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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv00696
Date Filed2021-03-16
Date Closed2023-04-28
JudgeJudge Beryl A. Howell
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health for records concerning communications between the agency and Wuhan Institute of Virology pertaining to a $3.7 million contract awarded to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and asked Judicial Watch to clarify that it was interested in a grant entitled Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence. Judicial Watch indicated that was the document it was seeking. The agency then denied the request under Exemption 7(A) (interference with ongoing investigation or proceeding). Judicial Watch filed an administrative appeal of the decision. The agency informed Judicial Watch that the 7(A) claim was being withdrawn and that a new determination would be issued. After hearing nothing further, 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 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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

2021-03-161COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8306793) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons for US Attorney for DC, # 3 Summons for US Attorney General, # 4 Summons for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 03/16/2021)
2021-03-162LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 03/16/2021)
2021-03-17Case Assigned to Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell. (zsb) (Entered: 03/17/2021)
2021-03-173SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 03/17/2021)
2021-03-184STANDING ORDER. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 18, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/18/2021)
2021-04-025RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/26/2021. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/25/2021. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of David Rothstein)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 04/02/2021)
2021-04-026RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 04/02/21. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of David Rothstein)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 04/02/2021)
2021-04-027RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES served on 4/1/2021 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of David Rothstein)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 04/02/2021)
2021-04-268NOTICE of Appearance by Derek S. Hammond on behalf of All Defendants (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-04-269ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 04/26/2021)
2021-05-1010Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 05/10/2021)
2021-05-26MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, in light of the parties' 10 Joint Status Report, the parties to submit, by July 30, 2021, a joint status report explaining the status of defendant's searches and productions to date and proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on May 26, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 05/26/2021)
2021-05-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/30/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 05/26/2021)
2021-07-3011Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 07/30/2021)
2021-07-31MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, in light of the parties' 11 Joint Status Report, the parties to submit, by September 30, 2021, a joint status report explaining the status of defendant's searches and productions to date and proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on July 30, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 07/31/2021)
2021-08-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/30/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 08/02/2021)
2021-09-3012NOTICE of Appearance by James F. Peterson on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-09-3013Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
2021-10-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by November 30, 2021, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on October 1, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 10/01/2021)
2021-10-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/30/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 10/04/2021)
2021-11-3014Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 11/30/2021)
2021-11-30MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by January 31, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 30, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 11/30/2021)
2021-12-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/31/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 12/01/2021)
2022-01-3115Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 01/31/2022)
2022-01-3116MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by March 31, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 31, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 01/31/2022)
2022-01-31Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/31/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 01/31/2022)
2022-03-3117Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 03/31/2022)
2022-03-31MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by May 31, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 31, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/31/2022)
2022-03-31Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/31/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 03/31/2022)
2022-05-3118Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 05/31/2022)
2022-06-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by July 1, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on June 1, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 06/01/2022)
2022-06-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/1/2022 (ztg) (Entered: 06/02/2022)
2022-06-0319NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Duffey on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 06/03/2022)
2022-07-0120Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 07/01/2022)
2022-07-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by September 1, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on July 1, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 07/01/2022)
2022-07-05Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/1/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 07/05/2022)
2022-08-3121Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 08/31/2022)
2022-09-02MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by November 1, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on September 2, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 09/02/2022)
2022-09-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/1/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 09/06/2022)
2022-11-0122Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by December 20, 2022, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 1, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/20/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 11/02/2022)
2022-12-2023Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 12/20/2022)
2022-12-20MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by January 20, 2023, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on December 20, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 12/20/2022)
2022-12-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/20/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 12/21/2022)
2023-01-2024Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 01/20/2023)
2023-01-20MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 24 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by March 21, 2023, another joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 20, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 01/20/2023)
2023-01-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/21/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 01/23/2023)
2023-03-2125Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 03/21/2023)
2023-03-21MINUTE ORDER (paperless), upon consideration of the parties' 25 Joint Status Report, DIRECTING the parties to file, by April 28, 2023 , another joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties, and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings, if a notice of voluntary dismissal has not been filed by then. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 21, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/21/2023)
2023-03-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/28/2023. (ztg) Modified deadline on 3/22/2023 (ztg). (Entered: 03/22/2023)
2023-04-2626STIPULATION of Dismissal by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hammond, Derek) (Entered: 04/26/2023)
2023-04-27MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DISMISSING this matter, with prejudice, pursuant to the parties' 26 Stipulation of Dismissal and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(ii). The Clerk of Court is directed to close this case. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on April 27, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 04/27/2023)
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