Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-03522/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-03522-20/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 470
Nature of Suit: Civil (Rico)
Cause of Action: 18:1961 Racketeering (RICO) Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NATIONAL ABORTION FEDERATION, 

et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CENTER FOR MEDICAL PROGRESS, et 

al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 15-cv-03522-WHO 

ORDER RE SECOND MOTION TO 

QUASH

Re: Dkt. No. 230

On November 15, 2015, third-party Charles Johnson filed a second motion to quash in part 

a deposition subpoena. Mr. Johnson objected to producing documents responsive to three requests 

(Request Nos. 2-4), because those requests sought documents that Mr. Johnson contends are

protected from disclosure under the California Reporter’s Shield. Cal. Evid. Code § 1070. Mr. 

Johnson claimed that he qualified as a journalist under California law and, as such, was entitled to 

refuse to produce documents that might disclose unpublished information and/or his source. Dkt. 

No. 230. 

Mr. Johnson’s deposition took place on November 17, 2015. Dkt. No. 255-11. At the

deposition, Mr. Johnson refused to produce documents pursuant to Requests 2-4 and also refused 

to respond to deposition questions about his source. Id. 

The deposition subpoena was issued by NAF, as part of its efforts to identify who leaked 

copies of the recordings defendants made at NAF’s Annual Meetings. NAF wanted to identify the 

source of the leak in order to determine whether it came from parties or counsel in this case and, 

therefore, was in violation of my TRO protecting that material from disclosure. Dkt. Nos. 255-4, 

279-4.

Because the limited relevance of Mr. Johnson’s testimony to this case is whether someone 

Case 3:15-cv-03522-WHO Document 356 Filed 02/16/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

before me violated the TRO, I ordered all parties, their lawyers, and the employees or agents of the 

parties and lawyers who have had access to the video or audio recordings covered by the 

temporary restraining order to execute declarations under penalty of perjury answering the 

following questions:

1. Did you disclose any audio or video recordings covered by the TRO on or after July 31,

2015 to Mr. Johnson and if so, what did you disclose?

2. Do you know the identity of “Patriotgeist,” and if so, who is or are he/she/they?

3. Do you have any information concerning (i) the disclosure of audio or video recordings

to Mr. Johnson on or after July 31, 2015 or (ii) who “Patriotgeist” is? If your answer is yes 

to either or both questions, what is that information?

Dkt. No. 325. The parties filed the responsive declarations on January 12, 15, and 19, 

2016. Dkt. Nos. 327, 329, 330, 334.

Having reviewed those declarations, I am satisfied for the time being by the parties’ and 

their counsels’ responses. Everyone has denied knowledge of the leak, under pain of penalty of 

perjury. Absent further evidence that the leak of the NAF Materials came from a party or counsel 

before me, at this time I will take no further action.

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Mr. Johnson’s motion to quash is GRANTED without prejudice. If new evidence is 

presented that would necessitate revisiting this issue, with Mr. Johnson or anyone else, I will 

review it at that time.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 16, 2016

______________________________________

WILLIAM H. ORRICK

United States District Judge

 

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 I note that Mr. Johnson has indicated that his source was likely a Congressional staffer. I 

expect that the committee in the House of Representatives that subpoenaed the records is doing 

what it believes is necessary to insure the security of the TRO materials.

Case 3:15-cv-03522-WHO Document 356 Filed 02/16/16 Page 2 of 2