Document Type: Litigation

Complaint: American Oversight v. State – Vice President Pence’s Ukraine Communications

February 6, 2020
Lawsuit filed by American Oversight against the Department of State seeking records relating to Vice President Pence’s communications with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as records from his August/September 2019 trip to Europe. This lawsuit also seeks records of communications between the Office of the Vice President and top State officials related to the effort to pressure Ukraine to open a politically motivated investigation.

PI Motion: American Federation of Government Employees and AFGE Local 2578 v. OSC — Federal Employee Free Speech Rights

January 24, 2020
Motion for preliminary injunction filed by the American Federation of Government Employees and AFGE Local 2578 asking a federal court to immediately suspend controversial guidance issued by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in late 2018 that has effectively barred federal workers from expressing views about the impeachment of President Donald Trump while at work. AFGE is represented by the law firm of Arnold & Porter LLP and American Oversight.

Joint Status Report: American Oversight v. DOE – Perry and Brouillette’s Ukraine Records and Communications

January 13, 2020
Joint Status Report filed by American Oversight and the Department of Energy in American Oversight’s lawsuit seeking the release of Secretary Rick Perry’s communications with high-level Ukraine officials; with outside groups associated with U.S. energy interests in Ukraine; and with particular associates of President Trump’s personal lawyer Rudolph Giuliani. American Oversight is also requesting records regarding the U.S. delegation, led by Perry, to Ukrainian President Zelensky’s inauguration, including the records of former Chief of Staff Brian McCormack. The Department of Energy agreed to make the first production of records on Jan. 28, 2020, prioritizing Perry's and McCormack's communications as well as records related to the delegation. Subsequent productions are scheduled for Feb. 4 and March 16.

Answer: American Oversight and Democracy Forward v. State Department et al.

January 10, 2020
Answer filed by the government in response to the Federal Records Act lawsuit brought by American Oversight and the Democracy Forward Foundation against the State Department, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the National Archives, and Archivist David Ferriero under the Federal Records Act to compel the defendants to preserve and recover any records of meetings between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Complaint: American Oversight v. State – Embassy Communications Regarding Trump Properties

December 17, 2019
American Oversight’s lawsuit against the Department of State for records of agency officials’ and U.S. embassy personnel's communications regarding Trump Organization properties around the world, including Trump Towers Istanbul and Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver.

Joint Status Reports: American Oversight v. OMB and DOD – Directives and Communications Concerning Ukraine

December 16, 2019
Joint Status Reports filed by American Oversight, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Department of Defense (DOD) in American Oversight’s lawsuit seeking directives and communications that may relate to any effort to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate one of President Trump’s political opponents as part of an effort to give the president an electoral advantage.

Minute Order: American Oversight v. State – Ukraine and Giuliani Communications

December 13, 2019
Minute Order issued by Judge Christopher Cooper on December 13, 2019 in American Oversight's FOIA litigation seeking the public release of State Department records relating to the Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine. The order instructs the State Department to extend the search cut-off date for responsive records to October 18, 2019 and to release any responsive documents by January 8, 2020.

Complaint: American Oversight v. Treasury — OFAC Communications with McConnell and Braidy Industries

December 11, 2019
American Oversight’s lawsuit against the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for records of senior agency officials’ communications about Braidy Industries' Kentucky aluminum plant, or with specific entities or individuals associated with Braidy Industries or the Russian aluminum company Rusal. This lawsuit also seeks any communications between senior OFAC officials and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao or her spouse Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Complaint: American Oversight v. Treasury – Treasury Communications Concerning Foreign Business Interests

December 11, 2019
American Oversight’s lawsuit against the Department of the Treasury for records of emails and other communications of political appointees at the agency — including Secretary Steven Mnuchin — with or about specific entities or individuals, including Kentucky-based alloy company Braidy Industries and the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell. This lawsuit also seeks communications between the agency and foreign business interests, such as Russian-based aluminum company Rusal.

State Department Declaration: American Oversight v. State – State Department Officials’ Ukraine Communications

December 11, 2019
Department of State search declaration by Eric F. Stein, the director of the Office of Information Programs and Services (IPS).