Court Decisions

Roland v. DOJ, No. 23-1620, 2023 WL 8251312 (7th Cir. Nov. 29, 2023) (per curiam)

Re:  Request for records concerning requester’s belief that “government was spying on him through his television”

Disposition:  Affirming district court’s grant of government’s motion for summary judgment

• Litigation Considerations, Mootness and Other Grounds for Dismissal:  The Court of Appeals for the Seventh...

Huddleston v. FBI, No. 20-00447, 2023 WL 8260881 (E.D. Tex. Nov. 29, 2023) (Mazzant, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning deceased 27-year-old Democratic National Committee employee

Disposition:  Denying plaintiff’s motion to permit counsel to view evidence

• Litigation Considerations, In Camera Inspection:  The court relates that “[t]he FBI submitted an FD-302 document for in camera, ex...

Basey v. Reardon, No. 23-00124, 2023 WL 8236988 (D. Alaska Nov. 28, 2023) (Kindred, J.)

Re:  Request for certain records concerning plaintiff’s prosecution

Disposition:  Granting plaintiff leave to amend complaint

• Litigation Considerations, Pleadings:  The court finds that, “[l]iberally construed, Plaintiff is able to state facts to allege a plausible claim regarding his new FOIA request for...

Huddleston v. FBI, No. 20-00447, 2023 WL 8235243 (E.D. Tex. Nov. 28, 2023) (Mazzant, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning deceased 27-year-old Democratic National Committee employee

Disposition:  Denying defendant’s motion for clarification, or in the alternative, reconsideration; granting in part and denying in part plaintiff’s motion for clarification

• Litigation Considerations, Waiver of...

Cohen v. United States, No. 23-8099, 2023 WL 8188424 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 27, 2023) (Swain, C.J.)

Re:  Requests for records concerning plaintiff

Disposition:  Transferring plaintiff’s FOIA claims to the District Court for the District of Columbia

• Litigation Considerations, Venue:  “The Court concludes that venue for Plaintiff’s FOIA claims is proper in the District of Columbia.”  “First, because...

Jud. Watch, Inc. v. DOJ, No. 22-1034, 2023 WL 8190820 (D.D.C. Nov. 27, 2023) (Howell, J.)

Re:  Request for communications between FBI officials and New York Times (“NYT”) regarding FBI’s execution of search warrants on November 4 and 6, 2021, at homes of employee and of founder of Project Veritas, a “‘a non-profit non-governmental organization headquartered in Mamaroneck, New York’”

Disposition...

Brown v. Regan, No. 23-03328, 2023 WL 8190734 (D.D.C. Nov. 22, 2023) (Reyes, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning plaintiff

Disposition:  Dismissing plaintiff’s complaint without prejudice

• Litigation Considerations, Pleadings:  The court holds that “Plaintiff . . . seeks to sue only defendants that are immune from damages claims and cannot state a claim under the FOIA.”  “Plaintiff attempts...

Sherven v. United States, No. 23-02977, 2023 WL 8190822 (D.D.C. Nov. 22, 2023) (Reyes, J.)

Re:  Plaintiff’s alleged FOIA requests against backdrop of his claims of “alleged mind-control program”

Disposition:  Dismissing plaintiff’s complaint without prejudice

• Litigation Considerations, Pleadings:  The court holds that “Plaintiff's complaint does not contain sufficient facts to state a claim.” ...

Thompson v. DOJ, No. 23-69, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 208763 (W.D.N.C. Nov. 21, 2023) (Cogburn, Jr., J.)

Re:  Requests for records concerning plaintiff’s former employment

Disposition:  Granting joint motion to dismiss with prejudice

• Litigation Considerations:  “This matter comes before the Court on the Joint Motion to Dismiss of Defendant U.S. Department of Justice and pro se Plaintiff . ....

Hall & Assocs. v. EPA, No. 18-1749, 2023 WL 7928765 (D.D.C. Nov. 16, 2023) (Moss, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning EPA’s regulation of water treatment practice known as blending against the background of Eighth Circuit Decision impacting EPA’s practice in that circuit

Disposition:  Denying plaintiff’s motion for attorney fees and costs

• Attorney Fees, Eligibility:  “[T]he Court is...