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Case TitleDEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION v. BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv03164
Date Filed2019-10-22
Date Closed2021-07-16
JudgeJudge Carl J. Nichols
PlaintiffDEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION
Case DescriptionDemocracy Forward Foundation submitted two FOIA requests to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement for records concerning the grant of waivers to offshore drilling safety requirements. DFF also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the one of the requests. After hearing nothing further from the agency pertaining to either request, DFF filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantBUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-10-221COMPLAINT against BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6470296) filed by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 10/22/2019)
2019-10-222LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 10/22/2019)
2019-10-24Case assigned to Judge Carl J. Nichols. (zmc) (Entered: 10/24/2019)
2019-10-253SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 10/25/2019)
2019-10-304RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT served on 10/28/2019, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 10/28/19., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 10/28/2019. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 11/27/2019.) (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 10/30/2019)
2019-11-255NOTICE of Appearance by Scott Leeson Sroka on behalf of BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 11/25/2019)
2019-11-266ANSWER to Complaint by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT.(Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 11/26/2019)
2019-11-26MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this Freedom of Information Act case are a Complaint and an Answer. The requirements of Local Civil Rule 16.3 and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) appear to be inapplicable. It is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall confer and file a Joint Status Report by December 20, 2019. The Joint Status Report shall address: (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 the documents requested by Plaintiff; (4) whether a motion for stay is likely under Open America v. Watergate Special Prosecution Force , 547 F.2d 605 (D.C. Cir. 1976); and (5) whether the Parties anticipate summary judgment briefing and, if so, a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on November 26, 2019. (lccjn2) (Entered: 11/26/2019)
2019-11-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/20/2019. (mac) (Entered: 11/26/2019)
2019-12-207Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 12/20/2019)
2019-12-208ERRATA regarding next JSR date by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT 7 Status Report filed by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Sroka, Scott) (Entered: 12/20/2019)
2019-12-23MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 7 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall submit a Joint Status Report by February 7, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on December 23, 2019. (lccjn2) (Entered: 12/23/2019)
2019-12-23Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 2/7/2020. (zcdw) (Entered: 12/23/2019)
2020-02-079Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-10MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 9 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by March 6, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on February 10, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-02-1010NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Benton Gregory Peterson on behalf of BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT Substituting for attorney SCOTT SROKA (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-02-10Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 3/6/2020. (zcdw) (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-03-0611Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-03-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 11 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by April 6, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on March 8, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 03/08/2020)
2020-03-08Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 4/6/2020. (zcdw) (Entered: 03/12/2020)
2020-04-0612Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 04/06/2020)
2020-04-07MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by May 6, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on April 7, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 04/07/2020)
2020-04-07Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 5/6/2020. (zcdw) (Entered: 04/07/2020)
2020-05-0613Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 05/06/2020)
2020-05-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by June 5, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on May 8, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 05/08/2020)
2020-06-0514Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 06/05/2020)
2020-06-08MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 14 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by July 6, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on June 8, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 06/08/2020)
2020-06-08Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 7/6/2020. (zcdw) (Entered: 06/09/2020)
2020-07-0615Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 07/06/2020)
2020-07-07MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 15 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by August 6, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on July 7, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 07/07/2020)
2020-07-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/6/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 07/07/2020)
2020-08-0616Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 08/06/2020)
2020-08-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 16 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by September 11, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on August 6, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 08/06/2020)
2020-08-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/11/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 08/07/2020)
2020-09-1117Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 09/11/2020)
2020-09-15MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by October 13, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on September 15, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-09-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/13/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-10-1318Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 10/13/2020)
2020-10-14MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by November 13, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on October 14, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-10-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/13/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 10/14/2020)
2020-11-1319Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 11/13/2020)
2020-11-14MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by December 14, 2020. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on November 14, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 11/14/2020)
2020-11-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/14/2020. (zcal) (Entered: 11/16/2020)
2020-12-1420Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 12/14/2020)
2020-12-16MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 20 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by January 14, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on December 16, 2020. (lccjn2) (Entered: 12/16/2020)
2020-12-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/14/2021. (zkh) (Entered: 12/17/2020)
2021-01-1421Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 01/14/2021)
2021-01-19MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 21 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by February 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on January 19, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 01/19/2021)
2021-01-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/15/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 01/19/2021)
2021-02-1522STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 02/15/2021)
2021-02-1623Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-16MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 23 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by March 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on February 16, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/15/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 02/17/2021)
2021-03-1524Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-03-1525ERRATA by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT re 24 Status Report filed by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-03-22MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' [25-1] Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by April 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on March 22, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 03/22/2021)
2021-03-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/15/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 03/23/2021)
2021-04-1526Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 04/15/2021)
2021-04-22MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 26 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by May 14, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on April 22, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 04/22/2021)
2021-04-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/14/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 04/23/2021)
2021-05-1427Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
2021-05-24MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 27 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by June 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on May 24, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 05/24/2021)
2021-05-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/15/2021. (zkh) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-06-1528NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Benton Peterson (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-1529Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the Parties' 29 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report by July 15, 2021. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on June 15, 2021. (lccjn2) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/15/2021. (zcal) (Entered: 06/16/2021)
2021-07-1430STIPULATION of Dismissal by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 07/14/2021)
2021-07-1431Joint STATUS REPORT by DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION. (Miller, Kristen) (Entered: 07/14/2021)
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