Case: United States v. Hobbs

3:25-cv-06078 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: Dec. 2, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case involved a suit filed by the Attorney General of the United States against the Secretary of State for the State of Washington seeking to compel Washington’s statewide voter registration list, which includes sensitive personal information. Here are all of the DOJ Voter Data lawsuits in the Clearinghouse collection. The U.S. Attorney General, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), claimed authority to compel the statewide voter registration list under the National Voter Regi…

The U.S. Attorney General, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), claimed authority to compel the statewide voter registration list under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA). Both the NVRA and HAVA require States to maintain and preserve certain records and papers relating to elections that fall within the scope of Section 301 of Title III of the CRA. Section 301 of the CRA requires state election officials to “retain and preserve … all records and papers which come into [their] possession relating to any application, registration, payment of poll tax, or other act requisite to voting in such election.” Section 303 of the CRA provides that such records “shall, upon demand in writing by the Attorney General … be made available for inspection, reproduction, and copying at the principal office of such custodian by the Attorney General or his representative….”

Based on this authority, the DOJ sent a letter to the Washington Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, on September 8, 2025, seeking information regarding Washington’s compliance with federal election law, including the state’s voter registration list and accompanying information on each registered voter: full name, date of birth, residential address, state driver’s license number, and the last four digits of the registrant’s social security number. When Secretary Hobbs declined to provide the information, citing Washington state privacy law, the DOJ brought suit against Secretary Hobbs in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on December 2, 2025. The case was assigned to Judge S. Kate Vaughan.

In the complaint, the DOJ alleged that the CRA granted “sweeping power to obtain [the requested records.” Further, DOJ argued that if the custodian to whom the written demand is made refuses to comply, the CRA allows the DOJ to “request a Federal court to issue an order directing the officer of election to produce the demanded records.” Relying on Kennedy v. Lynd, 306 F.2d 222, 226 (5th Cir. 1962) and In re Gordon, 218 F. Supp. 826, 826-27 (S.D. Miss. 1963), the DOJ further argued that the reviewing court does not adjudicate “the factual foundation for, or the sufficiency of, the Attorney General’s ‘statement of the basis and the purpose’ contained in the written demand” or “the scope of the order to produce.”

In relief, the DOJ sought a declaration that Secretary Hobbs’s refusal violated Title III of the CRA, and an order compelling Secretary Hobbs to provide Washington’s statewide voter registration list, “with all fields.”

On December 10, 2025, Common Power, a civic engagement and voter mobilization organization in Seattle sought to intervene as a defendant “to preserve the privacy rights of its constituents, including its staff and volunteers, prevent disclosure of sensitive personal information to DOJ, and protect its own mission-critical efforts to empower communities worried about retaliation and scrutiny by the federal government.” The motion was terminated by the court without prejudice on January 13, 2026, pending proof of service of this action on Defendant Secretary Hobbs.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Madena Mustafa (2/12/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71982380/parties/united-states-v-hobbs/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Neff, Eric (Washington)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Khanna, Abha (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Neff, Eric (Washington)

Other

Khanna, Abha (Washington)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 3:25-cv-06078	Complaint The United States of America v. Hobbs	Dec. 2, 2025	Dec. 2, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71982380/united-states-v-hobbs/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:19 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Dec. 2, 2025	COMPLAINT against defendant(s) Secretary of State of Washington Attorney Eric Neff added to party United States(pty:pla) filed by United States. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Proposed Summons, # 3 Proposed Order Motion to Produce Records and Memorandum in Support, # 4 Proposed Order Proposed Order to Produce Records, # 5 Exhibit Declaration Plus Exhibits in Support of Motion)(Neff, Eric) (No Fee Required) (Entered: 12/02/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet Cover Sheet View on RECAP 2 Summons Proposed Summons View on RECAP 3 Proposed Order Motion to Produce Records and Memorandum in Support View on RECAP 4 Proposed Order Proposed Order to Produce Records View on RECAP 5 Exhibit Declaration Plus Exhibits in Support of Motion View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
2	Dec. 2, 2025	Notice of Filing Deficiency re 1 Complaint,. *Action Required* Pro Hac Vice Admission.See attached letter for more information and instructions. (BKP) (Entered: 12/02/2025)	RECAP
3	Dec. 2, 2025	Summons Electronically Issued as to defendants Steve Hobbs. (BKP) (Entered: 12/02/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 2, 2025	Add and Terminate Judges
	Dec. 2, 2025	Note re compliance with LCR 83.2 - Attorney Appearance and With
	Dec. 2, 2025	Note re compliance with LCR 83.2
	Dec. 2, 2025	Hon. S. Kate Vaughan added. (BKP)
	Dec. 2, 2025	NOTE: Document 1 was filed incorrectly/improperly. Appearance of attorney Riordan and Neff is not proper, and notices of electronic filing will not be sent until corrected. Signatures must be in accordance with FRCP 11 and LCR 83.2(a) and must comply with ECF Filing Procedures. (BKP)
	Dec. 2, 2025	DISREGARD, see corrected Notice at Dkt 4 NOTE: Document 1 was filed incorrectly/improperly. Appearance of attorney Riordan and Neff is not proper, and notices of electronic filing will not be sent until corrected. Signatures must be in accordance with FRCP 11 and LCR 83.2(a) and must comply with ECF Filing Procedures. (BKP) Modified on 12/3/2025 to strike, corrected notice filed (CDA).
4	Dec. 3, 2025	Notice of Filing Deficiency re 1 Complaint,. *Action Required* Improper Signature, Attorney Admission.See attached letter for more information and instructions. cc Attorney Riordan via ad hoc(CDA) Modified on 12/3/2025 strike cc information as no email found for Attorney Riordan (CDA). (Entered: 12/03/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 3, 2025	Notice of Docket Text Modification
	Dec. 3, 2025	NOTICE of Docket Text Modification re Note re compliance with LCR 83.2 stricken per corrected notice at dkt re 4 Case/IFP Deficiency Letter. No email found for Attorney Riordan for service of Dkt 4 . (CDA)
5	Dec. 9, 2025	Notice of Filing Deficiency re Proposed Motion attached at 1 Complaint. *Action Required*See attached letter for more information and instructions. (BKP) (Entered: 12/09/2025)	RECAP
6	Dec. 10, 2025	MOTION to Intervene Common Power's Motion to Intervene as Defendant Attorney Abha Khanna added to party Common Power(pty:mov), filed by Movant Common Power. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer, # 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Charles Douglas III, # 3 Corporate Disclosure Statement, # 4 Proposed Order) Noting Date 12/31/2025, (Khanna, Abha) (Entered: 12/10/2025) 1 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Charles Douglas III View on PACER 3 Corporate Disclosure Statement View on PACER 4 Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
7	Jan. 13, 2026	MINUTE ORDER (text only) made at the direction of the Hon. S. Kate Vaughan. The 6 Motion to Intervene is TERMINATED without prejudice to refile upon proof of service of this action on Defendant Steve Hobbs. (SNP) (Entered: 01/13/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 13, 2026	2 - Minute Order AND ~Util - Terminate Motions
8	March 10, 2026	ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by Hon. S. Kate Vaughan. Plaintiff shall file proof of timely service upon Defendant or show cause as to why this matter should not be dismissed by March 17, 2026. (AQ) (Entered: 03/10/2026)	RECAP
9	March 17, 2026	SERVICE OF SUMMONS and Complaint returned executed upon defendant All Defendants (Neff, Eric) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
10	March 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Karl David Smith on behalf of Defendant Steve Hobbs. (Smith, Karl) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
11	March 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Cristina Sepe on behalf of Defendant Steve Hobbs. (Sepe, Cristina) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
12	March 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Kelly A. Paradis on behalf of Defendant Steve Hobbs. (Paradis, Kelly) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
13	March 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Tera M Heintz on behalf of Defendant Steve Hobbs. (Heintz, Tera) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
14	March 17, 2026	NOTICE Defendant Sec.of State Hobbs Notice Related to Court's Order to Show Cause re 8 Order to Show Cause ; filed by Defendant Steve Hobbs. (Heintz, Tera) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	RECAP
15	March 18, 2026	NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT TO A US MAGISTRATE JUDGE AND DECLINATION OF CONSENT FORM. Each party will be deemed to have knowingly and voluntarily consented to proceed before a Magistrate Judge if this form is not returned by 3/25/2026. Please Note: Forms must not be electronically filed with the Court. (SNP) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	RECAP
16	March 18, 2026	ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by Hon. S. Kate Vaughan. Show Cause Response due by 3/23/2026. (SNP) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	RECAP
17	March 23, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Kristin Berger Johnson on behalf of Plaintiff United States of America. (Johnson, Kristin) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
18	March 23, 2026	RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by Plaintiff United States of America re: 16 Order to Show Cause (Johnson, Kristin) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
19	March 23, 2026	DECLARATION of Eric Neff in Support of the United States Response to the Order to Show Cause re 18 Response to Order to Show Cause by Plaintiff United States of America (Johnson, Kristin) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP
20	March 26, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney John Casali on behalf of Plaintiff United States of America. (Casali, John) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	RECAP
21	March 26, 2026	MINUTE ORDER REASSIGNING CASE by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. Case reassigned to District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson for all further proceedings. Hon. S. Kate Vaughan no longer assigned to case. (SNP) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	RECAP
22	March 26, 2026	ORDER LIFTING ORDERS TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court LIFTS the orders to show cause (Dkt. Nos. 8, 16 ). And because Plaintiff has now filed proof of service on Defendant, the motion to intervene previously stricken may be re-filed. See Dkt. Nos. 6, 7 . Signed by District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. (APH) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	RECAP
23	March 30, 2026	MOTION to Intervene Attorney Abha Khanna added to party Washington Alliance for Retired Americans(pty:mov), filed by Movants Common Power, Washington Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer, # 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Charles Douglas III, # 3 Exhibit C - Declaration of Jacelyn Boschok, # 4 Corporate Disclosure Statement, # 5 Proposed Order) Noting Date 4/20/2026, (Khanna, Abha) (Entered: 03/30/2026) 1 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer View on PACER 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Charles Douglas III View on PACER 3 Exhibit C - Declaration of Jacelyn Boschok View on PACER 4 Corporate Disclosure Statement View on PACER 5 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
24	March 30, 2026	STANDING ORDER REGARDING 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(2) AND CANON 3(C)(1)(B) OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UNITED STATES JUDGES Signed by District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. (DS) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
25	March 30, 2026	ORDER REGARDING CHAMBERS PROCEDURES IN CIVIL CASES Signed by District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. (DS) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
26	March 30, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Tyler Bishop on behalf of Movants Common Power, Washington Alliance for Retired Americans. (Bishop, Tyler) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
27	March 30, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Walker Roy McKusick on behalf of Movants Common Power, Washington Alliance for Retired Americans. (McKusick, Walker) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	RECAP
28	March 30, 2026	MOTION to Intervene Attorney Amanda J Beane added to party Common Cause(pty:dft), Attorney Amanda J Beane added to party Washington Conservation Action Education Fund(pty:dft), filed by Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A- Declaration of Suzanne Almeida, # 2 Exhibit B- Declaration of Barbara Ewing, # 3 Exhibit C-Declaration of Christina Wong, # 4 Proposed Answer, # 5 Corporate Disclosure Statement of Washington Conservation Action Education Fund, # 6 Corporate Disclosure Statement of Common Cause, # 7 Proposed Order Granting Motion to Intervene) Noting Date 4/20/2026, (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 03/30/2026) 1 Exhibit A- Declaration of Suzanne Almeida View on PACER 2 Exhibit B- Declaration of Barbara Ewing View on PACER 3 Exhibit C-Declaration of Christina Wong View on PACER 4 Proposed Answer View on PACER 5 Corporate Disclosure Statement of Washington Conservation Action Education Fund View on PACER 6 Corporate Disclosure Statement of Common Cause View on PACER 7 Proposed Order Granting Motion to Intervene View on PACER	RECAP
29	April 7, 2026	MOTION to Compel Production of Records, filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order to Compel Production of Records) Noting Date 4/28/2026, (Casali, John) (Entered: 04/07/2026) 1 Proposed Order to Compel Production of Records View on PACER	RECAP
30	April 7, 2026	DECLARATION of Eric Neff filed by Plaintiff United States of America re 29 MOTION to Compel Production of Records (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit September 8 Letter, # 2 Exhibit September 23 Letter, # 3 Exhibit 2025 North Carolina Consent Judgement and Order, # 4 Exhibit 2008 Texas Memorandum of Understanding, # 5 Exhibit 2006 Georgia Compliant, # 6 Exhibit 2006 Georgia Consent Decree)(Casali, John) (Entered: 04/07/2026) 1 Exhibit September 8 Letter View on PACER 2 Exhibit September 23 Letter View on PACER 3 Exhibit 2025 North Carolina Consent Judgement and Order View on PACER 4 Exhibit 2008 Texas Memorandum of Understanding View on PACER 5 Exhibit 2006 Georgia Compliant View on PACER 6 Exhibit 2006 Georgia Consent Decree View on PACER	RECAP
31	April 7, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Alexis Grady FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9596146 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
32	April 7, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Robert Brent Ferguson FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9596271 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
33	April 7, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Daniel S. Lenz FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9596304 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
34	April 7, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Kate Hamilton FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9596341 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
35	April 7, 2026	ORDER re 31 32 Applications for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys Alexis D. Grady,Robert Brent Ferguson for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(PS) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
36	April 7, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Renata O'Donnell FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9596363 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
37	April 7, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Sejal Jhaveri FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9596400 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
38	April 7, 2026	ORDER re 33 34 Applications for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Kate Hamilton, Daniel S. Lenz for Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund, by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(PS) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
39	April 7, 2026	ORDER re 36 Applications for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys Sejal Jhaveri, Renata O'Donnell for Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund, by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(PS) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
40	April 7, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Raymond Yang on behalf of Plaintiff United States of America. (Yang, Raymond) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	RECAP
	April 7, 2026	Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
41	April 9, 2026	Stipulated MOTION and [Proposed] Order to Set Briefing Schedule and Word Limits, filed by Defendant Steve Hobbs. Noting Date 4/9/2026, (Smith, Karl) (Entered: 04/09/2026)	RECAP
42	April 10, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Patrick Berry FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9606860 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/10/2026)	RECAP
43	April 10, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Maura Eileen O'Connor FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9606877 (Beane, Amanda) (Entered: 04/10/2026)	RECAP
44	April 10, 2026	ORDER re 42 43 Applications for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Patrick Berry, Maura Eileen O'Connor for Defendants Common Cause, Washington Conservation Action Education Fund, by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(PS) (Entered: 04/10/2026)	RECAP
	April 10, 2026	Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
45	April 13, 2026	ORDER granting the Parties' 41 Stipulated MOTION and [Proposed] Order to Set Briefing Schedule and Word Limits. Any combined Motion to Dismiss and opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Compel due 5/11/2026. Plaintiff's combined reply on the Motion to Compel and opposition to Motion to Dismiss due 6/8/2026. Any reply on the Motion to Dismiss due 6/22/2026. The clerk is directed to RE-NOTE the motion to compel (Dkt. No. 29 ) for 6/8/2026. Signed by District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. (APH) (Entered: 04/13/2026)	RECAP
46	April 13, 2026	RESPONSE, by Defendant Steve Hobbs, to 28 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Amanda J Beane added to party Common Cause(pty:dft), Attorney Amanda J Beane added to party Washington Conservation Action Education Fund(pty:dft), 23 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Abha Khanna added to party Washington Alliance for Retired Americans(pty:mov). (Sepe, Cristina) (Entered: 04/13/2026)	RECAP
47	April 13, 2026	RESPONSE, by Plaintiff United States of America, to 28 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Amanda J Beane added to party Common Cause(pty:dft), Attorney Amanda J Beane added to party Washington Conservation Action Education Fund(pty:dft), 23 MOTION to Intervene Attorney Abha Khanna added to party Washington Alliance for Retired Americans(pty:mov). (Casali, John) (Entered: 04/13/2026)	RECAP
48	April 17, 2026	ORDER REGARDING INITIAL DISCLOSURES AND JOINT STATUS REPORT Signed by District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. FRCP 26(f) Conference Deadline is 5/8/2026, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 5/22/2026, Joint Status Report due by 5/29/2026. (DS) (Entered: 04/17/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Voting/Election Law

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 2, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States of America

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Secretary of State for the State of Washington

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 3:25-cv-06078

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Document/Information

Declaratory judgment

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Voting:

Access to Voter Rolls / Voter Information

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Hobbs, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47613/ (last updated 2/12/2026).