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Case TitleGary J LaPook v. United States of America et al
DistrictCentral District of California
CityWestern Division - Los Angeles
Case Number2:2014cv01301
Date Filed2014-02-20
Date Closed2015-02-27
JudgeJudge S. James Otero
PlaintiffGary J LaPook
Case DescriptionGary LaPook sent an online FOIA request to the State Department for information concerning the possible discovery of wreckage from Amelia Earhart's airplane on Nikumororo Island. Although the agency acknowledged receiving his request, it took no further action and LaPook filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit

DefendantUnited States of America
DefendantUnited States of America
TERMINATED: 10/21/2014
DefendantUnited States Department of State
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Opinion/Order [23]
FOIA Project Annotation: The court dismissed the case pursuant to a stipulation between the parties.
Issues: Housekeeping
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2014-02-201COMPLAINT for Injunction Under the Freedom of Information Act against Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. Case assigned to Judge S. James Otero for all further proceedings. Discovery referred to Magistrate Judge Stephen J Hillman. (Filing fee $ 400 PAID.), filed by Plaintiff Gary J LaPook.(et) (Entered: 02/25/2014)
2014-02-20230 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint - (Discovery) 1 as to Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. (et) (Entered: 02/25/2014)
2014-02-203CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff Gary J LaPook. (et) (Entered: 02/25/2014)
2014-02-204NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (et) (Entered: 02/25/2014)
2014-02-205INITIAL STANDING ORDER INITIAL STANDING ORDER FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE S. JAMES OTERO by Judge S. James Otero. (mku) (Entered: 03/03/2014)
2014-03-286ANSWER to Complaint - (Discovery), 1 filed by Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service re Answer)(Attorney Jason K Axe added to party United States Department of State(pty:dft), Attorney Jason K Axe added to party United States of America(pty:dft))(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 03/28/2014)
2014-03-317ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE by Judge S. James Otero. Rule 26 Meeting Report due by 4/7/2014. Scheduling Conference set for 4/21/2014 08:30 AM before Judge S. James Otero. (vcr) (Entered: 03/31/2014)
2014-04-078JOINT REPORT Rule 26(f) Discovery Plan ; estimated length of trial 1-2 Days, filed by Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America.. (Attachments: # 1 Pretrial Date Schedule, # 2 Proof of Service re Joint Report)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 04/07/2014)
2014-04-079REQUEST for ADR Procedure No. 1 filed. Parties request to Appear Before Magistrate Judge for settlement proceedings. Filed by Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Order re ADR, # 2 Proof of Service re ADR and Order)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 04/07/2014)
2014-04-2110PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Gary J LaPook, upon Defendant United States Department of State served on 2/22/2014, answer due 4/23/2014. Service of the Summons and Complaint. Service was executed in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Type of service not indicated). Original Summons NOT returned (copy only). (lc) Modified on 4/23/2014 (lc). (Entered: 04/22/2014)
2014-04-2111PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Gary J LaPook, upon Defendant United States of America served on 4/21/2014, answer due 6/20/2014. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon US Department of Justice by unspecified means.Original Summons NOT returned (copy only). (lc) Modified on 4/23/2014 (lc). (Entered: 04/22/2014)
2014-04-2112PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Gary J LaPook, upon Defendant United States of America. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon the United States Attorneys Office by delivering a copy to Civil Process clerk (no name) by unspecified means. Service was executed in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Original Summons NOT returned. (lc) (Entered: 04/22/2014)
2014-04-2113MINUTES OF Scheduling Conference held before Judge S. James Otero: The Court sets the following schedule: Court Trial: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 9:00 a.m.Pretrial Conference: Waived; Motion Cutoff: Monday, August 18, 2014 10:00 a.m.;Discovery Cutoff: Thursday, September 18, 2014; Last Date to Amend: Not provided. Reference of the above case to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Pilot Program, General Order 02-0, is vacated. Settlement is referred to the calendar of Magistrate Judge Stephen J. Hillman for all further proceedings. All discovery dispute to be brought before the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case; parties reminded of requirements of FRCP 26-1(a); counsel are advised all pretrial documents (as listed) must be filed in compliance with Courts Initial Standing order.Court Reporter: Debbie Hino-Spaan. (lc) (Entered: 04/24/2014)
2014-07-2114STIPULATION to Continue Motion Hearing Cut-Off, Pretrial Conference, and Trial from 8/18/14 to 11/17/14 Re: Scheduling Conference, Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings, Vacate ADR Referral Notice,,,,,,,,, 13 filed by Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment - Signature Page, # 2 Proposed Order)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 07/21/2014)
2014-07-2215ORDER CONTINUING MOTION HEARING CUT-OFF, DISCOVERY CUT-OFF, AND TRIAL 14 S by Judge S. James Otero. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all dates in this action shall be continued, and that the following specific dates shall govern in this action: Motion Hearing Cutoff 8/18/14 to 11/17/14; Discovery Cutoff 9/18/14 to 12/15/14; Trial 10/7/14 to 1/12/15 at 9:00 a.m. (lom) (Entered: 07/24/2014)
2014-10-2016STIPULATION to Continue MOTION HEARING CUT-OFF, PRETRIAL CONFERENCE, AND TRIAL Re: Stipulation and Order,, Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings, 15 filed by Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service re Extend Dates, # 2 Order re Extend Dates, # 3 Proof of Service re Order)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 10/20/2014)
2014-10-2017STIPULATION to Dismiss Defendant United States of America filed by Defendants United States Department of State, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service re Stipulation of Dismissal USA, # 2 Order re Stipulation of Dismissal USA, # 3 Proof of Service re Dismissing USA)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 10/20/2014)
2014-10-2118ORDER DISMISSING DEFENDANT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH PREJUDICE 17 by Judge S. James Otero (lc) (Entered: 10/22/2014)
2014-10-2119ORDER by Judge S. James Otero, re Stipulation continues the following dates 16 :Motion Hearing Cutoff:2/2/15;Discovery Cutoff:3/2/15;Trial:3/31/15 9:00 a.m. (lc) (Entered: 10/22/2014)
2015-01-0620STIPULATION to Continue MOTION HEARING CUT-OFF, PRETRIAL CONFERENCE, AND TRIAL from 2/2/15; 3/2/15; 3/31/15 to 3/16/15; 4/27/15; 5/12/15 Re: Order, Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings 19 filed by Defendant United States Department of State. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order With Proof of Service)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 01/06/2015)
2015-01-0721ORDER CONTINUING MOTION HEARING CUT-OFF, PRETRIAL CONFERENCE, AND TRIAL 20 by Judge S. James Otero: Motion Hearing Cutoff:3/16/15; Discovery Cutoff:4/27/15; Trial; 5/12/15 9 a.m. (lc) (Entered: 01/09/2015)
2015-02-2622STIPULATION to Dismiss Case pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1) filed by Defendant United States Department of State. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Proof of Service)(Axe, Jason) (Entered: 02/26/2015)
2015-02-2723ORDER DISMISSING CASE by Judge S. James Otero, re Stipulation to Dismiss Case 22 . Pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the separately filed stipulation of the parties, this action is dismissed with prejudice. Pursuant to the stipulation of the parties, defendant Department of State is ordered to pay costs to Plaintiff in the amount of $424.61. Case Terminated. Made JS-6. (shb) (Entered: 02/27/2015)
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