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Case TitleCHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE v. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2023cv00220
Date Filed2023-01-26
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Randolph D. Moss
PlaintiffCHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE
Case DescriptionChildren's Health Defense submitted to FOIA requests to the FDA for records concerning safety monitoring conducted by the FDA pursuant to the VAERS SOP. CHD also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, CHD filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantFOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DefendantUNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Opinion/Order [25]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2023-01-261COMPLAINT against FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9814037) filed by Children's Health Defense. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons as to FDA, # 4 Summons as to Attorney General, # 5 Summons as to U.S. Attorney's Office)(Flores, Ray) (Entered: 01/26/2023)
2023-01-262LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by Children's Health Defense (Flores, Ray) (Entered: 01/26/2023)
2023-01-26Case Assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (zsl) (Entered: 01/26/2023)
2023-01-263SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsl) (Entered: 01/26/2023)
2023-01-264STANDING ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives set forth in the attached Standing Order. See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/26/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 01/26/2023)
2023-01-315RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 01/31/2023. (Flores, Ray) (Entered: 01/31/2023)
2023-01-316RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 1/31/2023. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/2/2023. (Flores, Ray) (Entered: 01/31/2023)
2023-01-317RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION served on 1/30/2023 (Flores, Ray) (Entered: 01/31/2023)
2023-02-218NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. Case related to Case No. 1:23-cv-00219-RBW. (Flores, Ray) (Entered: 02/21/2023)
2023-02-219NOTICE of Appearance by Kenneth A. Adebonojo on behalf of FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 02/21/2023)
2023-03-0210Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond by FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/02/2023)
2023-03-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's consent motion for extension of time, Dkt. 10 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Defendant shall respond to the complaint on or before April 4, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/3/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 03/03/2023)
2023-04-0411ANSWER to Complaint by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.(Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 04/04/2023)
2023-04-05MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that, on or before May 12, 2023, the parties shall confer and file a joint status report addressing (1) any documents still to be produced pursuant to FOIA; (2) an anticipated schedule for processing and producing any such documents; and (3) any substantive areas of disagreement between the parties. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall appear by video for an Initial Scheduling Conference to be held via Zoom on May 19, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 4/5/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 04/05/2023)
2023-04-2112NOTICE of Appearance by Risa Evans on behalf of CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE (Evans, Risa) (Entered: 04/21/2023)
2023-05-1213Joint STATUS REPORT by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Flores, Ray) (Entered: 05/12/2023)
2023-05-14MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 13 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before June 27, 2023. It is further ORDERED that the scheduling conference currently scheduled for May 19, 2023, is VACATED and RESCHEDULED for July 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., via Zoom. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 5/14/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 05/14/2023)
2023-05-14Set/Reset Hearings: Scheduling Conference reset for 5/19/2023 at 10:30 AM in before Judge Randolph D. Moss via Zoom. (zglw) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-05-15Set/Reset Hearings: Scheduling Conference reset for 7/7/2023 at 10:30 AM before Judge Randolph D. Moss via Zoom. (zglw) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-06-2714Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 06/27/2023)
2023-07-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 14 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before August 11, 2023. It is further ORDERED that the Initial Scheduling Conference currently scheduled for July 7, 2023, is VACATED. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 7/3/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 07/03/2023)
2023-08-1115Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 08/11/2023)
2023-08-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, [Dkt. 15], it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a Status Conference to be held on August 25, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 8/11/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 08/11/2023)
2023-08-25Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Status Conference held on 8/25/2023 via Zoom. For the reason stated on the record, the defendant shall file a Motion to Stay on or before 9/11/2023. Plaintiff's response is due on or before 9/25/2023 and Defendant's reply is due on or before 10/9/2023. (Court Reporter Tammy Sefranek) (zglw) (Entered: 08/28/2023)
2023-09-0816Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Defendant's Motion to Stay by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/08/2023)
2023-09-09MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Defendant's consent motion for an extension of time, Dkt. 16 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Defendant shall file its motion to stay on or before September 20, 2023, Plaintiff shall file its response on or before October 4, 2023, and Defendant shall file its reply on or before October 18, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 9/9/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 09/09/2023)
2023-09-1417MOTION to Stay by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Exhibit 1)(Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/14/2023)
2023-09-2918Joint MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/29/2023)
2023-10-02MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' motion to modify briefing schedule, Dkt. 18 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff file a response to Defendant's motion to stay, Dkt. 17 , on or before October 11, 2023. Defendant's reply, if any, must be filed on or before November 7, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 10/2/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 10/02/2023)
2023-10-1119Memorandum in opposition to re 17 Motion to Stay filed by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Decl. Karl Jablonowski)(Flores, Ray) (Entered: 10/11/2023)
2023-11-0720REPLY to opposition to motion re 17 MOTION to Stay filed by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit)(Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 11/07/2023)
2023-11-0921MOTION for Leave to File by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Evans, Risa) (Entered: 11/09/2023)
2023-11-21MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Plaintiff;s consent motion for leave to file a sur-reply, Dkt. 21 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file its sur-reply on or before November 28, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/21/2023. (lcrmd1) (Entered: 11/21/2023)
2023-11-2422SURREPLY to re 17 MOTION to Stay filed by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Evans, Risa) (Entered: 11/24/2023)
2023-11-2823NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 11/28/2023)
2023-12-1924NOTICE of Filing of Supplemental Authority by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 12/19/2023)
2024-01-1225MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that the FDAs motion for a stay, Dkt. 17 , is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that the case is STAYED for six months. The parties are ORDERED to file a joint status report on or before June 14, 2024, notifying the Court whether a further stay is appropriate. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/12/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-02-0326NOTICE of Clarification by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 02/03/2024)
2024-03-2027NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel on behalf of UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION Substituting for attorney Kenneth A. Adebonojo (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 03/20/2024)
2024-06-1428Joint STATUS REPORT by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order Plaintiff's Proposed Order)(Evans, Risa) (Entered: 06/14/2024)
2024-06-1429NOTICE of Exhibits by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION re 28 Status Report (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit PHMPT II Production Order, # 2 Exhibit PHMPT II JSRs)(Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 06/14/2024)
2024-06-27MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 28 , the parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for a status conference on July 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 8. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/27/24. (lcrdm2) (Entered: 06/27/2024)
2024-07-09Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Status Conference held on 7/9/2024. For the reasons stated on the record the defendant is directed to file a status report on or before 8/9/24. Plaintiff shall file a response on or before 8/19/2024. (Court Reporter Sherry Lindsay) (zglw) (Entered: 07/09/2024)
2024-07-11MINUTE ORDER: For the reasons stated on the record in the July 9, 2024 status conference, the FDA is hereby ORDERED to file a status report on or before August 9, 2024, providing the following information: (1) whether there is any overlap between the documents Plaintiff requests in this case and any other FOIA request that is currently being processed (or has recently been processed) by the FDA; (2) the FDA's best estimate of when the agency will begin processing Plaintiff's FOIA request; (3) to the extent it is the agency's position that it cannot at present process Plaintiff's FOIA request due to the court orders in PHMPT II, what steps, if any, has the agency taken to seek redress regarding the burdens imposed by that litigation; (4) how many FDA employees are dedicated to responding to FOIA requests unrelated to the PHMPT II litigation, and more specifically, how many employees are dedicated to processing requests in ALFOI's complex queue unrelated to the PHMPT II litigation; (5) how many employees the FDA has hired and is in the process of hiring who will be (or can be) dedicated to responding to FOIA requests unrelated to the PHMPT II litigation (and who will respond to requests processed by ALFOI); and (6) the agency's estimate for how long it would take to review the approximately 150 pages that the agency has identified as responsive to Plaintiff's request. Plaintiff may file a response to the FDA's status report on or before August 19, 2024, and should indicate in that response whether a further hearing is necessary. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 7/11/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 07/11/2024)
2024-07-1430TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Randolph D. Moss held on 7/9/24; Page Numbers: 1-25. Date of Issuance:7/14/24. Court Reporter Sherry Lindsay, Telephone number 202-354-3053, Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order Form For the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter. NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 8/4/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 8/14/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 10/12/2024.(stl) (Entered: 07/14/2024)
2024-08-0931STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Suzann Burk)(Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 08/09/2024)
2024-08-1632RESPONSE re 31 Status Report Response to Defendant's Status Report by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Evans, Risa) Modified on 8/16/2024 to correct event/ add docket link (zjm). (Entered: 08/16/2024)
2024-09-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's Status Report, Dkt. 31 , and Plaintiff's Response, Dkt. 32 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties appear for a status conference via Zoom on October 4, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 09/13/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 09/13/2024)
2024-10-04Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Status Conference held on 10/4/2024. Joint Status Report due by 10/18/2024. (Court Reporter Sherry Lindsay) (zglw) (Entered: 10/07/2024)
2024-10-1533TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Randolph D. Moss held on 10/4/2024; Page Numbers: 1-23. Date of Issuance:10/15/2024. Court Reporter Sherry Lindsay, Telephone number 202-354-3053, Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order Form For the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter. NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 11/5/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 11/15/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/13/2025.(stl) (Entered: 10/15/2024)
2024-10-1834Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 10/18/2024)
2024-10-24MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' status reports, Dkts. 31 , 32 , and 34 , as well as the discussion at the status conference held on October 4, 2024, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendant shall begin processing the responsive documents no later than August 9, 2026 and, to the extent possible and consistent with the placement of the request in the queue of similarly situated requesters, at an earlier date. It is further ORDERED, moreover, that the FDA shall file status reports with the Court every 90 days (starting on December 2, 2024) updating Plaintiff and the Court regarding Plaintiff's placement in the queue, the agency's best estimate of when it can begin processing the request, any new and unanticipated demands on the agency's FOIA staff, and the number of agency employees working on processing FOIA requests. In its status report from August 9, 2024, Dkt. 31 , Defendant represented that the "agency's best estimate of when it will begin processing Plaintiff's FOIA request" is "when it reaches the front of the Complex Track in approximately 24 to 36 months." Dkt. 31 at 5. The Court appreciates the unusual and extraordinary demands placed on the FDA in other litigation and also recognizes that other, similarly situated FOIA requesters filed their requests before the request at issue in this case was filed and that it would be unfair to push those requests further back in the queue. The Court also recognizes that the FDA has hired and trained additional staff to assist with the extraordinary burden that it currently faces. But, at the same time, the Court understands that the purposes of FOIA require agencies to process FOIA requests as promptly as possible and that the delay in this case--even if unavoidable in light of the demands placed on the FDA in other litigation--is antithetical to the purposes of FOIA. As a result, all that the Court can do is require the most expeditious processing of the request at issue, consistent with reality. This may require the agency to hire yet additional staff, and it may require the agency to ensure that other similarly situated FOIA requesters are not allowed to jump the queue in front of Plaintiff in this case. For present purposes, however, the Court will simply order that processing begin no later than 24 months from the filing of the FDA's August 9, 2024 status report, Dkt. 31 , that the agency make its best efforts (including, to the extent possible hiring yet additional staff) to process this request as soon as it can possibly do so, consistent with the rights of other FOIA requesters and the other burdens the agency currently faces, and that the FDA keep Plaintiff and the Court updated regarding its backlog, resources, and ability to process complex FOIA requests. The Court notes that this order is without prejudice to Plaintiff seeking an earlier processing date based on changed circumstances or new information. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 10/24/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 10/24/2024)
2024-11-2135MOTION for Order for Timely Processing by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Evans, Risa) (Entered: 11/21/2024)
2024-11-2536MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 35 MOTION for Order for Timely Processing by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 11/25/2024)
2024-11-25MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply, Dkt. 36 , Plaintiff is hereby ORDERED to respond to the Motion on or before November 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/25/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 11/25/2024)
2024-11-2637RESPONSE re 36 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 35 MOTION for Order for Timely Processing filed by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Evans, Risa) (Entered: 11/26/2024)
2024-11-26MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply, Dkt. 36 , and Plaintiff's Response, Dkt. 37 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED, and that Defendant shall respond or reply to Plaintiff's Motion on or before January 9, 2025. The Court notes that no further extensions will be granted, barring extraordinary circumstances. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 11/26/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 11/26/2024)
2024-12-0238STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 12/02/2024)
2025-01-0839Memorandum in opposition to re 35 Motion for Order filed by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 01/08/2025)
2025-01-1040NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY by UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (Georgiev-Remmel, Dimitar) (Entered: 01/10/2025)
2025-01-13MINUTE ORDER: In light of Defendant's Notice of Supplemental Authority, Dkt. 40 , which addressed Plaintiff's Motion for Order for Timely Processing, Dkt. 35 , it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff respond to the Notice on or before January 17, 2025, and address whether the pending motion has been mooted, Dkt. 35 , given Defendant's representation that responsive documents to Plaintiff's FOIA request 2022-5597 have been produced and sent to Plaintiffs. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/13/2025. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 01/13/2025)
2025-01-1541RESPONSE TO ORDER OF THE COURT re Order,,, Set Deadlines,, and Reply to Defendant's Opposition filed by CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE. (Evans, Risa) (Entered: 01/15/2025)
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