28 new FOIA court documents, plus case descriptions

We have added 24 documents from 4 FOIA cases filed between August 10, 2014 and August 16, 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. Allison v. United States Marshall Service (filed Aug 11, 2014)
   James Allison submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for a local police report pertaining to his case. The agency told him the report was sealed by the U.S. District Court in Idaho. However, according to Allison, the court said it was not in possession of the document. Allison then filed suit against the Marshals Service.
   Issues: disclosure of records
2. Martinez v. U.S. State Department (filed Aug 11, 2014)
   Avelino Cruz Martinez, a naturalized U.S. citizen detained for extradition to Mexico on criminal charges, submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for all records from the U.S. Consulate in Mexico pertaining to Martinez and all records pertaining to Mexico’s request to extradite Martinez. He also requested expedited processing. The agency denied his request for expedited processing, which he appealed. The agency upheld its denial. When Martinez asked how long it would take to process his request, he was given an estimated completion date of June 2015. He then filed suit.
   Issues: order agency to make determination within 20 days, prompt disclosure of records, expedited proceedings
3. GORDON v. COURTER et al (filed Aug 13, 2014)
   Juan Gordon, a federal prisoner, submitted a FOIA request to the Criminal Division of the Justice Department for records pertaining to the authorization for wiretaps of his phone. The Criminal Division acknowledged receipt of his request and told him that any responsive records would be exempt. He then appealed the Criminal Division’s denial, which was upheld by the Office of Information Policy. Gordon then filed suit.
   Issues: disclosure of all records, expedited proceedings, attorney’s fees, sanctions for illegal wiretap
4. ELIAS YUNES v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al (filed Aug 15, 2014)
   Edmon Felipe Elias Yunes submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records regarding alleged criminal activities that took place in Santo Domingo that led to the revocation of his visa. State acknowledged receipt of his request, but he heard nothing further from the agency. Yunes also submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records pertaining to his alleged criminal/terrorist activity. The FBI acknowledged receipt of the request, but Yunes heard nothing further from the agency. Yunes then filed suit.
   Issues: conduct adequate search, disclosure of all responsive records, attorney’s fees

In addition, we have added 4 documents from 1 case, with an earlier filing date, that has recently appeared on PACER.

• CAMPBELL v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CRIMINAL DIVISION et al (filed Aug 8, 2014)
  Eric Campbell, a federal prisoner, submitted a FOIA request to the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice for records concerning the authorization to wiretap his phone. The Criminal Division told him that any responsive records would be exempt. Campbell appealed the Criminal Division’s decision to the Office of Information Policy. When OIP failed to respond, Campbell filed suit.