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Case TitleARLTON v. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2024cv01646
Date Filed2024-06-05
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Amy Berman Jackson
PlaintiffPAUL E ARLTON an individual
Case DescriptionPaul Arlton submitted a FOIA request to NASA for records concerning the Mars Helicopter program. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after being dissatisfied by the agency's response, Arlton filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION an agency of the United States Government
DefendantNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Office of the General Counsel
200 Independence Ave SW
Room 711-F
Washington, DC 20201
DefendantJET PROPULSION LABORATORY a federally funded research and development center
DefendantJet Propulsion Laboratory
Office of the General Counsel
200 Independence Ave SW
Room 711-F
Washington, DC 20201
Documents
Docket
Complaint
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User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2024-06-051COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-10944107) filed by PAUL E ARLTON. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Exhibit 1, # 5 Exhibit 1A, # 6 Exhibit 1C, # 7 Exhibit 1D, # 8 Exhibit 2, # 9 Exhibit 3, # 10 Exhibit 4, # 11 Exhibit 5, # 12 Exhibit 6, # 13 Exhibit 7, # 14 Exhibit 8, # 15 Exhibit 9, # 16 Exhibit 10, # 17 Exhibit 11, # 18 Exhibit 12, # 19 Exhibit 13, # 20 Exhibit 14, # 21 Exhibit 15, # 22 Exhibit 16, # 23 Exhibit 17, # 24 Exhibit 18, # 25 Exhibit 19, # 26 Exhibit 20, # 27 Errata 21, # 28 Exhibit 22, # 29 Exhibit 23, # 30 Exhibit 24, # 31 Exhibit 25, # 32 Exhibit 26, # 33 Exhibit 27, # 34 Exhibit 28, # 35 Exhibit 29, # 36 Exhibit 30, # 37 Exhibit 31, # 38 Exhibit 32, # 39 Exhibit 33, # 40 Exhibit 34, # 41 Exhibit 35)(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 06/05/2024)
2024-06-07Case Assigned to Judge Amy Berman Jackson. (mg) (Entered: 06/07/2024)
2024-06-072SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(mg) (Entered: 06/07/2024)
2024-06-07NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 1 Complaint. The following error(s) need correction: Missing summonses- U.S. government. When naming a U.S. government agent or agency as a defendant, you must supply a summons for each defendant & two additional summonses for the U.S. Attorney & U.S. Attorney General. Please submit using the event Request for Summons to Issue. (mg) (Entered: 06/07/2024)
2024-06-103REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE filed by PAUL E ARLTON. Related document: 1 Complaint,,, filed by PAUL E ARLTON, Notice of Error- New Case,. (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 06/10/2024)
2024-06-114SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zdp) (Entered: 06/11/2024)
2024-07-125REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE filed by PAUL E ARLTON. Related document: 1 Complaint,,, filed by PAUL E ARLTON.(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 07/12/2024)
2024-07-126SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zdp) (Entered: 07/12/2024)
2024-07-187Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint,,, by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 07/18/2024)
2024-07-22MINUTE ORDER granting 7 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer 1 Complaint. It is ORDERED that defendants must respond to the complaint by August 16, 2024. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 7/22/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 07/22/2024)
2024-07-258MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Paul Drucker, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11051411. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by PAUL E ARLTON. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Drucker Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Drucker Certificates of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Drucker Motion to Appear PHV)(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 07/25/2024)
2024-07-259MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Ian Surdell, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11051565. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by PAUL E ARLTON. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Surdell Declaration, # 2 Exhibit B - Surdell Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Surdell Motion to Appear PHV)(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 07/25/2024)
2024-07-30MINUTE ORDER granting 8 9 Motions for Leave of Paul Drucker and Ian Surdell to Appear Pro Hac Vice only upon condition that the lawyers admitted, or at least one member of the lawyers' firm, undergo CM/ECF training, obtain a CM/ECF username and password, and agree to file papers electronically. No court papers will be mailed to any lawyer. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions . Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 7/30/24. (DMK) (Entered: 07/30/2024)
2024-08-1610ANSWER to Complaint by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION.(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 08/16/2024)
2024-08-20MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. The requirements of Local Civil Rule 16.3 and Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure appear to be inapplicable. Defendant must file a dispositive motion or, in the alternative, a report setting forth the schedule for the completion of its production of documents to plaintiff, on or before September 9, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 8/20/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 08/20/2024)
2024-09-0411AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by PAUL E ARLTON. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 1A, # 3 Exhibit 1C, # 4 Exhibit 1D, # 5 Exhibit 2, # 6 Exhibit 3, # 7 Exhibit 4, # 8 Exhibit 5, # 9 Exhibit 6, # 10 Exhibit 7, # 11 Exhibit 8, # 12 Exhibit 9, # 13 Exhibit 10, # 14 Exhibit 11, # 15 Exhibit 11a, # 16 Exhibit 11b, # 17 Exhibit 12, # 18 Exhibit 13, # 19 Exhibit 14, # 20 Exhibit 15, # 21 Exhibit 16, # 22 Exhibit 17, # 23 Exhibit 18, # 24 Exhibit 19, # 25 Exhibit 20, # 26 Exhibit 21, # 27 Exhibit 22, # 28 Exhibit 23, # 29 Exhibit 24, # 30 Exhibit 25, # 31 Exhibit 26, # 32 Exhibit 27, # 33 Exhibit 28, # 34 Exhibit 29, # 35 Exhibit 30, # 36 Exhibit 31, # 37 Exhibit 32, # 38 Exhibit 33, # 39 Exhibit 34, # 40 Exhibit 35)(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 09/04/2024)
2024-09-0912STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 09/09/2024)
2024-09-10MINUTE ORDER. In light of the 12 status report, it is ORDERED that defendants must file another status report by October 24, 2024. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 9/10/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 09/10/2024)
2024-09-1513Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 11 Amended Complaint,,, by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-16MINUTE ORDER granting 13 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer 11 Amended Complaint. Defendants must respond to the amended complaint by October 18, 2024. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 9/16/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 09/16/2024)
2024-09-1914NOTICE of Appearance by Ian Surdell on behalf of PAUL E ARLTON (Surdell, Ian) (Entered: 09/19/2024)
2024-09-2015NOTICE of Appearance by Paul Drucker on behalf of PAUL E ARLTON (Drucker, Paul) (Entered: 09/20/2024)
2024-10-1816Second MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 11 Amended Complaint,,, (Unopposed) by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 10/18/2024)
2024-10-21MINUTE ORDER granting 16 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. It is ORDERED that the defendants' motion is GRANTED nunc pro tunc. Defendants must respond to the amended complaint by October 22, 2024. Future motions for extensions of time filed by either party must be filed two business days before the date to be extended. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/21/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 10/21/2024)
2024-10-2217ANSWER to 11 Amended Complaint,,, by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION.(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 10/22/2024)
2024-10-24VACATED PURSUANT TO ORDER FILED 10/24/2024.....MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this FOIA case are an amended complaint and an answer. The requirements of Local Civil Rule 16.3 and Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure appear to be inapplicable. Defendant must file a dispositive motion or, in the alternative, a report setting forth the schedule for the completion of its production of documents to plaintiff, on or before November 21, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/24/2024. (lcabj2) Modified on 10/25/2024 (zdrf). (Entered: 10/24/2024)
2024-10-2418STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 10/24/2024)
2024-10-24MINUTE ORDER. In light of defendant's 18 status report, it is ORDERED that the Court's October 24, 2024 minute order is VACATED. Defendant must file another status report by December 13, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/24/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 10/24/2024)
2024-10-2519MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Mark Crandley, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11258784. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by PAUL E ARLTON. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B - Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 10/25/2024)
2024-10-28MINUTE ORDER granting 19 Motion for Leave of Mark Crandley to Appear Pro Hac Vice only upon condition that the lawyer admitted, or at least one member of the lawyer's firm, undergo CM/ECF training, obtain a CM/ECF username and password, and agree to file papers electronically. No court papers will be mailed to any lawyer. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions . Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/28/24. (DMK) (Entered: 10/28/2024)
2024-12-1320STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 12/13/2024)
2024-12-16MINUTE ORDER. In light of defendant's 20 status report, it is ORDERED that defendant must file another status report by February 11, 2025. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/16/2024. (lcabj2) (Entered: 12/16/2024)
2024-12-2021RESPONSE re 20 Status Report filed by PAUL E ARLTON. (Bradford, Michelle) (Entered: 12/20/2024)
2025-02-1122NOTICE of Appearance by Rebekah Lederer on behalf of All Defendants (Lederer, Rebekah) (Entered: 02/11/2025)
2025-02-1123STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, JET PROPULSION LABORATORY. (Lederer, Rebekah) (Entered: 02/11/2025)
2025-02-1224Supplemental STATUS REPORT Corrected Report by NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, JET PROPULSION LABORATORY. (Lederer, Rebekah) (Entered: 02/12/2025)
2025-02-13MINUTE ORDER. In light of defendant's 24 status report, it is ORDERED that defendant must file another status report by April 12, 2025. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 2/13/2025. (lcabj2) (Entered: 02/13/2025)
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