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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2017cv00615
Date Filed2017-04-06
Date Closed2019-03-08
JudgeJudge Emmet G. Sullivan
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the IRS for records concerning efforts by the agency to contact individuals who either asked for an exemption from the provision in the Affordable Care Act to purchase insurance or paid a penalty. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. Judicial Watch also submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Health and Human Services for records concerning that agency's efforts to contact individuals under the same circumstances. HHS also acknowledged the request. However, after hearing nothing further from either agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
TERMINATED: 02/01/2019
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2017-04-061COMPLAINT against INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-4904671) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney General, # 4 Summons IRS, # 5 Summons HHS)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 04/06/2017)
2017-04-062LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 04/06/2017)
2017-04-06Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (md) (Entered: 04/06/2017)
2017-04-073SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Consent) (md) (Entered: 04/07/2017)
2017-04-074SUMMONS Issued Electronically as to INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Consent) (md) (Entered: 04/07/2017)
2017-04-175RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/17/2017. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/17/2017.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 04/17/2017., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE served on 4/14/2017 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 04/17/2017)
2017-04-216NOTICE of Appearance by Kieran O'Neill Carter on behalf of INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (Carter, Kieran) (Entered: 04/21/2017)
2017-05-177ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.(Peterson, Benton) (Entered: 05/17/2017)
2017-05-178ANSWER to Complaint by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.(Hoffman-Logsdon, Megan) (Entered: 05/17/2017)
2017-06-059STANDING FOIA ORDER. Joint Scheduling Order For Further Proceedings due by 6/23/2017 Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 06/05/17. (mac) (Entered: 06/06/2017)
2017-06-2310PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Hoffman-Logsdon, Megan) (Entered: 06/23/2017)
2017-06-23MINUTE ORDER. In view of 10 the parties' proposed briefing schedule, the Court directs the parties to submit a joint status report by no later than August 24, 2017 with a recommendation for further proceedings and, if appropriate, a proposed briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on June 23, 2017. (lcegs2) (Entered: 06/23/2017)
2017-06-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/24/2017. (mac) (Entered: 06/26/2017)
2017-07-2711STANDING ORDER: The parties are directed to read the attached Standing Order Governing Civil Cases Before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in its entirety upon receipt. The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives in the attached Standing Order.Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 7/27/2017.(Attachments: # 1 Exhibit) (lcegs1) (Entered: 07/27/2017)
2017-08-2412Joint STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Hoffman-Logsdon, Megan) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-25MINUTE ORDER. In view of 12 the parties' joint status report, the Court directs the parties to file a further joint status report by no later than October 23, 2017. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on August 25, 2017. (lcegs2) (Entered: 08/25/2017)
2017-08-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/23/2017. (mac) (Entered: 08/25/2017)
2017-10-2313STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Carter, Kieran) (Entered: 10/23/2017)
2017-10-2414STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Carter, Kieran) (Entered: 10/24/2017)
2017-10-24MINUTE ORDER. In view of 14 the parties' joint status report, the Court directs the parties to file a further joint status report by no later than December 22, 2017. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on October 24, 2017. (lcegs2) (Entered: 10/24/2017)
2017-10-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/22/2017. (mac) (Entered: 10/25/2017)
2017-12-2015Third STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (Hoffman-Logsdon, Megan) (Entered: 12/20/2017)
2017-12-22MINUTE ORDER. In view of 15 the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than February 23, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on December 22, 2017. (lcegs2) (Entered: 12/22/2017)
2017-12-22Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 2/23/2018. (zcdw) (Entered: 12/26/2017)
2018-02-2316Joint STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Carter, Kieran) (Entered: 02/23/2018)
2018-02-26MINUTE ORDER in view of 16 parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than April 24, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/26/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 02/26/2018)
2018-02-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/24/2018. (mac) (Entered: 02/26/2018)
2018-04-2017Joint STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Hoffman-Logsdon, Megan) (Entered: 04/20/2018)
2018-04-26MINUTE ORDER. In view of 17 the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than June 22, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on April 26, 2018. (lcegs2) (Entered: 04/26/2018)
2018-04-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/22/2018. (mac) (Entered: 04/26/2018)
2018-06-2218Joint STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Carter, Kieran) (Entered: 06/22/2018)
2018-06-22MINUTE ORDER in view of 18 joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than September 28, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 6/22/2018. (lcegs3) (Entered: 06/22/2018)
2018-06-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/28/2018. (mac) (Entered: 06/25/2018)
2018-09-2619Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 09/26/2018)
2018-10-02MINUTE ORDER. In light of 19 the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than October 26, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/2/2018. (lcegs2) (Entered: 10/02/2018)
2018-10-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Further Joint Status Report due by 10/26/2018. (mac) (Entered: 10/02/2018)
2018-10-2620Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Cotca, Ramona) (Entered: 10/26/2018)
2018-10-29MINUTE ORDER. In light of 20 the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than November 28, 2018. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/29/2018. (lcegs2) (Entered: 10/29/2018)
2018-10-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/28/2018. (mac) (Entered: 10/29/2018)
2018-11-2821Joint STATUS REPORT by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. (Carter, Kieran) (Entered: 11/28/2018)
2018-12-03MINUTE ORDER. In light of 21 the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than January 11, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/3/2018. (lcegs2) (Entered: 12/03/2018)
2018-12-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/11/2019. (mac) (Entered: 12/03/2018)
2018-12-2622MOTION to Stay by INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (Hoffman-Logsdon, Megan) (Entered: 12/26/2018)
2019-01-0923Unopposed MOTION to Stay , MOTION for Extension of Time to in Light of Lapse of Appropriations by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Hudak, Brian) (Entered: 01/09/2019)
2019-01-11MINUTE ORDER granting 23 unopposed motion for stay in light of lapse of appropriations. The parties are directed to file a joint status report by no later than seven days after Congress has appropriated funds for the affected agencies. The status report shall include a joint proposed scheduling order for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 1/11/2019. (lcegs2) (Entered: 01/11/2019)
2019-01-3024NOTICE of Appearance by Paul J. Orfanedes on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 01/30/2019)
2019-02-0125STIPULATION of Dismissal as to Defendant U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Services by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 02/01/2019)
2019-02-0126Joint STATUS REPORT by Plaintiff Judicial Watch, Inc. and Defendant Internal Revenue Service by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 02/01/2019)
2019-02-01MINUTE ORDER. In light of 26 the parties' joint status report, the parties are directed to file a further joint status report by no later than March 1, 2019. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 2/1/2019. (lcegs2) (Entered: 02/01/2019)
2019-02-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/1/2019. (mac) (Entered: 02/04/2019)
2019-03-0127Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-0728STIPULATION of Dismissal by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 03/07/2019)
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