Court Decisions

Holmes-Hamilton v. FBI, No. 21-2927, 2024 WL 3924558 (D.D.C. Aug. 23, 2024) (McFadden, J.)

Re:  Requests for records concerning investigatory materials that Dominican Republic law enforcement either shared with or requested from the FBI, regarding several Americans who died mysteriously on vacations in the Dominican Republic

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment; denying...

Libarov v. ICE, No. 22-6414, 2024 WL 3888761 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 21, 2024) (Cummings, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning plaintiff

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

• Litigation Considerations, Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies:  The court holds that “it is...

Pretzman v. Mayorkas, No. 23-2577, 2024 WL 3887384 (D.D.C. Aug. 20, 2024) (Kelly, J.)

Re:  Request for information regarding with which entities plaintiff’s information was shared

Disposition:  Granting defendants’ motion to dismiss

• Litigation Considerations, Proper FOIA Requests:  The court holds that “[plaintiff] failed to state a claim under FOIA – either one for wrongfully withholding a...

Citizens for Resp. & Ethics in Wash. v. DOJ, No. 19-2267, 2024 WL 3387374 (D.D.C. Aug. 20, 2024) (Alikhan, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning investigation into potential campaign finance violations and obstruction of justice by individuals associated with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign

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

Abhyanker v. U.S. Pat. & Trademark Off., No. 23-00746, 2024 WL 3908107 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 19, 2024) (Martínez-Olguín, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning USPTO ethics investigation into plaintiff’s legal practice

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment

• Litigation Considerations, Evidentiary Showing, Adequacy of Search:  The court notes that plaintiff’s request “sought...

Buzzfeed, Inc. v. DOJ, No. 19-3194, 2024 WL 3858544 (D.D.C. Aug. 19, 2024) (Kollar-Kotelly, J.)

Re:  Request for case file of United States v. Khanani, No. 15-CR-20468-MGC (S.D. Fla.), including communications sent or received by former U.S. Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys involved in the case

Disposition:  Granting in part and denying in part defendant’s motion for summary judgment...

Rolling Stone LLC v. DOJ, No. 23-10741, 2024 WL 3862521 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 19, 2024) (Liman, J.)

Re:  Request for “‘all FBI records about Henry Kissinger’ without any date limitation”

Disposition:  Denying plaintiff’s motion to compel defendant to move for “Open America” stay of proceeding

• Litigation Considerations, “Open America” Stays of Proceedings:  The court finds that “Defendant has not...

Citizens for Resp. & Ethics in Wash. v. DOJ, No. 23-262, 2024 WL 3858560 (D.D.C. Aug. 19, 2024) (Boasberg, C.J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning deployment of DOJ personnel to monitor elections in certain states

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

• Litigation...

Huddleston v. FBI, No. 20-447, 2024 WL 3846984 (E.D. Tex. Aug. 16, 2024) (Mazzant, J.)

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

Disposition:  Denying plaintiff’s renewed motion for interim payment of costs and attorney fees, as well as plaintiff’s supplemental motion for interim payment of costs and attorney fees

• Attorney Fees, Eligibility...

Brodsky v. FBI, No. 22-06462, 2024 WL 3848570 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 16, 2024) (Coleman, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning plaintiff

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

• Litigation Considerations, In Camera Inspection & Vaughn Index/Declaration:  “Having reviewed the declarations and documents in camera...