Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleCATO INSTITUTE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2023cv03495
Date Filed2023-11-21
Date Closed2024-05-10
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffCATO INSTITUTE
Case DescriptionThe Cato Institute submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning Field Office File Plans. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency told the Cato Institute that its request was too broad to search. The Cato Institute appealed that decision. The Office of Information Policy upheld the denial. The Cato Institute then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2023-11-211COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-10511283) filed by CATO INSTITUTE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 11/21/2023)
2023-11-212NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of CATO INSTITUTE (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 11/21/2023)
2023-11-213NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of CATO INSTITUTE (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 11/21/2023)
2023-11-22Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zrtw) (Entered: 11/22/2023)
2023-11-224SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zrtw) (Entered: 11/22/2023)
2023-12-185RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 12/5/2023 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 12/18/2023)
2023-12-186RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 12/4/2023 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 12/18/2023)
2023-12-187RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 12/5/2023. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 12/18/2023)
2023-12-188RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/22/2023. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/22/2023. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 12/18/2023)
2023-12-229ANSWER to Complaint by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 12/22/2023)
2023-12-2210ERRATA Corrected Filing by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE re 9 Answer to Complaint. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit (Answer))(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 12/22/2023)
2023-12-22MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall promptly confer and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure by January 12, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/22/2023. (lccrc3) (Entered: 12/22/2023)
2024-01-1211Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-16MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 11 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by February 15, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/16/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 01/16/2024)
2024-02-1512Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 02/15/2024)
2024-02-16MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 12 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by March 29, 2024. In the event disputes remain, the parties shall include a schedule for prompt briefing in the upcoming report. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/16/2024.(lccrc3) (Entered: 02/16/2024)
2024-03-2913Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 03/29/2024)
2024-04-01MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby directed to file a further joint status report by April 29, 2024. If after then Plaintiff continues to dispute the adequacy of Defendants' search, Defendants shall file a motion for summary judgment on that issue by May 29, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/1/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 04/01/2024)
2024-04-2914Joint STATUS REPORT by CATO INSTITUTE. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 04/29/2024)
2024-05-01MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 14 Joint Status Report, the Court hereby adopts the following summary judgment briefing schedule. Plaintiff shall file its consolidated opposition and any cross-motion for summary judgment by June 28, 2024; Defendants shall file their consolidated reply and opposition, if any, by July 29, 2024; and Plaintiff shall file its reply, if any, by August 12, 2024. As noted in the April 1, 2024 minute order, Defendants' motion for summary judgment is due by May 29, 2024. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/1/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/01/2024)
2024-05-1015STIPULATION of Dismissal by CATO INSTITUTE. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 05/10/2024)
2024-05-10MINUTE ORDER: In light of the 15 Stipulation of Dismissal, this case is hereby dismissed without prejudice. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 5/10/2024. (lccrc3) (Entered: 05/10/2024)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar