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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv01854
Date Filed2018-08-07
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Amy Berman Jackson
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for records concerning GPS Fusion, Nellie Ohr, and Christopher Steele. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and told Judicial Watch that it would need more time to process its request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, 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 JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2018-08-071COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5626473) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons for U.S. Attorney for DC, # 3 Summons for U.S. Attorney General, # 4 Summons for U.S. Department of Justice)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-072LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-09Case Assigned to Judge Amy Berman Jackson. (zsb) (Entered: 08/09/2018)
2018-08-103SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsb) (Entered: 08/10/2018)
2018-08-164RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/14/2018. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/13/2018.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 08/14/2018., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 8/14/2018 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 08/16/2018)
2018-09-135NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Joseph Gerardi on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 09/13/2018)
2018-09-136ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 09/13/2018)
2018-09-14MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. The requirements of LCvR 16.3 and Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure appear to be inapplicable. Defendant shall file a dispositive motion or, in the alternative, a report setting forth the schedule according to which it will complete its production of documents to plaintiff on or before October 12, 2018. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 09/14/2018. (lcabj3) (Entered: 09/14/2018)
2018-10-127Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 10/12/2018)
2018-10-12MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' joint status report 7 , it is ORDERED that the parties shall file a further status report by October 19, 2018. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/12/18. (DMK) (Entered: 10/12/2018)
2018-10-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/19/2018. (tb) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
2018-10-198Joint STATUS REPORT (Second) by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 10/19/2018)
2018-10-30MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit an updated joint status report by December 7, 2018. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/30/2018. (lcabj3) (Entered: 10/30/2018)
2018-12-079Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 12/07/2018)
2018-12-10MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit an updated joint status report by January 21, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/10/2018. (lcabj3) (Entered: 12/10/2018)
2018-12-2610Unopposed MOTION to Stay Forthcoming Processing Deadlines In Light of a Lapse of Appropriations by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 12/26/2018)
2018-12-28MINUTE ORDER granting 10 Unopposed Motion to Stay. The government must file a notice within two days of the resumption of operations and it should include a proposed revised schedule if one is necessary. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/28/2018. (lcabj3) (Entered: 12/28/2018)
2019-01-2911NOTICE BY DEFENDANT TO THE COURT OF RESTORATION OF APPROPRIATIONS by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 01/29/2019)
2019-01-30MINUTE ORDER. In light of the government's notice 11 , the stay in this case is hereby lifted and the parties must submit a joint status report with a proposed processing schedule by February 5, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 01/30/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 01/30/2019)
2019-02-0512NOTICE of Appearance by Paul J. Orfanedes on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Main Document 12 replaced on 2/5/2019) (zjf). (Entered: 02/05/2019)
2019-02-0513Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
2019-02-06MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit a joint status report by March 15, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 02/06/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 02/06/2019)
2019-03-1314Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 03/13/2019)
2019-03-15MINUTE ORDER granting 14 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time. The parties must file a joint status report by March 19, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 03/15/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 03/15/2019)
2019-03-1915Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 03/19/2019)
2019-03-22MINUTE ORDER. The parties must file an updated status report by April 10, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 3/22/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 03/22/2019)
2019-04-1016Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 04/10/2019)
2019-04-16MINUTE ORDER. The parties must file an updated status report by May 10, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 04/16/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 04/16/2019)
2019-05-1017Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 05/10/2019)
2019-05-13MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit a joint status report by June 14, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 05/13/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 05/13/2019)
2019-06-1418Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 06/14/2019)
2019-06-17MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit an updated joint status report by July 15, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 06/17/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 06/17/2019)
2019-06-2819Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Extend Deadline for Release of Records and File Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 06/28/2019)
2019-06-28MINUTE ORDER. The Court grants the parties' 19 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to allow defendant to complete its final production by July 10, 2019, and to submit a joint status report by July 19, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 06/28/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 06/28/2019)
2019-07-1920Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 07/19/2019)
2019-07-23MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit an updated joint status report by September 2, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 07/23/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 07/23/2019)
2019-08-0721Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Next Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 08/07/2019)
2019-08-08MINUTE ORDER granting 21 Motion for Extension of Time. The parties must submit a joint status report by September 5, 2019. The September 2, 2019 deadline is hereby VACATED. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 08/08/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 08/08/2019)
2019-09-0522Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 09/05/2019)
2019-09-10MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit an updated joint status report by October 1, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 09/10/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 09/10/2019)
2019-10-0123Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 10/01/2019)
2019-10-02MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall submit a joint status report on November 1, 2019. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/2/2019. (lcabj3, ) (Entered: 10/02/2019)
2019-11-0124Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 11/01/2019)
2019-11-04MINUTE ORDER. Based on the parties' 24 joint status report, the parties shall submit another joint status report by December 4, 2019 to update the Court on the status of document production. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 11/4/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 11/04/2019)
2019-12-0425Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 12/04/2019)
2019-12-05MINUTE ORDER. The parties must submit another joint status report by January 8, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/5/2019. (lcabj3) (Entered: 12/05/2019)
2020-01-0826Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 01/08/2020)
2020-01-09MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 26 joint status report, the parties must submit another joint status report by February 7, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 1/9/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 01/09/2020)
2020-02-0727Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-10MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 27 joint status report, the parties must file another status report by March 6, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 2/10/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-03-0628Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-03-09MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 28 joint status report, the parties must file another status report on April 8, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 3/9/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 03/09/2020)
2020-03-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint status report due by 4/8/2020. (tg) (Entered: 03/09/2020)
2020-04-0829Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 04/08/2020)
2020-04-20MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 29 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by May 27, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 4/20/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 04/20/2020)
2020-05-2730Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 05/27/2020)
2020-05-28MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 30 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by June 26, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 5/28/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 05/28/2020)
2020-06-2631Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 06/26/2020)
2020-06-26MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 31 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by July 24, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 6/26/202. (lcabj3) (Entered: 06/26/2020)
2020-07-2432Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-07-27MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 32 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by August 27, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 7/27/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 07/27/2020)
2020-08-2833Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 08/28/2020)
2020-08-28MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties 33 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by September 11, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 8/28/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 08/28/2020)
2020-09-1134Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 09/11/2020)
2020-09-11MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 34 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by December 11, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 9/11/2020. (lcabj3) (Entered: 09/11/2020)
2020-12-1135Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 12/11/2020)
2020-12-14MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 35 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by February 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/14/20. (lcabj2) (Entered: 12/14/2020)
2021-02-1036ENTERED IN ERROR.....Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) Modified on 2/10/2021 (zeg). (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-1037Joint STATUS REPORT (Corrected) by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-10NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: re 36 Status Report was entered in error per counsel request. Pleading was refiled in Docket Entry 37 . (zeg) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-10MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 37 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by March 10, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 2/10/21. (lcabj2) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-03-1038Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Seidel Decl.)(Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 03/10/2021)
2021-03-15MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 38 joint status report, it is ORDERED that: defendant must produce the records for which consultation is not required by March 19, 2021; the parties must submit another joint status report by May 14, 2021; and rolling production of records for which consultation is required must begin on or before July 30, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 3/15/21. (lcabj2) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-05-1139Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
2021-05-12MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 39 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by August 13, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 5/12/21. (lcabj2) (Entered: 05/12/2021)
2021-08-0440Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 08/04/2021)
2021-08-04MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 40 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by September 13, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 8/4/21. (lcabj2) (Entered: 08/04/2021)
2021-09-1041NOTICE of Appearance by Eric W. Lee on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Lee, Eric) (Entered: 09/10/2021)
2021-09-1342Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 09/13/2021)
2021-09-14MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 42 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by October 13, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 9/14/21. (lcabj2) (Entered: 09/14/2021)
2021-10-1343Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 10/13/2021)
2021-10-14MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 43 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by November 16, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 10/14/2021. (lcabj2) (Entered: 10/14/2021)
2021-11-1544Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 11/15/2021)
2021-11-15MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 44 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by December 16, 2021. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 11/15/2021. (lcabj2) (Entered: 11/15/2021)
2021-12-1645Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 12/16/2021)
2021-12-16MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 45 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by January 14, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 12/16/2021. (lcabj2) (Entered: 12/16/2021)
2022-01-1446Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 01/14/2022)
2022-01-18MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 46 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by February 24, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 01/18/2022. (lcabj2) (Entered: 01/18/2022)
2022-02-2447Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 02/24/2022)
2022-02-24MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 47 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by April 25, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 02/24/2022. (lcabj2) (Entered: 02/24/2022)
2022-04-2248Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 04/22/2022)
2022-04-25MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 48 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by June 24, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 04/25/2022. (lcabj2) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-06-2449Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 06/24/2022)
2022-06-27MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 49 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by September 26, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 06/27/2022. (lcabj2) (Entered: 06/27/2022)
2022-09-2650Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 09/26/2022)
2022-09-28MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 50 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by November 15, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 09/28/2022. (lcabj2) (Entered: 09/28/2022)
2022-11-1451Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Gerardi, Michael) (Entered: 11/14/2022)
2022-11-16MINUTE ORDER. In light of the parties' 51 joint status report, the parties must submit another status report by January 17, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 11/16/2022. (lcabj2) (Entered: 11/16/2022)
2022-12-0552STIPULATION of Dismissal by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 12/05/2022)
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