Court Decisions

Bakaj v. DHS, No. 19-1580, 2023 WL 6121822 (D.D.C. Sept. 19, 2023) (Berman Jackson, J.)

Re:  Request for all DHS records of OIG’s investigation into whistleblower retaliation allegations plaintiff raised concerning certain CIA officials

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment

• Exemption 3:  The court relates that “[p]ursuant to Exemption 3, the government redacted ‘the...

Cable News Network, Inc. v. CIA, No. 21-00733, 2023 WL 6121874 (D.D.C. Sept. 19, 2023) (Chutkan, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning third party

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment; denying plaintiff’s cross-motion for summary judgment

• Exemption 1:  The court relates that “[i]n its final response letter, the CIA stated that it did not locate any responsive...

Wright v. FBI, No. 18-0687, 2023 WL 6121872 (D.D.C. Sept. 19, 2023) (Chutkan, J.)

Re:  Request for certain records concerning plaintiff, as well as Countering Violent Extremism

Disposition:  Granting in part and denying in part defendant’s motion for summary judgment; denying plaintiff’s revised motion to conduct limited discovery

• Procedural Requirements, Proper FOIA Requests:  Regarding item...

The N.Y. Times Co. v. FBI, No. 21-10888, 2023 WL 5955843 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 13, 2023) (Reice Buchwald, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning shootings involving FBI officers

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment

• Exemption 6; Exemption 7(C):  “The Court finds there is a strong privacy interest and minimal public interest [regarding information withheld from an Office of...

Osen LLC v. Off. of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Dep’t of Treasury, No. 19-405, 2023 WL 5935026 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 12, 2023) (Vyskocil, J.)

Re:  Request for memoranda and evidentiary packages recommending that U.S. government designate three named entities for sanctions

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment

• Exemption 1:  The court relates that “[i]n the public...

Colo. Wild Pub. Lands v. U.S. Forest Serv., No. 21-2802, 2023 WL 5846678 (D.D.C. Sept. 11, 2023) (Cooper, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning agency’s evaluation of a proposed land exchange in San Juan National Forest, including third-party appraisals of the relevant parcels

Disposition:  Granting in part and denying in part defendant’s motion for summary judgment; granting plaintiff’s cross...

Richards v. Fentress Cnty. Sheriff’s Off., No. 22-01071, 2023 WL 5917402 (M.D. Tenn. Sept. 11, 2023) (Richardson, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning criminal investigation

Disposition:  Dismissing plaintiff’s case

• Procedural Requirements, Entities Subject to the FOIA:  The court notes that “Plaintiff’s complaint may also be construed as alleging a claim under the [FOIA] . . . .”  The...

Gun Owners of Am., Inc. v. DOJ, No. 19-03135, 2023 WL 5830427 (D.D.C. Sept. 8, 2023) (McFadden, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning information about DOJ website visitors

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment; denying plaintiff’s cross-motion for summary judgment; denying plaintiff’s request for limited discovery

• Procedural Requirements, Searching for Responsive...

Bishins v. HHS, No. 23-614, 2023 WL 5830422 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 8, 2023) (Irick, Mag. J.)

Re:  Request for certain records concerning plaintiff’s allegation that Medicare “failed to pay for his medically necessary [continuous positive airway pressure] equipment and supplies”

Disposition:  Dismissing plaintiff’s FOIA count

• Litigation Considerations, Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies:  The...

Am. Oversight v. DHS, No. 21-3030, 2023 WL 5723459 (D.D.C. Sept. 5, 2023) (McFadden, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning people who died while in ICE custody

Disposition:  Granting plaintiff’s cross-motion for summary judgment; denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment

• Procedural Requirements & Litigation Considerations:  The court first analyzes defendant’s redaction marking.  The...