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Case TitleEQUITY FORWARD v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv01090
Date Filed2018-05-09
Date Closed2024-01-18
JudgeJudge Loren L. AliKhan
PlaintiffEQUITY FORWARD
Case DescriptionEquity Forward submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Health and Human Services for records concerning Secretary Alex Azar and his staff's travel and appointment schedules. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. Equity Forward then requested inclusion in the news media fee category. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Equity Forward filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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

2018-05-091COMPLAINT for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief against DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5471065) filed by EQUITY FORWARD. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 7.1 Certificate, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 4 Summons Attorney General, # 5 Summons HHS)(Sobel, David) (Attachment 1 replaced on 5/11/2018) (zmd). (Entered: 05/09/2018)
2018-05-092LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by EQUITY FORWARD. (zmd) (Entered: 05/11/2018)
2018-05-09Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (zmd) (Entered: 05/11/2018)
2018-05-113SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent) (zmd) (Entered: 05/11/2018)
2018-05-144STANDING 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 05/14/18. (Attachment: # 1 Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 05/14/2018)
2018-06-205ANSWER to Complaint by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 06/20/2018)
2018-07-13MINUTE ORDER. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. The parties are directed to meet and confer and propose a joint scheduling order for further proceedings in this case by no later than August 1, 2018. The parties' joint proposed scheduling order shall address the following: (1) The status of plaintiff's FOIA request; (2) The anticipated number of documents responsive to plaintiff's FOIA request; (3) The anticipated date(s) for release of documents responsive to plaintiff's FOIA request; (4) Whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case; (5) Whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case; (6) Whether this case would benefit from referral to a magistrate judge or the District Court Mediation Program for purposes of settlement; and (7) A proposed briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if applicable. If the parties are unable to agree on a joint recommendation, the joint proposed scheduling order shall include each party's individual recommendations. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/13/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/13/2018)
2018-07-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Scheduling Order due by 8/1/2018. (mac) (Entered: 07/13/2018)
2018-08-016Joint STATUS REPORT by EQUITY FORWARD. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Sobel, David) (Entered: 08/01/2018)
2018-08-03MINUTE ORDER in view of 6 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by October 10, 2018. The joint status report shall set forth the status of defendant's response to plaintiff's FOIA request, which shall begin on August 30, 2018. Defendant shall produce at least 750 pages per month. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/3/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/03/2018)
2018-08-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/10/2018. (mac) (Entered: 08/03/2018)
2018-11-02MINUTE ORDER. On August 3, 2018, the Court ordered the parties to file another joint status report by October 10, 2018. To date, the parties have not complied. The parties are therefore ORDERED to file another joint status report by no later than November 16, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/2/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/02/2018)
2018-11-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/16/2018. (mac) (Entered: 11/05/2018)
2018-11-167Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 11/16/2018)
2018-11-21MINUTE ORDER in view of 7 joint status report, the parties shall file another joint status report updating the Court as to the status of the defendant's production efforts by no later than January 16, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/21/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/21/2018)
2018-11-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/16/2019. (mac) (Entered: 11/21/2018)
2019-01-118Consent MOTION to Stay , MOTION for Extension of Time to in Light of Lapse of Appropriations by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hudak, Brian) (Entered: 01/11/2019)
2019-01-15MINUTE ORDER granting 8 consent motion for stay and extension of time in light of lapse of appropriations. Defendant is directed to notify the Court when appropriations are restored or if a continuing resolution is enacted. The deadline for the joint status report is hereby extended until fourteen (14) days after appropriations are restored to the Department of Justice. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/15/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/15/2019)
2019-02-19MINUTE ORDER. The parties are directed to file a joint status report updating the Court as to the status of Defendant's production efforts by no later than March 1, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/19/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/19/2019)
2019-02-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/1/2019. (mac) (Entered: 02/19/2019)
2019-03-019NOTICE of Appearance by Derek S. Hammond on behalf of All Defendants (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-0110Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-04MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 10 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report updating the Court on the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request by no later than May 1, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/4/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
2019-03-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/1/2019. (mac) (Entered: 03/04/2019)
2019-05-0111Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 05/01/2019)
2019-05-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 11 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than July 1, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 5/1/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 05/01/2019)
2019-05-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/1/201. (mac) (Entered: 05/02/2019)
2019-07-0112Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 07/01/2019)
2019-07-02MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 12 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than September 2, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/2/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/02/2019)
2019-07-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/2/2019. (mac) (Entered: 07/02/2019)
2019-08-3013Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 08/30/2019)
2019-09-03MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than November 1, 2019, informing the Court of the status of Defendant's response to Plaintiff's FOIA request. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/3/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/03/2019)
2019-09-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/1/2019. (mac) (Entered: 09/04/2019)
2019-11-0114Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 11/01/2019)
2019-11-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 14 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than February 9, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/1/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/01/2019)
2019-11-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/9/2020. (mac) (Entered: 11/04/2019)
2020-02-0715Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-07MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 15 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than May 8, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/7/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/8/2020. (mac) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-05-0816Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 05/08/2020)
2020-05-13MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 16 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than August 10, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 5/13/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 05/13/2020)
2020-05-1317NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. Attorney Benton Gregory Peterson terminated. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 05/13/2020)
2020-05-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/10/2020. (mac) (Entered: 05/14/2020)
2020-08-1018Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 08/10/2020)
2020-08-11MINUTE ORDER. In view of 18 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with recommendations for further proceedings by no later than November 10, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/11/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/11/2020)
2020-08-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/10/2020. (mac) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-11-1019Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 11/10/2020)
2020-12-10MINUTE ORDER. In view of 19 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than February 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/10/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 12/10/2020)
2020-12-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/10/2021. (mac) (Entered: 12/11/2020)
2021-02-1020Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-12MINUTE ORDER. In view of 20 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than March 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/12/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-02-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/10/2021. (mac) (Entered: 02/13/2021)
2021-03-1021Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 03/10/2021)
2021-03-10MINUTE ORDER. In view of 21 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than June 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/10/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/10/2021)
2021-03-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/10/2021. (mac) (Entered: 03/10/2021)
2021-06-1022Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 06/10/2021)
2021-06-11MINUTE ORDER. In view of 22 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than September 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/11/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/11/2021)
2021-06-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/10/2021 (mac) (Entered: 06/12/2021)
2021-09-1023Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 09/10/2021)
2021-09-13MINUTE ORDER. In view of 23 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than December 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/13/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/13/2021)
2021-09-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/10/2021 (mac) (Entered: 09/14/2021)
2021-12-1624Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 12/16/2021)
2021-12-20MINUTE ORDER. In view of 24 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than March 10, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/20/2021. (lcegs3) (Entered: 12/20/2021)
2021-12-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/10/2022 (mac) (Entered: 12/21/2021)
2022-03-1025Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 03/10/2022)
2022-03-11MINUTE ORDER. In view of 25 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than June 10, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/11/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/11/2022)
2022-03-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/10/2022 (mac) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-06-0326NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Duffey on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 06/03/2022)
2022-06-0827Joint STATUS REPORT with proposed order by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 06/08/2022)
2022-06-09MINUTE 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 September 12, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/9/2022. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/09/2022)
2022-06-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/12/2022 (mac) (Entered: 06/10/2022)
2022-09-1228Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-09-1229NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. Attorney Thomas Duffey terminated. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-09-12MINUTE ORDER. In view of 28 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than December 12, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/12/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-09-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/12/2022 (mac) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-12-1230Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 12/12/2022)
2022-12-13MINUTE 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 March 13, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/13/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2022-12-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/13/2023 (mac) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2023-03-1331Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 03/13/2023)
2023-03-13MINUTE ORDER. In view of 31 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report with a recommendation for further proceedings by no later than June 13, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/13/2023. (lcegs1) (Entered: 03/13/2023)
2023-03-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/13/2023 (mac) (Entered: 03/14/2023)
2023-06-1332Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 06/13/2023)
2023-06-14MINUTE 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 September 13, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 06/14/2023. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/14/2023)
2023-06-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/13/2023 (mac) (Entered: 06/14/2023)
2023-06-2833NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Stephanie R. Johnson on behalf of DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substituting for attorney Derek S. Hammond (Johnson, Stephanie) (Entered: 06/28/2023)
2023-09-1334Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Johnson, Stephanie) (Entered: 09/13/2023)
2023-11-30MINUTE 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 December 13, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/30/2023. (lcegs1) (Entered: 11/30/2023)
2023-12-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Parties Joint Status Report due by 12/13/2023 (mac) (Entered: 12/04/2023)
2023-12-1335Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Johnson, Stephanie) (Entered: 12/13/2023)
2023-12-14Case directly reassigned to Judge Loren L. AliKhan. Judge Emmet G. Sullivan is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr) (Entered: 12/14/2023)
2023-12-22MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 35 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a joint status report on or before March 13, 2024. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 12/22/2023. (lclla3) (Entered: 12/22/2023)
2023-12-26Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 3/13/2024. (zcdw) (Entered: 12/26/2023)
2024-01-1636NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by EQUITY FORWARD (Sobel, David) (Entered: 01/16/2024)
2024-01-16MINUTE ORDER: In light of Plaintiff's Notice of Voluntary Dismissal 36 , the court ORDERS that the case is DISMISSED without prejudice. The Clerk of Court is hereby directed to terminate this case. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 01/16/2024. (lclla3) (Entered: 01/16/2024)
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