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Case TitleSCOVILLE v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2017cv00951
Date Filed2017-05-19
Date Closed2018-10-11
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffRYAN SCOVILLE
Case DescriptionRyan Scoville, a professor at Marquette University, submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning certificates of demonstrated competency created for each ambassadorial candidate to comply with the Foreign Service Act from January 1, 1980 to the present. Scoville clarified his request for documents provided by the President to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pursuant to the Foreign Service Act. The agency provided records from 2001 to the present, but told Scoville that older records were at the National Archives. Scoville contacted the National Archives, which told Scoville that it did not have the records, but that they were still in the custody of the State Department. State then disclosed an additional 286 documents and told Scoville that its processing of his request was complete. Scoville then filed an administrative appeal, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Scoville filed suit.
Complaint issues: Litigation - Attorney's fees, Failure to respond within statutory time limit

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
Complaint attachment 12
Complaint attachment 13
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2017-05-191COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-4959205) filed by RYAN SCOVILLE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Civil Cover Sheet, # 13 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 05/19/2017)
2017-05-222NOTICE of Errata by RYAN SCOVILLE (Attachments: # 1 Errata Complaint Caption, # 2 Summons Requested for Attorney General, # 3 Summons Requested for United States Attorney's Office for District of Columbia)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 05/22/2017)
2017-05-23Case Assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (zsb) (Entered: 05/23/2017)
2017-05-233SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Consent Form)(zsb) (Entered: 05/23/2017)
2017-06-134RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 5/31/2017, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 5/30/2017, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 5/30/2017. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 6/29/2017. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Returned Executed for Department of State, # 2 Summons Returned Executed for the Attorney General)(Topic, Matthew) Modified on 6/14/2017 to add service dates (zrdj). (Entered: 06/13/2017)
2017-06-14NOTICE OF ERROR re 4 Summons Returned Executed in FOIA as to U.S. Attorney; emailed to matt@loevy.com, cc'd 2 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Counsel is reminded to select all parties that have been served and add the service dates. NO ACTION NEEDED (zrdj, ) (Entered: 06/14/2017)
2017-06-295NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Patrick Schaefer on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 06/29/2017)
2017-06-296Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 06/29/2017)
2017-06-29MINUTE ORDER:Granting 6 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendant shall answer or otherwise respond to the complaint by July 28, 2017. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 6/29/17. (DJS) (Entered: 06/29/2017)
2017-06-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's answer or otherwise response to the complaint is now due by 7/28/2017. (jth) (Entered: 06/29/2017)
2017-07-287ANSWER to Complaint by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 07/28/2017)
2017-07-30MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. The requirements of LCvR 16.3 and Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil procedure appear to be inapplicable. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and propose a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule shall address the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff, whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case, whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case, whether and when either party anticipates filing a dispositive motion, and any other pertinent issues. The parties shall file a joint status report that addresses these issues and that contains a proposed schedule and proposed order not later than 8/18/17. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 7/30/17. (DJS) (Entered: 07/30/2017)
2017-08-01Set/Reset Deadlines: The parties shall file a joint status report that contains a proposed schedule and proposed order by 8/18/17. (jth) (Entered: 08/01/2017)
2017-08-188Joint STATUS REPORT and Proposed Schedule by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 08/18/2017)
2017-08-19MINUTE ORDER: Having considered the parties' Joint Status Report 8 , it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file another joint report and proposed schedule by October 17, 2017. The parties are hereby reminded that their joint report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 8/19/17. (DJS) (Entered: 08/19/2017)
2017-08-21Set/Reset Deadlines: The parties shall file another joint status report and proposed schedule by 10/17/2017. (jth) (Entered: 08/21/2017)
2017-10-179Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 10/17/2017)
2017-10-19MINUTE ORDER: Having considered the parties' Joint Status Report 9 , it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file another joint status report and proposed order by November 28, 2017. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 10/19/17. (DJS) (Entered: 10/19/2017)
2017-10-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/28/2017. (tb) (Entered: 10/23/2017)
2017-11-01Case directly reassigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Judge Tanya S. Chutkan is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr) (Entered: 11/01/2017)
2017-11-16MINUTE ORDER: In light of the recent assignment of this case to Judge McFadden, the parties are advised that the pre-existing schedule for this case remains in effect. The parties shall comply with all deadlines as previously ordered. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/16/2017. (lctnm1) (Entered: 11/16/2017)
2017-11-2810Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 11/28/2017)
2017-11-29MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 10 joint status report, it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before January 24, 2018, discussing a processing schedule and recommendation for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/29/2017.(lctnm1) (Entered: 11/29/2017)
2017-11-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/24/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 11/29/2017)
2017-12-1911NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Hart Burday on behalf of RYAN SCOVILLE (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 12/19/2017)
2018-01-2212MOTION to Stay Litigation Proceedings by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 01/22/2018)
2018-01-23MINUTE ORDER denying Defendant's 12 Motion to Stay as moot. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/23/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 01/23/2018)
2018-01-2413Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 01/24/2018)
2018-01-25MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ordered that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before April 3, 2018, proposing a schedule for any further proceedings they think necessary. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/25/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 01/25/2018)
2018-01-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/3/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 01/25/2018)
2018-04-0414Joint STATUS REPORT and Proposed Schedule by RYAN SCOVILLE. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 04/04/2018)
2018-04-04MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report and for good cause shown, the parties are directed to file a further Joint Status Report proposing a schedule for any further proceedings they think necessary on or before May 4, 2018 if a stipulation of dismissal has not yet been filed by that date. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/4/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 04/04/2018)
2018-04-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/4/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 04/04/2018)
2018-04-2015STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 4/20/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 04/20/2018)
2018-05-0416Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 05/04/2018)
2018-05-07MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report and for good cause shown, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report on or before June 4, 2018, including a proposed schedule for any further proceedings. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/7/18.(lctnm1) (Entered: 05/07/2018)
2018-05-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/4/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 05/07/2018)
2018-06-0417Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 06/04/2018)
2018-06-04MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report and for good cause shown, the parties are directed to file a further Joint Status Report by July 2, 2018 if a stipulation of dismissal has not been filed by that date. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 6/4/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 06/04/2018)
2018-06-05Set/Reset Deadlines: A further Joint Status Report is due by 7/2/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 06/05/2018)
2018-07-0218Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 07/02/2018)
2018-07-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report and for good cause shown, the parties are directed to file a further Joint Status Report by July 31, 2018 if a stipulation of dismissal has not been filed by that date. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/3/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 07/03/2018)
2018-07-03Set/Reset Deadlines: A further Joint Status Report is due by 7/31/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 07/03/2018)
2018-07-3119Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 07/31/2018)
2018-08-01MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further Joint Status Report by August 30, 2018 with a proposed schedule for further proceedings if a stipulation of dismissal has not been filed by that date. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/1/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 08/01/2018)
2018-08-01Set/Reset Deadlines: A further Joint Status Report is due by 8/30/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 08/01/2018)
2018-08-3020Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Schaefer, Daniel) (Entered: 08/30/2018)
2018-09-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, the parties are directed to file a further Joint Status Report by October 10, 2018 with a proposed schedule for further proceedings if a stipulation of dismissal has not been filed by that date. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/10/18. (lctnm1) (Entered: 09/10/2018)
2018-09-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/10/2018. (hmc) (Entered: 09/11/2018)
2018-10-1121STIPULATION of Dismissal (JOINT) by RYAN SCOVILLE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Settlement Agreement)(Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 10/11/2018)
2018-10-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 21 Joint Stipulation of Dismissal, this matter is hereby DISMISSED with prejudice per the terms of the stipulation. The Clerk of Court is directed to close the case. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/11/2018. (lctnm1) (Entered: 10/11/2018) (Entered: 10/11/2018)
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