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Case TitleMilliron v. U.S. Department of Defense et al
DistrictWestern District of Michigan
CitySouthern Division
Case Number1:2022cv00782
Date Filed2022-08-25
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeMagistrate Judge Sally J. Berens
PlaintiffRyan Milliron
Case DescriptionRyan Milliron submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Defense and the FBI for records concerning former President Donald Trump's relationship with Alpha Bank and Russia. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests. DOD released five pages of emails with redactions. The FBI did not respond. After hearing nothing further from the agencies, Milliron filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. Department of Defense
DefendantU.S. Department of Defense
TERMINATED: 07/24/2025
DefendantFederal Bureau of Investigation
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2022-08-251COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Ryan Milliron (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons DOD, # 3 Proposed Summons FBI) (Miller, Travis) Modified text on 8/26/2022 (ems). (Entered: 08/25/2022)
2022-08-25RECEIPT: in the amount of $402.00, receipt number AMIWDC-6827099; for civil case filing fee (ems) (Entered: 08/26/2022)
2022-08-262NOTICE that this case has been assigned Paul L. Maloney (ems) (Entered: 08/26/2022)
2022-08-26SUMMONS NOT ISSUED as to defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (please refer to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i) regarding service on the United States and Its Agencies, Corporations, Officers, or Employees) (ems) (Entered: 08/26/2022)
2022-08-263PROPOSED SUMMONS TO BE ISSUED by plaintiff Ryan Milliron (Miller, Travis) Modified text on 8/29/2022 (ems). (Entered: 08/26/2022)
2022-08-294SUMMONS ISSUED as to defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (ems) (Entered: 08/29/2022)
2022-09-085SUMMONS returned executed on All Defendants, US Attorney and US Attorney General; service upon defendant through United States Attorney's Office on 9/6/22, answers due 11/7/22 (Miller, Travis) Modified text on 9/9/2022 (ems). (Entered: 09/08/2022)
2022-09-236UNOPPOSED MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense; (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Babinsky, Laura) (Entered: 09/23/2022)
2022-09-237MEMORANDUM in support of Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer 6 filed by Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (Babinsky, Laura) (Entered: 09/23/2022)
2022-09-238CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re UNOPPOSED MOTION for extension of time to file answer re 1 6 filed by Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (Babinsky, Laura) (Entered: 09/23/2022)
2022-09-239ORDER granting 6 motion for extension of time to answer; deadline extended to 11/7/2022; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 09/23/2022)
2022-11-0710ANSWER to complaint 1 with affirmative defenses by Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (Babinsky, Laura) (Entered: 11/07/2022)
2022-11-0811ORDER setting Rule 16 scheduling conference: Rule 16 scheduling conference is set for 12/13/2022 at 11:00 AM by telephone before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens; status report due by 12/7/2022; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2022-11-0812(RESTRICTED ACCESS) DOCUMENT Conference call instructions for 12/13/2022 scheduling conference [Access to this document is available to the Court and attorney(s) for Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ryan Milliron, U.S. Department of Defense only] (jal) (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2022-12-0713JOINT STATUS REPORT (Babinsky, Laura) (Entered: 12/07/2022)
2022-12-0814ORDER OF REFERENCE pursuant to consent of parties to dispositive jurisdiction by a US Magistrate Judge; case reassigned to Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
2022-12-1315MINUTES of Rule 16 scheduling conference held before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens; case management order to issue (Proceedings Digitally Recorded) (jln) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2022-12-1316ORDER: Joint Status Report due 3/15/2023; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2023-03-1517JOINT STATUS REPORT submitted for filing by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense re 16 (Babinsky, Laura) Modified text on 3/15/2023 (ems). (Entered: 03/15/2023)
2023-03-2018ORDER: Joint Status Report due 6/15/2023; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 03/20/2023)
2023-06-1419JOINT STATUS REPORT submitted for filing by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense re Order 18 (Babinsky, Laura) Modified text on 6/15/2023 (ems). (Entered: 06/14/2023)
2023-06-1520ORDER: Joint Status Report due 9/15/2023; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 06/15/2023)
2023-09-1421JOINT STATUS REPORT submitted for filing by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense re: 20 (Babinsky, Laura) Modified text on 9/15/2023 (mlc) (Entered: 09/14/2023)
2023-09-1422ORDER: Joint Status Report due 12/15/2023; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 09/14/2023)
2023-12-1523JOINT STATUS REPORT submitted for filing by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense re 22 (Babinsky, Laura) Modified text on 12/18/2023 (mlc) (Entered: 12/15/2023)
2023-12-1924ORDER: Joint Status Report due 3/15/2024; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 12/19/2023)
2024-03-1525JOINT STATUS REPORT submitted for filing by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense 24 (Babinsky, Laura) Modified text on 3/15/2024 (jjm). (Entered: 03/15/2024)
2024-03-1526ORDER: Joint Status Report due 6/17/2024; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 03/15/2024)
2024-06-06(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Carolyn Ann Almassian on behalf of defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 06/06/2024)
2024-06-1027JOINT STATUS REPORT submitted for filing by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (re Order 26 ) (Babinsky, Laura) Modified text on 6/10/2024 (ems). (Entered: 06/10/2024)
2024-06-1028ORDER: Joint Status Report due 9/16/2024; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 06/10/2024)
2024-09-1629JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-1630NOTICE of status conference set for 10/8/2024 at 01:30 PM by video before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-1631(RESTRICTED ACCESS) DOCUMENT Videoconference information for 10/8/2024 status conference [Access to this document is available to the Court and attorney(s) for Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ryan Milliron, U.S. Department of Defense only] (jal) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-2632NOTICE rescheduling hearing that was previously set for 10/8/2024; status conference set for 10/2/2024 at 02:00 PM by video before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 09/26/2024)
2024-10-0233MINUTES of status conference held before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens; order to issue (Proceedings Digitally Recorded) (jln) (Entered: 10/02/2024)
2024-10-0234ORDER: Joint Status Report due 11/20/2024; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jln) (Entered: 10/02/2024)
2024-11-2035JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 11/20/2024)
2024-11-2036ORDER: Joint Status Report due 12/20/2024; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 11/20/2024)
2024-12-1937JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 12/19/2024)
2024-12-2038ORDER: Joint Status Report due 2/20/2025; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 12/20/2024)
2025-02-2039JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 02/20/2025)
2025-02-2040ORDER: Joint Status Report due 4/21/2025; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 02/20/2025)
2025-02-2041NOTICE of status conference set for 4/29/2025 at 02:00 PM at 650 Federal Building, Grand Rapids, MI before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 02/20/2025)
2025-04-2142JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 04/21/2025)
2025-04-2243ORDER adjourning status conference set for 4/29/2025; Joint Status Report due 5/30/2025; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 04/22/2025)
2025-05-3044JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 05/30/2025)
2025-05-3045ORDER: Joint Status Report due 6/30/2025; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 05/30/2025)
2025-06-2746JOINT STATUS REPORT (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 06/27/2025)
2025-06-2747NOTICE of status conference set for 7/7/2025 at 01:30 PM by video before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 06/27/2025)
2025-06-2748(RESTRICTED ACCESS) DOCUMENT Videoconference information for 7/7/2025 status conference [Access to this document is available to the Court and attorney(s) for Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ryan Milliron, U.S. Department of Defense only] (jal) (Entered: 06/27/2025)
2025-07-0749MINUTES of status conference held before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens; scheduling order to issue (Proceedings Digitally Recorded) (jln) (Entered: 07/07/2025)
2025-07-0750ORDER regarding deadlines: dispositive motions due 9/2/2025; any response to a dispositive motion due 9/16/2025; any reply brief on a dispositive motion due 9/23/2025; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jln) (Entered: 07/07/2025)
2025-07-1651(STRICKEN) STIPULATION to Dismiss Case by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense (Almassian, Carolyn) Modified text per Order 53 on 7/18/2025 (ems). (Entered: 07/16/2025)
2025-07-1652JOINT MOTION to strike Docket 51 by defendants Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Defense; (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 07/16/2025)
2025-07-1853ORDER granting 52 the parties' Joint Motion to Strike; the Clerk shall Strike 51 from the record; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jln) (Entered: 07/18/2025)
2025-07-1854NOTICE of Plaintiff's Identification of Challenges to Defendant FBI's Freedom of Information Act Determinations by plaintiff Ryan Milliron (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit FBI 12/14/22 Letter, # 2 Exhibit FBI 3/1/23 Letter, # 3 Exhibit FBI 3/3/25 Letter, # 4 Exhibit Sussmann Trial Transcript) (Miller, Travis) Modified text on 7/21/2025 (ems). (Entered: 07/18/2025)
2025-07-2155NOTICE to attorney Travis Wilson Miller regarding recent filing 54 (ems) (Entered: 07/21/2025)
2025-07-2456PROPOSED STIPULATION and ORDER Dismissing Defendant U.S. Department of Defense by defendant U.S. Department of Defense (Almassian, Carolyn) (Entered: 07/24/2025)
2025-07-2457ORDER granting STIPULATION 56 Dismissing Defendant U.S. Department of Defense; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jln) (Entered: 07/24/2025)
2025-08-0458RESPONSE TO 54 to Plaintiff's Objections to FOIA Responses filed by defendant Federal Bureau of Investigation (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - July 25, 2025 Email, # 2 Attachment Certificate of Compliance) (Almassian, Carolyn) Modified text on 8/5/2025 (ems). (Entered: 08/04/2025)
2025-08-0759MOTION for leave to file Plaintiff's Supplemental Identification of Challenges to Defendant FBI's Freedom of Information Act Determinations by plaintiff Ryan Milliron; (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Plaintiff's Supplemental Identification of Challenges to Defendant FBI's Freedom of Information Act Determinations) (Miller, Travis) Modified text on 8/8/2025 (ems). (Entered: 08/07/2025)
2025-08-1160ORDER regarding Motion for Leave to File 59 and certificate of concurrence; holding motion in abeyance pending compliance with LCivR 7.1(d); signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jal) (Entered: 08/11/2025)
2025-08-1161CERTIFICATE regarding compliance with LCivR 7.1(d) re MOTION for leave to file Plaintiff's Supplemental Identification of Challenges to Defendant FBI's Freedom of Information Act Determinations 59 filed by Ryan Milliron (Miller, Travis) (Entered: 08/11/2025)
2025-08-1162ORDER granting 59 Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to File Plaintiff's Supplemental Identification of Challenges to Defendant FBI's Freedom of Information Act Determinations; signed by Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens (jln) (Entered: 08/11/2025)
2025-08-1163SUPPLEMENT re Notice 54 (as filed per Order 62 ) by plaintiff Ryan Milliron (ems) Modified text on 8/11/2025 (ems). (Entered: 08/11/2025)
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