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Case TitleAMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE v. UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv00333
Date Filed2021-02-05
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
PlaintiffAMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE
Case DescriptionThe American Center for Law and Justice submitted FOIA requests to the National Security Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of State for records concerning the alleged Chinese spy Christine Fang and her alleged relationship with Rep. Eric Swalwell. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from any of the agencies, ACLJ filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
DefendantUNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
DefendantUNITED STATES 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
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-02-051COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8169562) filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A to Complaint, # 2 Exhibit B to Complaint, # 3 Exhibit C to Complaint, # 4 Exhibit D to Complaint, # 5 Exhibit E to Complaint, # 6 Exhibit F to Complaint, # 7 Summons To US Attorney for DC, # 8 Summons To Def. NSA, # 9 Summons To Def. ODNI)(Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/05/2021)
2021-02-052NOTICE of Appearance by Benjamin Paul Sisney on behalf of AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/05/2021)
2021-02-053LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/05/2021)
2021-02-08NOTICE OF ERROR re 1 Complaint; emailed to bsisney@aclj.org, cc'd -1 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect coversheet. Please use the cover sheet at https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/new-case-forms & file using the event Civil Cover Sheet. (adh, ) (Entered: 02/08/2021)
2021-02-084CIVIL COVER SHEET by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE re 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.(Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/08/2021)
2021-02-08Case Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. (adh, ) (Entered: 02/08/2021)
2021-02-085SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE,and U.S. Attorney (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 02/08/2021)
2021-02-096REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE re 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.(Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/09/2021)
2021-02-097NOTICE of Appearance by Stuart J. Roth on behalf of AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (Roth, Stuart) (Entered: 02/09/2021)
2021-02-09NOTICE OF ERROR re 1 Complaint; emailed to bsisney@aclj.org, cc'd 1 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Attorney is provisional. Please renew your membership. See https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-admissions-and-renewal-information., 2. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zsb, ) (Entered: 02/09/2021)
2021-02-108REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE re 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.(Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-129SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(ztd) Modified text on 2/12/2021 (ztd). (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-02-1210SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (ztd) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-02-1211ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 2/12/2021. (DM) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-02-1712RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/16/2021. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/18/2021. (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/17/2021)
2021-02-2513RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 02/25/2021. (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 02/25/2021)
2021-03-0414RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 2/25/2021 (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-03-1515RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY served on 3/8/2021 (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-03-1516Summons Returned Unexecuted by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE as to UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-03-1617Summons Returned Unexecuted by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE as to UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Sisney, Benjamin) (Entered: 03/16/2021)
2021-03-1818ANSWER to Complaint by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.(von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 03/18/2021)
2021-03-1919ORDER for meet and confer and joint status report. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 3/19/21. (lcckk3) (Entered: 03/19/2021)
2021-03-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Meet & Confer Statement due by 5/7/2021. (dot) (Entered: 03/19/2021)
2021-05-0720Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 05/07/2021)
2021-05-10MINUTE ORDER. The Court is in receipt of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that discussions are ongoing regarding the scope of Plaintiff's FOIA requests and Defendants' responses thereto. As proposed by the parties, the Court ORDERS that the parties file a joint status report by JUNE 7, 2021 updating the Court regarding Defendants' response to Plaintiff's FOIA Requests and addressing the topics indicated in the Court's 19 Order. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 5/10/21. (lcckk3) (Entered: 05/10/2021)
2021-05-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/7/2021, updating the Court regarding Defendants' response to Plaintiff's FOIA Requests and addressing the topics indicated in the Court's 19 Order. (dot) (Entered: 05/10/2021)
2021-06-0721Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 06/07/2021)
2021-06-08MINUTE ORDER. The Court is in receipt of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that discussions are ongoing regarding the scope of Plaintiff's FOIA requests and Defendants' responses thereto. As proposed by the parties, the Court ORDERS that the parties file a joint status report by JULY 7, 2021 updating the Court regarding Defendants' response to Plaintiff's FOIA Requests and addressing the topics indicated in the Court's 19 Order. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 6/8/21. (lcckk3) (Entered: 06/08/2021)
2021-06-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/7/2021 updating the Court regarding Defendants' response to Plaintiff's FOIA Requests and addressing the topics indicated in the Court's 19 Order. (dot) (Entered: 06/09/2021)
2021-07-0722Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 07/07/2021)
2021-07-07MINUTE ORDER. The Court is in receipt of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that discussions are ongoing regarding the scope of Plaintiff's FOIA requests and Defendants' responses thereto. As proposed by the parties, the Court ORDERS that the parties file a joint status report by AUGUST 6, 2021 updating the Court regarding Defendants' response to Plaintiff's FOIA Requests and addressing the topics indicated in the Court's 19 Order. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 07/07/2021. (DM) (Entered: 07/07/2021)
2021-08-0623Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 08/06/2021)
2021-08-09MINUTE ORDER. The Court is in receipt of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, in which the parties indicate that discussions are ongoing regarding the scope of Plaintiff's FOIA requests and Defendants' search for responsive records. The parties propose filing a further joint status report on or before September 13, 2021 updating the Court on the status of their discussions and addressing the topics identified in the Court's 19 Order. The Court ORDERS the parties to file another Joint Status Report by SEPTEMBER 13, 2021, and every 30 days thereafter updating the Court on the status of Defendants' response to Plaintiff's requests. If the parties require more immediate attention, they may file a status report between deadlines. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 8/9/21. (lcckk3) (Entered: 08/09/2021)
2021-08-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/13/2021, updating the Court on the status of their discussions and addressing the topics identified in the Court's 19 Order. (dot) (Entered: 08/09/2021)
2021-09-0924NOTICE of Appearance by John Monaghan on behalf of AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (Monaghan, John) (Entered: 09/09/2021)
2021-09-1325Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 09/13/2021)
2021-10-1326Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 10/13/2021)
2021-11-1227Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 11/12/2021)
2021-12-1328Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 12/13/2021)
2022-01-1229Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 01/12/2022)
2022-02-1130Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 02/11/2022)
2022-03-1431NOTICE of Appearance by Madeline McMahon on behalf of All Defendants (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-03-1432Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-04-1333Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 04/13/2022)
2022-05-0534NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. Attorney Jordan Landrum Von Bokern terminated. (Von Bokern, Jordan) (Entered: 05/05/2022)
2022-05-1335Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 05/13/2022)
2022-06-1336Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 06/13/2022)
2022-07-1337Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 07/13/2022)
2022-08-1238Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 08/12/2022)
2022-09-1239Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-10-1240Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 10/12/2022)
2022-11-1441Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 11/14/2022)
2022-12-1442Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 12/14/2022)
2023-01-1343Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-02-1344Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 02/13/2023)
2023-03-1545Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 03/15/2023)
2023-04-1446Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE. (Monaghan, John) (Entered: 04/14/2023)
2023-06-1347Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 06/13/2023)
2023-08-1448Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 08/14/2023)
2023-10-1349STIPULATION of Dismissal by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. (McMahon, Madeline) (Entered: 10/13/2023)
2023-10-1750ORDER dismissing case. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 10/17/23. (lcckk3) (Entered: 10/17/2023)
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