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Case TitleMURALI v. U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2022cv01044
Date Filed2022-04-14
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Carl J. Nichols
PlaintiffMICHAEL MURALI
Case DescriptionMichael Murali, an attorney representing Abu Faraj-al-Libi pro bono through the Military Commissions Defense Organization, submitted FOIA requests to U.S. Southern Command, the Department of Defense, the CIA, the Department of State, the FBI, and the Department of Justice for records concerning al-Libi's medical records. The agencies acknowledged receipt of the requests. U.S. Southern Command disclosed some records but withheld the majority of them. After none of the agencies substantively responded to Murali's requests, he filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DefendantCENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DefendantFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
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

2022-04-141COMPLAINT against CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9170724) filed by MICHAEL MURALI. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex 1-11, # 2 Exhibit Ex 12-23, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet, # 4 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-142SEALED DOCUMENT filed by MICHAEL MURALI(This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-143NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of MICHAEL MURALI (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-144NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of MICHAEL MURALI (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-14Case Assigned to Judge Carl J. Nichols. (znmg) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-195SUMMONS (8) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmg) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-216STANDING ORDER. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on April 21, 2022. (lccjn2) (Entered: 04/21/2022)
2022-05-047NOTICE of Appearance by Patricia K. McBride on behalf of All Defendants (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
2022-05-118RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY served on 4/25/2022 (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-119RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND served on 4/26/2022 (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-1110RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 4/25/2022 (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-1111RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 4/20/2022 (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-1112RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE served on 4/25/2022 (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-1113RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 4/26/2022 (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-1114RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/26/2022. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/26/2022. (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-1115RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 04/26/2022. (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 05/11/2022)
2022-05-2316NOTICE of Appearance by Patricia K. McBride on behalf of All Defendants (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 05/23/2022)
2022-05-2317MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 05/23/2022)
2022-05-30MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of 17 Motion for an Extension of Time, it is ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Defendant must respond to Plaintiff's Answer on or before June 27, 2022. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on May 30, 2022. (lccjn2) (Entered: 05/30/2022)
2022-06-2318REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE filed by MICHAEL MURALI.(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 06/23/2022)
2022-06-2719MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 06/27/2022)
2022-07-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of 19 Motion for an Extension of Time to File an Answer, it is ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED. Defendants shall file an Answer on or before July 21, 2022. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on July 6, 2022. (lccjn2) (Entered: 07/06/2022)
2022-07-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer due by 7/21/2022. (zcal) (Entered: 07/06/2022)
2022-07-2120ANSWER to Complaint by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 07/21/2022)
2022-07-25MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court in this Freedom of Information Act case are a Complaint and an Answer. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 16.3, the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) are inapplicable. It is hereby ORDERED that the Parties shall confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before August 15, 2022. 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); (5) the possibility of prioritizing documents responsive to Plaintiff's request[s] and any discussions regarding whether Plaintiff's request[s] can be narrowed; and (6) whether the Parties anticipate summary judgment briefing and, if so, a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on July 25, 2022. (lccjn2) (Entered: 07/25/2022)
2022-07-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/15/2022. (zcal) (Entered: 07/27/2022)
2022-08-0421SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (zed) (Entered: 08/04/2022)
2022-08-1522Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 08/15/2022)
2022-08-17MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the 22 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the Parties shall file an updated Joint Status Report on or before October 15, 2022, including a proposal for future proceedings. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on August 17, 2022. (lccjn2) (Entered: 08/17/2022)
2022-08-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/15/2022. (zcal) (Entered: 08/19/2022)
2022-10-1723Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 10/17/2022)
2022-10-1824ERRATA by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND re 23 Status Report. (Attachments: # 1 Joint Status Report)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 10/18/2022)
2022-10-25MINUTE ORDER. Upon review of the 24 Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED that the Parties shall file an additional joint status report on or before December 8, 2022, and every 60 days thereafter until either party moves for a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, files a dispositive motion, or the case is terminated. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on October 25, 2022. (lccjn2) (Entered: 10/25/2022)
2022-10-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/8/2022. (zcal) (Entered: 10/26/2022)
2022-12-0825Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
2022-12-1326ERRATA UPDATING JSR by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND re 25 Status Report. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2023-03-0927NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of MICHAEL MURALI (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 03/09/2023)
2023-03-2328Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 03/23/2023)
2023-05-2029Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 05/20/2023)
2023-07-2430Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 07/24/2023)
2023-09-2531STATUS REPORT by MICHAEL MURALI. (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 09/25/2023)
2023-09-2832Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 09/28/2023)
2023-11-2933Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 11/29/2023)
2024-01-2734Joint STATUS REPORT by CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 01/27/2024)
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