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Case TitleMARTINEZ v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv03269
Date Filed2023-02-08
Date Closed2024-04-24
JudgeJudge Amit P. Mehta
PlaintiffFREDDY MARTINEZ
Case DescriptionFreddy Martinez, an investigative journalist, submitted FOIA requests to the FBI for records concerning Whitey Bulger. The FBI acknowledged receipt of the request and told Martinez that if he would narrow the scope of the request it could respond more quickly. Martinez declined to narrow the scope and asked the FBI for a fee estimate. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Martinez filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

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

2020-11-121COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-7827881) filed by FREDDY MARTINEZ. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons)(Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 11/12/2020)
2020-11-122NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Hart Burday on behalf of FREDDY MARTINEZ (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 11/12/2020)
2020-11-123NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of FREDDY MARTINEZ (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 11/12/2020)
2020-11-13Case Assigned to Judge Amit P. Mehta. (zsb) (Entered: 11/13/2020)
2020-11-134SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 11/13/2020)
2020-12-235RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 11/30/2020 (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 12/23/2020)
2020-12-236RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 11/30/2020 (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 12/23/2020)
2020-12-237RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/30/2020. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 12/23/2020)
2020-12-238RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/30/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/30/2020. (Burday, Joshua) (Entered: 12/23/2020)
2020-12-289Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Truong, John) (Entered: 12/28/2020)
2020-12-29MINUTE ORDER granting Defendants' 9 Consent Motion for an Extension of Time. Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before January 29, 2021. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/29/2020. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/29/2020)
2020-12-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer or Responsive Pleading due by 1/29/2021. (zjd) (Entered: 12/31/2020)
2021-01-2910ANSWER to Complaint by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Truong, John) (Entered: 01/29/2021)
2021-01-3111ORDER. Both a Complaint and an Answer are now before the court in this FOIA case. It is hereby ordered that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before February 16, 2021. The Joint Status Report shall include (1) the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request; (2) the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request; (3) the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff; (4) whether a motion for a stay is likely under Open America v. Watergate Special Prosecution Force, 547 F.2d 605 (D.C. Cir. 1976); and (5) whether the parties anticipate summary judgment briefing and, if so, a proposed briefing schedule. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 1/31/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 01/31/2021)
2021-02-1612STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Truong, John) (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-1613WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO NOTICE FILED 2/17/2021.....Joint STATUS REPORT by FREDDY MARTINEZ. (Topic, Matthew) Modified on 2/18/2021 (eg). (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-17MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by April 16, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/17/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/17/2021)
2021-02-1714NOTICE of Withdrawal re 13 Status Report by FREDDY MARTINEZ (Topic, Matthew) Modified to add link on 2/19/2021 (znmw). (Entered: 02/17/2021)
2021-04-0615NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Stephen DeGenaro on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney John Truong (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/06/2021)
2021-04-1616Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/16/2021)
2021-04-19MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by June 15, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 4/19/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 04/19/2021)
2021-06-1517Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-06-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by August 16, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 6/15/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/15/2021)
2021-08-1618Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 08/16/2021)
2021-08-16MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by October 15, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 8/16/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/16/2021)
2021-08-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/15/2021 (zjch) (Entered: 08/17/2021)
2021-10-1519Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 10/15/2021)
2021-10-18MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 14, 2021, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/18/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/18/2021)
2021-12-1420Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 12/14/2021)
2021-12-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by February 14, 2022, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/15/2021. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/15/2021)
2022-01-2521MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney for Joshua Burday by FREDDY MARTINEZ. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 01/25/2022)
2022-02-07MINUTE ORDER granting 21 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Joshua Hart Burday is hereby withdrawn from the representation of Freddy Martinez. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/7/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/07/2022)
2022-02-1422Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 02/14/2022)
2022-02-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by April 14, 2022, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/15/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/15/2022)
2022-04-1323NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of FREDDY MARTINEZ (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 04/13/2022)
2022-04-1424Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-18MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by June 14, 2022, that updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 4/18/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 04/18/2022)
2022-06-1425Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 06/14/2022)
2022-06-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by August 15, 2022, which updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 6/15/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/15/2022)
2022-06-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/15/2022. (smc) (Entered: 06/15/2022)
2022-08-1526Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 08/15/2022)
2022-08-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by October 14, 2022, which updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 8/15/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/15/2022)
2022-08-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 10/14/2022 (zjch, ) (Entered: 08/16/2022)
2022-10-1427Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Venguswamy, Kartik) (Entered: 10/14/2022)
2022-10-16MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 16, 2022, which updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/16/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/16/2022)
2022-12-1628Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 12/16/2022)
2022-12-18MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by February 14, 2023, which updates the court on the processing and production of responsive records. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/18/2022. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/18/2022)
2023-02-1429Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 02/14/2023)
2023-02-15MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall appear for a status conference via videoconference on February 24, 2023, at 8:45 a.m., in front of Judge Amit P. Mehta. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/15/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/15/2023)
2023-02-24Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Amit P. Mehta: Status Conference held via videoconference on 2/24/2023. Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 2/27/2023. (Court Reporter: William Zaremba) (zjd) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
2023-02-2730Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-02-2831ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' Joint Status Report and Proposed Schedule, and the entire record in this case, it is hereby ordered that the following schedule shall govern summary judgment on the Exemption 7(A) issue: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed on or before April 25, 2023; Plaintiff's Combined Opposition/Cross Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed on or before June 26, 2023; Defendant's combined opposition/reply shall be filed on or before July 26, 2023; and Plaintiff's reply shall be filed on or before August 16, 2023. See attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/28/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 02/28/2023)
2023-03-0132NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of FREDDY MARTINEZ (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 03/01/2023)
2023-04-2533NOTICE of Appearance by Alexander Schreiber on behalf of All Defendants (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 04/25/2023)
2023-04-2534MOTION for Summary Judgment by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 04/25/2023)
2023-06-2035NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Stich Match on behalf of FREDDY MARTINEZ (Match, Stephen) (Entered: 06/20/2023)
2023-06-2036Joint MOTION to Vacate Briefing Schedule by FREDDY MARTINEZ. (Match, Stephen) (Entered: 06/20/2023)
2023-06-21MINUTE ORDER granting 36 Joint Motion to Vacate Briefing Schedule. The briefing schedule entered on February 28, 2023, is hereby vacated. The parties shall file a Joint Status Report by August 25, 2023, which recommends a schedule for further proceedings, if necessary. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 06/21/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/21/2023)
2023-08-2537Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 08/25/2023)
2023-08-28MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by October 24, 2023, which advises whether any dispute remains concerning fees and, if so, proposes a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 08/28/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 08/28/2023)
2023-10-2438Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 10/24/2023)
2023-10-26MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by December 13, 2023, which advises whether any dispute remains concerning fees and, if so, proposes a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/26/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 10/26/2023)
2023-12-1339Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 12/13/2023)
2023-12-14MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report by January 12, 2024, which advises whether any dispute remains as to fees and costs and, if so, proposes a schedule for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/14/2023. (lcapm1) (Entered: 12/14/2023)
2024-01-1240Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-16MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before March 5, 2024, which advises whether any dispute remains as to fees and costs and, if so, proposes a schedule for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 01/16/2024. (lcapm1) (Entered: 01/16/2024)
2024-03-0541Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 03/05/2024)
2024-03-06MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report on or before May 6, 2024, regarding the status of settlement, unless a stipulation of dismissal is filed by that date. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 03/06/2024. (lcapm1) (Entered: 03/06/2024)
2024-03-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/6/2024. (zed) (Entered: 03/11/2024)
2024-03-19Case Stayed. (hmc) (Entered: 03/19/2024)
2024-04-01ENTERED IN ERROR.....Case Unstayed. (zalh) Modified on 4/8/2024; Case unstayed in error. (zjd) (Entered: 04/01/2024)
2024-04-2242STIPULATION of Dismissal by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (DeGenaro, Stephen) (Entered: 04/22/2024)
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