FOIA Activity: 13 New Procedural or Substantive Decisions

We have added 13 decisions of a procedural or substantive nature filed between July 12, 2020 and July 18, 2020. These are associated with 12 FOIA cases pending in federal district court. Note that because there can be delays between the date a decision is made and when it shows up on PACER, this listing includes only decisions that appeared on PACER during this period.

Click on the date to view the full text of the decision. Click on a case title below to view other details for that case, including links to the docket report and complaint.

1. CAE 2:2018cv00873 — Stanco et al v. Internal Revenue Service

   • July 15, 2020: ORDER signed by District Judge Troy L. Nunley on 7/14/2020 GRANTING [14] Notice of Request to Seal Document, and SEALING [12-1] Declaration of William A. Cohan in its entirety. (Huang, H)
2. DC 1:2018cv01339 — PRICE v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

   • July 14, 2020: MEMORANDUM OPINION re: [91] Order. See full Opinion and accompanying Order for details. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/14/20. (lccrc2)
3. DC 1:2019cv00650 — PHILIPS v. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

   • July 15, 2020: MEMORANDUM OPINION re Defendant's [21] Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/15/2020. (lctnm2)
4. MN 0:2018cv00487 — Madel v. United States Department of Justice et al

   • July 15, 2020: ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment [22] is DENIED. (Written Opinion) Signed by The Hon. Paul A. Magnuson on 7/15/2020. (LLM)
5. MOW 4:2019cv00493 —

   • July 13, 2020: ORDER AND OPINION (1) DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS, (2) GRANTING DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, (3) FINDING AS MOOT DEFENDANTS MOTION TO STRIKE JURY DEMAND AND PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE NOTICE OF APPEAL, AND (4) STRIKING PLAINTIFF'S NOTICE OF APPEAL. Signed on 7/13/20 by District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. (Matthes Mitra, Renea)
6. MOW 4:2019cv00905 — Campo v. U.S. Department of Justice

   • July 13, 2020: ORDER AND OPINION (1) DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS, AND (2) GRANTING DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT. Signed on 7/13/20 by District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. (Matthes Mitra, Renea)
7. NYS 1:2019cv11311 — American Civil Liberties Union v. United States Customs and Border Protection et al

   • July 17, 2020: ORDER: While the Court believes it is the Government's burden to justify the applicability of any exemption under the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), and while the affidavits submitted by the Government may arguably be insufficien t to carry this burden, the Court has now reviewed the two remaining disputed documents in the above-captioned matter in camera. The Court finds that the redacted information therein meets the requirements of FOIA Exemption 7(E). However, the Court will file unredacted versions of the two documents under seal so that they are available for any potential appellate proceedings. (Signed by Judge Jed S. Rakoff on 7/17/2020) (jwh)
8. NYS 1:2020cv02283 — The Legal Aid Society v. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

   • July 16, 2020: ORDER: As discussed at the status conference held today, the following is HEREBY ORDERED. The parties are directed to meet and confer regarding a production schedule for all documents that remain requested but not yet produced. 1. If the partis reach an agreement, they shall submit a status letter advising the Court of such production schedule no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 27, 2020. 2. If the parties do not reach an agreement, Plaintiff may submit a letter outlining a proposed production sched ule, and arguments in support thereof, no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 27, 2020. The letter shall not exceed five single-spaced pages. No later than 5:00 p.m. on July 29, 2020, the Government shall submit an opposition that outlines a counter-proposa l for a production schedule, and argument in support thereof, that also does not exceed five single-spaced pages. Plaintiff shall submit a reply, not to exceed three single-spaced pages, no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 29, 2020. The parties shall app ear for a telephonic status conference at 3:00 p.m. on July 31, 2020. They are directed to call (888) 251-2909 and use access code 2123101. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to calendar the status conference described in Paragraph 2 above. The Court will advise the Clerk of Court if it needs to be cancelled. (Status Conference set for 7/31/2020 at 03:00 PM before Judge Lewis J. Liman.) (Signed by Judge Lewis J. Liman on 7/16/2020) (jwh)
9. NYS 1:2020cv04284 — International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc. v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

   • July 14, 2020: ORDER: To conserve resources, to promote judicial efficiency, and in an effort to achieve a fast disposition of this matter, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties must discuss whether they are willing to consent, under 28 U.S.C. 636(c), to conducting all further proceedings before the assigned Magistrate Judge. (Signed by Judge Gregory H. Woods on 7/14/2020) (mro)
   • July 14, 2020: ORDER: To conserve resources, to promote judicial efficiency, and in an effort to achieve a fast disposition of this matter, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties must discuss whether they are willing to consent, under 28 U.S.C. 636(c), to conducting all further proceedings before the assigned Magistrate Judge. (Signed by Judge Gregory H. Woods on 7/14/2020) (mro)
10. PAW 2:2020cv00971 — DEGENS v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION et al

    • July 15, 2020: MEMORANDUM OPINION re [4] Order on Motion for Service by U.S. Marshal, Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief. Signed by Judge Joy Flowers Conti on 7/15/20. (mh)
11. WAW 2:2018cv01789 — Moujtahid et al v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services et al

    • July 15, 2020: ORDER granting Defendants' [34] Motion to Dismiss. Plaintiffs' FOIA claims are DISMISSED on summary judgment. The Court believes this resolves all remaining issues in this case. To the extent any issues remain, the parties are to notify the Court immediately by filing a joint status report. This case is CLOSED. Signed by Judge Ricardo S. Martinez.(LH)
12. WAW 2:2020cv00674 — Human Rights Defense Center v. United States Department of Justice et al

    • July 13, 2020: STIPULATION AND ORDER granting Parties' [12] Stipulated Motion for Relief from Rule 26(a)(1) and (f) Requirements. Signed by Judge Robert S. Lasnik.(MW)