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Case TitleKENNEDY v. EEOC
DistrictSouthern District of Indiana
CityIndianapolis
Case Number1:2014cv00374
Date Filed2014-03-11
Date Closed2014-09-29
JudgeJudge Jane Magnus-Stinson
PlaintiffJOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY
Case DescriptionJoseph Kennedy submitted a FOIA request to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for records concerning the Commission's denial of his employment discrimination complaint. The agency responded by disclosing some records, but Kennedy was dissatisfied and filed an administrative appeal. The EEOC responded to Kennedy's appeal, indicating that deliberative material was redacted under Exemption 5 (privileges). Kennedy was still dissatisfied with the completeness of the records and filed suit.
Complaint issues: disclosure of all records, require agency to explain its deliberative process privilege claim

DefendantUNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Opinion/Order [33]
Opinion/Order [34]
FOIA Project Annotation: The court ruled that the EEOC properly withheld its rationale for deciding not to pursue Joseph Kennedy's employment discrimination complaint under Exemption 5 (privileges). Kennedy had filed a complaint with the EEOC against his employer, Stericycle. The agency informed Stericycle of Kennedy's complaint, but did not require the company to take any action. The agency ultimately found Kennedy had filed his complaint too late. Kennedy then requested records concerning his complaint. The agency withheld information concerning the investigator's rationale for recommending that Kennedy's complaint be closed. Upholding the agency's decision, the court noted that "the Investigator's initial assessment of Mr. Kennedy's Charge of Discrimination and the EEOC codes that convey that assessment to the Investigator's supervisor are undisputedly related to the process by which the EEOC reached a final decision on how Mr. Kennedy's Charge of Discrimination should be resolved. This type of information is precisely the type of deliberative information that Exemption 5 covers. . ."
Issues: Exemption 5 - Privileges - Deliberative process privilege - Deliberative
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2014-03-111COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, filed by JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (No fee paid with this filing) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A Charge of Discrimination, # 2 Exhibit B Dismissal and Notice of Rights, # 3 Exhibit C letter received 12/09/2013, # 4 Exhibit D FOIA copy, # 5 Exhibit E letter of appeal, # 6 Exhibit F letter dated 02/12/2014, # 7 Exhibit G Notice of Charge of Discrimination)(DJH) (Entered: 03/12/2014)
2014-03-112MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis, filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (DJH) (Entered: 03/12/2014)
2014-03-113MOTION Requesting Service of Process by the Court filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (DJH) (Entered: 03/12/2014)
2014-03-114MAGISTRATE JUDGE's NOTICE of Availability to Exercise Jurisdiction issued. (DJH) (Entered: 03/12/2014)
2014-03-145ENTRY Granting In Forma Pauperis Status and Directing Issuance of Process: The plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis [dkt. 2] is granted. The plaintiff's motion requesting assistance with service of process [dkt. 3] is granted. The clerk shall issue process, consisting of a summons, which the Marshal for this District or his Deputy shall serve, together with a copy of the complaint and the attachments thereto, and a copy of this Entry, on the defendant and on the officials designated pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i))(2), at the expense of the United States. Copy to Plaintiff via US Mail. Copy to USMS. Signed by Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson on 3/14/2014. (SWM) (Entered: 03/17/2014)
2014-03-176Summons Issued as to USA - UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (SWM) (Entered: 03/17/2014)
2014-03-317RETURN of USM Service UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION c/o US Attorney, Indianapolis, IN served on 3/26/2014. (DW) (Entered: 04/01/2014)
2014-04-248NOTICE of Appearance by Shelese M. Woods on behalf of Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 04/24/2014)
2014-04-249MOTION for Extension of Time to 30 days , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 04/24/2014)
2014-04-2510ORDER granting Defendant's 9 Motion for Extension of Time to File response to Plaintiff's Brief to 5/27/2014. Copy to Plaintiff via US Mail. Signed by Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson on 4/25/2014. (SWM) (Entered: 04/25/2014)
2014-05-0611RETURN of USM Service UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION c/o US Attorney General, Washington DC served by CMRRR on 4/1/2014. (DW) (Entered: 05/07/2014)
2014-05-0612RETURN of USM Service UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION served by CMRRR on 3/31/2014. (DW) (Entered: 05/07/2014)
2014-05-0813RESPONSE in Opposition to 9 Defendant's Motion for Extension of Time, filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (JKS) (Entered: 05/09/2014)
2014-05-2114ANSWER to 1 Complaint , filed by UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION.(Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 05/21/2014)
2014-05-2215SCHEDULING ORDER- Initial Pretrial Conference set for 6/18/2014 11:00 AM in room #243, United States Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana before Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore on 5/22/2014 (dist made)(CBU) (Entered: 05/23/2014)
2014-05-2716WITHDRAWN PER DKT. 25 MOTION for Stay of Discovery and for Entry of Proposed Briefing Schedule , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Woods, Shelese) Modified on 5/28/2014 (JKS). Modified on 6/20/2014 (NLR). (Entered: 05/27/2014)
2014-05-2817NOTICE of Change of Address for JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (JKS) (Entered: 05/28/2014)
2014-05-2818RESPONSE to Answer, filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (SWM) (Entered: 05/29/2014)
2014-05-2819RESPONSE in Opposition re 16 MOTION for Stay of Discovery and Entry Proceedings, filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (SWM) (Entered: 05/29/2014)
2014-05-2820MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. (DW) (Entered: 05/29/2014)
2014-05-2921SCHEDULING ORDER- Motion Hearing (on motion for stay discovery) set for 6/18/2014 11:00 AM in room #243, United States Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana before Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore on 5/29/2014.(CBU) Modified on 6/2/2014 (CBU) (dist made) (Entered: 06/02/2014)
2014-06-2022Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit 1, Smith Decl., # (2) Exhibit 2, Garner Decl., # (3) Exhibit 3, EEOC Charge, # (4) Exhibit 4, Notice of Charge, # (5) Exhibit 5, Dismissal and Notice of Rights)(Woods, Shelese) Modified on 6/24/2014 (CBU)***Exhibits 2 and 3 are under seal until further order) (Entered: 06/20/2014)
2014-06-2023BRIEF/MEMORANDUM in Support re 20 MOTION for Summary Judgment, 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 06/20/2014)
2014-06-2024NOTICE to Pro Se Litigant , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 06/20/2014)
2014-06-2025MINUTE ORDER for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore: On 6/18/2014 Plaintiff appeared pro se and Defendant appeared by counsel for a hearing on the EEOC's motion to stay discovery and enter a briefing schedule. [Dkt. 16.] Subsequent to the filing of that motion, the pro se Plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment. [Dkt. 20.] As a result, the EEOC moved to withdraw its motion to stay discovery, which the Court will Grant. The clerk is directed to show Dkt. 16 as withdrawn. A case schedule will be issued after a ruling on the Motion For Summary Judgment. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore. (mailed to plaintiff) (NLR) (Entered: 06/20/2014)
2014-06-2326MOTION to Seal Document 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Cover Sheet for Sealed Document)(Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 06/23/2014)
2014-06-2327REDACTION to 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment Ex. 2, Garner Declaration by UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 06/23/2014)
2014-06-2328REDACTION to 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment Ex. 3, Kennedy Charge of Discriminiation by UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 06/23/2014)
2014-06-2429ORDER granting 26 Motion to Seal exhibits 2 and 3 to its motion for summary judgment are placed under seal until further order of this Court. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore on 6/24/2014 (dist made) (CBU) (Entered: 06/24/2014)
2014-07-0730ENTRY SETTING FORTH BRIEFING SCHEDULE: The parties have submitted cross-motions for summary judgment. It is the Court's preference that such motions proceed on a four brief schedule as opposed to a six brief schedule. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file a combined Reply Brief in Support of Summary Judgment and a Response to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (combined pleading) by July 21, 2014. Defendant shall file any reply brief in support of their Motion for Summary Judgment within 14 days after the filing of the combined response/reply brief. Signed by Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson on 7/7/2014. Copy sent via US Mail.(DW) (Entered: 07/07/2014)
2014-07-1731REPLY in Support of Motion re Plaintiff's 20 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by Plaintiff JOSEPH ROBERT KENNEDY. No c/s. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C)(ADH) (Entered: 07/18/2014)
2014-07-3032REPLY in Support of Motion re 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment and In Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment , filed by Defendant UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. (Woods, Shelese) (Entered: 07/30/2014)
2014-09-2933ORDER: Mr. Kennedy's Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED, [Filing No. 20]. The EEOC's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED, [Filing No. 22]. Final Judgment shall issue accordingly. Copy to Plaintiff via US Mail. Signed by Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson on 9/29/2014. (SWM) (Entered: 09/30/2014)
2014-09-2934CLOSED FINAL JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. PRO. 58: Consistent with the Court's Order entered this date, the Court now enters FINAL JUDGMENT in this matter in favor of Defendant such that Plaintiff shall take nothing by way of the Complaint. Copy to Plaintiff via US Mail. Signed by Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson on 9/29/2014.(SWM) (Entered: 09/30/2014)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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