Case Detail

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Case Title

SPARACINO PLLC v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

District

District of Columbia

City

Washington, DC

Case Number

1:2019cv01175

Date Filed

2019-04-23

Date Closed

Open

Judge

Chief Judge James E. Boasberg

Plaintiff

SPARACINO PLLC

Case Description

Sparacino PLLC, a law firm representing individuals who were injured as the result of terrorist attacks in Iraq, submitted four FOIA requests to the Department of Health and Human Services for records concerning corruption at the Iraqi Ministry of Health, including payments by medical service providers to obtain contracts, money which was allegedly used in part to finance terrorist attacks. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. However, after hearing nothing further from the agency pertaining to any of the four requests, Sparacino PLLC filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

Defendant

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Documents

Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2

User-contributed Documents

Docket Events (Hide)

Date Filed	Doc #	Docket Text

2019-04-23	1	COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-6077867) filed by SPARACINO PLLC. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 04/23/2019)
2019-04-23	2	NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Edward Goldsmith on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Goldsmith, Andrew) (Entered: 04/23/2019)
2019-04-23	3	NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew M. Duffy on behalf of SPARACINO PLLC (Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 04/23/2019)
2019-04-24		Case Assigned to Judge James E. Boasberg. (zef, ) (Entered: 04/24/2019)
2019-04-24	4	SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zef, ) (Entered: 04/24/2019)
2019-05-08	5	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/30/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/30/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Duffy, Matthew); Modified on 5/13/2019 (tth). Modified on 5/15/2019 to reinstate document (tth). (Entered: 05/08/2019)
2019-05-08	6	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 4/30/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Duffy, Matthew); Modified on 5/13/2019 (tth). Modified on 5/15/2019 to reinstate document (tth). (Entered: 05/08/2019)
2019-05-08	7	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES served on 4/29/2019 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 05/08/2019)
2019-05-13		ENTERED IN ERROR.....NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: re 6 Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General, 5 Summons Returned Executed in FOIA as to U.S. Attorney, was entered in error and counsel was instructed to refile said pleading. Summonses have not been issued for the United States Attorney and the United States Attorney General. (tth); Modified text on 5/15/2019; documents 5 and 6 reinstated (tth). (Entered: 05/13/2019)
2019-05-30	8	NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Evan Kahn on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 05/30/2019)
2019-05-30	9	ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 05/30/2019)
2019-05-31		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that the parties shall confer and submit a joint proposed briefing schedule by June 14, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 5/31/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 05/31/2019)
2019-05-31		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 6/14/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 06/03/2019)
2019-06-13	10	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 06/13/2019)
2019-06-14		MINUTE ORDER ADOPTING the parties' 10 Joint Status Report. The Court ORDERS that the parties shall file a further joint status report by July 15, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 6/14/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 06/14/2019)
2019-06-14		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/15/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 06/14/2019)
2019-07-15	11	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 07/15/2019)
2019-07-16		MINUTE ORDER GRANTING Joint 11 Motion for Extension of Time. The Court ORDERS that the parties shall file their joint status report by July 19, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/16/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 07/16/2019)
2019-07-16		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/19/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 07/17/2019)
2019-07-19	12	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 07/19/2019)
2019-07-19		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 12 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by August 16, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/19/2019. (lcjeb2) (Entered: 07/19/2019)
2019-07-19		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/16/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 07/22/2019)
2019-08-16	13	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 08/16/2019)
2019-08-19		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 13 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by August 30, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 08/19/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 08/19/2019)
2019-08-19		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/30/2019 (lsj) (Entered: 08/19/2019)
2019-08-30	14	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Kahn, Matthew) (Entered: 08/30/2019)
2019-08-30		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 14 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further join status report by September 30, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 08/30/2019. (lcjeb2) (Entered: 08/30/2019)
2019-08-30		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/30/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 09/05/2019)
2019-09-27	15	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 09/27/2019)
2019-09-27		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 15 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by November 15, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 09/27/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 09/27/2019)
2019-09-27		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/15/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 09/30/2019)
2019-11-15	16	NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Patricia K. McBride on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Matthew Khan (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 11/15/2019)
2019-11-15	17	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 11/15/2019)
2019-11-18		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 17 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by December 16, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 11/18/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 11/18/2019)
2019-11-18		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 12/16/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 11/19/2019)
2019-12-16	18	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 12/16/2019)
2019-12-16		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 18 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by January 24, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 12/16/2019. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 12/16/2019)
2019-12-16		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/24/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 12/18/2019)
2020-01-24	19	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 01/24/2020)
2020-01-24		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 19 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Status Report by February 7, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 1/24/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 01/24/2020)
2020-01-24		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 2/7/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 01/24/2020)
2020-02-07	20	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-07		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 20 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Status Report by February 21, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/7/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-07		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/21/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-02-21	21	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 02/21/2020)
2020-02-21		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 21 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by April 2, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/21/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 02/21/2020)
2020-02-21		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/2/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 02/21/2020)
2020-04-02	22	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 04/02/2020)
2020-04-02		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 22 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further Joint Status Report by May 4, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 4/2/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 04/02/2020)
2020-04-02		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/4/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 04/03/2020)
2020-05-04	23	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 05/04/2020)
2020-05-04		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 23 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by June 8, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 5/4/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 05/04/2020)
2020-05-04		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/8/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 05/05/2020)
2020-06-08	24	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 06/08/2020)
2020-06-09		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 24 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by July 16, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 6/9/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 06/09/2020)
2020-06-09		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/16/2020. (znbn) (Entered: 06/09/2020)
2020-07-16	25	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 07/16/2020)
2020-07-16		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 25 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by August 17, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/16/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 07/16/2020)
2020-07-16		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/17/2020. (znbn) (Entered: 07/17/2020)
2020-08-17	26	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 08/17/2020)
2020-08-18		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 26 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by September 14, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 08/18/2020. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 08/18/2020)
2020-08-18		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/14/2020. (znbn) (Entered: 08/18/2020)
2020-09-14	27	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 09/14/2020)
2020-09-15		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 27 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by November 4, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 9/15/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-09-15		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/4/2020. (znbn) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-11-04	28	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 11/04/2020)
2020-11-04		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 28 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by December 4, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 11/4/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 11/04/2020)
2020-11-04		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/4/2020. (znbn) (Entered: 11/05/2020)
2020-12-04	29	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 12/04/2020)
2020-12-07		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 29 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by January 13, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 12/7/2020. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 12/07/2020)
2020-12-07		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/13/2021. (znbn) (Entered: 12/07/2020)
2021-01-13	30	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 01/13/2021)
2021-01-13		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 30 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by March 3, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 1/13/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 01/13/2021)
2021-01-13		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 3/3/2021. (nbn) (Entered: 01/13/2021)
2021-03-03	31	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 03/03/2021)
2021-03-03		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 31 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by April 7, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/3/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 03/03/2021)
2021-03-04		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/7/2021. (nbn) (Entered: 03/04/2021)
2021-04-06	32	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 04/06/2021)
2021-04-06		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 32 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by June 16, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 4/6/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 04/06/2021)
2021-04-06		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/16/2021. (nbn) (Entered: 04/09/2021)
2021-06-15	33	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 33 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by August 18, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 6/15/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/18/2021. (znbn) (Entered: 06/17/2021)
2021-08-18	34	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 08/18/2021)
2021-08-18		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 34 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by September 30, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 8/18/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 08/18/2021)
2021-08-18		Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 9/30/2021. (znbn) (Entered: 08/18/2021)
2021-09-30	35	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-09-30		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 35 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by November 10, 2021. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 9/30/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-09-30		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/10/2021. (znbn) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-11-10	36	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2021-11-10		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 36 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by January 12, 2022. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 11/10/2021. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2021-11-10		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/12/2022 (lsj) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2022-01-12	37	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 01/12/2022)
2022-01-12		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 37 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by March 10, 2022. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 1/12/2022. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 01/12/2022)
2022-01-12		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/10/2022. (nbn) (Entered: 01/12/2022)
2022-03-10	38	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 03/10/2022)
2022-03-10		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 38 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by May 5, 2022. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/10/2022. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 03/10/2022)
2022-03-10		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/5/2022. (znbn) (Entered: 03/10/2022)
2022-05-04	39	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
2022-05-05		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 39 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by July 7, 2022. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 5/5/2022. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 05/05/2022)
2022-05-05		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/7/2022. (nbn) (Entered: 05/05/2022)
2022-07-06	40	Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 07/06/2022)
2022-07-06		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 40 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by September 9, 2022. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/6/2022. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 07/06/2022)
2022-07-06		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/9/2022. (nbn) (Entered: 07/06/2022)
2022-09-09	41	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 09/09/2022)
2022-09-12		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 41 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by November 4, 2022. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 9/12/2022. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-09-12		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/4/2022. (nbn) (Entered: 09/12/2022)
2022-11-04	42	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 11/04/2022)
2022-11-07		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 42 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by January 6, 2023. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 11/7/2022. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 11/07/2022)
2022-11-07		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/6/2023. (nbn) (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2023-01-06	43	Joint STATUS REPORT by SPARACINO PLLC. (Duffy, Matthew) (Entered: 01/06/2023)
2023-01-09		MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 43 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file a further joint status report by March 20, 2023. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 1/9/2023. (lcjeb1) (Entered: 01/09/2023)
2023-01-09		Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/20/2023. (nbn) (Entered: 01/09/2023)
2023-03-20	44	STIPULATION of Dismissal by SPARACINO PLLC. (Branson, Joshua) (Entered: 03/20/2023)
2023-03-20		MINUTE ORDER: Per the parties' 44 Stipulation, the Court ORDERS that the case is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. So ORDERED by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/20/2023. (lcjeb4) (Entered: 03/20/2023)
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