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Case TitleMOHARAM v. U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv02569
Date Filed2020-09-14
Date Closed2022-12-16
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffFAHMI AHMED MOHARAM
Case DescriptionFahmi Ahmed Moharam, who was raised in Yemen but immigrated to the U.S. and received derivative U.S. citizenship, submitted FOIA requests to the FBI and the State Department for records concerning why he had been placed on the no fly list. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests. The FBI told Moharam that it found no records. Moharam filed an administrative appeal of that finding. The FBI upheld the no records decision and further told Moharam that to the extent he was on the No-Fly list, such records would be withheld under Exemption 7(E) (investigative methods and techniques). Moharam heard nothing further from the State Department. He then filed suit against both agencies.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Exemption 7(E) - Investigative methods or techniques, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-09-141COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7587945) filed by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Civil Cover Sheet, # 8 Summons to FBI, # 9 Summons to Dept. of State, # 10 Summons to US Attorney General, # 11 Summons to DC US Attorney)(Litt, Robert) (Entered: 09/14/2020)
2020-09-142REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation re 1 Complaint,, filed by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. Related document: 1 Complaint,, filed by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Attachments: # 1 Summons State Department, # 2 Summons US Attorney General, # 3 Summons DC US Attorney)(Litt, Robert) (Entered: 09/14/2020)
2020-09-153ERRATA by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Attachments: # 1 Corrected Complaint Caption)(Litt, Robert) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-09-15Case Assigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (zsb) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-09-154STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/15/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 09/15/2020)
2020-09-175SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmc) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-09-17SUMMONS Not Issued as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (zmc) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-09-176REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to U.S. Department of Justice filed by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM.(Litt, Robert) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-09-187SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (eg) (Entered: 09/18/2020)
2020-10-198NOTICE of Appearance by Kathleene A. Molen on behalf of All Defendants (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 10/19/2020)
2020-10-209RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 10/1/2020 (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 10/20/2020)
2020-10-2010RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 9/28/2020 (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 10/20/2020)
2020-10-2011RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 9/28/20. (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 10/20/2020)
2020-10-2012RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 9/28/2020 (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 10/20/2020)
2020-10-2013RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 9/21/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 10/21/2020. (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 10/20/2020)
2020-10-2814ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2)(Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 10/28/2020)
2020-10-29MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court are a complaint and an answer in this FOIA case. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report proposing a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule should address, among other things, the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff, whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case, whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case, and a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. The parties shall file the schedule on or before November 20, 2020. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/29/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 10/29/2020)
2020-10-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/20/2020. (hmc) (Entered: 10/30/2020)
2020-11-1915Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 11/19/2020)
2020-11-19MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before December 17, 2020. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/19/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/19/2020)
2020-11-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/17/2020. (hmc) (Entered: 11/19/2020)
2020-12-1116NOTICE of Change of Address by Robert S. Litt (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 12/11/2020)
2020-12-1617Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 12/16/2020)
2020-12-17MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before January 29, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/17/2020. (lctnm3) (Entered: 12/17/2020)
2020-12-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/29/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 12/18/2020)
2021-01-2918Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 01/29/2021)
2021-01-29MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before February 26, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/29/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/29/2021)
2021-02-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/26/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 02/01/2021)
2021-02-2519Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 02/25/2021)
2021-02-25MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before March 26, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/25/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 02/25/2021)
2021-02-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/26/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 02/26/2021)
2021-03-2620Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 03/26/2021)
2021-03-26MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before April 27, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/26/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 03/26/2021)
2021-03-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/27/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 03/29/2021)
2021-04-2721Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 04/27/2021)
2021-04-28MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before May 27, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/28/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 04/28/2021)
2021-05-2622Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 05/26/2021)
2021-05-27MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before June 25, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/27/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 05/27/2021)
2021-05-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/25/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 05/27/2021)
2021-06-2523Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 06/25/2021)
2021-06-25MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before July 23, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 6/25/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 06/25/2021)
2021-06-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/23/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 06/25/2021)
2021-07-2324Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 07/23/2021)
2021-07-24MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 24 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before September 17, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/24/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 07/24/2021)
2021-07-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/17/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 07/26/2021)
2021-09-1725Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 09/17/2021)
2021-09-17MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 25 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before October 18, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/17/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 09/17/2021)
2021-09-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/18/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 09/17/2021)
2021-10-1826Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Molen, Kathleene) (Entered: 10/18/2021)
2021-10-19MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 26 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall submit another Joint Status Report on or before November 18, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/19/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-10-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/18/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-11-0427NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Michael A. Tilghman, II on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Substituting for attorney Kathleene Molen (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 11/04/2021)
2021-11-1828Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 11/18/2021)
2021-11-18MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the Parties' 28 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before December 20, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/18/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/18/2021)
2021-11-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/20/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 11/19/2021)
2021-12-2029Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 12/20/2021)
2021-12-20MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the Parties' 29 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the Parties file another Joint Status Report on or before February 21, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/20/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 12/20/2021)
2021-12-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/21/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 12/20/2021)
2022-02-1830Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Tilghman, Michael) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
2022-02-18MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 30 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties file another joint status report on or before April 25, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/18/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
2022-02-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/25/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
2022-04-2531NOTICE of Appearance by Dedra Seibel Curteman on behalf of All Defendants (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-04-2532Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-04-25MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 32 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties file another joint status report on or before June 27, 2022. The Parties shall appear for a telephonic status conference on July 1, 2022, at 2:00 pm. Dial-in information will be emailed to the parties. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/25/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-04-26Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 6/27/2022. Telephonic Status Conference set for 7/1/2022 at 02:00 PM before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (hmc) (Entered: 04/26/2022)
2022-06-2733Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 06/27/2022)
2022-07-01Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Telephonic Status Conference held on 7/1/2022. Joint Status Report due by 9/16/2022, proposing a briefing schedule. (Court Reporter: Tammy Nestor.) (hmc) (Entered: 07/01/2022)
2022-07-0534NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. Attorney Dedra Seibel Curteman terminated. (Curteman, Dedra) (Entered: 07/05/2022)
2022-07-0735MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Janie C. Buckley, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-9353973. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Janie C. Buckley, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Litt, Robert) (Entered: 07/07/2022)
2022-07-07MINUTE ORDER granting 35 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/7/22. (lctnm3) (Entered: 07/07/2022)
2022-09-1636Joint STATUS REPORT by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 09/16/2022)
2022-09-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 36 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file another Joint Status Report on or before November 15, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/16/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 09/16/2022)
2022-09-1937NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Kenneth A. Adebonojo on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Substituting for attorney Michael A. Tilghman II (Adebonojo, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/19/2022)
2022-09-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/15/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 09/19/2022)
2022-11-1538Joint STATUS REPORT by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Litt, Robert) (Entered: 11/15/2022)
2022-11-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 38 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file another Joint Status Report on or before December 15, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/15/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/15/2022)
2022-11-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/15/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 11/15/2022)
2022-12-1539STIPULATION of Dismissal without prejudice by FAHMI AHMED MOHARAM. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Text of Proposed Order)(Litt, Robert) (Entered: 12/15/2022)
2022-12-15MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 39 Stipulation of Dismissal, this case is hereby DISMISSED without prejudice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(i). The Clerk of Court shall close this case. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/15/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 12/15/2022)
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