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Case TitleDEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv01876
Date Filed2018-08-09
Date Closed2020-05-22
JudgeJudge Emmet G. Sullivan
PlaintiffDEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION
Case DescriptionDemocracy Forward Foundation submitted a FOIA request to the Department of the Interior for records concerning changes in the way grants are awarded. DFF also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and told DFF that it would need to take more time to process the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, DFF filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
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

2018-08-091COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5630664) filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Exhibit)(Guzman, Javier) (Attachment 1 replaced on 8/9/2018) (zmd). (Entered: 08/09/2018)
2018-08-09Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (zmd) (Entered: 08/09/2018)
2018-08-102STANDING 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 08/10/18. (Attachment: # 1 Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 08/10/2018)
2018-08-133SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent) (zmd) (Entered: 08/13/2018)
2018-08-214RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/20/2018. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/19/2018.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR served on 8/20/2018, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 8/20/18. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Guzman, Javier) (Entered: 08/21/2018)
2018-08-305MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Travis Annatoyn, :Firm- Democracy Forward Foundation, :Address- P.O. Box 34553, Washington, D.C. 20043. Phone No. - 202-448-9090. Fee Status: No Fee Paid. by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Guzman, Javier) (Entered: 08/30/2018)
2018-09-04MINUTE ORDER granting 5 motion for leave to appear pro hac vice. Attorney Travis Annatoyn is hereby admitted pro hac vice in this matter. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/4/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/04/2018)
2018-09-206NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua L. Rogers on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 09/20/2018)
2018-09-207Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer , Nunc Pro Tunc by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Attachments: # 1 Answer)(Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 09/20/2018)
2018-09-24MINUTE ORDER granting 7 unopposed motion for extension of time to file answer nunc pro tunc. [7-1] defendant's answer is therefore accepted as timely filed. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/24/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/24/2018)
2018-09-248ANSWER to Complaint (nun pro tunc) by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.(jf) (Entered: 09/24/2018)
2018-10-10MINUTE 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 November 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 10/10/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 10/10/2018)
2018-10-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Scheduling Order due by 11/1/2018. (mac) (Entered: 10/10/2018)
2018-11-019Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Annatoyn, Travis) (Entered: 11/01/2018)
2018-11-02MINUTE ORDER. In view of 9 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another status report by no later than December 19, 2018 to update the Court on the status of production and/or whether the case can be resolved without further litigation. 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 12/19/2018. (mac) (Entered: 11/05/2018)
2018-12-1910NOTICE of Appearance by Brian J. Field on behalf of All Defendants (Field, Brian) (Entered: 12/19/2018)
2018-12-1911Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Field, Brian) (Entered: 12/19/2018)
2018-12-20MINUTE ORDER in view of 11 joint status report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than January 21, 2019 to update the Court on the status of the production and whether the case can be resolved without litigation. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/20/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 12/20/2018)
2018-12-20Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 1/21/2019. (zcdw) (Entered: 12/26/2018)
2019-01-2212MOTION to Stay by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Coles-Huff, Doris) (Entered: 01/22/2019)
2019-01-22MINUTE ORDER denying 12 defendant's motion for stay. The parties are directed to comply with the Court's December 20, 2018 Minute Order by no later than February 1, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/22/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/22/2019)
2019-01-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 2/1/2019 (mac) (Entered: 01/23/2019)
2019-02-0113Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 02/01/2019)
2019-02-0114ENTERED IN ERROR.....Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Rogers, Joshua) Modified on 2/4/2019 (jf). (Entered: 02/01/2019)
2019-02-04NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: Document No. re 14 Status Report was entered in error as a duplicate entry to 13 .(jf) (Entered: 02/04/2019)
2019-02-0815Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Graham-Oliver, Heather) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-19MINUTE ORDER. In view of 15 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a joint status report updating the Court on the status of Defendant's production efforts and whether further litigation will be necessary by no later than March 26, 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 3/26/2019. (mac) (Entered: 02/19/2019)
2019-03-2616Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 03/26/2019)
2019-03-27MINUTE ORDER. In view of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than April 26, 2019. Defendant shall produce to Plaintiff the remainder of the responsive, non-exempt portions of the approximately 5,400 pages of potentially responsive records described therein by no later than May 25, 2019, unless the parties agree otherwise. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 3/27/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 03/27/2019)
2019-03-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/26/2019. (mac) (Entered: 03/27/2019)
2019-04-2617Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 04/26/2019)
2019-04-26MINUTE ORDER. In view of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than June 3, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/26/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/26/2019)
2019-04-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/3/2019. (mac) (Entered: 04/29/2019)
2019-06-0318Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 06/03/2019)
2019-06-04MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 18 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than July 3, 2019, informing the Court of the status of the Plaintiff's FOIA request and providing a joint recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/4/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/04/2019)
2019-06-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/3/2019. (mac) (Entered: 06/04/2019)
2019-06-2819Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 06/28/2019)
2019-07-01MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 19 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than July 29, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/1/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/01/2019)
2019-07-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/29/2019. (mac) (Entered: 07/01/2019)
2019-07-2520Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 07/25/2019)
2019-07-29MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 20 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than August 9, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/29/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 07/29/2019)
2019-07-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/9/2019. (mac) (Entered: 07/29/2019)
2019-08-0921Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 08/09/2019)
2019-08-12MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 21 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than September 23, 2019, updating the Court on the status of the production and whether further litigation will be necessary. The parties shall file a proposed order with each joint status report. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/12/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 08/12/2019)
2019-08-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/23/2019. (mac) (Entered: 08/12/2019)
2019-08-13Entered In Error.....Set/Reset Deadlines: Parties Joint Status Report, Proposing A Joint Recommendation For Further Proceedings due by 9/19/2019. (mac) (Entered: 08/13/2019)
2019-09-2022Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 09/20/2019)
2019-09-24MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 22 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to submit another joint status report by no later than October 21, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/24/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 09/24/2019)
2019-09-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/21/2019. (mac) (Entered: 09/25/2019)
2019-09-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Initial Disclosures Pursuant To Rule 26(a)(1) due by 10/23/2019. Any Amendments To The Pleadings due by 11/13/2019. Plaintiff Rule 26(a)(2) Expert Disclosures due by 5/4/2020. Defendant Rule 26(a)(2) Expert Disclosures due by 6/5/2020. Plaintiff Rebuttal Expert Disclosures due by 6/19/2020. Discovery due by 7/31/2020. Stipulated Protective Order due by 10/18/2019. (mac) (Entered: 09/25/2019)
2019-09-25ENTERED IN ERROR....Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/31/2020. (mac) (Entered: 09/25/2019)
2019-10-2123Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 10/21/2019)
2019-10-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than November 20, 2019, 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 11/20/2019. (mac) (Entered: 10/23/2019)
2019-11-1924NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by William J. Chang on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Substituting for attorney Joshua Rogers (Chang, William) (Entered: 11/19/2019)
2019-11-2025Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chang, William) (Entered: 11/20/2019)
2019-11-21MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 25 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than January 13, 2020, informing the Court of the status of Defendant's production and proposing a recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/21/2019. (lcegs3) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-11-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/13/2020. (mac) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-12-0626NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. Attorney Javier M. Guzman terminated. (Guzman, Javier) (Entered: 12/06/2019)
2020-01-1027Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Chang, William) (Entered: 01/10/2020)
2020-01-10MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 27 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than February 13, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/10/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 01/10/2020)
2020-01-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/13/2020. (mac) (Entered: 01/13/2020)
2020-02-1328Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chang, William) (Entered: 02/13/2020)
2020-02-14MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 28 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than April 9, 2020, informing the Court whether this matter can be resolved without further litigation and proposing a joint recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/14/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/14/2020)
2020-02-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/9/2020. (mac) (Entered: 02/14/2020)
2020-04-0829Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chang, William) (Entered: 04/08/2020)
2020-04-09MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 29 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file another joint status report by no later than May 11, 2020, informing the Court whether this matter can be resolved without further litigation and proposing a joint recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 4/9/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 04/09/2020)
2020-04-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/11/2020. (mac) (Entered: 04/09/2020)
2020-05-1130Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chang, William) (Entered: 05/11/2020)
2020-05-13MINUTE ORDER. In view of the 30 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a stipulation of dismissal or a proposed summary judgment briefing schedule by no later than May 26, 2020. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 5/13/2020. (lcegs3) (Entered: 05/13/2020)
2020-05-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Stipulation Of Dismissal Or Proposed Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule due by 5/26/2020. (mac) (Entered: 05/14/2020)
2020-05-2231STIPULATION of Dismissal by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Chang, William) (Entered: 05/22/2020)
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