This column reports on several recent significant decisions from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Judge Natasha C. Merle dismissed claims based on res judicata. Judge Frederic Block granted a motion for a new trial due to an excessive damage award. And Judge Brian M. Cogan dismissed qui tam claims under the False Claims Act for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Dismissal of FOIA Claims Based on Res Judicata

In Mermelstein v. U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, 23 CV 6779 (EDNY, Aug. 21, 2024), Merle granted defendant's motion to dismiss plaintiff's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) claims based on res judicata.