Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-02376/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-02376-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 895
Nature of Suit: Freedom of Information Act of 1974
Cause of Action: 05:552 Freedom of Information Act

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1/ Plaintiff’s opposition was due not later than July 7, 2008.

07cv2376

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KARAL HASANI EFIA BATTLE-EL,

Plaintiff,

v.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN

AFFAIRS, 

Defendant.

 _______________________________ 

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Civil No. 07cv2376-L (JMA)

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S

MOTION TO DISMISS WITHOUT

PREJUDICE [doc. #17] and

DIRECTING THE CLERK OF THE

COURT TO CLOSE THIS CASE

Defendant moves to dismiss the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). The Court notes that even though plaintiff was

advised of the filing requirements to oppose defendant’s motion, he neither filed an

opposition to defendant’s motion to dismiss1/

 nor sought an extension of time in which to

respond to the motion. Civil Local Rule 7.1.f.3 provides that “[i]f an opposing party fails to

file the papers in the manner required by Civil Local Rule 7.1.e.2, that failure may constitute

a consent to the granting of a motion or other request for ruling by the court.” 

Notwithstanding the Local Rule, the Court will review defendant’s motion on the merits.

Plaintiff’s complaint seeks information under the Freedom of Information Act

(“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552. But plaintiff has not alleged that he made a FOIA request for

records.

Case 3:07-cv-02376-L-JMA Document 21 Filed 08/04/08 Page 1 of 3
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2 07cv2376

FOIA provides “a statutory right of public access to documents and records held by

federal government agencies.” Gould, Inc. v. General Services Admin., 688 F. Supp. 689, 693

(D.D.C.1988). “FOIA vests jurisdiction in federal district courts to enjoin an ‘agency from

withholding agency records and to order the production of any agency records improperly

withheld from the complainant.’” Kissinger v. Reporters Comm. for Freedom of the Press,

445 U.S. 136, 139 (1980) (quoting 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4) (B)). FOIA requires a records

request to “reasonably” describe requested records and to comply with “published rules

stating the time, place, fees (if any), and procedures to be followed.” See 5 U.S.C. §

552(a)(3)(A).

“[F]ull and timely exhaustion of administrative remedies is a prerequisite to judicial

review under FOIA.” Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Naval Observatory, 160 F. Supp.2d 111,

112 (D.D.C. 2001). Prior to seeking judicial review, a records requester must exhaust his/her

administrative remedies, including filing a proper FOIA request. Sands v. United States,

1995 WL 552308, *3 (S.D. Fla.1995); see Hedley v. United States, 594 F.2d 1043, 1044 (5th

Cir. 1979). If a records requester fails to exhaust administrative remedies, the lawsuit may be

dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Heyman v. Merit Systems Protection Board,

799 F.2d 1421, 1423 (9th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1019 (1987); Judicial Watch, 160

F. Supp.2d at 112 (“Where plaintiff has failed to exhaust its administrative remedies prior to

filing with the court, the case is subject to dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.”)

“The exhaustion of remedy rule is not satisfied by leapfrogging over any substantive step in

the administrative process.” Tuchinsky v. Selective Serv. System, 418 F.2d 155, 158 (7th Cir.

1969).

Plaintiff has not alleged that he made a FOIA request for records. In the absence of a

request for records, the agency has no duty to produce records and there can be no records

improperly withheld by defendants. Because plaintiff has not exhausted his administrative

remedies, the Court will dismiss this case without prejudice. 

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/ / /

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3 07cv2376

Based on the foregoing, defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter

jurisdiction is GRANTED without prejudice. The Clerk of the Court is directed to close

this case.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: August 4, 2008

M. James Lorenz

United States District Court Judge

COPY TO:

HON. JAN M. ADLER

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ALL PARTIES/COUNSEL

Case 3:07-cv-02376-L-JMA Document 21 Filed 08/04/08 Page 3 of 3