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Case TitleAMERICAN OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv02800
Date Filed2021-10-21
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Tanya S. Chutkan
PlaintiffAMERICAN OVERSIGHT
Case DescriptionAmerican Oversight submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Interior, and the Department of Justice for records concerning communications sent or received by officials at the various agencies. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests, but after hearing nothing further from the agencies, American Oversight filed suit.
Complaint issues: Litigation - Attorney's fees, Adequacy - Search, Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Vaughn index

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DefendantU.S. ARMY
DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
TERMINATED: 04/28/2022
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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-10-211COMPLAINT against U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-8815833) filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons USAO, # 3 Summons AG, # 4 Summons Army, # 5 Summons DHS, # 6 Summons DHS OIG, # 7 Summons DOD, # 8 Summons DOJ, # 9 Summons DOI)(Lewis, Emma) (Entered: 10/21/2021)
2021-10-212LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Lewis, Emma) (Entered: 10/21/2021)
2021-10-21Case Assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (adh, ) (Entered: 10/21/2021)
2021-10-213SUMMONS (8) Issued Electronically as to U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 10/21/2021)
2021-12-064ANSWER to Complaint by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.(Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 12/06/2021)
2021-12-06MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. The requirements of LCvR 16.3 and Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil procedure appear to be inapplicable. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and propose a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule shall address 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, whether and when either party anticipates filing a dispositive motion, and any other pertinent issues. The parties shall file a joint status report that addresses these issues no later than 1/21/22. The joint status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 12/6/21. (DJS) (Entered: 12/06/2021)
2021-12-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/21/2022. (tb) (Entered: 12/07/2021)
2022-01-205MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- John Zachery Morris, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-8990830. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration)(Lewis, Emma) (Entered: 01/20/2022)
2022-01-216Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-01-21MINUTE ORDER: Granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. John Zachery Morris is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter on behalf of Plaintiff. 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 Tanya S. Chutkan on 1/21/22. (DJS) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-01-21MINUTE ORDER: Having considered the parties' joint status report, it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file another joint report by 2/22/22 and every 30 days thereafter. To the extent the parties propose a briefing schedule, the report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 1/21/22. (DJS) (Entered: 01/21/2022)
2022-01-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Report due by 2/22/2022. (tb) (Entered: 01/25/2022)
2022-01-267NOTICE of Appearance by John Zachery Morris on behalf of AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Morris, John) (Entered: 01/26/2022)
2022-02-228Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
2022-03-039STIPULATION of Dismissal by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 03/03/2022)
2022-03-2310Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 03/23/2022)
2022-04-2611Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 04/26/2022)
2022-04-28MINUTE ORDER: Having considered Plaintiff's Notice of Partial Voluntary Dismissal 9 , all claims against the Defendant Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General are hereby DISMISSED. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 4/28/22. (DJS) (Entered: 04/28/2022)
2022-05-2612Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 05/26/2022)
2022-06-3013Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 06/30/2022)
2022-07-1414NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. Attorney John Zachery Morris terminated. (Morris, John) (Entered: 07/14/2022)
2022-08-0115NOTICE of Appearance by Khahilia Y. Shaw on behalf of AMERICAN OVERSIGHT (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 08/01/2022)
2022-08-0116Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 08/01/2022)
2022-08-2217Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 08/22/2022)
2022-09-2218Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 09/22/2022)
2022-10-2419Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 10/24/2022)
2022-11-3020Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 11/30/2022)
2022-12-01MINUTE ORDER: Having considered the parties' 20 joint status report, it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file another joint report by 1/12/23 and every 30 days thereafter. To the extent the parties propose a briefing schedule, the report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 12/1/22. (lcss) (Entered: 12/01/2022)
2022-12-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 1/12/2023 (zjch, ) (Entered: 12/05/2022)
2023-01-1221Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 01/12/2023)
2023-01-13RESOLVED...NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 21 Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia). Your attorney renewal has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 1/20/2023. (zbaj) Modified on 1/25/2023 (zbaj). (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-02-1622Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 02/16/2023)
2023-03-1623Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 03/16/2023)
2023-04-0724Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 04/07/2023)
2023-05-1125Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 05/11/2023)
2023-06-0826Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 06/08/2023)
2023-07-0627Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 07/06/2023)
2023-08-0228Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 08/02/2023)
2023-09-0529Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 09/05/2023)
2023-10-0430Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 10/04/2023)
2023-11-0931Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 11/09/2023)
2023-12-0732Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 12/07/2023)
2024-01-1133Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 01/11/2024)
2024-02-1534Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. ARMY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Newman, Lisa) (Entered: 02/15/2024)
2024-03-0735Joint STATUS REPORT by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. (Shaw, Khahilia) (Entered: 03/07/2024)
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