Los Angeles Times Communications LLC v. United States Department of Labor

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

Before the Court is a motion for summary judgment (“Motion”) brought by De fendant United States Department of Labor (the “DOL”) and a cross-motion for summary judgment (“Cross-Motion”) brought by Plaintiff Los Angeles Times Communications LLC (the “LA. Times”). The L.A. Times dutifully seeks information under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), and the DOL claims a FOIA exemption precluded further disclosure of what the L.A. Times seeks. After considering all the papers filed for this motion, including the moving, opposing, reply, supplemental, and responses to supplement papers, and the oral argument by the parties, the Court GRANTS the DOL’s Motion and DENIES the Cross-Motion of the L.A. Times.

BACKGROUND

The primary issue in this case is whether 5 U.S.C. section 552 (b)(6) (“Exemption 6”) authorizes the DOL to withhold information about civilian contractors who have been killed or injured while supporting Allied military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Defendants’ Combined Opposition to Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment and Reply Brief in Support of…