Case: United States v. Thomas

The United States of America v. Thomas

COMPLAINT against Stephanie Thomas, filed by USA. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Supplement Attachment to Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Supplement Summons)(Bennett, Brittany) Modified on 1/6/2026 to correct party name (Hushin, Z.). (Entered: 01/06/2026)

1 Supplement Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Supplement Attachment to Civil Cover Sheet

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3 Supplement Summons

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Notice: Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7.1(b), a disclosure statement required under Rule 7.1(a) must be filed with a party's first appearance, pleading, petition, motion, response, or other request addressed to the Court and must be supplemented if any required information changes during the case. Signed by Clerk on 1/6/26.(Hushin, Z.) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Order on Pretrial Deadlines: Amended Pleadings due by 3/7/2026 Discovery due by 7/8/2026 Dispositive Motions due by 8/12/2026 Signed by Clerk on 1/6/2026.(Freberg, B) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

ELECTRONIC FILING ORDER FOR COUNSEL - PLEASE ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH COURTESY COPY REQUIREMENTS IN THIS ORDER Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on 1/6/2026.(Freberg, B) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Standing Protective Order Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on 1/6/2026.(Freberg, B) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Notice of Option to Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction.(Freberg, B) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Notice to Counsel and Litigants Regarding AI-Assisted Research: Attorneys and pro se litigants alike should exercise great caution in submitting any AI-generated language in filings before the Court. Use of AI without verification of the accuracy of the information it generates like any other shoddy research method from other sources or tools implicates Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, the central purpose of which is to deter baseless filings in district court and thus to streamline the administration and procedure of the federal courts. Rule 11 applies fully to actions filed by pro se litigants.Therefore, all parties are on notice that the Court has a no-tolerance policy for any briefing (AI-assisted or not) that hallucinates legal propositions or otherwise severely misstates the law. Such filings will often result in sanctions absent reasonable excuse. See generally Willis v. U.S. Bank Nat'l Ass'n et al, No. 3:25-CV-516-BN, 2025 WL 1408897 (N.D. Tex. May 15, 2025). Signed by Clerk on 1/6/2026.(Freberg, B) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

NEW Case Assignment

Request to Issue Summons

Notice re: Disclosure Statement

Case Assignment

Request for Clerk to issue summons as to Stephanie Thomas. (Hushin, Z.)

CASE ASSIGNMENT: District Judge Kari A. Dooley assigned to the case. If the District Judge issues an Order of Referral to a Magistrate Judge for any matter other than settlement, the matter will be referred to Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish. (Oliver, T.)

ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 and LR 4 as to *Stephanie Thomas* with answer to complaint due within *21* days. Attorney *Brittany Bennett* *DOJ-crt* *950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW* *Washington, D.C. 20579*. (Freberg, B) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

MOTION to Compel Production of Records pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1960 by USA.Responses due by 1/28/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit Letter to SOS, # 3 Exhibit Response Letter from SOS, # 4 Exhibit Letter to SOS, # 5 Exhibit Response Letter from SOS, # 6 Supplement Declaration of Eric Neff, # 7 Exhibit South Carolina Order, # 8 Text of Proposed Order)(Bennett, Brittany) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Notice re: AI-Assisted Research

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. See attached. A Show Cause Hearing is set for January 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom Two, 915 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT before Judge Kari A. Dooley. Show Cause Response due by 1/20/2026. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on January 8, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by William M. Bloss on behalf of Seiu District 1199NE, Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino (Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

MOTION to Intervene by Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE.Responses due by 1/30/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D)(Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Disclosure Statement by Seiu District 1199NE. (Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Disclosure Statement 7.1 by Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans. (Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Disclosure Statement 7.1 by Connecticut Citizen Action Group. (Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

ORDER: On January 9, 2026, Proposed Intervenors Seiu District 1199NE, Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, and Bette Marafino collectively filed a Motion to Intervene in this matter, pursuant to Rule 24 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff is directed to file a response to the 12 Motion to Intervene on or before January 16, 2026. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on January 9, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Order

MOTION for Attorney(s) David R. Fox to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $200 PHV fee; receipt number ACTDC-8461751) by Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

MOTION for Attorney(s) Tori A. Shaw to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $200 PHV fee; receipt number ACTDC-8461832) by Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

MOTION for Attorney(s) Marisa A. O'Gara to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $200 PHV fee; receipt number ACTDC-8461842) by Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Bloss, William) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by USA. Stephanie Thomas served on 1/12/2026, answer due 2/2/2026. (Bennett, Brittany) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by USA. (Bennett, Brittany) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

RESPONSE re 12 MOTION to Intervene, 16 Order, filed by USA. (Bennett, Brittany) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

ORDER granting 12 Motion to Intervene. Plaintiff having advised the Court that it takes no position thereon, see ECF No. 22, the 12 Motion to Intervene is hereby GRANTED absent objection. Intervenors shall join in the briefing schedule set forth in the Court's 10 Order to Show Cause and file an opposition to the 9 Motion to Compel on or before January 20, 2026. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on January 13, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

ORDER granting 17 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Attorney David R. Fox ; granting 18 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Tori A. Shaw ; granting 19 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Marisa A. O'Gara. Signed by Clerk on 1/13/2026. (Fanelle, N.) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Rondon on behalf of Stephanie Thomas (Rondon, Michael) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Blake Thomas Sullivan on behalf of Stephanie Thomas (Sullivan, Blake) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

MOTION for Extension of Time until February 27, 2026 to Respond to the Complaint and the Court's Order to Show Cause (ECF No. 1, 10) by Stephanie Thomas. (Rondon, Michael) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

Order on Motion to Intervene

Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice

NOTICE of Appearance by David Robert Fox on behalf of Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE (Fox, David) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Marisa O'Gara on behalf of Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE (O'Gara, Marisa) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

ORDER granting 27 Motion for Extension of Time. Defendant seeks an extension of time to respond to the 1 Complaint and the Court's 10 Order to Show Cause. Defendant's request is GRANTED over Plaintiff's objection, the Court finding de minimis prejudice to Plaintiff and good cause having been demonstrated by Defendant. Defendant shall respond to the Complaint and the Order to Show Cause on or before February 27, 2026. The same briefing schedule shall apply to the Intervenor-Defendants. Plaintiff shall file any reply brief(s) on or before March 13, 2026. Though Defendant has not specifically sought to continue the Show Cause hearing presently set for January 29, 2026, see ECF No. 10, the Court sua sponte adjourns such hearing to March 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM. A separate calendar shall enter.The Court further observes that, based upon the limited filings to date, it appears to the Court that the parties disagree as to the appropriate procedural posture of this case. Although Plaintiff commenced this matter with the filing of a Complaint, it is unclear to the undersigned why a Complaint was filed at all. Whether the Court ultimately accepts the scope and limitations of the Voting Rights Act as set forth in Kennedy v. Lynd, 306 F.2d 222(5th Cir. 1962), it is this Court's view that the Voting Rights Act gives the district court jurisdiction to receive and adjudicate applications by the Attorney General seeking to enforce the disclosure obligations provided for therein. The Voting Rights Act is akin, for example, to 28 U.S.C Section 1782, which authorizes the district court to adjudicate disputes over discovery sought in aid of foreign and international tribunals. Whether this case is ultimately adjudicated in connection with the 1 Complaint or the 9 Motion to Compel, it is the Court's expectation that the dispute shall be fully briefed followed by a hearing at which oral argument shall be had. Thereafter, the Court will decide the issues presented as may be necessary to a resolution of this matter. If the parties are of a different view as to the procedural path forward in this litigation, they shall include such positions in their briefing. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on January 14, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

NOTICE OF E-FILED CALENDAR: THIS IS THE ONLY NOTICE COUNSEL/THE PARTIES WILL RECEIVE. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE MUST PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. RESET FROM January 29, 2026. The Show Cause Hearing previously set for January 29, 2026, see ECF No. 10, is hereby RESET for March 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom Two, 915 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT before Judge Kari A. Dooley. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Tori Shaw on behalf of Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE (Shaw, Tori) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

Calendar Entry

Order on Motion for Extension of Time

NOTICE amending 30 ORDER: It has come to the Court's attention that the Order at ECF No. 30 incorrectly references the "Voting Rights Act" as providing the Court with jurisdiction to adjudicate the application made by the Attorney General in this case. See ECF No. 30. However, the Complaint and the Motion to Compel each invoke Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960, 52 U.S.C. Section 20701, et seq., not the Voting Rights Act of 1965. See ECF Nos. 1, 9. With apologies, ECF No. 30 is hereby amended to reflect the Court's understanding that Plaintiff has invoked the Civil Rights Act of 1960, not the Voting Rights Act as erroneously indicated. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on January 15, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

Notice

NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph Purpura Gaylin on behalf of Claire Ewing, Common Cause (Gaylin, Joseph) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

MOTION to Intervene by Common Cause, Claire Ewing.Responses due by 2/17/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4)(Gaylin, Joseph) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

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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Disclosure Statement 7.1 by Common Cause. (Gaylin, Joseph) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Dan Barrett on behalf of Common Cause, Claire Ewing (Barrett, Dan) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph Purpura Gaylin on behalf of Common Cause, Claire Ewing AMENDED (Gaylin, Joseph) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Jaclyn Marie Blickley on behalf of Common Cause, Claire Ewing (Blickley, Jaclyn) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

ORDER granting 35 Motion to Intervene. Plaintiff having not opposed intervention, see ECF No. 35 at 7 n.1, the 35 Motion to Intervene is hereby GRANTED absent objection. Intervenors Claire Ewing and Common Cause shall join in the briefing schedule set forth at ECF No. 30. It is so ordered. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on January 29, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

Order on Motion to Intervene

MOTION for Attorney(s) William Hughes, Theresa J. Lee, Sophia Lin Lakin, Patricia Yan to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $800 PHV fee; receipt number ACTDC-8484717) by Common Cause, Claire Ewing. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit William Hughes, # 2 Affidavit Theresa J. Lee, # 3 Affidavit Sophia Lin Lakin, # 4 Affidavit Patricia Yan)(Gaylin, Joseph) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

1 Affidavit William Hughes

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2 Affidavit Theresa J. Lee

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3 Affidavit Sophia Lin Lakin

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4 Affidavit Patricia Yan

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ORDER granting 41 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Attorneys William Hughes, Theresa J. Lee, Sophia Lin Lakin, Patricia Yan. Certificates of Good Standing due by 4/3/2026. Signed by Clerk on 2/2/2026. (Fanelle, N.) (Entered: 02/02/2026)

Order on Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice

NOTICE of Appearance by Theresa J. Lee on behalf of Common Cause, Claire Ewing (Lee, Theresa) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING re 41 MOTION for Attorney(s) William Hughes, Theresa J. Lee, Sophia Lin Lakin, Patricia Yan to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice (paid $800 PHV fee; receipt number ACTDC-8484717) by Common Cause, Claire Ewing. (Lee, Theresa) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

MOTION for Marisa A. O'Gara to Withdraw as Attorney by Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Bette Marafino, Seiu District 1199NE. (Bloss, William) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

ORDER granting 45 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney, for the reasons identified therein. Attorney Marisa O'Gara terminated. The Court observes that Local Rule 7(e) generally contemplates that the attorney seeking to withdraw files the motion on his or her own behalf. Signed by Judge Kari A. Dooley on February 9, 2026. (Spears, A.) (Entered: 02/09/2026)

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney