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Case TitleWHITNEY v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2024cv00004
Date Filed2024-01-02
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffJACK WHITNEY
Case DescriptionJack Whitney, an independent documentary filmmaker, submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Defense for records concerning the investigation of the parachute incident that killed SFC Ethan Carpenter, which took place at the Parachute Training and Testing Facility at Pinal Airpark, Arizona. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency disclosed records but withheld records under Exemption 3 (other statutes) and Exemption 6 (invasion of privacy). Whitney filed an administrative appeal. The agency released it had released previously. Whitney then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2024-01-021COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-10589864) filed by JACK WHITNEY. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Civil Cover Sheet, # 13 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 01/02/2024)
2024-01-022NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of JACK WHITNEY (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 01/02/2024)
2024-01-023SEALED DOCUMENT filed by JACK WHITNEY(This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 01/02/2024)
2024-01-024NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of JACK WHITNEY (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 01/02/2024)
2024-01-04Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zrtw) (Entered: 01/04/2024)
2024-01-045SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zrtw) (Entered: 01/04/2024)
2024-02-056NOTICE of Appearance by Patrick Doyle on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (Doyle, Patrick) (Entered: 02/05/2024)
2024-02-127RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY served on 1/22/2024 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-02-128RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE served on 1/22/2024 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-02-129RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 01/22/2024. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-02-1210RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 1/16/2024. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 2/15/2024. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-02-1511ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY.(Doyle, Patrick) (Entered: 02/15/2024)
2024-02-15MINUTE 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 February 29, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/15/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 02/15/2024)
2024-02-2912Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Doyle, Patrick) (Entered: 02/29/2024)
2024-03-01MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 12 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by April 15, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/1/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 03/01/2024)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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