Opinion ID: 387433
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellate Issues.

Text: 12 Before us Ms. Weber claims a mandatory right to a de novo hearing, that the government must file an answer to her FOIA complaint, that she is entitled to a default judgment, and that the government was not entitled to summary judgment. 13 The FOIA provides for a de novo determination on the issue of withholding records. 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(B). However, that provision presupposes the existence of records, and here the government, by affidavits, denies the existence of any requested records. In these circumstances summary judgment was appropriate, as we discuss below. 14 The FOIA also provides generally that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a defendant must serve an answer within 30 days. 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4) (C). The key words are 30 days, not answer. See H.R.Rep.No.93-876 and Conf.Rep.No.93-1200, 93d Cong., 2d Sess., reprinted in (1974) U.S.Code Cong. & Ad.News 6267 and 6285. Ms. Weber misunderstands section 552(a)(4)(C). 15 Nor is Ms. Weber entitled to a default judgment because the government failed to answer in 30 days. Under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(C), a defendant must answer or otherwise plead within 30 days unless the court otherwise directs for good cause shown. Ms. Weber claims that the court erred in not granting her show-cause order. As pointed out above, an answer is not the only response permitted under the FOIA. The government sought and obtained an extension of time to answer, after which it filed a motion for summary judgment, which was granted. No answer was required. 16 Ms. Weber next complains that the court erred in granting the motion for summary judgment. She contends generally that the court's order has a fatal inconsistency, that she was denied her right to take depositions, that the affidavits were defective, that the court violated Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c) and (f), that there were fact issues in dispute, and that the hearing was tainted. These complaints lack merit. The grant of summary judgment was correct because there was no genuine issue of material fact. All of the agencies involved stated, under oath, that all of the records in their possession had been delivered to Ms. Weber. Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e), Ms. Weber may not rest on mere allegations or denials of pleadings; she must, by affidavit or other appropriate means, set forth specific facts establishing the existence of a genuine issue for trial or at the least showing why she cannot do so. For whatever reasons, Ms. Weber chose not to submit any affidavit or other appropriate response to the government's affidavits. The granting of the motion was proper. 17 Finally, Ms. Weber, by separate motion, asks that her appeal take precedence on the docket. Under Local Rule 19, a writ of mandamus and a FOIA request are to be given some preference in processing and disposition, and we have sought to act expeditiously. 18 AFFIRMED.