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Case TitlePROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST v. U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2023cv00146
Date Filed2023-01-18
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffPROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST
Case DescriptionProtect the Public's Trust submitted two FOIA requests to U.S. Geological Survey for records. The first request concerned grants provided to the Wuhan Laboratory by the agency. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, PPT filed an administrative appeal challenging the agency's search. The second request asked for five types of records held by USGS National Wildlife Health Center. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, PPT filed suit on both requests.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
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

2023-01-181COMPLAINT against U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9795394) filed by PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - FOIA DOI-USGS-2021-005741, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B - September 14 Denial Letter, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C - FOIA Appeal Email, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D - FOIA Appeal, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit E - FOIA DOI-USGS-2022-001913, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 7 Summons Summons - U.S. Attorney's Office, # 8 Summons Summons - US Attorney General, # 9 Summons Summons - Agency General Counsel)(Lawkowski, Gary) (Entered: 01/18/2023)
2023-01-19Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zljn) (Entered: 01/19/2023)
2023-01-192SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zljn) (Entered: 01/19/2023)
2023-02-203NOTICE of Appearance by Anna Davis Walker on behalf of U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 02/20/2023)
2023-02-204Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 02/20/2023)
2023-02-21MINUTE ORDER granting Defendant's 4 Motion to Extend Time. Defendant shall answer or otherwise respond to the complaint by April 10, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/21/2023. (lccrc1) (Entered: 02/21/2023)
2023-04-105ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 04/10/2023)
2023-04-11MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties promptly confer and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure by April 25, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 04/11/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 04/11/2023)
2023-04-256Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Walker, Anna) (Entered: 04/25/2023)
2023-04-27MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 6 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by June 27, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 04/27/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 04/27/2023)
2023-06-277Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 06/27/2023)
2023-06-29MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 7 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by August 29, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 06/29/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 06/29/2023)
2023-07-128NOTICE by PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST (Lawkowski, Gary) (Entered: 07/12/2023)
2023-07-129LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST (Lawkowski, Gary) (Entered: 07/12/2023)
2023-08-2910Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 08/29/2023)
2023-08-29MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 10 parties' Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by October 31, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/29/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 08/29/2023)
2023-10-3111Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 10/31/2023)
2023-11-02MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 11 parties' Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by November 30, 2023. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 11/2/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 11/02/2023)
2023-11-3012Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 11/30/2023)
2023-12-01MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 12 parties' Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by January 30, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/1/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 12/01/2023)
2024-01-3013Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. (Walker, Anna) (Entered: 01/30/2024)
2024-01-30MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by April 2, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/30/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/30/2024)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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