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Case TitleLERMAN v. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2023cv03784
Date Filed2023-12-20
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
PlaintiffDEBORAH LERMAN
Case DescriptionDeborah Lerman submitted a FOIA request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for records concerning the agency's plans to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency referred the request to the Department of Homeland security. It also referred 32 pages to the FDA. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Lerman filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantFEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
DefendantCENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
Complaint attachment 12
Complaint attachment 13
Complaint attachment 14
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2023-12-201COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-10574648) filed by Deborah Lerman. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - July 17 Referral Letter, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B - July 17 CDC Acknowledgement Letter, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C - Aug 18 CDC Letter, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D - Aug 18 CDC Referral Letter, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons Summons - FEMA US Attorney, # 7 Summons Summons - FEMA Attorney General, # 8 Summons Summons - FEMA, # 9 Summons Summons - CDC US Attorney, # 10 Summons Summons - CDC US AG, # 11 Summons Summons - CDC, # 12 Summons Summons - HHS US Attorney, # 13 Summons Summons - HHS AG, # 14 Summons Summons - HHS)(Lawkowski, Gary) (Entered: 12/20/2023)
2023-12-21Case Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. (zrtw) (Entered: 12/21/2023)
2023-12-212SUMMONS (5) Issued Electronically as to CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zrtw) (Entered: 12/21/2023)
2024-01-023ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 01/02/24. (DM) (Entered: 01/02/2024)
2024-01-184NOTICE of Appearance by M. Jared Littman on behalf of All Defendants (Littman, M.) (Entered: 01/18/2024)
2024-01-185Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Complaint by CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Littman, M.) (Entered: 01/18/2024)
2024-01-18MINUTE ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Defendants' 5 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to Respond. Defendants request that the Court grant them a 30-day extension of time to respond to Plaintiff's complaint. Defendants explain that the U.S. Attorney's Office has experienced an increase in case volume, which has overwhelmed the Office's "already swollen civil intake, triage, and assignment queues," and "delay[s] certain case assignments to Assistant U.S. Attorneys and initial coordination efforts with agency clients, including in this case." As a result, counsel for Defendants "requires a reasonable period of additional time to discuss this matter with the relevant agencies," and explore whether the matter can be resolved without further litigation. As Plaintiff consents, and upon good cause shown, the Court shall GRANT Defendants' 5 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to Respond. Defendants shall file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint on or before February 21, 2024 . Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 1/18/2024. (lcckk1) (Entered: 01/18/2024)
2024-01-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendants shall file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint on or before 2/21/2024. (dot) (Entered: 01/22/2024)
2024-02-216ANSWER to Complaint by CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Littman, M.) (Entered: 02/21/2024)
2024-02-217ORDER directing parties to file joint status report. See Order for more details. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 2.21.2024. (lcckk1) (Entered: 02/21/2024)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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