30 new FOIA court documents, plus case descriptions

We have added 30 documents from 5 FOIA cases filed between December 7, 2014 and December 13, 2014. Note that there can be delays between the date a case is filed and when it shows up on PACER. If there are filings from this period that have yet to be posted on PACER, this FOIA Project list may not be complete.

Click on a case title below to view details for that case, including links to the associated docket and complaint documents.

1. John Edmond v. United States Department of Justice Office of Information Policy (filed Dec 8, 2014)
   John Edmond submitted a FOIA request for investigative records about himself from the DEA. The agency responded that it could find no records. Edmond appealed the agency’s decision to the Office of Information Policy. OIP upheld DEA’s decision. Edmond then filed suit.
   Issues: Withholding not related to exemption claims
2. RENNE v. UNITED STATES OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL (filed Dec 8, 2014)
   James Renne submitted a FOIA request to the Office of Special Counsel for a report the agency had prepared that included information about events that took place early on during Renne’s employment with the agency. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Renne filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
3. CITIZENS UNITED v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (filed Dec 10, 2014)
   Citizens United submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for passenger manifests and travel expenses for a number of Special Air Mission flights taken by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Citizens United also requested expedited processing. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and denied Citizens United’s request for expedited processing. Citizens United filed an administrative appeal of the agency’s denial of expedited processing. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Citizens United filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees, Litigation – Vaughn index
4. Reyes v. Defense (filed Dec 11, 2014)
   Andres Reyes submitted a FOIA request to the Marines Corps for records concerning its decision to discharge him with a less than honorable discharge. Reyes also submitted a FOIA request to the Navy’s Judge Advocate General for records concerning the investigation that led to his court-martial. After hearing nothing further concerning either request, Reyes filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
5. CENTER FOR DIGITAL DEMOCRACY v. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (filed Dec 11, 2014)
   The Center for Digital Democracy submitted a FOIA request to the Federal Trade Commission for records concerning annual reports submitted under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act rule, such as reports on safe harbor programs. The Center also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and indicated that it would not be able to respond within 20 days. After hearing nothing further from the agency, the Center filed suit.
   Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees