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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2018cv01072
Date Filed2018-05-07
Date Closed2020-03-31
JudgeJudge James E. Boasberg
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning interviews with Tom Blanoff pertaining to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's alleged misconduct in appointing a replacement for Sen. Barack Obama. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but told Judicial Watch that it would not process the request without a showing that disclosure would be in the public interest. Judicial Watch provided supplemental information as to why disclosure was in the public interest, but the FBI denied the request. Judicial Watch then filed an administrative appeal, which was also denied. Judicial Watch then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2018-05-071COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5466455) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney General, # 4 Summons US Department of Justice)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 05/07/2018)
2018-05-072LCvR 7.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 05/07/2018)
2018-05-07Case Assigned to Judge James E. Boasberg. (zmd) (Entered: 05/08/2018)
2018-05-083SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (tth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/8/2018: # 1 Notice and Consent) (ztth). (Entered: 05/08/2018)
2018-05-104NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. Case related to Case No. 17-cv-1147. (Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 05/10/2018)
2018-05-235RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 5/21/2018. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 6/20/2018.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 05/21/2018., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 5/21/2018 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 05/23/2018)
2018-06-156ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . . ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(McBride, Patricia) Modified on 6/19/2018 (ztd). (Entered: 06/15/2018)
2018-06-15MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that the parties shall meet, confer, and submit a proposed joint briefing schedule by June 29, 2018. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 6/15/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 06/15/2018)
2018-06-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 6/29/2018. (znbn) (Entered: 06/18/2018)
2018-06-18NOTICE OF ERROR re 6 Answer to Complaint; emailed to patricia.mcbride@usdoj.gov, cc'd 6 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect header/caption/case number, 2. Please refile document (ztd, ) (Entered: 06/18/2018)
2018-06-217ERRATA by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Answer)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 06/21/2018)
2018-06-288PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE For Further Proceedings by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 06/28/2018)
2018-07-12MINUTE ORDER: Per the parties' suggestion, the Court ORDERS that: 1) Defendant shall respond to the Complaint on or before August 31, 2018; and 2) The parties shall provide a further joint status report on or before September 7, 2018. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/12/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 07/12/2018)
2018-07-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer to the Complaint due by 8/31/2018; Joint Status Report due by 9/7/2018. (tg) (Entered: 07/12/2018)
2018-08-289ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 08/28/2018)
2018-08-28MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that the parties shall meet, confer, and submit a proposed briefing schedule by September 11, 2018. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 8/28/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 08/28/2018)
2018-08-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 9/11/2018. (nbn) (Entered: 08/29/2018)
2018-08-2910ENTERED IN ERROR. . . . . ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Rogers, Joshua) Modified on 8/30/2018 (ztd). (Entered: 08/29/2018)
2018-08-30NOTICE OF ERROR re 10 Answer to Complaint; emailed to joshua.rogers3@usdoj.gov, cc'd 8 associated attorneys -- The PDF file you docketed contained errors: 1. Incorrect header/caption/case number, 2. Please refile document, 3. Refile document with the correct caption and case number. (ztd, ) (Entered: 08/30/2018)
2018-08-3011NOTICE by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Rogers, Joshua) (Entered: 08/30/2018)
2018-09-0612PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 09/06/2018)
2018-09-07MINUTE ORDER: Per the parties' 12 Proposed Briefing Schedule, the Court ORDERS that: 1) Defendant shall file its Motion for Summary Judgment on or before October 25, 2018; 2) Plaintiff shall file its Opposition to Defendant's Motion and Cross-Motion on or before November 8, 2018; 3) Defendant shall file its reply on or before November 28, 2018; 4) Plaintiff shall file its reply on or before December 7, 2018. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 9/7/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 09/07/2018)
2018-09-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 10/25/2018. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/8/2018. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/28/2018. Replies due by 12/7/2018. (znbn) (Entered: 09/07/2018)
2018-10-2313Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to file Motion for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 10/23/2018)
2018-10-24MINUTE ORDER GRANTING 13 Motion for Extension of Time. The Court ORDERS that: 1) Defendant shall file its Motion for Summary Judgment by November 27, 2018; 2) Plaintiff shall file its Opposition and Cross Motion by December 14, 2018; 3) Defendant shall file its Reply by December 28, 2018; and 4) Plaintiff shall file its Reply by January 11, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 10/24/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 10/24/2018)
2018-10-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 11/27/2018. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 12/14/2018. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 12/28/2018. Replies due by 1/11/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 10/24/2018)
2018-11-2714Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to file its Motion for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 11/27/2018)
2018-11-27MINUTE ORDER GRANTING Consent 14 Motion for Extension of Time to File. The Court ORDERS that: 1) Defendant shall file its Motion for Summary Judgment on or before December 4, 2018; 2) Plaintiff shall file its Opposition and Cross Motion on or before December 14, 2018; 3) Defendant shall file its Opposition and Reply on or before December 28, 2018; and 4) Plaintiff shall file its Reply on or before January 11, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 11/27/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 11/27/2018)
2018-11-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 12/4/2018. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 12/14/2018. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 12/28/2018. Replies due by 1/11/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 11/28/2018)
2018-12-0415MOTION for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Exhibit)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 12/04/2018)
2018-12-1116NOTICE of Appearance by Paul J. Orfanedes on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 12/11/2018)
2018-12-1417NOTICE of Appearance by James F. Peterson on behalf of JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 12/14/2018)
2018-12-1418Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File and Reset Briefing Schedule by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 12/14/2018)
2018-12-17MINUTE ORDER GRANTING 18 Motion for Extension of Time to File. The Court ORDERS that: 1) Plaintiff shall file its opposition to Defendant's motion for summary judgment and any cross-motion for summary judgment by January 15, 2019; 2) Defendant shall file its reply in support of its motion and opposition to any cross-motion by January 31, 2019; and 3) Plaintiff shall file its reply in support of any cross motion by February 15, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 12/17/2018. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 12/17/2018)
2018-12-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 1/15/2019. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 1/31/2019. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 2/15/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 12/17/2018)
2019-01-1119MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 15 MOTION for Summary Judgment and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 01/11/2019)
2019-01-11MINUTE ORDER GRANTING 19 Motion for Extension of Time to File. The Court ORDERS that: 1) Plaintiff shall file its opposition to Defendant's motion for summary judgment and its cross-motion for summary judgment by January 28, 2019; 2) Defendant shall file its reply in support of its motion and opposition to any cross-motion by February 14, 2019; and 3) Plaintiff shall file its reply in support of its cross-motion if any by March 1, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 1/11/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 01/11/2019)
2019-01-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 1/28/2019. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 2/14/2019. Replies due by 3/1/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 01/17/2019)
2019-01-2320ENTERED IN ERROR.....Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Orfanedes, Paul) Modified on 1/24/2019 (jf). (Entered: 01/23/2019)
2019-01-24NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: Document No. re 20 Status Report was entered in error at the request of counsel and will be refiled in the correct case.(jf) (Entered: 01/24/2019)
2019-01-2821Memorandum in opposition to re 15 MOTION for Summary Judgment (and Response to Statement of Facts) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 01/28/2019)
2019-01-2822Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment (with Statement of Material Facts) by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Orfanedes, Paul) (Entered: 01/28/2019)
2019-02-1423MOTION for Extension of Time to Reply in Support of its' Motion for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 02/14/2019)
2019-02-14MINUTE ORDER: If Plaintiff opposes Defendant's 23 Motion for Extension, the Court ORDERS that it shall submit such opposition by February 19, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/14/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 02/14/2019)
2019-02-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Opposition due by 2/19/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 02/15/2019)
2019-02-1924RESPONSE re 23 MOTION for Extension of Time to Reply in Support of its' Motion for Summary Judgment filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 02/19/2019)
2019-02-21MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that Defendant's 23 Motion for Extension of Time to File is GRANTED, and that Defendant shall file its reply on or before March 18, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/21/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 02/21/2019)
2019-02-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Replies due by 3/18/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 02/21/2019)
2019-03-1825Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 03/18/2019)
2019-03-18MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that Defendant's 25 Motion for Extension of Time to File is GRANTED and that it shall file its Reply on or before April 18, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/18/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 03/18/2019)
2019-03-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Replies due by 4/18/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 03/19/2019)
2019-04-1726Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (McBride, Patricia); Modified text and deleted selected docket entry information on 4/18/2019 (tth). (Entered: 04/17/2019)
2019-04-18VACATED PURSUANT TO THE MINUTE ORDER FILED ON 5/22/2019.....MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that Defendant's 26 Motion for Extension of Time to File is GRANTED, and that Defendant shall file its Reply on or before May 29, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 4/18/2019. (lcjeb3) Modified on 5/23/2019 (znbn). (Entered: 04/18/2019)
2019-04-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Replies due by 5/29/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 04/18/2019)
2019-05-2227Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Reply to Plaintiff's Opposition by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 05/22/2019)
2019-05-22MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that Defendant's Unopposed 27 Motion for Extension of Time is GRANTED, and that the parties shall file a joint status report by June 28, 2019. The May 29, 2019, deadline for Defendant to file its Reply is VACATED. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 5/22/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 05/22/2019)
2019-05-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/28/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 05/23/2019)
2019-06-2828Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 06/28/2019)
2019-07-01MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 28 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that they shall file another joint status report on or before July 23, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/1/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 07/01/2019)
2019-07-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/23/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 07/01/2019)
2019-07-2329Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 07/23/2019)
2019-07-24MINUTE ORDER: The Court ADOPTS the parties' 29 Joint Status Report and ORDERS that the following schedule shall govern subsequent proceedings: (1) Defendant shall file its motion for summary judgment on or before September 26, 2019; (2) Plaintiff shall file its opposition and cross-motion on or before October 23, 2019; (3) Defendant shall file its reply and opposition on or before November 22, 2019; and (4) Plaintiff shall file its reply on or before December 19, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/24/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-07-24MINUTE ORDER: In light of the superseding briefing schedule, the Court ORDERS that Defendant's 15 Motion for Summary Judgment and Plaintiff's 22 Cross Motion are DENIED AS MOOT. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 7/24/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-07-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 9/26/2019. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 10/23/2019. Cross Motions due by 10/23/2019. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/22/2019. Response to Cross Motions due by 11/22/2019. Reply to Cross Motions due by 12/19/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-09-2630MOTION for Summary Judgment by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Declaration)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 09/26/2019)
2019-10-2431Memorandum in opposition to re 30 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Michael J. Sharkey, # 2 Declaration with Exhibits)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 10/24/2019)
2019-10-2432Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Michael J. Sharkey, # 2 Declaration with Exhibits, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 10/24/2019)
2019-11-2033MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 11/20/2019)
2019-11-20MINUTE ORDER GRANTING Defendant's 33 Motion for Extension of Time. The Court ORDERS that Defendant shall file its reply by December 23, 2019. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 11/20/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 11/20/2019)
2019-11-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Replies due by 12/23/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-12-1834MOTION to Clarify Briefing Schedule by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Burke, Lauren) Modified event title on 12/20/2019 (znmw). (Entered: 12/18/2019)
2019-12-18MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that: 1) Plaintiff's 34 Motion is GRANTED; and 2) Plaintiff shall file its reply brief by January 14, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 12/18/2019. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 12/18/2019)
2019-12-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Brief due by 1/14/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 12/19/2019)
2019-12-2335REPLY to opposition to motion re 30 MOTION for Summary Judgment , filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McBride, Patricia) Modified text and deleted docket entry relationship on 12/30/2019 (ztth). (Entered: 12/23/2019)
2019-12-2336Memorandum in opposition to 32 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (See Docket Entry 35 to view document) (ztth) (Entered: 12/30/2019)
2020-01-1437REPLY to opposition to motion re 32 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Burke, Lauren) (Entered: 01/14/2020)
2020-02-05MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that by February 7, 2020, the Government shall provide in camera clean and redacted copies of the three documents disputed by the parties in their 30 , 32 Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/5/2020. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-05Set/Reset Deadlines: In-Camera Submission due by 2/7/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 02/05/2020)
2020-02-0638NOTICE by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 02/06/2020)
2020-02-11MINUTE ORDER: Having reviewed the Government's in camera submissions, the Court is having difficulty understanding the rationales behind why certain information was redacted and other information was released. As a result, the Court ORDERS that the parties shall appear for a hearing on February 26, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., where the Government shall be prepared to explain such rationales. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/11/2020. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 02/11/2020)
2020-02-11Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 2/26/2020 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 25A before Judge James E. Boasberg. (nbn) (Entered: 02/12/2020)
2020-02-26MINUTE ORDER: As discussed at today's hearing, the Court ORDERS that by March 11, 2020, the Government shall: 1) Provide any further material on the 302s to Plaintiff; 2) Submit to the Court updated clean and redacted copies of the disputed documents; and 3) If still relying on Exemption 7(D), submit a brief on that exemptions protection of information provided by a source whose identity has been disclosed. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 2/26/2020. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 02/26/2020)
2020-02-26Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge James E. Boasberg: Status Conference held on 2/26/2020. See Minute Order for full details (Court Reporter Lisa Griffith) (nbn) (Entered: 02/26/2020)
2020-02-26Set/Reset Deadlines: Government shall any further material on the 302s to Plaintiff and submit to the Court updated clean and redacted copies of the disputed documents by 3/11/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 02/27/2020)
2020-03-1139NOTICE by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 03/11/2020)
2020-03-12MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the Government's in camera submissions and appreciates the efforts the Government has undertaken in reviewing and substantially revising its redactions. Given that very little redacted material remains, the Court ORDERS that: 1) The 30 , 32 Motions for Summary Judgment are DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE as moot; and 2) The parties shall confer and submit a joint status report or stipulation of dismissal by March 26, 2020. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/12/2020. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 03/12/2020)
2020-03-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/26/2020. (nbn) (Entered: 03/13/2020)
2020-03-3140STIPULATION of Dismissal by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (McBride, Patricia) (Entered: 03/31/2020)
2020-03-31MINUTE ORDER: Per the parties' 40 Stipulation, the Court ORDERS that the case is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. So ORDERED by Judge James E. Boasberg on 3/31/2020. (lcjeb3) (Entered: 03/31/2020)
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