Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02054/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02054-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GEORGE MARLIN KNIGHT,

Plaintiff,

vs. CIV-S-04-2054-MCE/GGH

N.A.S.A.,

Defendant. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff has filed an amended “motion to compel [discovery]” now set to be heard

before the undersigned on June 9, 2005. However, upon review, the motion to compel is in fact a

dispositive motion on the merits which should be heard by the district judge in this non-consent

and non-pro se case.

Plaintiff, an attorney representing himself, filed a Freedom Of Information Act

complaint on October 5, 2004. He has complained that NASA improperly redacted scientific

documents related to the Mars Rover mission which he had requested. He disputes NASA’s

rationale for those redactions. The present motion to compel seeks an order finding that the

redactions are unjustified.

Case 2:04-cv-02054-MCE -GGH Document 20 Filed 05/20/05 Page 1 of 2
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Given the unique aspects of a FOIA case, in essence a statutory discovery device

for government documents, the motion to compel is in fact a motion for summary judgment. 

That is, an order on the motion to compel would resolve the case. Under the Local Rules of this

District, in “ordinary” civil actions, the magistrate judge may hear only true “discovery” motions. 

E.D. Cal. LR 72-302(c) (1). As set forth above, plaintiff’s motion is in the nature of summary

judgment, not discovery. Therefore, the magistrate judge is not authorized to adjudicate the

motion.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that plaintiff’s amended motion for discovery,

filed May 2, 2005, is vacated from this court’s calendar for June 9, 2005. Plaintiff shall re-notice

his motion for summary judgment before the assigned district judge. 

DATED: May 20, 2005 

 

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows 

GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

 U. S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH/076

Knight2054.ord.wpd

Case 2:04-cv-02054-MCE -GGH Document 20 Filed 05/20/05 Page 2 of 2