Case: Benjamin v. Colbert

1:23-cv-02315 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Aug. 10, 2023

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On August 10, 2023, a Jewish individual in the custody of the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the D.C. Department of Corrections’ supervisory chaplain, chaplin, and Deputy Director of Education, Reentry, and Case Management failed to provide kosher meals to Jewish people in their custody absent a letter from a rabbi. The plaintiff alleged Christian or Muslim individuals in DOC custody were not asked for external verification of their faith in order …

On August 10, 2023, a Jewish individual in the custody of the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the D.C. Department of Corrections’ supervisory chaplain, chaplin, and Deputy Director of Education, Reentry, and Case Management failed to provide kosher meals to Jewish people in their custody absent a letter from a rabbi. The plaintiff alleged Christian or Muslim individuals in DOC custody were not asked for external verification of their faith in order to receive religious accommodations, while Jewish individuals were required to provide verification. The lawsuit was brought under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The plaintiff sought to certify a class of on behalf of all Jewish individuals who were or would be in DOC custody and requested a kosher diet as a religious accommodation. The plaintiff was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of the District of Columbia. 

The plaintiff also requested on August 10, 2023 a preliminary and permanent injunction requiring the defendant to refrain from requiring Jewish individuals to provide external verification and to provide kosher meals to Jewish individuals who requested it. Additionally, The plaintiff requested to certify a class of all Jewish individuals who are or will be in DOC custody and request a kosher diet as a religious accommodation. Further, they requested a declaratory judgement, compensatory damages, and attorneys’ fees. The case was assigned to District of Columbia District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth.

On August 28, 2023, the plaintiff withdrew his motions for injunctive relief and to certify a class after the DOC changed its policy to no longer require verification.

The defendants filed a partial motion to dismiss on September 29, 2023, for lack of jurisdiction.

The parties filed a joint motion to stay litigation for 75 days on October 26, 2023, so that they could engage in settlement discussions. On October 30, 2023, the court granted the motion and stayed proceedings until January 15, 2024. The parties provided a joint status report on January 12, 2024, and requested an additional 60 day stay. They requested an additional 15 day stay on March 15, 2024. The court granted the motion to stay on March 19, 2024, for two weeks.

The claims against the defendants in their individual capacities were dismissed on March 29, 2024. After a settlement was reached, the case was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff on May 3, 2024. Terms of the settlement were not available to the Clearinghouse. This case appears closed. 

Summary Authors

Cara Claflin (3/21/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67680879/parties/benjamin-v-colbert/


Judge(s)

Lamberth, Royce C. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Michelman, Scott (District of Columbia)

Spitzer, Arthur B. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Disney, Pamela A. (District of Columbia)

Ireland, Marcus Daniel (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:23-cv-02315

Complaint for Compensatory, Declaratory, and Injunctive Relief

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

Complaint
2

1:23-cv-02315

Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

Pleading / Motion / Brief
20

1:23-cv-02315

Defendants’ Partial Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint

Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

Pleading / Motion / Brief
23

1:23-cv-02315

Joint Motion to Stay Litigation

Oct. 26, 2023

Oct. 26, 2023

Pleading / Motion / Brief
27

1:23-cv-02315

Joint Status Report

Jan. 12, 2024

Jan. 12, 2024

Pleading / Motion / Brief
32

1:23-cv-02315

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67680879/benjamin-v-colbert/

Last updated Aug. 18, 2025, 1:27 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants with Jury Demand ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-10265820) filed by RILEY BENJAMIN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons)(Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/10/2023)

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

Clearinghouse

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

PACER
2

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by RILEY BENJAMIN. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Declaration of Riley Benjamin, # 4 Exhibit A to Benjamin Decl., # 5 Exhibit B to Benjamin Decl., # 6 Exhibit C to Benjamin Decl., # 7 Exhibit D to Benjamin Decl., # 8 Declaration of John Henri, # 9 Exhibit A to Henri Decl., # 10 Exhibit B to Henri Decl., # 11 Declaration of Keith Barnes, # 12 Exhibit A to Barnes Decl.)(Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/10/2023)

1 Memorandum in Support of Preliminary Injunction

View on PACER

2 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

3 Declaration of Riley Benjamin

View on PACER

4 Exhibit A to Benjamin Decl.

View on PACER

5 Exhibit B to Benjamin Decl.

View on PACER

6 Exhibit C to Benjamin Decl.

View on PACER

7 Exhibit D to Benjamin Decl.

View on PACER

8 Declaration of John Henri

View on PACER

9 Exhibit A to Henri Decl.

View on PACER

10 Exhibit B to Henri Decl.

View on PACER

11 Declaration of Keith Barnes

View on PACER

12 Exhibit A to Barnes Decl.

View on PACER

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

Clearinghouse
3

WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO NOTICE FILED 8/28/2023..... MOTION to Certify Class To Seek Injunctive Relief under Rule 23(b)(2) by RILEY BENJAMIN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration of Scott Michelman, # 3 Declaration of Laura Follansbee, # 4 Exhibit A to Follansbee Decl., # 5 Exhibit B to Follansbee Decl., # 6 Exhibit C to Follansbee Decl., # 7 Exhibit D to Follansbee Decl.)(Michelman, Scott) Modified on 8/28/2023 (znmw). (Entered: 08/10/2023)

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

PACER

Case Assigned to Judge Royce C. Lamberth. (zljn)

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

PACER
4

SUMMONS (5) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, District of Columbia Attorney General, and the District of Columbia Mayor. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zljn) (Entered: 08/10/2023)

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Arthur B. Spitzer on behalf of RILEY BENJAMIN (Spitzer, Arthur) (Entered: 08/10/2023)

Aug. 10, 2023

Aug. 10, 2023

PACER
6

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Date of Service Upon the Mayor for the District of Columbia on 08/10/23. (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/14/2023)

Aug. 14, 2023

Aug. 14, 2023

PACER
7

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the District of Columbia Attorney General. Date of Service Upon District of Columbia Attorney General 8/10/2023. Answer due for ALL D.C. DEFENDANTS by 8/31/2023. (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/14/2023)

Aug. 14, 2023

Aug. 14, 2023

PACER
8

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by RILEY BENJAMIN re 3 MOTION to Certify Class To Seek Injunctive Relief under Rule 23(b)(2), 2 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction . (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/15/2023)

Aug. 15, 2023

Aug. 15, 2023

PACER
9

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. JIMMIE ALLEN served on 8/16/2023, answer due 9/6/2023 (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/17/2023)

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 17, 2023

PACER
10

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. NICOLE COLBERT served on 8/16/2023, answer due 9/6/2023 (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/17/2023)

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 17, 2023

PACER
11

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. JACQUELINE WILLIAMS served on 8/16/2023, answer due 9/6/2023 (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/17/2023)

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 17, 2023

PACER
12

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by RILEY BENJAMIN re 3 MOTION to Certify Class To Seek Injunctive Relief under Rule 23(b)(2), 2 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction on all individual defendants. (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/17/2023)

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 17, 2023

PACER
13

NOTICE of Appearance by Marcus Daniel Ireland on behalf of All Defendants (Ireland, Marcus) (Entered: 08/17/2023)

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 17, 2023

PACER
14

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Ireland, Marcus) (Entered: 08/17/2023)

Aug. 17, 2023

Aug. 17, 2023

PACER
15

ORDER granting Motion 14 for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply re Plaintiff's Motion 2 for Preliminary Injunction: It is ORDERED that the motion for an extension is GRANTED. Response due by 08/29/2023. Reply due by 09/05/2023. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 08/18/2023. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 08/18/2023)

Aug. 18, 2023

Aug. 18, 2023

PACER
16

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION by RILEY BENJAMIN re 3 MOTION to Certify Class To Seek Injunctive Relief under Rule 23(b)(2), 2 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

Aug. 28, 2023

Aug. 28, 2023

PACER
17

NOTICE of Appearance by Pamela A. Disney on behalf of All Defendants (Disney, Pamela) (Entered: 08/28/2023)

Aug. 28, 2023

Aug. 28, 2023

PACER
18

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to the Complaint by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Disney, Pamela) (Entered: 09/01/2023)

Sept. 1, 2023

Sept. 1, 2023

PACER
19

ORDER granting Motion 18 for an Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint: It is ORDERED that the motion for an extension is GRANTED. Response due by 09/29/2023. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 09/08/2023. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 09/08/2023)

Sept. 8, 2023

Sept. 8, 2023

PACER
20

Partial MOTION to Dismiss by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Disney, Pamela) (Entered: 09/29/2023)

Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

Clearinghouse
21

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 20 Partial MOTION to Dismiss by RILEY BENJAMIN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 10/10/2023)

Oct. 10, 2023

Oct. 10, 2023

PACER
22

ORDER granting Motion 21 for Extension of Time to File Opposition to Partial Motion 20 to Dismiss: It is ORDERED that the motion for an extension is GRANTED. Plaintiff shall file his opposition to 20 by 10/27/2023 and Defendants shall file their reply by 11/3/2023. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 10/11/2023. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 10/11/2023)

Oct. 11, 2023

Oct. 11, 2023

PACER
23

Joint MOTION to Stay Litigation by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Disney, Pamela) (Entered: 10/26/2023)

Oct. 26, 2023

Oct. 26, 2023

Clearinghouse
24

ORDER granting Defendants' Consent Motion 23 to Stay: It is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED and further proceedings in this matter are STAYED until 01/15/2024. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall file a Joint Status Report on 01/15/2024. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 10/30/2023. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 10/30/2023)

Oct. 30, 2023

Oct. 30, 2023

PACER
25

NOTICE of Change of Address by Scott Michelman (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 12/14/2023)

Dec. 14, 2023

Dec. 14, 2023

PACER
26

NOTICE of Change of Address by Arthur B. Spitzer (Spitzer, Arthur) (Entered: 12/14/2023)

Dec. 14, 2023

Dec. 14, 2023

PACER
27

Joint STATUS REPORT by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (Ireland, Marcus) (Entered: 01/12/2024)

Jan. 12, 2024

Jan. 12, 2024

Clearinghouse
28

Joint STATUS REPORT and Motion to Extend Stay by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Disney, Pamela) (Entered: 03/15/2024)

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

RECAP
29

MOTION to Extend Stay by JIMMIE ALLEN, NICOLE COLBERT, JACQUELINE WILLIAMS. (See docket entry 28 to view document) (zdp) (Entered: 03/19/2024)

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

PACER
30

ORDER granting Motion 29 to Extend Stay: It is hereby ORDERED that the Joint Motion to Stay is GRANTED. The case is STAYED for an additional two weeks. It is further ORDERED that unless the case is settled sooner, the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report on 03/29/2024 updating the Court on the status of settlement and advising it as to the Parties' positions on whether the stay should be further extended. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 03/19/2024. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 03/19/2024)

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

PACER

Stay

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

PACER
31

Joint STATUS REPORT by RILEY BENJAMIN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 03/29/2024)

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

PACER
32

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by RILEY BENJAMIN (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 03/29/2024)

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Clearinghouse
33

ORDER STAYING CASE. The case is STAYED for an additional 60 days. It is further ORDERED that unless the case is settled sooner, the Parties shall file a Joint Status Report on 05/28/2024 updating the Court on the status of settlement and advising it as to the Parties' positions on whether the stay should be further extended. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 04/11/2024. (lcrcl1) (Entered: 04/11/2024)

April 11, 2024

April 11, 2024

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines

April 12, 2024

April 12, 2024

PACER

Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/28/2024, (smc)

April 12, 2024

April 12, 2024

PACER
34

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by RILEY BENJAMIN (Michelman, Scott) (Entered: 05/03/2024)

May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 10, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A Jewish individual in the custody of the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) who requested kosher meals.

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling

Defendants

D.C. Department of Corrections, City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Religion discrimination

Affected Religion(s):

Judaism