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Case TitleNATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND et al v. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2022cv01017
Date Filed2022-04-12
Date Closed2023-08-09
JudgeJudge Emmet G. Sullivan
PlaintiffNATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND
PlaintiffNATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Case DescriptionThe National Rifle Association submitted a FOIA request to the Federal Election Commission for records concerning matters under review pertaining to several suits brought against the NRA alleging illegal campaign contributions. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency disclosed some responsive records but also withheld more than 30,000 pages under Exemption 5 (privileges). The NRA filed an administrative appeal to the FEC but after the agency told the NRA it was unable to resolve its appeal, the NRA filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantFEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
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Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
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Complaint attachment 7
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Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
Complaint attachment 12
Complaint attachment 13
Complaint attachment 14
Complaint attachment 15
Complaint attachment 16
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2022-04-121COMPLAINT against FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9166659) filed by NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Related Case Form, # 3 Summons, # 4 A, # 5 B, # 6 C, # 7 D, # 8 E, # 9 F, # 10 G, # 11 H, # 12 I, # 13 J, # 14 K, # 15 L, # 16 M)(Spies, Charles) (Entered: 04/12/2022)
2022-04-124NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND. Case related to Case No. 21-cv-2887. (zsb) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-132LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND (Spies, Charles) (Entered: 04/13/2022)
2022-04-133LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (Spies, Charles) (Entered: 04/13/2022)
2022-04-14Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (zsb) (Entered: 04/14/2022)
2022-04-155SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zjf) (Entered: 04/15/2022)
2022-04-196RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 04/18/2022. (Spies, Charles) Modified on 4/19/2022 to correct party served (USAG) (zjf). (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-197RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION served on 4/18/2022 (Spies, Charles) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-198ENTERED IN ERROR.....RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the District of Columbia Attorney General. Date of Service Upon District of Columbia Attorney General 4/18/2022. Answer due for ALL D.C. DEFENDANTS by 5/9/2022. (Spies, Charles) Modified on 4/19/2022 (zjf). (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-199MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Rock A. Wood, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-9180414. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration)(Spies, Charles) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-19NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 8 Summons Returned Executed as to DC Attorney General. The following error(s) need correction: Incorrect event. Please refile using the event, Summons Returned Executed in FOIA as to U.S. Attorney. (zjf) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-04-1910RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 4/18/2022. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 5/18/2022. (Spies, Charles) (Entered: 04/19/2022)
2022-05-04MINUTE ORDER granting 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions . Rock A. Wood is hereby admitted pro hac vice to this action. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 5/4/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
2022-05-1811NOTICE of Appearance by Kevin Deeley on behalf of FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (Deeley, Kevin) (Entered: 05/18/2022)
2022-05-1812NOTICE of Appearance by Harry Jacobs Summers on behalf of FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (Summers, Harry) (Entered: 05/18/2022)
2022-05-1813NOTICE of Appearance by Gregory John Mueller on behalf of FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 05/18/2022)
2022-05-1814ANSWER to Complaint by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.(Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 05/18/2022)
2022-05-2315STANDING 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 05/23/22. (Attachment: # 1 Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 05/23/2022)
2022-06-1616NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Avers on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Avers, Robert) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
2022-06-1717Joint STATUS REPORT by NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND. (Avers, Robert) (Entered: 06/17/2022)
2022-06-2318NOTICE of Appearance by Rock Allen Wood on behalf of NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND (Wood, Rock) (Entered: 06/23/2022)
2022-08-02MINUTE ORDER. Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. The parties are directed to meet and confer and propose a joint scheduling order for further proceedings in this case by no later than August 15, 2022. The parties' joint proposed scheduling order shall address the following: (1) The status of plaintiffs FOIA request; (2) The anticipated number of documents responsive to plaintiff's FOIA request; (3) The anticipated date(s) for release of documents responsive to plaintiff's FOIA request; (4) Whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case; (5) Whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case; (6) Whether this case would benefit from referral to a magistrate judge or the District Court Mediation Program for purposes of settlement; and (7) A proposed briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if applicable. If the parties are unable to agree on a joint recommendation, the joint proposed scheduling order shall include each party's individual recommendations. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/2/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 08/02/2022)
2022-08-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Scheduling Order due by 8/15/2022 (mac) (Entered: 08/02/2022)
2022-08-1519Joint STATUS REPORT and Joint Proposed Scheduling Order by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 08/15/2022)
2022-08-17MINUTE ORDER. In view of 19 Joint Status Report and Joint Proposed Scheduling Order, the following deadlines shall govern this matter: (1) FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Points and Authorities, not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than September 14, 2022; (2) Plaintiffs' Opposition to FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment (combined with a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, if desired), not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than October 12, 2022; (3) FEC's Reply in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment (and, if necessary, combined with an Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment), not to exceed 25 pages, Shall be filed by no later than November 9, 2022; (4) If necessary, Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of their Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, not to exceed 25 pages, shall be filed by no later than December 2, 2022. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 8/17/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 08/17/2022)
2022-08-18Set/Reset Deadlines: FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment And Memorandum Of Points And Authorities due by 9/14/2022. Plaintiffs' Opposition To FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment due by 10/12/2022. FEC's Reply In Support Of Its Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/09/2022. Plaintiffs' Reply In Support Of Their Cross-Motion or Summary Judgment due by 12/02/2022. (mac) (Entered: 08/18/2022)
2022-09-0120NOTICE of Subsequent Developments by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 09/01/2022)
2022-09-0921Consent MOTION to Modify Scheduling Order by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 09/09/2022)
2022-09-20MINUTE ORDER granting 21 Motion to Modify. consent motion to modify scheduling order. The following deadlines shall govern this matter: (1) FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Points and Authorities, not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than October 14, 2022; (2) Plaintiffs' Opposition to FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment (combined with a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, if desired), not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than November 11, 2022; (3) FEC's Reply in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment (and, if necessary, combined with an Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment), not to exceed 25 pages, Shall be filed by no later than December 9, 2022; (4) If necessary, Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of their Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, not to exceed 25 pages, shall be filed by no later than January 5, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 9/20/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 09/20/2022)
2022-09-20Set/Reset Deadlines: FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment And Memorandum Of Points And Authorities due by 10/14/2022. Plaintiffs' Opposition To FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment (Combined With A Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment) due by 11/11/2022. FEC's Reply In Support Of Its Motion For Summary Judgment (Combined With An Opposition To Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment) due by 12/09/2022. Plaintiffs' Reply In Support Of Their Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment due by 01/05/2023. (mac) (Entered: 09/20/2022)
2022-10-1122Second MOTION to Modify Scheduling Order with Consent by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 10/11/2022)
2022-10-12MINUTE ORDER granting 22 consent motion to modify scheduling order. The following deadlines shall govern this matter: (1) FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Points and Authorities, not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than November 14, 2022; (2) Plaintiffs' Opposition to FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment (combined with a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, if desired), not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than December 12, 2022; (3) FEC's Reply in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment (and, if necessary, combined with an Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment), not to exceed 25 pages, Shall be filed by no later than January 9, 2023; (4) If necessary, Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of their Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, not to exceed 25 pages, shall be filed by no later than January 30, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 10/12/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 10/12/2022)
2022-10-12Set/Reset Deadlines: FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment And Memorandum Of Points And Authorities due by 11/14/2022. Plaintiffs' Opposition To FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment (Combined With A Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment)due by 12/12/2022. FEC's Reply In Support Of Its Motion For Summary Judgment (And, If Necessary, Combined With An Opposition To Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment due by 01/09/2023. Plaintiffs' Reply In Support Of Their Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment due by 01/30/2023. (mac) (Entered: 10/12/2022)
2022-11-0823Consent MOTION to Modify Scheduling Order by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 11/08/2022)
2022-11-11MINUTE ORDER granting 23 consent motion to modify scheduling order. The following deadlines shall govern this matter: (1) FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Points and Authorities, not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than December 14, 2022; (2) Plaintiffs' Opposition to FEC's Motion for Summary Judgment (combined with a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, if desired), not to exceed 45 pages, shall be filed by no later than January 18, 2023; (3) FEC's Reply in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment (and, if necessary, combined with an Opposition to Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment), not to exceed 25 pages, Shall be filed by no later than February 8, 2023; (4) If necessary, Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of their Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, not to exceed 25 pages, shall be filed by no later than March 1, 2023. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 11/11/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 11/11/2022)
2022-11-14Set/Reset Deadlines: FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment and Memorandum Of Points And Authorities due by 12/14/2022. Plaintiffs' Opposition To FEC's Motion For Summary Judgment (Combined With A Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment due by 01/18/2023. FEC's Reply In Support Of Its Motion For Summary Judgment (Combined With An Opposition To Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment) due by 02/08/2023. Plaintiffs' Reply In Support Of Their Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment due by 03/01/2023. (mac) (Entered: 11/14/2022)
2022-12-0924Consent MOTION to Vacate Scheduling Order by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 12/09/2022)
2022-12-12MINUTE ORDER granting 24 Motion to Vacate 24 Consent MOTION to Vacate Scheduling Order . The following schedule shall govern this matter: The Federal Election Commission shall file a joint status report on January 13, 2023, and every thirty days thereafter until this matter is resolved or the parties apprise the Court of a need for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 12/12/2022. (lcegs1) (Entered: 12/12/2022)
2022-12-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Federal Election Commission Status Report due by 1/13/2023 (mac) (Entered: 12/12/2022)
2023-01-1325Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-02-1326Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 02/13/2023)
2023-02-2727Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-03-1428Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 03/14/2023)
2023-04-1329Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
2023-05-1530Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 05/15/2023)
2023-06-1431Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 06/14/2023)
2023-07-1432Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 07/14/2023)
2023-08-0833NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. Attorney Harry Jacobs Summers terminated. (Summers, Harry) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
2023-08-0834STIPULATION of Dismissal and Settlement by FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. (Mueller, Gregory) (Entered: 08/08/2023)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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