Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleFree Sacred Trinity Church et al v. Internal Revenue Service
DistrictSouthern District of California
CitySan Diego
Case Number3:2021cv01756
Date Filed2021-10-11
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Thomas J. Whelan
PlaintiffFree Sacred Trinity Church a California nonprofit religious corporation
PlaintiffOptimum Health Institute - San Diego a California nonprofit religious corporation
Case DescriptionThe Free Sacred Trinity Church submitted FOIA requests to the IRS for records concerning the agency's inquiries into FSTC's non-exempt religious status. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after the agency failed to respond, FSTC filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantInternal Revenue Service
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Opinion/Order [20]
Opinion/Order [30]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-10-111COMPLAINT Against Internal Revenue Service (Filing fee $402.00 receipt number ACASDC-16210070.), filed by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) The new case number is 3:21-cv-1756-GPC-DEB. Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel and Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher are assigned to the case. (Jonna, Paul)(fth)(jrd) (Entered: 10/12/2021)
2021-10-122Summons Issued. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should print this summons and serve it in accordance with Rule 4, Fed.R.Civ.P and LR 4.1. (fth)(jrd) (Entered: 10/12/2021)
2021-10-133Corporate Disclosure Statement by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego. No Corporate Parents/Interested Parties. (Jonna, Paul) (dlg). (Entered: 10/13/2021)
2021-10-134NOTICE of Party With Financial Interest by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego . No Parties With Financial Interest. (Jonna, Paul) (dlg). (Entered: 10/13/2021)
2021-10-135NOTICE OF RELATED CASE(S) by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego of case(s) 3:19-cv-02358-W-JLB . (Jonna, Paul) (dlg). (Entered: 10/13/2021)
2021-10-196ORDER OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO LOW NUMBER RULE. Case reassigned to Judge Thomas J. Whelan and Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt for all further proceedings. Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel, Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher no longer assigned to case. Create association to 3:19-cv-02358-W-JLB. The new case number is 21-cv-1756-W-JLB.. Signed by Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel on 10/15/21. Signed by Judge Thomas J. Whelan on 10/14/21.(dlg) (Entered: 10/19/2021)
2021-11-127***Document Stricken per Doc. 8 *** MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Partial Motion to Dismiss by Internal Revenue Service. (Attachments: # 1 Memo of Points and Authorities, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Proposed Order)(Sasarak, Stephanie)Attorney Stephanie Sasarak added to party Internal Revenue Service(pty:dft)(jrm). Modified to strike on 11/17/2021 (jrm). (Main Document 7 replaced on 11/17/2021) (jrm). (Entered: 11/12/2021)
2021-11-178Notice of Document Discrepancies and Order Thereon by Judge Thomas J. Whelan Rejecting re 7 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Partial Motion to Dismiss , from Defendant Internal Revenue Service. Non-compliance with local rule(s), Defendant did not obtain a hearing date from chambers before filing this motion as required by Civil Local Rule 7.1(b). In addition, Defendant did not include the following required language in the caption of its notice of motion and motion as required by Civil Local Rule 7.1(d)(1): NO ORAL ARGUMENT PURSUANT TO LOCAL RULE.. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: The document is rejected. It is ordered that the Clerk STRIKE the document from the record, and serve a copy of this order on all parties. Signed by Judge Thomas J. Whelan. (Attachments: # 1 Stricken Documents)(jrm) (Entered: 11/17/2021)
2021-11-179MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Partial Motion to Dismiss by Internal Revenue Service. (Sasarak, Stephanie)(jrm). (Entered: 11/17/2021)
2021-11-2310NOTICE of Appearance by Milan Louis Brandon, II on behalf of Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego (Brandon, Milan)Attorney Milan Louis Brandon, II added to party Free Sacred Trinity Church(pty:pla), Attorney Milan Louis Brandon, II added to party Optimum Health Institute - San Diego(pty:pla) (dxf). (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-11-2311NOTICE of Appearance by Jeffrey M. Trissell on behalf of Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego (Trissell, Jeffrey)Attorney Jeffrey M. Trissell added to party Free Sacred Trinity Church(pty:pla), Attorney Jeffrey M. Trissell added to party Optimum Health Institute - San Diego(pty:pla) (dxf). (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-11-2312NOTICE of Appearance by Mark D. Myers on behalf of Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego (Myers, Mark)Attorney Mark D. Myers added to party Free Sacred Trinity Church(pty:pla), Attorney Mark D. Myers added to party Optimum Health Institute - San Diego(pty:pla) (dxf). (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-11-2313NOTICE of Appearance by Paul Joseph Dostart on behalf of Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego (Dostart, Paul)Attorney Paul Joseph Dostart added to party Free Sacred Trinity Church(pty:pla), Attorney Paul Joseph Dostart added to party Optimum Health Institute - San Diego(pty:pla) (dxf). (Entered: 11/23/2021)
2021-12-0614RESPONSE in Opposition re 9 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Partial Motion to Dismiss filed by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego. (Jonna, Paul) (jrm). (Entered: 12/06/2021)
2021-12-1315REPLY to Response to Motion re 9 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Partial Motion to Dismiss filed by Internal Revenue Service. (Sasarak, Stephanie)(jrm). (Entered: 12/13/2021)
2022-02-0916NOTICE of Appearance by Moira Goodwin on behalf of Internal Revenue Service (Goodwin, Moira)Attorney Moira Goodwin added to party Internal Revenue Service(pty:dft) (Entered: 02/09/2022)
2022-02-1017Ex Parte MOTION to Supplement Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Paul Dostart, # 2 Declaration of Mark Myers, # 3 Proof of Service)(Jonna, Paul) (sjt). (Entered: 02/10/2022)
2022-02-1418RESPONSE in Opposition re 17 Ex Parte MOTION to Supplement Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss filed by Internal Revenue Service. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit E-mail Exchange)(Goodwin, Moira)(jrm). (Entered: 02/14/2022)
2022-02-2219Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part Plaintiffs' Ex Parte Application to Supplement Opposition to Defendant's Partial Motion to Dismiss (DOC. 17 ). Signed by Judge Thomas J. Whelan on 2/22/2022. (jrm) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
2022-03-3020ORDER Denying Partial 9 Motion to Dismiss and Denying Request for Expedited Proceedings. Signed by Judge Thomas J. Whelan on 3/30/22. (dlg) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-04-1321ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Internal Revenue Service.(Goodwin, Moira) (dlg). (Entered: 04/13/2022)
2022-04-1922Notice and Order Setting Early Neutral Evaluation and Case Management Conferences:, ( Joint Discovery Plan due 6/1/2022, Early Neutral Evaluation set for 6/8/2022 01:45 PM before Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt.) Case Management Conference set for 6/8/2022 01:45 PM before Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt.. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt on 4/19/2022.(ave) (jms). (Entered: 04/20/2022)
2022-04-2723NOTICE of Change of Address by Paul Joseph Dostart (Dostart, Paul) (dlg). (Entered: 04/27/2022)
2022-06-0124JOINT DISCOVERY PLAN by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego and Defendant Internal Revenue Service (Myers, Mark) (dlg). (Entered: 06/01/2022)
2022-06-0825Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt: Early Neutral Evaluation Conference held on 6/8/2022. The case did not settle. Case Management Conference held on 6/8/2022. Scheduling Order to follow. (Plaintiff Attorney Paul Michael Jonna; Mark D. Myers) (Defendant Attorney Moira Goodwin; Stephanie Sasarak) (Rev. Robert Nees, Jr.) (no document attached) (lkg) (Entered: 06/08/2022)
2022-06-0926SCHEDULING ORDER Following Case Management Conference. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt on 6/8/22.(dlg) (Entered: 06/09/2022)
2022-07-1127STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (dlg). (Entered: 07/11/2022)
2022-07-1428Ex Parte MOTION to Clarify /Correct the Record by Free Sacred Trinity Church, Optimum Health Institute - San Diego. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Paul Dostart, # 2 Declaration of Mark Myers)(Myers, Mark) (dlg). (Entered: 07/14/2022)
2022-07-2729RESPONSE in Opposition re 28 Ex Parte MOTION to Clarify /Correct the Record filed by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (ave). (Entered: 07/27/2022)
2022-07-2730ORDER Granting Plaintiff's Ex Parte Application to Correct the Record - Granting 28 Motion to Clarify. Signed by Judge Thomas J. Whelan on 7/27/2022. (ave) (Entered: 07/27/2022)
2022-09-0931STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (dlg). (Entered: 09/09/2022)
2022-11-0832STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Sasarak, Stephanie) (dlg). (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2022-12-0733MOTION to Continue Deadline to Submit Motion for Summary Judgment by Internal Revenue Service. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Goodwin, Moira) (dlg). (Entered: 12/07/2022)
2022-12-0834MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt: Good cause appearing, Defendant's unopposed 33 Motion to Continue Deadline to Submit Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED. Accordingly, any Motion for Summary Judgment must be filed by 4/7/2023 . All other deadlines and directions set forth in the Court's 26 Scheduling Order remain in effect. (no document attached) (mjsn) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
2023-01-1035STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Sasarak, Stephanie) (dlg). (Entered: 01/10/2023)
2023-03-1036STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 03/10/2023)
2023-03-2937Defendant's Second Unopposed Motion to Continue Deadline to Sbumit Motion for Summary Judgment (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 03/29/2023)
2023-03-3038MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt: The Court hereby SETS a telephonic, counsel-only Status Conference for 4/5/2023 , at 9:00 AM before Judge Burkhardt. For purposes of the Conference, all participating counsel shall call the Court's teleconference line at (877) 873-8018 and use access code 9930765. (mjsn) (Entered: 03/30/2023)
2023-04-0539MINUTE ORDER re proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt: Status Conference held on 4/5/2023. For the reasons discussed in the Conference, Defendant's 37 Motion is GRANTED. The deadline for Defendant to file a Motion for Summary Judgment is continued to 8/8/2023 . (Plaintiff Attorney Mark D. Myers; Paul Joseph Dostart) (Defendant Attorney Moira Goodwin) (no document attached) (mjsn) (Entered: 04/05/2023)
2023-05-0940STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 05/09/2023)
2023-07-1041STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 07/10/2023)
2023-08-0742Defendants Third Unopposed Motion to Continue Deadline to Submit Motion for Summary Judgment (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Moira E. Goodwin)(Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 08/07/2023)
2023-08-0943MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt: On 8/7/2023, Defendant filed 42 Third Unopposed Motion to Continue Deadline to Submit Motion for Summary Judgment. Good cause appearing, Defendant's 42 Motion is GRANTED. The deadline for Defendant to file a Motion for Summary Judgment is continued to 12/5/2023 . All other dates, deadlines, and requirements set forth in the Court's 26 Scheduling Order remain in effect. (no document attached) (mjsn) (Entered: 08/09/2023)
2023-09-0844STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 09/08/2023)
2023-11-0745STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 11/07/2023)
2023-12-0546Defendant's Fourth Motion to Continue Deadline to Submit Motion for Summary Judgment (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 12/05/2023)
2023-12-0847MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt: On 12/5/2023, Defendant filed 46 Motion to Continue Deadline to Submit Motion for Summary Judgment. Pursuant to Section VII of Judge Burkhardt's Civil Chambers Rules, the Motion is deemed unopposed. Although the Motion fails to comply with both Sections IV.A and IV.C.1.b, for good cause appearing, Defendant's 46 Motion is GRANTED. Any Motion for Summary Judgment must be filed by 4/5/2024 . All other dates, deadlines, and requirements set forth in the Court's 26 Scheduling Order remain in effect. Defendant is cautioned that any future motions must comply with all relevant chambers, local, and federal rules. (no document attached) (mjsn) (Entered: 12/08/2023)
2024-01-0848STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (exs). (Entered: 01/08/2024)
2024-03-0849STATUS REPORT by Internal Revenue Service. (Goodwin, Moira) (Entered: 03/08/2024)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar