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Rhodes v. U.S. Internal Revenue Services and 79 other new FOIA lawsuits, plus case descriptions

by Harry Hammitt on March 6th, 2025

We have added 173 documents from 28 FOIA cases filed between June 23, 2024 and June 29, 2024. 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. Rhodes v. U.S. Internal Revenue Services (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Gregory Rhodes, an attorney who represented Polk Limestone Investors, submitted a FOIA request to the IRS for records concerning the administrative file pertaining to Polk Limestone. The agency acknowledged the request and told Rhodes several times that it was processing his request. However, after hearing nothing further from the agency, Rhodes filed suit.
    Issues: Litigation – Attorney’s fees, Failure to respond within statutory time limit
  2. Villasenor v. United States Internal Revenue Service (filed Jun 24, 2024)
    Joseph Villasenor submitted a FOIA request to the IRS for records concerning his tax records for 2016-2018. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Villasenor filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  3. JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (filed Jun 24, 2024)
    Judicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Treasury for records concerning communications between Committee on Foreign Investment and Department of Agriculture concerning the purchase of U.S. agricultural real estate by foreign entities. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  4. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (filed Jun 25, 2024)
    Government Accountability & Oversight submitted a FOIA request to liquified natural gas reports from the Natural Energy Technology Lab to the Department’s Office of Fossil Energy. GAO requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, GAO filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  5. POWER THE FUTURE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (filed Jun 25, 2024)
    Power the Future submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Energy for records concerning communications between a named official who was included on emails from EOP. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Power the Future filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  6. WAR HORSE NEWS et al v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE et al (filed Jun 25, 2024)
    War Horse News submitte4 a FOIA request to the Department of Army for records concerning the Army’s water rights. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, War Horse News filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  7. ALPER v. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (filed Jun 25, 2024)
    Ty Alper, a law professor at Berkley who runs the Death Penalty Clinic, submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning the murder case Alabama v. Toforest Johnson. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency identified 513 potentially responsive pages. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Alper filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  8. POWER THE FUTURE v. COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (filed Jun 25, 2024)
    Power the Future submitted a FOIA request to White House Council on Environmental Quality for records concerning communications between a senior official using his EOP email address. Power the Future requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, the Power the Future filed Suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  9. HISTORY ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED v. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (filed Jun 27, 2024)
    History Associates submitted a FOIA request to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for records concerning pause letters relating to crypto currency. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The FDIC denied the request under Exemption 4 (commercial and confidential). History Associates filed an administrative appeal of the denial. After hearing nothing further from the agency, History Associates filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  10. HISTORY ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED v. U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (filed Jun 27, 2024)
    History Associates submitted FOIA requests to the SEC for records concerning the regulation of crypto-currency. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. The SEC denied the requests under Exemption 7(A) (ongoing law enforcement investigation. History Associates filed administrative appeals but after hearing nothing further from the agency, History Associates filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  11. POWER THE FUTURE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (filed Jun 27, 2024)
    Power the Future submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Energy for records concerning text messages of a named official over a nine-week period of time. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Power the Future filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  12. POWER THE FUTURE v. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (filed Jun 27, 2024)
    Power of the Future submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Interior for records concerning text messages for senior official for a nine-week period. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Power the Future filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  13. CENTER TO ADVANCE SECURITY IN AMERICA v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (filed Jun 27, 2024)
    Center to Advance Security in America submitted a FOIA request for records concerning sightings of spy balloon. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, CASA filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  14. CENTER TO ADVANCE SECURITY IN AMERICA v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (filed Jun 27, 2024)
    Center to Advance Security in America submitted two FOIA requests to the Department of State for records concerning the Special Envoy to Advance Human Rights lesbian and gay people. The agency acknowledged receipt of both requests. After hearing nothing from the agency concerning either request, CASA filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  15. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & OVERSIGHT v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Government Accountability & Oversight submitted a FOIA request for records concerning calendar invitations for three named senior officials. GAO also requested expedited processing. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, GAO filed suit asking for expedited processing.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Expedited processing, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  16. POWER THE FUTURE v. WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Power the Future submitted a FOIA request to the Council for Environmental Quality for records concerning calendar invitations for three officials over a period of time. Power the Future requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing more from the agency, Power the Future filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  17. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Jun 28, 2024)
  18. INFORMED CONSENT ACTION NETWORK v. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    complaint filed 6/28/24 “Informed Consent Action Network submitted a FOIA request to NOOA for records concerning emails from named staff regarding certain topics. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, ICAN filed suit.
    Issues: Litigation – Vaughn index, Adequacy – Search, Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  19. PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S TRUST v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Protect the Public’s Trust submitted as FOIA request to the Department of Interior for records concerning the Bureau of Indian Affairs and implementation of President Joe Biden’s E.O. on voting access. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, PPT filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  20. INFORMED CONSENT ACTION NETWORK v. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION et al (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Informed Consent Action Network submitted a FOIA request to the FDA for records concerning emails from Jason Warfel mentioning the term pertussis and whooping cough. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, ICAN filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  21. INFORMED CONSENT ACTION NETWORK v. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION et al (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Informed Consent Action Network submitted a FOIA request for records concerning documents controlled by Peter Marks containing the term Plotkin. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, ICAN filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  22. INFORMED CONSENT ACTION NETWORK v. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION et al (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Informed Consent Action Network submitted a FOIA request to the FDA for records concerning Peter Marks’ emails that contain the term Plotkin. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, ICAN filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  23. INFORMED CONSENT ACTION NETWORK v. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION et al (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Informed Consent Action Network submitted a FOIA request to the FDA for records concerning emails from Peter Marks that contain the term Plotkin and the term label. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, ICAN filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  24. INFORMED CONSENT ACTION NETWORK v. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (filed Jun 28, 2024)
    Informed Consent Action Network submitted a FOIA request to the FAA for records concerning minimizing aviation climate impacts. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency ICAN filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy – Search, Litigation – Vaughn index, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  25. Estes Express Lines v. Executive Office for United States Attorneys (filed Jun 26, 2024)
    Estes Express Lines submitted a FOIA request to the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys for records concerning the prosecution of William Roman. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency did not disclose all the records requested and Estes Express Lines filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees, Adequacy – Search
  26. Lawyers for Civil Rights v. United States Department of Homeland Security et al (filed Jun 25, 2024)
    Lawyers for Civil Rights submitted a FOIA request to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for records concerning how fee waivers are adjudicated for persons seeking Employment Authorization Document Form I-766, applications for Temporary Protective Status Form I-812, and Naturalization Form N-400. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, LCR filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  27. Shea v. Blinken (filed Jun 26, 2024)
    William Shea submitted three FOIA requests to the Department of State. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Shea filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees
  28. Ho v. United States of America (filed Jun 26, 2024)
    Jian-Chi Ho submitted a FOIA request to IRS for records concerning audits of his personal income. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. After hearing nothing further about his request, Ho filed suit.
    Issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation – Attorney’s fees

In addition, we have added 173 documents from 52 cases, with earlier filing dates, that have recently appeared on PACER.

  1. Bowes-Northern v. Cook County Sheriff's Office (filed Jun 20, 2024)
    Shedrick Bowes filed a FOIA request with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  2. Ballentine v. Google LLC (filed Jun 18, 2024)
    Quintin Ballentine sued Google. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  3. Wohl v. United States Department of Education (filed May 29, 2024)
  4. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY v. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (filed May 22, 2024)
  5. Prado Hernandez v. Mendoza Jaddou et al (filed May 15, 2024)
    This is an action under the Administrative Procedure Act. It is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  6. ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS v. UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES et al (filed May 2, 2024)
  7. Cavanagh v. Nevada State Militia (filed May 1, 2024)
    Felicia Cavanaugh filed suit against Nevada State Military. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  8. Smooth Multi-Services Platform, et al., v. USA (filed Apr 25, 2024)
    Smooth Multi-Services Platform filed a class action against the United States. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  9. Behring Capital LLC v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (filed Apr 19, 2024)
  10. Batra v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (filed Apr 18, 2024)
  11. ZAMORA FUENTES v. MILLER et al (filed Apr 12, 2024)
  12. Saifullin v. Mayorkas et al (filed Apr 10, 2024)
  13. DOE v. Pan (filed Apr 2, 2024)
  14. BUENAVENTURA et al v. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT et al (filed Mar 21, 2024)
    Ian Buenaventura submitted asked for information from the Executive Office of the United States. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  15. Godbolt v. Commissioner of Social Security (filed Mar 13, 2024)
    James Godbolt filed suit against the Social Security Administration to obtain a social security card. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  16. Padway (filed Mar 12, 2024)
  17. Reeder et al v. United States of America (filed Mar 6, 2024)
    45. Reeder v. USA, No. 2:24-cv-00227-DLM-GBW (D. NM); complaint filed 3/6/24 “Bonnie Reeder and Michelle Federico submitted a Privacy Act request to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico to obtain records for the take-over of Ayudando Guardians. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  18. Atherholt v. PA Public Utility Commission et al (filed Feb 29, 2024)
    Samantha Atherholt sued the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commissioner. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  19. Lane v. City of Clarksburg (filed Feb 26, 2024)
    Christopher Lane filed suit against the City of Clarksburg, WV. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  20. Manley (filed Feb 21, 2024)
  21. D'Souza et al v. U.S. Department of State et al (filed Feb 16, 2024)
  22. Emesowum v. National Security Agency (filed Feb 6, 2024)
    Benedict Emesowum filed suit against the National Security Agency for damages. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  23. Kourani v. Department of Justice (filed Feb 5, 2024)
  24. Kourani v. Department of Justice (filed Feb 5, 2024)
    Ali Kourani filed suit against the Department of Justice. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  25. Washburn et al v. Blackville Police Department et al (filed Jan 31, 2024)
    Joshua Washburn filed suit against Blackville Town Hall. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  26. ROSS v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (filed Jan 24, 2024)
  27. JNM Technology LLC et al v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services et al (filed Jan 12, 2024)
  28. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Jan 8, 2024)
  29. WILDEARTH GUARDIANS v. U.S. FOREST SERVICE (filed Jan 4, 2024)
  30. SHERVEN v. FEDERAL BUREAU INVESTIGATION (filed Dec 31, 2023)
  31. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 22, 2023)
  32. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 21, 2023)
  33. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 14, 2023)
  34. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 13, 2023)
  35. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 13, 2023)
  36. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 13, 2023)
  37. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 13, 2023)
  38. CASE NUMBER NOT USED (filed Dec 13, 2023)
  39. Incorrectly Filed (filed Dec 12, 2023)
  40. Immigrant Legal Defense v. Department of Homeland Security et al (filed Dec 8, 2023)
  41. Washington v. Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (filed Nov 29, 2023)
    Bretz Washington tried to obtain recognition for his nationality identity from the United States government. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  42. SHERVEN v. NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY (filed Nov 8, 2023)
  43. DEMITRY v. UNITED STATES AIR FORCE et al (filed Nov 2, 2023)
    Chris Demitry filed a suit against the Department of the Air Force pertaining to allegations of sexual abuse. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  44. DEMITRY v. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY et al (filed Nov 2, 2023)
    Chris Demitry filed suit against the CIA pertaining to allegations of sexual abuse. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  45. v. Executive Office for Immigration Review et al (filed Oct 31, 2023)
  46. RISENHOOVER v. US OFFICE OF MANAGMENT AND BUDGET (filed Oct 29, 2023)
  47. Hicks v. Supreme Court (filed Oct 20, 2023)
    Mark Henry Hicks filed suit against the Supreme Court trying to show that Allah was the true God. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned
  48. SHERVEN v. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY et al (filed Oct 19, 2023)
  49. MARTINEZ v. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY et al (filed Oct 13, 2023)
  50. SHERVEN v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (filed Oct 5, 2023)
  51. FUNCTIONAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (filed Oct 3, 2023)
  52. Webb v. Porter (filed Oct 3, 2023)
    Major Mike Webb filed suit against Bryan Porter. This is not a FOIA case.
    Issues: FOIA not mentioned

From → FOIA, PACER

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