Case: Gribbon v. Musk

1:25-cv-00422 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Feb. 12, 2025

Closed Date: May 12, 2025

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Case Summary

This case challenged the Trump administration’s alleged disclosure of sensitive personal and financial information to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). On February 12, 2025, six individual plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Elon Musk, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department of the Treasury, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Plaintiffs were private citizens who had engaged in rou…

This case challenged the Trump administration’s alleged disclosure of sensitive personal and financial information to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). On February 12, 2025, six individual plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Elon Musk, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department of the Treasury, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Plaintiffs were private citizens who had engaged in routine financial transactions with the Department of Treasury such as the filing of tax returns, receipt of federal disability and retirement benefits, and the filing of student loans. Represented by Mason LLP and Mehri & Skalet, the plaintiffs sought damages and injunctive relief under the Privacy Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

The case was assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper.

Plaintiffs alleged that, beginning in January 2025, Treasury and OPM gave Musk and other DOGE-affiliated individuals unlawful access to federal payment systems and databases containing personally sensitive information on millions of Americans, including tax, disability, and employment records. They claimed this disclosure violated federal privacy and cybersecurity laws, as Musk and his associates allegedly lacked security clearance and formal government status.

On Count I, Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant Musk, as a private citizen, violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a), by knowingly and intentionally accessing protected computers without authorization and obtaining sensitive information from a department or agency of the U.S. from such a protected computer. On Count II, Plaintiffs alleged that Defendants OPM and Treasury violated the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, by disclosing personal sensitive information to Defendant Musk without providing safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of the information. Plaintiffs brought this lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all U.S. persons who received or submitted payments to the U.S. government, and whose "personal sensitive information was accessed without their prior written authorization from the OPM or the Department of Treasury beginning in January 2025." Plaintiffs sought class certification, declaratory relief, enjoining Defendants from further violations of the law, monetary damages, and attorneys' fees and costs. 

On May 15, 2025, before any responsive pleadings were filed, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(i).

This case is closed.

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (2/22/2025)

Brian Chen (6/23/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69635650/parties/gribbon-v-musk/


Judge(s)

Cooper, Christopher Reid (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Condit, Richard E. (District of Columbia)

Karsh, Joshua (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Holt, Samuel (District of Columbia)

Humphreys, Bradley P. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-00422

Class Action Complaint

Feb. 12, 2025

Feb. 12, 2025

Complaint
18

1:25-cv-00422

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69635650/gribbon-v-musk/

Last updated Sept. 3, 2025, 10:42 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against SCOTT BESSENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, ELON MUSK, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT with Jury Demand ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11477035) filed by DENNIS TITKO, HELGA HERTLEIN, CHERICE PRATER, ANDREA GRIBBON, DONALD CUSTER, LYNN BOISROND. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons to Elon Musk, # 3 Summons to OPM, # 4 Summons to the Treasury, # 5 Summons to Scott Bessent)(Mason, Gary) (Entered: 02/12/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons to Elon Musk

View on PACER

3 Summons to OPM

View on PACER

4 Summons to the Treasury

View on PACER

5 Summons to Scott Bessent

View on PACER

Feb. 12, 2025

Feb. 12, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

ERRATA by ANDREA GRIBBON, CHERICE PRATER, HELGA HERTLEIN, DONALD CUSTER, LYNN BOISROND, DENNIS TITKO re 1 Complaint,. (Attachments: # 1 Corrected Initiating Pleading)(Mason, Gary) (Entered: 02/13/2025)

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER
3

SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 02/13/2025)

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER
4

REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE to U.S. Attorney filed by DENNIS TITKO, HELGA HERTLEIN, CHERICE PRATER, ANDREA GRIBBON, DONALD CUSTER, LYNN BOISROND. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by DENNIS TITKO, DONALD CUSTER, ANDREA GRIBBON, LYNN BOISROND, CHERICE PRATER, HELGA HERTLEIN. (Attachments: # 1 Summons to U.S. Attorney General, # 2 Summons to Civil Process Clerk)(Mason, Gary) (Entered: 02/13/2025)

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER

Notice of Error- New Case

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER

NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 1 Complaint,. The following error(s) need correction: Noncompliance with LCvR 5.1(c). Please file a Notice of Errata stating the error and attach the corrected initiating pleading to include the name & full residence address of each party and file using the event Errata. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (znmw)

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (znmw)

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER

NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 1 Complaint,. The following error(s) need correction: Missing summonses- U.S. government. When naming a U.S. government agent or agency as a defendant, you must supply a summons for each defendant & two additional summonses for the U.S. Attorney & U.S. Attorney General. Please submit using the event Request for Summons to Issue. (znmw)

Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

PACER
5

SUMMONS (2) Issued Electronically as to U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zjm) (Entered: 02/19/2025)

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by Cyrus Mehri on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Mehri, Cyrus) (Entered: 02/28/2025)

Feb. 28, 2025

Feb. 28, 2025

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Karsh on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Karsh, Joshua) (Entered: 02/28/2025)

Feb. 28, 2025

Feb. 28, 2025

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Richard E. Condit on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Condit, Richard) (Entered: 02/28/2025)

Feb. 28, 2025

Feb. 28, 2025

PACER

NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 8 NOTICE of Appearance by Richard E. Condit on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Condit, Richard).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 3/10/2025. (zapb)

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER

Notice of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER

RESOLVED.....NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 8 NOTICE of Appearance by Richard E. Condit on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Condit, Richard).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 3/10/2025. (zapb) 3/4/2025 (zapb).

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER

NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 6 NOTICE of Appearance by Cyrus Mehri on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Mehri, Cyrus).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 3/10/2025. (zapb)

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER

RESOLVED.....NOTICE of Provisional/Government Not Certified Status re 6 NOTICE of Appearance by Cyrus Mehri on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Mehri, Cyrus).Your attorney renewal/government certification has not been received. As a result, your membership with the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia is not in good standing, and you are not permitted to file. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.9, you must immediately correct your membership status by following the appropriate instructions on this page of our website: https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/attorney-renewal. Please be advised that the presiding judge in this case has been notified that you are currently not in good standing to file in this court. Renewal Due by 3/10/2025. (zapb) Modified on 3/5/2025 (zhcn).

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER

Notice of Error

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

PACER

NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 7 Notice of Appearance. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid attorney. Attorney has not filed a Motion for Pro Hac Vice in case. Please refile. (zjm)

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

PACER
10

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 2/25/2025. (Mason, Gary) (Entered: 03/07/2025)

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

RECAP
11

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ELON MUSK served on 3/3/2025, answer due 3/24/2025 (Mason, Gary) (Entered: 03/07/2025)

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

RECAP
12

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. SCOTT BESSENT served on 2/25/2025; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY served on 2/25/2025; UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT served on 2/24/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail - Treasury, # 2 Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail - OPM)(Mason, Gary) (Entered: 03/07/2025)

1 Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail - Treasury

View on RECAP

2 Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail - OPM

View on RECAP

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

RECAP
9

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/20/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/21/2025. (Mason, Gary) (Entered: 03/07/2025)

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

RECAP
13

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Joshua Karsh, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11534242. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by ANDREA GRIBBON, CHERICE PRATER, HELGA HERTLEIN, DONALD CUSTER, LYNN BOISROND, DENNIS TITKO. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Joshua Karsh, # 2 Exhibit Joshua Karsh Certificate of Good Standing)(Mehri, Cyrus) (Entered: 03/11/2025)

1 Declaration Declaration of Joshua Karsh

View on PACER

2 Exhibit Joshua Karsh Certificate of Good Standing

View on PACER

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

RECAP
14

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Jane Kim, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11534283. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by ANDREA GRIBBON, CHERICE PRATER, HELGA HERTLEIN, DONALD CUSTER, LYNN BOISROND, DENNIS TITKO. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Jane Kim, # 2 Exhibit Jane Kim Certificate of Good Standing)(Mehri, Cyrus) (Entered: 03/11/2025)

1 Declaration Declaration of Jane Kim

View on PACER

2 Exhibit Jane Kim Certificate of Good Standing

View on PACER

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

RECAP

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/12/2025. (lccrc1)

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/12/2025. (lccrc1)

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

PACER
15

NOTICE of Appearance by Bradley P. Humphreys on behalf of All Defendants (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

PACER
16

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, or Otherwise Respond by SCOTT BESSENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, ELON R. MUSK, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 04/21/2025)

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER granting 16 Motion for Extension of Time. Defendants shall respond to Plaintiffs' complaint on or before May 21, 2025. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/22/2025. (lccrc1)

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

PACER
17

NOTICE of Appearance by Samuel Holt on behalf of All Defendants (Holt, Samuel) (Entered: 04/23/2025)

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

PACER
18

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by LYNN BOISROND, DONALD CUSTER, ANDREA GRIBBON, HELGA HERTLEIN, CHERICE PRATER, DENNIS TITKO (Mason, Gary) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

RECAP
19

REQUEST FOR LEAVE TO FILE REVIEW. The attached document requires leave to file: Anna Hovenden's Motion to Join. Reason(s): Case is closed.Filer is not a party to the case. (mg) (Entered: 08/12/2025)

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

PACER

MINUTE ORDER re 19 Request for Leave to File Review. Leave to file is denied. Pro Se party has been notified by first class mail. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/13/2025. (lccrc1)

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

PACER

Order on Leave to File Review

Aug. 13, 2025

Aug. 13, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 12, 2025

Closing Date: May 12, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

individuals who have engaged in financial transactions with the U.S. Department of Treasury on behalf of all U.S. persons who received or submitted payments to the U.S. government, and whose personal sensitive information was accessed without their prior written authorization from the OPM or the Department of Treasury beginning in January 2025.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Withdrawn

Defendants

Elon Musk, Private Entity/Person

U.S. Department of the Treasury (District of Columbia, - United States (national) -), Federal

Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (District of Columbia, - United States (national) -), Federal

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (District of Columbia, - United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Access to information systems

DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)