Case 1:08-cv-01046-JDB Document 49 Filed 01/15/10 Page 1 of 2

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

)
CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY )
AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON, )
)
Plaintiff, ) Civil Action No. 08-1046 (JDB)
)
v. )
)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF )
HOMELAND SECURITY, )
)
Defendant. )
)

DEFENDANT’S STATUS REPORT

Pursuant to the Court’s Order dated December 18, 2009 (Docket Entry 48), Defendant,

United States Department of Homeland Security, by and through undersigned counsel, files this

status report with the Court documenting the parties’ progress on reaching an agreement as to the

attorney’s fee issue relating to the first part of plaintiff’s FOIA request. Defendant reports that the

parties have not reached an agreement as to the amount of fees; however, undersigned counsel has

advised plaintiff, through counsel, that Defendant will not contest plaintiff’s eligibility or entitlement

to attorney’s fees, only the reasonableness of the amount of fees requested. Although plaintiff’s

counsel has provided a summary of hours, Defendant has requested more specific information

concerning the billing records of plaintiff’s counsel. Thus, there is a disagreement between the

parties as to the reasonableness of the fee request. Defendant will have no objection, however, to

any request by plaintiff for an extension of the January 29, 2010 deadline for filing a petition for

fees.
 Case 1:08-cv-01046-JDB Document 49 Filed 01/15/10 Page 2 of 2

Respectfully submitted,

/s/
CHANNING D. PHILLIPS, DC BAR #415793
United States Attorney

/s/
RUDOLPH CONTRERAS, D.C. Bar # 434122
Assistant United States Attorney

/s/
JOHN G. INTERRANTE
PA Bar # 61373
Assistant United States Attorney
Civil Division, Room E-4806
555 4th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
(202) 514-7220
(202) 514-8780 (fax)
John.Interrante@usdoj.gov

Of Counsel:

Simon Fisherow, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Susan Shama, U.S. Customs and Border Protection