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Case TitleSTATE OF FLORIDA v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al
DistrictNorthern District of Florida
CityTallahassee
Case Number4:2023cv00145
Date Filed2023-04-12
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE
PlaintiffSTATE OF FLORIDA
Case DescriptionThe State of Florida submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for records concerning the use of federal grants to promote drug use. The agency failed to respond, and Florida filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantUNITED STATES 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

2023-04-121COMPLAINT for Injunctive Relief and to Compel Production of Documents against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number BFLNDC-7815503.), filed by STATE OF FLORIDA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit FOIA Request, # 2 Exhibit 2/9/22 Email, # 3 Exhibit 2/10/22 HHS Acknowledgment, # 4 Summonses) (CHRISTMAS, NATALIE) (Entered: 04/12/2023)
2023-04-122CIVIL COVER SHEET. (CHRISTMAS, NATALIE) (Entered: 04/12/2023)
2023-04-133Summons Issued as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (rcb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
2023-04-174Summons Issued as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (rcb) (Entered: 04/17/2023)
2023-05-015NOTICE of Service by STATE OF FLORIDA (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Receipts, # 2 Exhibit USPS Tracking) (CHRISTMAS, NATALIE) (Entered: 05/01/2023)
2023-05-11Set Deadlines- Answer due by US DEPT OF JUSTICE JUSTICE MGT DIVISION 5/16/2023 . U.S. DEPT OF HHS 5/15/2023 (rcb) **SUMMONSES WERE NOT RECEIVED NOR ISSUED ON 4/13/2023 & 4/17/2023 FOR THE US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND US DEPT. OF HHS-ANSWER DEADLINES WERE NOT SET** (Entered: 05/11/2023)
2023-05-116NOTICE of Filing Supplemental Proof of Service by STATE OF FLORIDA (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Copies of Returned Receipts) (CHRISTMAS, NATALIE) (Entered: 05/11/2023)
2023-05-16ACTION REQUIRED BY DISTRICT JUDGE: Chambers of JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE notified that action is needed Re: 5 & 6 (rcb)***ANSWER NOT FILED BY U.S. DEPT OF HHS DUE BY 5/15/2023*** (Entered: 05/16/2023)
2023-05-18ACTION REQUIRED BY DISTRICT JUDGE: Chambers of JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE notified that action is needed Re: Set Deadlines-5/16/2023 Answer Deadline-US DEPT OF JUSTICE JUSTICE MGT DIVISION (rcb)**US DEPT OF JUSTICE JUSTICE MGT DIVISION NOT FILED BY 5/16/2023 RE: 5 & 6 ** (Entered: 05/18/2023)
2023-05-197ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (PAFFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 05/19/2023)
2023-05-198NOTICE of Appearance by MARY ANN LANE COUCH on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (COUCH, MARY ANN) (Entered: 05/19/2023)
2023-05-199NOTICE of Appearance by WILLIAM GLENN PAFFORD on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (PAFFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 05/19/2023)
2023-05-22ACTION REQUIRED BY DISTRICT JUDGE: Chambers of JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE notified that action is needed Re: 7 Answer to Complaint (rcb)**AN ISO IS NEEDED** (Entered: 05/22/2023)
2023-05-2310INITIAL SCHEDULING ORDER. Rule 26 Meeting Report due by 7/7/2023 . Discovery due by 12/22/2023 . Attorney Conference due by 6/23/2023 . Jury Trial set for 4/1/2024 08:15 AM in U.S. Courthouse Tallahassee before JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE. Signed by JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE on 05/23/2023. (rcb) Modified to edit trial date on 5/25/2023 (rcb). (Entered: 05/24/2023)
2023-07-0711REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. (PAFFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 07/07/2023)
2023-07-1612SCHEDULING ORDER. The parties must file a status report by 10/16/2023 and by the last day of each February ( 2/29/2024 ), May ( 5/31/2024 ), August ( 8/31/2024 ), and November ( 11/30/2024 ) when a summary-judgment motion is not pending, starting with 2/29/2024 . The deadline for summary-judgment motions is November 13, 2023, but the deadline may be extended on a consented motion or a motion showing good cause. Signed by JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE on 7/16/2023. (rcb) Modified to add summary judgment language on 7/20/2023 (rcb). (Entered: 07/17/2023)
2023-07-16Set Deadline- **PLEASE DISREGARD THIS ENTRY**. (rcb) (Entered: 07/20/2023)
2023-07-16Set Deadline-Re: 12 Summary Judgment Motions to be filed by 11/13/2023 . (rcb) (Entered: 07/20/2023)
2023-10-1313STATUS REPORT (JOINT) by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (PAFFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 10/13/2023)
2023-11-0814Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motions by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - PARTIES STATUS REPORT AND PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE, # 2 Exhibit B - REFERRAL AND ORDER) (PAFFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 11/08/2023)
2023-11-2615ORDER EXTENDING THE SUMMARY-JUDGMENT DEADLINE.The defendants' unopposed motion, ECF No. 14 , to extend the deadline to move for summary judgment is granted. Signed by JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE on 11/26/2023. (rcb) (Entered: 11/27/2023)
2024-01-1216MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (PAFFORD, WILLIAM) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-1817ORDER GRANTING LEAVE TO WITHDRAW-PAFFORD - Attorney William Glenn Pafford's motion for leave to withdraw, ECF No. 16 , is granted, effective immediately. Signed by JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE on 1/18/2024. (baf) (Entered: 01/18/2024)
2024-02-2818JOINT STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (COUCH, MARY ANN) Modified title on 2/28/2024 (baf). (Entered: 02/28/2024)
2024-02-2819Joint MOTION TO SUSPEND TRIAL DATE by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (COUCH, MARY ANN) (Entered: 02/28/2024)
2024-02-2920ORDER ON THE TRIAL DATE - The initial scheduling order said that absent good cause set out in the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) report, the trial would occur during the two-week period that begins on April 1, 2024. The 26(f) report said the case would be appropriate for resolution by summary judgment, so no trial date was set. The July 16, 2023 scheduling order did make that as clear as it could have, and the parties have moved to suspend the trial date. This order confirms that no trial date has been set. Signed by JUDGE ROBERT L HINKLE on 2/29/2024. (baf) (Entered: 02/29/2024)
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