Case: United States v. Matthews

The United States of America v. Matthews

The United States of America v. Matthews

STRICKEN COMPLAINT against Bernadette Matthews, filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Supplement Civil Cover Sheet Attachment)(Gardner, Christopher) Modified on 12/19/2025 to strike pursuant to 12/19/2025 Text Order (DW). (Entered: 12/18/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Supplement Civil Cover Sheet Attachment

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STRICKEN MOTION to Compel by Plaintiff United States of America. Responses due by 1/2/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Memorandum of Law, # 2 Exhibit Exhibits 1-3, # 3 Affidavit Declaration of Eric Neff, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit 4)(Gardner, Christopher) Modified on 12/19/2025 to Strike pursuant to 12/19/2025 Text Order (DW). (Entered: 12/18/2025)

1 Supplement Memorandum of Law

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2 Exhibit Exhibits 1-3

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3 Affidavit Declaration of Eric Neff

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4 Exhibit Exhibit 4

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NOTICE Proposed Order re 2 MOTION to Compel (Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

COMPLAINT against Bernadette Matthews, filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Supplement Attachment to Civil Cover Sheet)(Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Supplement Attachment to Civil Cover Sheet

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MOTION to Compel by Plaintiff United States of America. Responses due by 1/2/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Memorandum of Law, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit 1-3, # 3 Affidavit Declaration of Eric Neff, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit 4)(Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 12/19/2025)

1 Supplement Memorandum of Law

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2 Exhibit Exhibit 1-3

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3 Affidavit Declaration of Eric Neff

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4 Exhibit Exhibit 4

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TEXT ORDER entered by Magistrate Judge Douglas J. Quivey on 12/19/2025: Before the Court are Plaintiff's Complaint (Doc. 1 ) and Motion to Compel (Doc. 2 ). Pursuant to Local Rule 11.4(A)(2), "[d]ocuments signed by an attorney must be filed using that attorney's log-in and password; they may not be filed using a log-in and password of another attorney." The Complaint and Motion to Compel were filed using Christopher Gardner's log-in and password but are signed by Brittany Bennett. Therefore, the Clerk is directed to STRIKE the Complaint, (Doc. 1 ), and the Motion to Compel (Doc. 2 ). The Complaint and Motion to Compel, if refiled, must be done so using a signatory's log-in and password. (DW)

Order on Motion to Compel

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Sarah C Grady on behalf of Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers (Grady, Sarah) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

MOTION to Intervene as Defendants by Defendants Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers. Responses due by 1/5/2026 (Grady, Sarah) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

MEMORANDUM in Support re 7 MOTION to Intervene as Defendants filed by Defendants Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Grady, Sarah) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

1 Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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4 Exhibit D

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NOTICE of No Position re 7 MOTION to Intervene as Defendants (Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Adam Joseph Smith on behalf of Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers (Smith, Adam) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by John Hazinski on behalf of Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers (Hazinski, John) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7.1 Disclosure Statement by Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers. (Grady, Sarah) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Elisabeth C. Frost on behalf of Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers (Frost, Elisabeth) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Katherine Chamblee-Ryan on behalf of Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers (Chamblee-Ryan, Katherine) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Tina Meng Morrison on behalf of Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers (Meng Morrison, Tina) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

Summons Issued as to Bernadette Matthews. Summons returned to attorney of record to effectuate service. (DW) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

NOTICE of Supplemental Authorities re 7 MOTION to Intervene as Defendants, 8 Memorandum in Support of Motion, (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2)(Grady, Sarah) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

1 Exhibit 1

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2 Exhibit 2

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SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Bernadette Matthews served on 1/5/2026, answer due 1/26/2026. (Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Robert Henry Weaver on behalf of Bernadette Matthews (Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Joint MOTION to Enter Briefing Schedule by Defendant Bernadette Matthews. Responses due by 1/22/2026 (Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

TEXT ORDER Entered by Magistrate Judge Douglas J Quivey on 1/8/2026. Before the Court is the Parties' Joint Motion to Enter Briefing Schedule. (Doc. 20 ). For the reasons stated, the Motion is GRANTED. Defendant to file Motion to Dismiss and response to Plaintiff's Motion to Compel (Doc. 5 ) by February 20, 2026. Plaintiff to file response to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and reply in support of Plaintiff's Motion to Compel (Doc. 5 ) by March 6, 2026. Defendant to file reply in support of Defendant's Motion to Dismiss by March 20, 2026. (AEJ)

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Kevin M. Fee, Jr on behalf of Common Cause [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Brian Beals [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd] (Fee, Kevin) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Rebecca Kim Glenberg on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Glenberg, Rebecca) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Priyanka Menon on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Menon, Priyanka) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

MOTION to Intervene by Defendants Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd]. Responses due by 1/23/2026 (Fee, Kevin) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

MEMORANDUM in Support re 24 MOTION to Intervene filed by Defendants Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd]. (Attachments: # 1 EXHIBIT 1, # 2 EXHIBIT 2, # 3 EXHIBIT 3, # 4 EXHIBIT 4, # 5 EXHIBIT 5, # 6 EXHIBIT 6, # 7 EXHIBIT 7, # 8 EXHIBIT 8)(Fee, Kevin) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

1 EXHIBIT 1

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2 EXHIBIT 2

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3 EXHIBIT 3

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4 EXHIBIT 4

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5 EXHIBIT 5

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6 EXHIBIT 6

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7 EXHIBIT 7

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8 EXHIBIT 8

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Proposed MOTION for Order by Defendants Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd]. Responses due by 1/23/2026 (Fee, Kevin) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7.1 Disclosure Statement by Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd]. (Fee, Kevin) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Ethan Herenstein on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Herenstein, Ethan) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Patricia Jia Yan on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Yan, Patricia) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by William Hughes on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Hughes, William) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Sophia Lin Lakin on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Lakin, Sophia) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Theresa J Lee on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Lee, Theresa) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Priyanka Menon on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Menon, Priyanka) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

TEXT ORDER entered by Judge Colleen R. Lawless on 1/13/2026: Before the Court is a Notice of Appearance of Attorney by Priyanka Menon (Doc. 23 ). Pursuant to Local Rule 11.4(A)(2), "[d]ocuments signed by an attorney must be filed using that attorney's log-in and password; they may not be filed using a log-in and password of another attorney." The Notice of Appearance was filed using Priyanka Menon's log-in and password but is signed by Rebecca Glenberg. Therefore, the Clerk is directed to STRIKE the Notice of Appearance (Doc. 23 ). The Notice of Appearance, if refiled, must be done so using a signatory's log-in and password. (DW)

Order Striking/Vacating Document (NOT a motion)

Order Striking/Vacating Document

NOTICE of No Position re 7 MOTION to Intervene as Defendants, 24 MOTION to Intervene (Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Ami Gandhi on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Gandhi, Ami) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Aneel Lachman Chablani on behalf of Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd] (Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

NOTICE of Supplemental Authority re 24 MOTION to Intervene (Attachments: # 1 EXHIBIT 1, # 2 EXHIBIT 2)(Fee, Kevin) (Entered: 01/21/2026)

1 EXHIBIT 1

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2 EXHIBIT 2

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NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by David D. Vandenberg on behalf of United States of America (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 01/21/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Holly Berlin on behalf of Bernadette Matthews (Berlin, Holly) (Entered: 02/10/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Vikas Didwania on behalf of Bernadette Matthews (Didwania, Vikas) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Rules 12(b)(5) and 12(b)(6) by Defendant Bernadette Matthews. Responses due by 3/6/2026 (Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

MEMORANDUM in Support re 41 MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Rules 12(b)(5) and 12(b)(6) by Bernadette Matthews. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3 (Shockey Decl.), # 4 Exhibit 4)(Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

1 Exhibit 1

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2 Exhibit 2

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3 Exhibit 3 (Shockey Decl.)

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4 Exhibit 4

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MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 5 MOTION to Compel filed by Defendant Bernadette Matthews. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Weaver, Robert) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

1 Exhibit 1

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MOTION for Leave to File Motion to Dismiss and Response in Opposition to Motion to Compel by Intervenor Defendants Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers. Responses due by 3/6/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Proposed Response to Motion to Compel)(Grady, Sarah) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Motion to Dismiss

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2 Exhibit 2 - Proposed Response to Motion to Compel

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MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by Amicus Democratic National Committee. Responses due by 3/9/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1: Proposed Amicus Brief, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Freeman, Daniel) (Entered: 02/23/2026)

1 Exhibit 1: Proposed Amicus Brief

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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MEMORANDUM in Support re 45 MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by Democratic National Committee. (Freeman, Daniel) (Entered: 02/23/2026)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7.1 Disclosure Statement by Democratic National Committee. (Freeman, Daniel) (Entered: 02/23/2026)

ANSWER to 4 Complaint by Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers.(BMG) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

MOTION to Dismiss by Defendants Brian Beals [intvd], Common Cause [intvd], Alejandra L. Ibanez [intvd], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights [intvd], Pablo Mendoza [intvd]. Responses due by 3/16/2026. (BMG) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

Consent MOTION for Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae by Amicus Former Employees of the U.S. Department of Justice. Responses due by 3/16/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Brief of Amici Curiae, # 2 Proposed Order)(Yashar, Shawnna) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

1 Proposed Brief of Amici Curiae

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2 Proposed Order

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MEMORANDUM in Support re 50 Consent MOTION for Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae filed by Amicus Former Employees of the U.S. Department of Justice. (Yashar, Shawnna) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

Order on Motion to Intervene AND Order on Motion to Intervene

TEXT ORDER entered by Judge Colleen R. Lawless on 3/2/2026: Before the Court are two timely unopposed Motions to Intervene as Defendants. (Docs. 7, 24 ). Under Rule 24(b), a court may permit intervention if a party has "a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact," and doing so will not "unduly delay or prejudice the adjudication of the original parties' rights." Fed. R. Civ. P. 24(b). The Intervenors have established they have "a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact," and this Court finds intervention at this early stage will not "unduly delay or prejudice the adjudication." Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 24(b), Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, and Illinois Federation of Teachers' Motion to Intervene as Defendants, (Doc. 7 ), and Common Cause, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Brian Beals, Pablo Mendoza, and Alejandra L. Ibaez's Motion to Intervene as Defendants, (Doc. 24 ), are hereby GRANTED. The Clerk is DIRECTED to file the proposed Answer, (Doc. 8-4), and Motion to Dismiss, (Doc. 25-1), attached to the respective Intervenors' Memoranda in Support of their Motions to Intervene. (BMG)

Order on Motion to Intervene

Amicus Curiae APPEARANCE entered by Daniel Michael Kobrin on behalf of Maryland. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proposed Amicus Brief)(Kobrin, Daniel) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

MOTION to Amend/Correct Briefing Schedule for Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and Plaintiff's Motion to Compel by Defendant Bernadette Matthews. Responses due by 3/19/2026 (Berlin, Holly) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

AMICUS BRIEF by Democratic National Committee. (DW) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE by Former Employees of the U.S. Department of Justice. (DW) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

MOTION to Dismiss by Intervenor Defendants Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers. Responses due by 3/26/2026 (DW) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION to 5 MOTION to Compel filed by Intervenor Defendants Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois Federation of Teachers. (DW) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

Order on Motion for Leave to File AND Order on Motion for Leave to File AND Order on Motion for Leave to File

Order on Motion for Leave to File

TEXT ORDER entered by Judge Colleen R. Lawless on 3/12/2026: Before the Court are two Motions to File Amici Briefs filed by the Democratic National Committee and Former Employees of the U.S. Department of Justice, (Docs. 45 and 50 ), and a Motion filed by Intervenor Defendants Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, and Illinois Federation of Teachers for Leave to File a Motion to Dismiss and a Response to Motion to Compel, (Doc. 44 ). All three motions are GRANTED for the reasons stated therein. The Democratic National Committee and Former Employees of the U.S. Department of Justice are to be designated as Amici Curiae and the clerk is DIRECTED to file their Amici briefs. (Docs. 45-1, 50-1). The clerk is further DIRECTED to file the proposed Motion to Dismiss, (Doc. 44-1), and Response to the Motion to Compel, (Doc. 44-2), attached to Intervenor Defendants' Motion. (DW)

Miscellaneous Relief

1 Text of Proposed Order [Proposed Order] Granting Intervenor's Motion to Str

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