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Case TitleBUZZFEED, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv01424
Date Filed2020-05-29
Date Closed2020-11-17
JudgeJudge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
PlaintiffBUZZFEED, INC.
Case DescriptionBuzzFeed submitted a FOIA request to the Department of State for records concerning databases containing information about individuals alleged or known gang affiliations. The request also asked for information about how the databases were structured and maintained. BuzzFeed also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency denied BuzzFeed's request for expedited processing. After hearing nothing further from the agency, BuzzFeed filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-05-291COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7174733) filed by BUZZFEED, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet, # 7 Summons)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 05/29/2020)
2020-05-292NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of BUZZFEED, INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 05/29/2020)
2020-05-293LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by BUZZFEED, INC. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 05/29/2020)
2020-05-29Case Assigned to Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. (adh, ) (Entered: 05/29/2020)
2020-05-294SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 05/29/2020)
2020-06-015ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on 06/01/2020. (DM) (Entered: 06/01/2020)
2020-07-156NOTICE of Appearance by Marcia Kay Sowles on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Sowles, Marcia) (Entered: 07/15/2020)
2020-07-157ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.(Sowles, Marcia) (Entered: 07/15/2020)
2020-07-178ORDER requiring parties to submit Joint Status Report by no later than AUGUST 14, 2020. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on July 17, 2020. (lccck1) (Entered: 07/17/2020)
2020-07-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/14/2020. (dot) (Entered: 07/17/2020)
2020-07-249RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE served on 6/16/2020 (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-07-2410RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 6/15/2020. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-07-2411RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 6/15/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 7/15/2020. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-08-1412Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Sowles, Marcia) (Entered: 08/14/2020)
2020-08-16MINTUE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 12 Joint Status Report. The parties shall submit another joint status report on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2020. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on August 16, 2020. (lcckk1) (Entered: 08/16/2020)
2020-08-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/16/2020. (dot) (Entered: 08/17/2020)
2020-09-1613Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Sowles, Marcia) (Entered: 09/16/2020)
2020-09-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/16/2020 to address the progress of their discussions. (dot) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-09-17MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties' 13 Joint Status Report. The Court notes that the parties continue to negotiate scope of Plaintiff's document request and request additional time to discuss related issues. The parties shall submit another joint status report to address the progress of their discussions by or before OCTOBER 16, 2020. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on September 17, 2020. (lcckk1) (Entered: 09/17/2020)
2020-10-1614Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (Sowles, Marcia) (Entered: 10/16/2020)
2020-10-18MINUTE ORDER: The Court has received the parties 14 Joint Status Report. The parties shall submit another joint status report on November 16, 2020, to report on the progress of their case. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on October 18, 2020. (lcckk1) (Entered: 10/18/2020)
2020-10-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/16/2020, to report on the progress of their case. (dot) (Entered: 10/19/2020)
2020-11-1615STIPULATION of Dismissal With Prejudice by BUZZFEED, INC.. (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 11/16/2020)
2020-11-1716ORDER. Signed by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on November 17, 2020. (lcckk1) (Entered: 11/17/2020)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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