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Case TitleMIDDLE EAST FORUM v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv00008
Date Filed2019-01-02
Date Closed2021-07-14
JudgeJudge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
PlaintiffMIDDLE EAST FORUM
Case DescriptionThe Middle East Forum submitted a FOIA request to the U.S. Agency for International Development for records concerning a grant given to World Vision, Inc., particularly for information about sub-grantee Islamic Relief Agency. MEF explained that it was particularly interested in an authorization given by the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Department of Treasury. MEF's request was referred to Treasury. Treasury acknowledged receipt of the request. MEF and Treasury had some back and forth discussion over the scope of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, MEF filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-01-021COMPLAINT Middle East Forum against US Department of the Treasury ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5866075) filed by MIDDLE EAST FORUM.(Smith, Clifford) (Additional attachment(s) added on 1/3/2019: # 1 Complaint, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons) (zef, ). (Entered: 01/02/2019)
2019-01-03Case Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. (zsb) (Entered: 01/03/2019)
2019-01-032SUMMONS (1) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zsb) (Entered: 01/03/2019)
2019-01-073ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 1/7/2019.(DM) (Entered: 01/07/2019)
2019-02-204MOTION to Issue Summons by MIDDLE EAST FORUM (Smith, Clifford) . (Entered: 02/20/2019)
2019-02-205MOTION to Issue Summons by MIDDLE EAST FORUM (Smith, Clifford) . (Entered: 02/20/2019)
2019-02-266SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (jf) (Entered: 02/26/2019)
2019-04-037RULE 4(m) ORDER. By no later than APRIL 8, 2019 , Plaintiff must either cause process to be served upon Defendant and proof of service to be filed with the Court or establish good cause for the failure to do so. Failure to make such filings will result in dismissal of this case. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on April 3, 2019. (lcckk1) (Entered: 04/03/2019)
2019-04-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Time to effectuate service upon party due by 4/8/2019. (dot) (Entered: 04/03/2019)
2019-04-048ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .AFFIDAVIT by MIDDLE EAST FORUM. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proof of delivery)(Smith, Clifford) Modified on 4/4/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-049ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .AFFIDAVIT by MIDDLE EAST FORUM. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proof of delivery)(Smith, Clifford) Modified on 4/4/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-0410ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . .AFFIDAVIT by MIDDLE EAST FORUM. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proof of delivery)(Smith, Clifford) Modified on 4/4/2019 (ztd). (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-04NOTICE OF ERROR re 8 Affidavit; emailed to clifford.vernon.smith@gmail.com, cc'd 0 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect event used, 2. Please refile document, 3. The correct events can be found under Service of Process and then select Summons Returned Executed as to... (ztd, ) (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-04NOTICE OF ERROR re 9 Affidavit; emailed to clifford.vernon.smith@gmail.com, cc'd 0 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect event used, 2. Please refile document, 3. The correct events can be found under Service of Process and then select Summons Returned Executed as to... (ztd, ) (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-04NOTICE OF ERROR re 10 Affidavit; emailed to clifford.vernon.smith@gmail.com, cc'd 0 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect event used, 2. Please refile document (ztd, ) (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-0411ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.(Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 04/04/2019)
2019-04-0812ORDER. The parties shall file the schedule not later than MAY 8, 2019 . See Order for further details. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on April 8, 2019. (lcckk1) (Entered: 04/08/2019)
2019-04-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Meet & Confer Statement due by 5/8/2019. (dot) (Entered: 04/08/2019)
2019-05-0813Joint STATUS REPORT filed on behalf of all parties by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 05/08/2019)
2019-05-09MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, which indicates, among other things, that Defendant's search and review are ongoing. Although Plaintiff is "dissatisfied" with Defendant's proposed processing schedule of 250 pages per month, Plaintiff is not challenging that schedule at this time. The Court shall adopt the parties' proposal that they file a further Joint Status Report on AUGUST 1, 2019 . The parties shall file a further Joint Status Report every ninety days thereafter, unless and until the Court orders otherwise. The parties shall also file a Joint Status Report within thirty days of Defendant's final production, unless the Court orders otherwise. The parties' Joint Status Reports shall identify the status of Defendant's search, review, and production, and shall propose a briefing schedule, if necessary. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on May 9, 2019. (lcckk1) (Entered: 05/09/2019)
2019-05-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/1/2019. The parties' Joint Status Reports shall identify the status of Defendant's search, review, and production, and shall propose a briefing schedule, if necessary. (dot) (Entered: 05/10/2019)
2019-07-3114Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 07/31/2019)
2019-08-2615Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Produce Documents by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 08/26/2019)
2019-08-28MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received Defendant's 15 Unopposed Motion to Extend Production Deadline. Defendant indicates that Plaintiff does not oppose this Motion. Accordingly, and for good cause shown, this Court shall GRANT the requested extension. Defendant shall produce its next production by SEPTEMBER 6, 2019 . Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on August 28, 2019. (lcckk1) (Entered: 08/28/2019)
2019-10-3016Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 10/30/2019)
2020-01-2717Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 01/27/2020)
2020-04-2318Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 04/23/2020)
2020-07-2719Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 07/27/2020)
2020-10-2620Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 10/26/2020)
2020-10-27MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 20 Joint Status Report. The parties shall submit another joint status report, as proposed, by or before DECEMBER 3, 2020. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on October 27, 2020. (lcckk1) (Entered: 10/27/2020)
2020-10-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/3/2020. (dot) (Entered: 10/27/2020)
2020-12-0321Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 12/03/2020)
2020-12-03MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 21 Joint Status Report. As proposed therein, the parties shall submit another joint status report no later than January 14, 2021. The parties shall then submit periodic joint status reports every 60-days thereafter until this Court orders otherwise. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on December 3, 2020. (lcckk1) (Entered: 12/03/2020)
2020-12-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/14/2021. (dot) (Entered: 12/04/2020)
2021-01-1322Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 01/13/2021)
2021-03-1523Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-05-1324Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
2021-07-1425STIPULATION of Dismissal by MIDDLE EAST FORUM. (Smith, Clifford) Modified text on 7/15/2021 (ztd). (Entered: 07/14/2021)
2021-07-1426ORDER. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on July 14, 2021. (lcckk1) (Entered: 07/14/2021)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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