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Case TitleCITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON v. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv02105
Date Filed2020-08-03
Date Closed2021-06-30
JudgeJudge Carl J. Nichols
PlaintiffCITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON
Case DescriptionCitizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington submitted FOIA requests to the General Services Administration, the National Archives and Records Administration, OMB, U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Justice for records concerning the effect of the pandemic on presidential transition processes. CREW also asked for a fee waiver. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from any of the agencies, CREW filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantGENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
DefendantNATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
DefendantOFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
DefendantU.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
DefendantU.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-08-031COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7413944) filed by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON. (Attachments: # 1 Summons GSA, # 2 Summons NARA, # 3 Summons OMB, # 4 Summons OGE, # 5 Summons OPM, # 6 Summons DOJ, # 7 Summons Attorney General, # 8 Summons U.S. Attorney D.C., # 9 Civil Cover Sheet)(Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 08/03/2020)
2020-08-03Case Assigned to Judge Carl J. Nichols. (adh, ) (Entered: 08/03/2020)
2020-08-032SUMMONS (8) Issued Electronically as to GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 08/03/2020)
2020-08-033LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 08/03/2020)
2020-08-204NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Nikhel Sus on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON Substituting for attorney Anne L. Weismann (Sus, Nikhel) (Entered: 08/20/2020)
2020-08-215RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/17/2020. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/16/2020.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION served on 8/14/2020; NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION served on 8/14/2020; OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET served on 8/18/2020; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 8/17/2020; U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS served on 8/14/2020; U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT served on 8/14/2020, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 8/17/2020. (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 08/21/2020)
2020-09-166ANSWER to Complaint by GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.(Holland, Liam) (Entered: 09/16/2020)
2020-09-23ENTERED IN ERROR.....MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court are a Complaint and Defendants' 6 Answer. Accordingly, the Parties shall meet and confer to discuss each of the matters set forth in Local Civil Rule 16.3(c). The Parties shall submit a Joint Meet and Confer Report addressing all topics listed in Local Civil Rule 16.3(c) by October 14, 2020. The Parties shall also submit a proposed scheduling order pursuant to Local Civil Rule 16.3(d). After submission of the Joint Meet and Confer Report, the Court will, if necessary, schedule an Initial Scheduling Conference. Following submission of the Joint Meet and Confer Report or following the Initial Scheduling Conference, the Court will issue a Scheduling Order governing proceedings in the case. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on September 23, 2020. (lccjn2) Modified on 9/23/2020 - Incorrect Order entered (zcal). (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-23NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: Meet & Confer Minute Order was entered in error. (zcal) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-23MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this Freedom of Information Act case are a Complaint and an Answer. According to Local Civil Rule 16.3, the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) are inapplicable. It is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before October 14, 2020. The Joint Status Report shall address: (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); (5) the possibility of prioritizing documents responsive to Plaintiff's requests and any discussions regarding whether Plaintiff's requests can be narrowed; and (6) whether the Parties anticipate summary judgment briefing and, if so, a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on September 23, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/14/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-237NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Laura C. Beckerman on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON Substituting for attorney Nikhel S. Sus (Beckerman, Laura) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-10-148Joint STATUS REPORT by GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Holland, Liam) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-10-15MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 8 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by December 16, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on October 15, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 10/15/2020)
2020-10-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/16/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 10/16/2020)
2020-12-169Joint STATUS REPORT by GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Holland, Liam) (Entered: 12/16/2020)
2020-12-17MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 9 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by February 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on December 17, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 12/17/2020)
2020-12-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/15/2021. (zkh) (Entered: 12/17/2020)
2021-02-1610Joint STATUS REPORT by GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Holland, Liam) (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-23MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 10 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by April 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on February 23, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 02/23/2021)
2021-02-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/15/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 02/23/2021)
2021-04-1311NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Anne L. Weismann on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON Substituting for attorney Laura C. Beckerman (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 04/13/2021)
2021-04-1512Joint STATUS REPORT by GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Holland, Liam) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-04-15MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by June 14, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on April 15, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-04-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/14/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-04-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/14/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-04-1613NOTICE of Appearance by Anne L. Weismann on behalf of CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 04/16/2021)
2021-06-1414Joint STATUS REPORT by GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Holland, Liam) (Entered: 06/14/2021)
2021-06-15MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 14 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by June 30, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on June 15, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/30/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 06/16/2021)
2021-06-2915STIPULATION of Dismissal by CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON. (Weismann, Anne) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
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