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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2017cv00864
Date Filed2017-05-10
Date Closed2023-01-31
JudgeJudge Emmet G. Sullivan
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted FOIA requests to the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury for records concerning the transfer of $400 million in currency to Iran. Both agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests, but after hearing nothing further from the agencies, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2017-05-101COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-4947127) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney General, # 4 Summons U.S. Department of State, # 5 Summons U.S. Department of the Treasury)(Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 05/10/2017)
2017-05-102LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 05/10/2017)
2017-05-10Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (jd) (Entered: 05/11/2017)
2017-05-113SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Consent Forms)(jd) (Entered: 05/11/2017)
2017-05-164RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 5/16/2017. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 6/15/2017.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 5/16/2017., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 5/16/2017 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 05/16/2017)
2017-06-155ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 06/15/2017)
2017-06-166STANDING FOIA ORDER. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 06/16/2017. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/16/2017)
2017-06-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Scheduling Order due by 7/7/2017. (mac) (Entered: 06/16/2017)
2017-07-057Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 07/05/2017)
2017-07-06MINUTE ORDER. In view of 7 the parties' Joint Status Report, the parties are ORDERED to file another joint status report by no later than October 7, 2017 to update the Court on the status of plaintiff's FOIA requests and whether further litigation is necessary. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 07/6/2017. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/06/2017)
2017-07-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/7/2017. (mac) (Entered: 07/06/2017)
2017-07-248STANDING ORDER: The parties are directed to read the attached Standing Order Governing Civil Cases Before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in its entirety upon receipt. The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives in the attached Standing Order. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/24/2017. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit) (lcegs1) (Entered: 07/24/2017)
2017-10-069Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 10/06/2017)
2017-10-10MINUTE ORDER in view of 9 parties' joint status report, the parties are ordered to file another joint status report by no later than December 6, 2017 to update the Court on the status of the plaintiff's FOIA request, the government's responses, and how the parties propose to proceed in this matter. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/10/2017. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/10/2017)
2017-10-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/6/2017. (mac) (Entered: 10/10/2017)
2017-12-0610Joint STATUS REPORT Joint Status Report by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 12/06/2017)
2017-12-08MINUTE ORDER in view of 10 parties' joint status report, the parties are ordered to file another joint status report by no later than February 16, 2018 to update the Court on the status of the plaintiff's FOIA request, the government's responses, and how the parties propose to proceed in this matter. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/8/2017. (lcegs3) (Entered: 12/08/2017)
2017-12-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/16/2018. (mac) (Entered: 12/08/2017)
2018-02-1611Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 02/16/2018)
2018-03-01MINUTE ORDER in view of 11 joint status report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report by June 15, 2018 to appraise the Court of the status of Judicial Watch's FOIA requests and provide recommendations for next steps. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/1/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/01/2018)
2018-03-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/15/2018. (mac) (Entered: 03/01/2018)
2018-06-1512Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 06/15/2018)
2018-06-15MINUTE ORDER in view of 12 parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report by October 15, 2018 to update the Court of the status of the plaintiff's FOIA requests and recommend next steps for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/15/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/15/2018)
2018-06-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/15/2018. (mac) (Entered: 06/18/2018)
2018-10-1513NOTICE of Change of Address by Kevin Matthew Snell (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 10/15/2018)
2018-10-1514Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 10/15/2018)
2018-10-16MINUTE ORDER in view of 14 parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report by November 16, 2018 to update the Court of the status of the plaintiff's FOIA requests and recommend next steps for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/16/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/16/2018)
2018-10-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/16/2018. (mac) (Entered: 10/17/2018)
2018-11-1615Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 11/16/2018)
2018-11-17MINUTE ORDER in view of 15 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than January 15, 2019 advising the Court of the status of Judicial Watch's FOIA requests and providing recommendations for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/17/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/17/2018)
2018-11-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/15/2019. (mac) (Entered: 11/19/2018)
2019-01-1016Unopposed MOTION to Stay In Light of Lapse of Approriations by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 01/10/2019)
2019-01-10MINUTE ORDER granting 16 unopposed motion to stay in light of lapse of appropriations. Defendants are directed to notify the Court when appropriations are restored or if a continuing resolution is enacted. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/10/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/10/2019)
2019-01-2817NOTICE to the Court of Restoration of Approriations by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 01/28/2019)
2019-01-2818NOTICE of Proposed Deadline for Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 01/28/2019)
2019-02-04MINUTE ORDER. In view of 18 notice of proposed deadlines for joint status report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report by no later than February 22, 2019, informing the Court of the status of plaintiff's FOIA requests and providing recommendations for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/4/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/04/2019)
2019-02-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/22/2019. (mac) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
2019-02-2219Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 02/22/2019)
2019-02-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 19 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report informing the Court of the status of Plaintiff's FOIA requests and proposing recommendations for further proceedings by no later than April 22, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/22/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/22/2019)
2019-02-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/22/2019. (mac) (Entered: 02/25/2019)
2019-04-1820Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 04/18/2019)
2019-04-24MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 20 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than July 22, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/24/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/24/2019)
2019-04-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/22/2019. (mac) (Entered: 04/24/2019)
2019-07-2221Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 07/22/2019)
2019-07-23MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 21 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than October 22, 2019, updating the Court on the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request and proposing a recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/23/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/23/2019)
2019-07-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/22/2019. (mac) (Entered: 07/23/2019)
2019-10-2222Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 10/22/2019)
2019-10-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than January 22, 2020, proposing a recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/22/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/22/2019)
2019-10-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/22/2020. (mac) (Entered: 10/23/2019)
2020-01-2123Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 01/21/2020)
2020-01-21MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than April 22, 2020. The parties shall file a proposed order with each joint status report. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/21/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/21/2020)
2020-01-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/22/2020. (mac) (Entered: 01/22/2020)
2020-04-2124Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 04/21/2020)
2020-04-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 24 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than July 22, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/22/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/22/2020)
2020-04-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/22/2020. (mac) (Entered: 04/23/2020)
2020-07-2125Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 07/21/2020)
2020-07-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of 25 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with recommendations for further proceedings by no later than October 22, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/22/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/22/2020)
2020-07-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/22/2020. (mac) (Entered: 07/23/2020)
2020-10-2226Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 10/22/2020)
2020-10-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of 26 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than January 22, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/22/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/22/2020)
2020-10-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/22/2021 (mac) (Entered: 10/23/2020)
2021-01-2227Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 01/22/2021)
2021-01-25MINUTE ORDER. In view of 27 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than April 22, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/25/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/25/2021)
2021-01-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/22/2021. (mac) (Entered: 01/26/2021)
2021-04-2228Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 04/22/2021)
2021-04-26MINUTE ORDER. In view of 28 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than July 22, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/26/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-04-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/22/2021 (mac) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-07-2229Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 07/22/2021)
2021-07-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of 29 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than October 22, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/22/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/22/2021)
2021-07-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/22/2021 (mac) (Entered: 07/23/2021)
2021-10-2230Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Snell, Kevin) (Entered: 10/22/2021)
2021-10-25MINUTE ORDER. In view of 30 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than January 21, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/25/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/25/2021)
2021-10-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/21/2022 (mac) (Entered: 10/25/2021)
2021-12-1631NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Stuart Justin Robinson on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Kevin M. Snell (Robinson, Stuart) (Entered: 12/16/2021)
2022-01-2032Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Robinson, Stuart) (Entered: 01/20/2022)
2022-01-21MINUTE ORDER. In view of 32 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than April 29, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/21/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-01-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/29/2022 (mac) (Entered: 01/24/2022)
2022-04-2933Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Robinson, Stuart) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-05-03MINUTE ORDER. In view of 33 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than July 29, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 5/3/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 05/03/2022)
2022-05-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/29/2022. (mac) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
2022-07-2934Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Robinson, Stuart) (Entered: 07/29/2022)
2022-08-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of 34 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than October 28, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/1/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/01/2022)
2022-08-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/28/2022 (mac) (Entered: 08/02/2022)
2022-10-2735Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Robinson, Stuart) (Entered: 10/27/2022)
2022-11-02MINUTE ORDER. In view of 35 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than January 27, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/2/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 11/02/2022)
2022-11-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/27/2023 (mac) (Entered: 11/02/2022)
2023-01-2736STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Robinson, Stuart) (Entered: 01/27/2023)
2023-01-2737STIPULATION of Dismissal Stipulation of Dismissal by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Aldrich, Jason) (Entered: 01/27/2023)
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