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Case TitleOppenheim v. Department of the Treasury
DistrictSouthern District of Florida
CityFt Lauderdale
Case Number0:2018cv60711
Date Filed2018-04-04
Date Closed2019-02-21
JudgeJudge Joan A. Lenard
PlaintiffRoy David Oppenheim
Case DescriptionRoy Oppenheim submitted two FOIA requests to the IRS for records concerning the handling of his whistleblower complaint. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests, but denied the requests under Exemption 6 (invasion of privacy) and Exemption 7(C) (invasion of privacy concerning law enforcement records). Oppenheim filed an administrative appeal, which was denied. He then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantDepartment of the Treasury
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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2018-04-041COMPLAINT for Injunctive Relief against Department of the Treasury. Filing fees $ 400.00 receipt number 113C-10540013, filed by Roy David Oppenheim. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7, # 9 Exhibit 8, # 10 Exhibit 9, # 11 Summon(s))(Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 04/04/2018)
2018-04-042Clerks Notice of Judge Assignment to Judge Joan A. Lenard. Pursuant to 28 USC 636(c), the parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle is available to handle any or all proceedings in this case. If agreed, parties should complete and file the Consent form found on our website. It is not necessary to file a document indicating lack of consent. Pro se (NON-PRISONER) litigants may receive Notices of Electronic Filings (NEFS) via email after filing a Consent by Pro Se Litigant (NON-PRISONER) to Receive Notices of Electronic Filing. The consent form is available under the forms section of our website. (ail) (Entered: 04/04/2018)
2018-04-043Summons Issued as to Department of the Treasury. (ail) (Entered: 04/04/2018)
2018-05-254SUMMONS (Affidavit) Returned Executed by Roy David Oppenheim. Department of the Treasury served on 4/6/2018, answer due 6/5/2018. (Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 05/25/2018)
2018-06-065ORDER DIRECTING Plaintiff to file a Memorandum of Law establishing that David Mellinger, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of the Treasury, Inspector General for Tax Administration, is authorized by law to accept service on behalf of Defendant. Plaintiff shall have until and including June 15, 2017 to file the Memorandum, which shall not exceed five double-spaced pages without leave of Court. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 6/6/2018. (gie) (Entered: 06/06/2018)
2018-06-086NOTICE by Department of the Treasury of Acceptance of Service Under Agreed June 29, 2018, Answer Date . Attorney Catriona M. Coppler added to party Department of the Treasury(pty:dft). (Coppler, Catriona) (Entered: 06/08/2018)
2018-06-157MEMORANDUM of Law ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION TO ACCEPT SERVICE ON BEHALF OF DEFENDANT by Roy David Oppenheim. (Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 06/15/2018)
2018-06-288ANSWER and Affirmative Defenses to Complaint by Department of the Treasury. Attorney Joseph E. Hunsader added to party Department of the Treasury(pty:dft). (Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 06/28/2018)
2018-07-059Order Referring Discovery Disputes and Certain Pretrial Motions to Magistrate Judge Alicia O Valle; Directing Parties to File Certificates of Interested Parties; Directing Parties to File a Notice of Refiling And/or of Related Cases; Requiring Completion of Form Consenting to Jurisdiction by Magistrate Judge; and Requiring Completion of Joint Scheduling Report and Form. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 7/5/2018. See attached document for full details. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix, # 2 Appendix) (dp) (Entered: 07/05/2018)
2018-07-0510Order Setting Forth the Court's Policy on Motions for Extension or Stay of the Scheduling Order Deadlines. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 07/05/18. See attached document for full details. (dp) (Entered: 07/05/2018)
2018-07-0511CASE REFERRED to Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle. SEE DE 9 ORDER (ail) (Entered: 07/06/2018)
2018-07-1912Plaintiff's MOTION to Strike Defendant's Affirmative Defenses by Roy David Oppenheim. Responses due by 8/2/2018 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 07/19/2018)
2018-07-1913Notice of NO Pending, Refiled, Related or Similar Actions by Roy David Oppenheim (Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 07/19/2018)
2018-07-1914Certificate of Interested Parties/Corporate Disclosure Statement - NONE disclosed by Roy David Oppenheim (Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 07/19/2018)
2018-07-1915PAPERLESS ORDER REFERRING to Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) to hear and determine the 12 Motion to Strike Defendant, Treasury Inspector General For Tax Administration's Affirmative Defenses, and all related motions and pleadings. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 7/19/2018. (gie) (Entered: 07/19/2018)
2018-07-2016NOTICE by Department of the Treasury re: No Related Cases, Certificate of Interested Parties and Corporate Disclosure Statement (Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 07/20/2018)
2018-07-3017RESPONSE to Motion re 12 Plaintiff's MOTION to Strike Defendant's Affirmative Defenses filed by Department of the Treasury. Replies due by 8/6/2018. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 07/30/2018)
2018-08-0618NOTICE by Department of the Treasury re 9 Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge,, JOINT filing by Plaintiff and Defendant pursuant to July 5, 2018 Order of (1) Joint Scheduling Report; (2) Joint Scheduling Report Form; and (3) Consent re: Jurisdiction (Attachments: # 1 Supplement, # 2 Supplement) (Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 08/06/2018)
2018-08-0719PAPERLESS ORDER STRIKING 18 Joint Scheduling Report. On July 5, 2018, the Court issued an 9 Order directing the Parties to file a Joint Scheduling Report and warning the Parties that "unilateral reports will not be accepted." (D.E. 9 at 4.) The March 17, 2017 Order further states that "the Parties shall also file a completed copy of the attached form, titled 'Joint Scheduling Form.'" ( Id. at 5.) It further instructs that "[a]ll deadlines provided in the form shall be date specific , e.g. January 1, 2006." ( Id. (emphasis in original).) The attached Joint Scheduling Form similarly instructs the Parties to "jointly complete [the] Form by providing dates certain... for each action or event. Unilateral filings will not be accepted." (D.E. 9-2 at 1.) So it should have been clear that the Court wanted a Joint Scheduling Form with one, specific date for each event listed. On August 6, 2018, the Parties filed a Scheduling Report to which they attached a Scheduling Form that is "Joint" only in the sense that both Parties signed it, providing one agreed upon deadline (for amended pleadings and joinder of parties), two separate dates for dispostive motions/ Daubert motions, and one non-agreed upon date for the remainder of the deadlines, with Defendant merely stating that it believes the deadlines should be deferred until after summary judgment. This document is unhelpful and is STRICKEN for failure to comply with the Court's July 5th Order. The Parties shall have until and including August 9, 2018, to file a Joint Scheduling Report and Joint Scheduling Form with one date certain , agreed upon by all parties, listed for each event. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 8/7/2018. (gie) (Entered: 08/07/2018)
2018-08-0920NOTICE by Department of the Treasury of JOINT filing by Plaintiff and Defendant of Joint Scheduling Form (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Joint Scheduling Report Form) (Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 08/09/2018)
2018-08-2221Order Adopting Joint Scheduling Report, Setting Pretrial Conference and Trial, Establishing Pretrial Deadlines, and Establishing Pretrial and Trial Procedures: Jury Trial set for 4/15/2019 09:00 AM in Miami Division before Judge Joan A. Lenard. Calendar Call set for 4/10/2019 04:00 PM in Miami Division before Judge Joan A. Lenard. Pretrial Conference set for 3/25/2019 02:00 PM in Miami Division before Judge Joan A. Lenard. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 08/22/18. See attached document for full details. (dp) Pattern Jury Instruction Builder - To access the latest, up to date changes to the 11th Circuit Pattern Jury Instructions go to https://pji.ca11.uscourts.gov or click here. (Entered: 08/22/2018)
2018-08-2222ORDER of Referral to Mediation and Directing Plaintiff's Counsel to Submit (Within Fourteen Days) Proposed Order Scheduling Mediation. Mediation Deadline 1/10/2019. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 08/22/18. See attached document for full details. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix) (dp) (Entered: 08/22/2018)
2018-09-0523NOTICE of Mediator Selection. Added Roy David Oppenheim, Meah Tell. (Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 09/05/2018)
2018-09-0524NOTICE of Mediator Selection. Added Roy David Oppenheim. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Oppenheim, Roy) (Entered: 09/05/2018)
2018-09-0625ORDER Scheduling Mediation before Meah Rothman Tell. Mediation Deadline 1/10/2019. Mediation Hearing set for 1/7/2019 09:30 AM. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 09/06/18. See attached document for full details. (dp) (Entered: 09/06/2018)
2018-10-0426NOTICE of Mediator Selection and Hearing. Added Meah Tell. Mediation Hearing set for 1/7/2019 at 9:30 a.m.. (Chaplin, James) (Entered: 10/04/2018)
2018-10-2227Defendant's MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings (motion for partial judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) and/or motion for partial summary judgment under Rule 56 , MOTION for Summary Judgment ( Responses due by 11/5/2018) by Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 10/22/2018)
2018-10-2528ORDER granting in part and denying in part 12 Plaintiff's Motion to Strike Affirmative Defenses. Signed by Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle on 10/25/2018. See attached document for full details. (lmk) (Entered: 10/25/2018)
2018-10-2929MOTION for Leave to File Memorandum in Support of Summary Judgment that Exceeds 20 Page Local Rule Limit by Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Memorandum in support of summary judgment but is in excess of Local Rule's 20 page limit)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 10/29/2018)
2018-10-2930MOTION for Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Complainy by Department of the Treasury. Responses due by 11/13/2018 (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Supplement Defendant's Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Summary Judgment, # 3 Affidavit of James Jackson, # 4 Affidavit of Diane Bowers, # 5 Affidavit of Elissa Sissman)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 10/29/2018)
2018-10-3031PAPERLESS ORDER GRANTING 29 Defendant's Motion to Enlarge Page Limit for Memorandum in Support of Summary Judgment Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. Defendant's Memorandum shall not exceed twenty-five double-spaced pages, excluding signature block and certificate of service. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 10/30/2018. (gie) (Entered: 10/30/2018)
2018-10-3032NOTICE by Department of the Treasury re 30 MOTION for Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Complainy , 31 Order on Motion for Leave to File, filing of Memorandum in Support of Summary Judgment in Compliance with Paperless Order (Dkt. No. 31) enlarging Local Rule's memorandum 20 page limit (Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 10/30/2018)
2018-11-0533RESPONSE in Opposition re 27 Defendant's MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings (motion for partial judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) and/or motion for partial summary judgment under Rule 56 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Roy David Oppenheim. Attorney Marisa D. Ajmo added to party Roy David Oppenheim(pty:pla). Replies due by 11/13/2018. (Ajmo, Marisa) (Entered: 11/05/2018)
2018-11-0534RESPONSE in Support re 27 Defendant's MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings (motion for partial judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) and/or motion for partial summary judgment under Rule 56 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Roy David Oppenheim. (Ajmo, Marisa) (Entered: 11/05/2018)
2018-11-1335REPLY to Response to Motion re 27 Defendant's MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings (motion for partial judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) and/or motion for partial summary judgment under Rule 56 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Department of the Treasury. (Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 11/13/2018)
2018-11-1336RESPONSE to Motion re 30 MOTION for Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Complainy filed by Roy David Oppenheim. Attorney Geoffrey Elan Sherman added to party Roy David Oppenheim(pty:pla). Replies due by 11/20/2018. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Plaintiff's Affidavit in Opposition to TIGTA's Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 30])(Sherman, Geoffrey) (Entered: 11/13/2018)
2018-11-1337RESPONSE to Motion re 30 MOTION for Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Complainy filed by Roy David Oppenheim. Replies due by 11/20/2018. (Sherman, Geoffrey) (Entered: 11/13/2018)
2018-11-1338NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Geoffrey Elan Sherman on behalf of Roy David Oppenheim (Sherman, Geoffrey) (Entered: 11/13/2018)
2018-11-2039REPLY to Response to Motion re 30 MOTION for Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Complainy filed by Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement TIGTA's Reply to Plaintiff's Counter-Statement of Material Facts)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 11/20/2018)
2018-12-0340MOTION for Summary Judgment by Roy David Oppenheim. Responses due by 12/17/2018 (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit In Support Of Plaintiff's Motion For Summary Judgment, # 2 Supplement Statement Of Material Facts In Support Of Summary Judgment)(Ajmo, Marisa) (Entered: 12/03/2018)
2018-12-1141Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply/Answer as to 40 MOTION for Summary Judgment by Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 12/11/2018)
2018-12-1142Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to Mediate (postpone Mediation scheduled for January 7, 2019 until Court has ruled on Parties' motions for summary judgment by Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 12/11/2018)
2018-12-1143PAPERLESS ORDER GRANTING 41 Defendant's Unopposed Motion for Enlargement of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment. Defendant shall have until and including January 18, 2019 to file its Response. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 12/11/2018. (gie) (Entered: 12/11/2018)
2018-12-1144PAPERLESS ORDER DENYING 42 Joint Motion to Postpone Mediation Scheduled for January 7, 2019. The Parties request that the Court permit them to postpone the scheduled mediation until after the Court rules on their cross-motions for summary judgment--one of which will not be ripe until after the scheduled mediation. They argue that "good cause" exists for the postponement because if the Court resolves this case on summary judgment, the Parties will be spared "the substantial expense of participating in the Mediation occurring during the time parties' summary judgment motions are still pending." The Court finds this does not constitute "good cause" for the requested postponement, and the motion is DENIED. The Parties are instructed to mediate as scheduled in a good faith attempt to resolve their issues without further Court intervention. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 12/11/2018. (gie) (Entered: 12/11/2018)
2019-01-0245Unopposed MOTION to Stay re 25 ORDER Scheduling Mediation (TIGTA motion briefly to stay Jan. 7 mediation in part because of Gov't shutdown) by Department of the Treasury. Responses due by 1/16/2019 (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 01/02/2019)
2019-01-0246PAPERLESS ORDER GRANTING 45 Defendant's Unopposed Motion Briefly to Stay Mediation Scheduled for January 7, 2019 to a Mutually Agreeable Date Within 30 Days. Due to the Government shutdown and the illness of Defendant's counsel, the Mediation currently scheduled for January 7, 2019 is hereby continued until a date mutually agreeable by Plaintiff, Defendant, and the Mediator within THIRTY DAYS of the date of this Order. Counsel shall notify the Court as soon as a new mediation date is scheduled. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 1/2/2019. (gie) (Entered: 01/02/2019)
2019-01-1547Second MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply/Answer to Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and to Extend Time for Mediation because of Lapse of Appropriations by Department of the Treasury. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 01/15/2019)
2019-01-1648PAPERLESS ORDER GRANTING 47 Defendant's Second Unopposed Motion to Extend Certain Scheduled Dates Because of Lapse of Appropriations. Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment is to be filed no more than fourteen days after appropriations resume, and the Parties shall mediate no more than thirty days after appropriations resume. Counsel for Plaintiff shall notify the Court as soon as a new mediation date is scheduled. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 1/16/2019. (gie) (Entered: 01/16/2019)
2019-02-0849PAPERLESS ORDER providing Plaintiff's counsel until and including February 12, 2019 to file an Amended Proposed Order Scheduling Mediation. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 2/8/2019. (gie) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-0850RESPONSE in Opposition re 40 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Department of the Treasury. Replies due by 2/15/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Opposition to Plaintiff's Statement of Undisputed Facts, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Hunsader, Joseph) (Entered: 02/08/2019)
2019-02-1251NOTICE by Roy David Oppenheim re 49 Order, Scheduling Mediation (Ajmo, Marisa) (Entered: 02/12/2019)
2019-02-1352Amended Order Scheduling Mediation before Meah Rothman Tell. Mediation Hearing set for 2/25/2019 09:00 AM Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 02/13/19. See attached document for full details. (dp) (Entered: 02/13/2019)
2019-02-1553REPLY to Response to Motion re 40 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Roy David Oppenheim. (Ajmo, Marisa) (Entered: 02/15/2019)
2019-02-2154NOTICE of Mediator Selection and Hearing. Added Meah Tell. Mediation Hearing set for 2/25/2019 at 9:00 a.m.. (Chaplin, James) (Entered: 02/21/2019)
2019-02-2155NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Roy David Oppenheim (Ajmo, Marisa) (Entered: 02/21/2019)
2019-02-2156ORDER CLOSING CASE. On February 21, 2019, the Parties filed a 55 Stipulation of Dismissal, wherein they dismissed the case with prejudice pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Eleventh Circuit has stated that "the plain language of Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) requires that a stipulation filed pursuant to that subsection is self-executing and dismisses the case upon its becoming effective. The stipulation becomes effective upon filing unless it explicitly conditions its effectiveness on a subsequent occurrence. District courts need not and may not take action after the stipulation becomes effective because the stipulation dismisses the case and divests the district court of jurisdiction." Anago Franchising, Inc. v. Shaz, LLC , 677 F.3d 1272, 1278 (11th Cir. 2012). Because the Parties' Stipulation did not "explicitly condition[] its effectiveness on a subsequent occurrence," id. , this Court no longer has jurisdiction over this case, and accordingly, this case is CLOSED, effective February 21, 2019, the date the Parties filed their Stipulation of Dismissal. This entry constitutes the ENDORSED ORDER in its entirety. Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 2/21/2019. (gie) (Entered: 02/21/2019)
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