Case: Klusov v. Georgetown University

1:24-cv-02587 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Aug. 26, 2024

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged Georgetown University (Georgetown) for allegedly unlawfully permitting, enabling, and failing to prevent hostile discrimination against Jewish and Russian students on campus, in violation of federal and state law. Other cases involving universities’ responses to speech and activity concerning Israel and Palestine, including matters involving antisemitism and/or anti-Palestinian expression, can be found here. On August 26, 2024, the plaintiff, a Jewish and Russian alumnus of…

On August 26, 2024, the plaintiff, a Jewish and Russian alumnus of Georgetown, filed this pro se lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Georgetown. In the complaint (and in subsequent amended filings), the plaintiff asserted claims under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the D.C. Human Rights Act (§ 2-1401.01 et seq.), 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3) for conspiring to interfere with civil rights, and various related state law claims. The plaintiff sought damages, statutory penalties, and an award of attorneys’ fees. This case was assigned to Judge Royce C. Lamberth.

On September 12, 2024, the plaintiff filed a “Notice of Exhibits,” which the court subsequently characterized as a first amended complaint (FAC), although it was not labeled as such. The filing, among other things, included 42 U.S.C. § 1986 (which required an underlying violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985) as a distinct, labeled count rather than as merely a brief reference in the original filing. Georgetown filed a motion to dismiss on December 12, 2024.

On the same day, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint. Although the plaintiff labeled it as a “First Amended Complaint,” the court later treated it as a second amended complaint (SAC), since the September filing had already been construed as the FAC. The revised complaint, among other things, replaced earlier general references to state law theories with a separately identified count specifying those claims. On December 20, 2024, Georgetown filed a motion to dismiss. In its motion, Georgetown contended that the plaintiff failed to state a claim and argued that the plaintiff improperly filed the SAC without obtaining the court’s permission.

The court ruled in Georgetown’s favor, granting its motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s first and second amended complaints without further leave to amend on August 15, 2025. The court first characterized the “Notice of Exhibits” as the FAC (because it repeated much of the information from the original complaint, but provided further explanation) and dismissed it under Rule 8(a) because of its excessive length and “untidy,” “disjointed,” and “information-laden” nature. The court also found that granting leave to amend the SAC would be futile, as it likewise violated Rule 8(a), failed to state a claim, and because the defects could not be cured. 2025 WL 2377967.

On September 15, 2025, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia regarding the August 15 dismissal. The plaintiff later filed two amended notices of appeal.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Dahlia Gottlieb (3/16/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69148718/parties/klusov-v-georgetown-university/

Judge(s)

Lamberth, Royce C. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

KLUSOV, ALEKSEI (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Henry Adam

Platt, Henry Adam (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Lamberth, Royce C. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

KLUSOV, ALEKSEI (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Henry Adam

Platt, Henry Adam (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:24-cv-02587	Complaint for a Civil Case	Aug. 26, 2024	Aug. 26, 2024 Complaint
3 1:24-cv-02587	Complaint with Clarifications	Sept. 12, 2024	Sept. 12, 2024 Complaint
8 1:24-cv-02587	First Amended Complaint	Dec. 12, 2024	Dec. 12, 2024 Complaint
23 1:24-cv-02587	Memorandum Opinion	Aug. 15, 2025	Aug. 15, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 2377964

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69148718/klusov-v-georgetown-university/

Last updated March 24, 2026, 11:13 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY with Jury Demand filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(zdp) (Entered: 09/10/2024)	Aug. 26, 2024	Aug. 26, 2024 Clearinghouse
2	MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (zdp) (Entered: 09/10/2024)	Aug. 26, 2024	Aug. 26, 2024
	SUMMONS Not Issued as to GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (zdp)	Aug. 26, 2024	Aug. 26, 2024
	Filing fee received: $ 405, receipt number: 208131. (zdp)	Sept. 9, 2024	Sept. 9, 2024
	Filing Fee Received	Sept. 10, 2024	Sept. 10, 2024
	Summons Not Issued	Sept. 10, 2024	Sept. 10, 2024
3	NOTICE of Exhibits re 1 Complaint filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV.(zdp) Modified docket text on 10/4/2024 (zdp). (Entered: 09/30/2024)	Sept. 12, 2024	Sept. 12, 2024 Clearinghouse
	Summons Issued	Oct. 2, 2024	Oct. 2, 2024
	Summons (1) Issued as to GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Sent summons to plaintiff email address) (zdp)	Oct. 2, 2024	Oct. 2, 2024
	Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis	Oct. 7, 2024	Oct. 7, 2024
	MINUTE ORDER finding as moot 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis because Plaintiff has since submitted the filing fee. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 10/4/2024. (lcrcl3) Modified to add minute on 10/7/2024 (smc).	Oct. 7, 2024	Oct. 7, 2024
4	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY served on 11/20/2024, answer due 12/11/2024 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Affidavit of Service, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit)(zdp) (Entered: 11/26/2024)	Nov. 22, 2024	Nov. 22, 2024
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Henry Adam Platt on behalf of GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (Platt, Henry) (Entered: 12/11/2024)	Dec. 11, 2024	Dec. 11, 2024
7	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests Corporate Disclosure Statement by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (Platt, Henry) (Entered: 12/11/2024)	Dec. 11, 2024	Dec. 11, 2024
6	MOTION to Dismiss by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Platt, Henry) (Entered: 12/11/2024)	Dec. 11, 2024	Dec. 11, 2024 RECAP
8	AMENDED COMPLAINT against GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY with Jury Demand filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service, # 2 Exhibit)(zdp) (Entered: 12/13/2024)	Dec. 12, 2024	Dec. 12, 2024 Clearinghouse
10	MOTION for Extension of Time by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit)(zdp) (Entered: 12/23/2024)	Dec. 20, 2024	Dec. 20, 2024
11	MOTION for CM/ECF Password by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (See docket entry 10 to view document) (zdp) (Entered: 12/23/2024)	Dec. 20, 2024	Dec. 20, 2024
9	MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Platt, Henry) (Entered: 12/20/2024)	Dec. 20, 2024	Dec. 20, 2024 RECAP
	CM/ECF Password	Dec. 23, 2024	Dec. 23, 2024
12	RESPONSE re 10 MOTION for Extension of Time to filed by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Platt, Henry) (Entered: 12/26/2024)	Dec. 26, 2024	Dec. 26, 2024
13	RESPONSE re 11 MOTION for CM/ECF Password filed by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Platt, Henry) (Entered: 12/26/2024)	Dec. 26, 2024	Dec. 26, 2024
14	MOTION for Hearing by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (zdp) Modified docket text and event on 12/30/2024 (zdp). (Main Document 14 replaced on 12/30/2024) (zdp). (Entered: 12/30/2024)	Dec. 27, 2024	Dec. 27, 2024
15	MOTION for Extension of Time to by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(zdp) (Entered: 01/08/2025)	Jan. 1, 2025	Jan. 1, 2025
16	RESPONSE re 14 MOTION for Hearing Opposition to Motion for Oral Argument filed by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Platt, Henry) (Entered: 01/08/2025)	Jan. 8, 2025	Jan. 8, 2025
17	ORDER granting 10 Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Motion to Dismiss; denying 11 Motion for CM/ECF Password. Plaintiff's Response due by 3/31/2025. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 1/6/2025. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 01/08/2025)	Jan. 8, 2025	Jan. 8, 2025
18	Memorandum in opposition to re 9 Motion to Dismiss filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Exhibit # 4 Exhibit) (zdp). Modified docket text on 4/3/2025 (zdp). (Entered: 04/03/2025)	April 3, 2025	April 3, 2025
21	ERRATA by ALEKSEI KLUSOV re 18 Memorandum in Opposition. (zdp) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025
19	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 9 MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Platt, Henry) (Entered: 04/07/2025)	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025
20	ORDER granting 19 Motion for Extension of Time to File Reply: Defendant's Reply in support of its Motion to Dismiss due by 4/18/2025. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 4/10/2025. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025
22	REPLY to opposition to motion re 9 Motion to Dismiss filed by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. (Platt, Henry) (Entered: 04/16/2025)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025
23	MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 8/15/2025. (lcrcl3)	Aug. 15, 2025	Aug. 15, 2025 Clearinghouse
24	ORDER granting Defendant's Motions to Dismiss 6, 9 . See Order and accompanying Memorandum Opinion for details. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 8/15/2025. (lcrcl3) (Entered: 08/15/2025)	Aug. 15, 2025	Aug. 15, 2025
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to AND Order on Motion for Hearing	Aug. 15, 2025	Aug. 15, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER finding as moot 14 Motion for Hearing; finding as moot 15 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 8/15/2025. (lcrcl3)	Aug. 15, 2025	Aug. 15, 2025
25	MOTION to Clarify re 23 Memorandum & Opinion, 24 Order on Motion to Dismiss, by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (znmw) (Entered: 09/10/2025)	Sept. 8, 2025	Sept. 8, 2025
26	NOTICE OF APPEAL TO DC CIRCUIT COURT as to 23 Memorandum & Opinion, 24 Order on Motion to Dismiss, by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. Fee Status: No Fee Paid. Parties have been notified. (znmw) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 12, 2025	Sept. 12, 2025 RECAP
27	SEALED MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.) (Attachments: # 1 Motion to Appeal IFP)(znmw) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 12, 2025	Sept. 12, 2025
31	NOTICE of Duplicate Mailed Appeal by ALEKSEI KLUSOV re 26 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court (znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 12, 2025	Sept. 12, 2025
32	SEALED DOCUMENT (Duplicate Mailed Motion to Seal and IFP) filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. re 27 Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 12, 2025	Sept. 12, 2025
33	Amended NOTICE OF APPEAL re appeal 29, 26 by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (znmw) (Main Document 33 replaced on 9/19/2025) (znmw). (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 13, 2025	Sept. 13, 2025
28	Transmission of the Notice of Appeal, Order Appealed (Memorandum Opinion), and Docket Sheet to US Court of Appeals. Motion to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis has been filed. Another transmission will be forwarded when the motion has been decided re 26 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court. (znmw) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
29	Amended NOTICE OF APPEAL re appeal 26 by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
34	SEALED DOCUMENT (Duplicate Mailed Motion to Seal and IFP) filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. re 27 Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal, 32 Sealed Document. (This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
35	NOTICE of Duplicate Mailed Notice of Appeal by ALEKSEI KLUSOV re 26 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court (znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
37	NOTICE of Duplicate Mailed Notice of Appeal by ALEKSEI KLUSOV re 33 Amended Notice of Appeal (znmw) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025
30	Supplemental Record on Appeal transmitted to US Court of Appeals re 29 Amended Notice of Appeal; USCA Case Number Unknown. (znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
36	Supplemental Record on Appeal transmitted to US Court of Appeals re 33 Amended Notice of Appeal; USCA Case Number Unknown. (znmw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
38	MOTION to Clarify re 23 Memorandum & Opinion, 24 Order on Motion to Dismiss, by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (znmw) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
	USCA Case Number 25-7137 for 26 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV. (zjm)	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025
	USCA Case Number	Sept. 17, 2025	Sept. 17, 2025
39	Supplemental Record on Appeal transmitted to US Court of Appeals re USCA Appeal Fees; USCA Case Number 25-7137. (znmw) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	Sept. 19, 2025	Sept. 19, 2025
	USCA Appeal Fees received $ 605 receipt number 210432 re 26 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court filed by ALEKSEI KLUSOV (znmw)	Sept. 19, 2025	Sept. 19, 2025
	USCA Appeal Fees	Sept. 19, 2025	Sept. 19, 2025
40	ORDER denying 25 38 Motions to Clarify. See Order for details. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 10.02.2025. (lcrcl3). (Entered: 10/02/2025)	Oct. 2, 2025	Oct. 2, 2025 RECAP
	MINUTE ORDER finding as moot 27 Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal. Signed by Judge Royce C. Lamberth on 10.03.2025. (lcrcl3)	Oct. 3, 2025	Oct. 3, 2025
	Order on Sealed Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal	Oct. 3, 2025	Oct. 3, 2025
41	Request for Leave to File Review	Feb. 17, 2026	Feb. 17, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Education

Special Collection(s):

Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 26, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiff is a Jewish and Russian alumnus of Georgetown.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Georgetown University

Defendant Type(s):

College/University

Facility Type(s):

Non-government non-profit

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1985

State law

Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:24-cv-02587

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit 25-07137

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

School/University policies

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Religion discrimination

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Israeli

Affected Religion(s):

Judaism

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Klusov v. Georgetown University, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47308/ (last updated 3/16/2026).