 09/01/2021)
2021-10-2930LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 10/29/2021 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 10/29/2021)
2021-11-0231MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 30 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 11/2/2021) (mml) (Entered: 11/03/2021)
2022-01-0432LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 1/4/2022 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 01/04/2022)
2022-01-0533MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 32 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 1/5/2022) (va) (Entered: 01/05/2022)
2022-03-0334LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 3/3/2022 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 03/03/2022)
2022-03-0335MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 34 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 3/3/2022) (kv) (Entered: 03/03/2022)
2022-05-0636LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 5/6/2022 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 05/06/2022)
2022-05-0937MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 36 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 5/9/2022) (vfr) (Entered: 05/09/2022)
2022-07-0838LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 7/8/2022 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 07/08/2022)
2022-07-0839MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 38 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: Application Granted. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 7/08/2022) (ama) (Entered: 07/08/2022)
2022-09-0940LETTER addressed to Judge Vernon S. Broderick from AUSA Anthony J. Sun dated 9/9/2022 re: status update. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 09/09/2022)
2022-09-1241MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 40 Letter filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 9/12/2022) (jca) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-11-0942STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 11/09/2022)
2022-11-1043MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 42 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION GRANTED SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 11/10/2022) (jca) (Entered: 11/10/2022)
2023-01-0944STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 01/09/2023)
2023-01-1145MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 44 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 1/11/2023) (kv) (Entered: 01/11/2023)
2023-03-0946STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 03/09/2023)
2023-03-2947MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 46 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 3/29/2023) (ate) (Entered: 03/29/2023)
2023-05-0948STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 05/09/2023)
2023-05-1049MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 48 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 5/10/2023) (ks) (Entered: 05/10/2023)
2023-07-1050STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 07/10/2023)
2023-07-1151MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 50 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. The parties shall submit a further status report on September 11, 2023. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 7/11/2023) (tg) (Entered: 07/11/2023)
2023-09-1152STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 09/11/2023)
2023-09-1253MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 52 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: APPLICATION GRANTED. SO ORDERED. The parties shall submit a further status report on November 13, 2023. (Signed by Judge Vernon S. Broderick on 9/12/2023) (rro) (Entered: 09/12/2023)
2023-10-03NOTICE OF CASE REASSIGNMENT to Judge Arun Subramanian. Judge Vernon S. Broderick is no longer assigned to the case. (vba) (Entered: 10/03/2023)
2023-11-1354STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 11/13/2023)
2023-11-1355MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 54 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 11/13/2023) (vfr) (Entered: 11/13/2023)
2024-01-1256STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-1257MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 56 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 1/12/2024) (vfr) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-03-1258STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 03/12/2024)
2024-03-1259MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 58 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 3/12/2024) (rro) (Entered: 03/13/2024)
2024-05-1360STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 05/13/2024)
2024-05-1461MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 60 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 5/14/2024) (tg) (Entered: 05/14/2024)
2024-07-1262STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 07/12/2024)
2024-07-1563MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 62 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. If the case has not been resolved by that date, the parties should be prepared to recommence this litigation. (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 7/15/2024) (sgz) (Entered: 07/15/2024)
2024-09-1264STATUS REPORT. Document filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation..(Sun, Anthony) (Entered: 09/12/2024)
2024-09-1365MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 64 Status Report filed by United States Federal Bureau of Investigation ENDORSEMENT The request for a further extension is denied. This case has been pending for four years. Likely because dozens of extensions have readily been granted, the review and production of documents appears to be moving at a snail's pace. The Government rightly observes that judicial economy is important. But it's only one of the values at stake. See, e.g., Fed. R. Civ. P. 1 (rules should be "construed, administered, and employed by the court and the parties to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding" (emphasis added)). A hearing in this case will be held on October 15, 2024 at 2 PM ET in Courtroom 15A, 500 Pearl Street. On or before October 8, 2024, the parties should submit a joint letter proposing a schedule for cross-motions for summary judgment (which the parties suggested at the outset of this case would be appropriate) or another path to final resolution in the immediate term. All interested parties or agencies are invited to attend, and the Court willmake any necessary arrangements for representatives of agencies with equities in the records to appear remotelyif they prefer.SO ORDERED. ( Status Conference set for 10/15/2024 at 02:00 PM in Courtroom 15A, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Arun Subramanian.) (Signed by Judge Arun Subramanian on 9/13/2024) (jca) (Entered: 09/13/2024)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar