Richards v. AOL Media, LLC
| Thomas Richards |
| AOL Media, LLC |
| 1:2025cv02448 |
| December 23, 2025 |
| U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia |
| Ivan D Davis |
| Patricia Tolliver Giles |
| Civil Rights: Other |
| 05 U.S.C. § 552 Right to Privacy Act |
| Plaintiff |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on May 18, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
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Filing 55
ORDERED that this case is dismissed. Plaintiff has a right to appeal this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. To do so he must file a notice of appeal with the Clerk of this Court within thirty (30) days of the date of entry of this Order. A notice of appeal is a short statement indicating a desire to appeal, including the date of the order Plaintiff wants to appeal. Plaintiff need not explain the grounds for appeal until so directed by the United Stales Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to file a timely notice of appeal waives Plaintiff's right to appeal this decision. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 05/18/2026. (Agil, )
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Filing 54
ORDERED that Plaintiff SHOW CAUSE within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order why this ease should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 4/27/2026. (wgar, ) Modified on 4/30/2026 to correct spacing. (Agil, ).
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Filing 53
ORDER that the hearing for 03/12/2026, at 10:00 a.m. is TERMINATED and will be reset at a later date. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 03/05/26. (pmil, )
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| Motion Hearing set for 3/12/2026 at 10:00 AM in Alexandria Courtroom 801 before District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles as to #49 MOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint. (dzir) |
| Filing 52 Roseboro Notice as to Plaintiff Thomas Richards by AOL Media, LLC (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 51 Notice of Hearing Date set for March 12, 2026 re #49 MOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 50 Memorandum in Support re #49 MOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit 1 (2017 Terms of Service), #2 Exhibit 2 (2018 Terms of Service), #3 Exhibit 3 (2026 Terms of Service))(Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 49 MOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Spears, Brooks) |
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Filing 48
ORDERED that:1. The Motion to Withdraw as Counsel (Dkt. 47) is GRANTED.2. Lisa Weingarten Richards is relieved of all further duties and responsibilities as counsel for Plaintiff Thomas Richards in this matter. 3. Plaintiff Thomas Richards shall have thirty (30) days from the date of this Order to retain substitute counsel or to notify the Court in writing of his intention to proceed pro se.4. Plaintiff Thomas Richards shall file a notice with the Court providing a current address for service of all future communications within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 2/10/2026. (dvanm)
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| Filing 47 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit, #2 Exhibit)(Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 46 AMENDED COMPLAINT against AOL Media, LLC, filed by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit, #2 Exhibit, #3 Exhibit, #4 Exhibit, #5 Exhibit, #6 Exhibit, #7 Exhibit, #8 Exhibit, #9 Exhibit, #10 Exhibit, #11 Exhibit, #12 Exhibit, #13 Exhibit, #14 Exhibit, #15 Exhibit, #16 Exhibit, #17 Exhibit, #18 Exhibit, #19 Exhibit, #20 Exhibit)(Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 45 REPLY to Response to Motion re #37 MOTION for Leave to File attached supplemental brief re: arbitration filed by Thomas Richards. (Richards, Lisa) |
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Filing 44
ORDER that Lisa Weingarten Richards is DIRECTED to provide the Court with the specific reason why she has been and continues to be unable to appear. Ms. Richards is also DIRECTED to provide any supporting documentation to the Court by Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The submission may be submitted to the Court for in-camera review; the January 30, 2026 hearing is TERMINATED. The hearing will be rescheduled, if necessary after the Court reviews Ms. Richards's submission (see Order for details). Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 01/29/26. (pmil, )
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| Filing 43 NOTICE by Thomas Richards re #40 Order to Show Cause, school closure due to weather (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 42 NOTICE by Thomas Richards re #41 Response, #40 Order to Show Cause, (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 41 Response to Order to Show Cause in re #40 ORDER, filed by Thomas Richards. (Richards, Lisa) |
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Filing 40
ORDER that on Friday, 01/30/2026, at 10:00 a.m., Lisa Weingarten Richards is DIRECTED to appear before the Court to show cause as to why counsel should not be held in contempt for failure to appear at the 01/23/2026 hearing. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 01/23/26. (pmil, )
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| Filing 39 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles: Motion Hearing held on 1/23/2026.No Appearance of Counsel for Plaintiff and Appearance of Counsel for Defendant.Matter called. No appearance of counsel for Plaintiff. The Court discusses the intent to decide the matter on the papers with Defendant's counsel. No Objection of the Defendant.A Show Cause will issue as to non-appearance of Plaintiff's counsel.Order to Enter/Follow.RE: #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Thomas Richards, #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue filed by AOL Media, LLC. Court Reporter: S. Wallace (pmil, ) |
| Filing 38 RESPONSE in Opposition re #37 MOTION for Leave to File attached supplemental brief re: arbitration filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 37 MOTION for Leave to File attached supplemental brief re: arbitration by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Supplement supplemental brief)(Richards, Lisa) |
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Filing 36
ORDER that the Court will hold the hearing on Pltf's #2 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Deft's #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue as scheduled on Friday, 01/23/2026 at 10:00 a.m. (see Order for details) Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 01/22/26. (pmil, )
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| Filing 35 NOTICE by Thomas Richards re #34 Order on Motion to Continue Regarding Counsel's Unexpected Unavailability (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 33 Opposition to #32 MOTION to Continue Jan 23 hearing filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Spears, Brooks) |
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Filing 34
ORDER that the #32 Motion to Continue is DENIED (see Order for details). Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 01/21/26. (pmil, )
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| Filing 32 MOTION to Continue Jan 23 hearing by Thomas Richards. (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 31 RESPONSE in Support re #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 30 RESPONSE in Support re #21 MOTION to Dismiss filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Spears, Brooks) |
| Reset Deadlines as to #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, #4 MOTION re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, #6 MOTION re #4 MOTION re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, #12 Emergency MOTION for Reconsideration re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, #11 Order, #10 NOTICE This is Moot if Not Ruled on Today, #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue, #21 MOTION to Dismiss. Motion Hearing set for 1/23/2026 at 10:00 AM before District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles. (pmil, ) |
| Filing 29 Withdrawal of Motion by Thomas Richards re #6 MOTION re #4 MOTION re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order , #18 Memorandum in Opposition (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 28 RESPONSE in Opposition re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order , #21 MOTION to Dismiss , #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue filed by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit, #2 Exhibit, #3 Exhibit, #4 Exhibit, #5 Exhibit)(Richards, Lisa) |
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Filing 27
ORDER denying #25 MOTION Request to appear remotely. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 1/14/2026. (kgall)
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| Filing 26 NOTICE by AOL Media, LLC of Clarification of the Purported "Consent" Motion for Remote Appearance Filed by Plaintiff (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 25 MOTION Request to appear remotely for Jan 23 hearing re Set Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Richards, Lisa) |
| Motion Hearing set for 1/23/2026 at 08:30 AM in Alexandria Courtroom 801 before District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles as to #19 MOTION to Compel and #21 MOTION to Dismiss. (dzir) |
| Filing 24 Financial Interest Disclosure Statement (Local Rule 7.1) by AOL Media, LLC. (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 23 Notice of Hearing Date set for January 23, 2026 re #21 MOTION to Dismiss , #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 22 Memorandum in Support re #21 MOTION to Dismiss filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit 1 (Loudoun Circuit Court Complaint), #2 Exhibit 2 (December 17, 2025 Order), #3 Exhibit 3 (Motion for Reconsideration), #4 Exhibit 4 (Petition for Review), #5 Exhibit 5 (December 22, 2025 Order), #6 Exhibit 6 (January 2, 2026 Order), #7 Exhibit 7 (Petition for Rehearing), #8 Exhibit 8 (January 7, 2026 Order), #9 Exhibit 9 (Brunschweiger Declaration), #10 Exhibit 10 (Gurwin Declaration), #11 Exhibit 11 (2017 Terms of Service))(Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 21 MOTION to Dismiss by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 20 Memorandum in Support re #19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit 1 (2017 Terms of Service), #2 Exhibit 2 (2018 Terms of Service), #3 Exhibit 3 (2026 Terms of Service), #4 Exhibit 4 (Attorney Correspondence))(Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 19 MOTION to Compel Arbitration or, Alternatively, to Transfer Venue by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 18 Memorandum in Opposition re #6 MOTION re #4 MOTION re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order (Spoilation Motion) filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 17 Memorandum in Opposition re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction filed by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit 1 (Brunschweiger Declaration), #2 Exhibit 2 (Gurwin Declaration), #3 Exhibit 3 (Attorney Correspondence))(Spears, Brooks) |
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Filing 16
ORDER that the Court GRANTS the parties' #15 Joint Motion and ORDERS as follows: The Court shall hold a hearing to address all pending motions on Friday, January 23 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Plaintiffs motion for preliminary injunction will be decided based solely on the briefs, declarations, and arguments of counsel, and there shall be no liye testimony (see Order for details). Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 01/07/26. (pmil, )
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| Set Deadlines as to #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, #4 MOTION re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, #6 MOTION re #4 MOTION re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order. Motion Hearing set for 1/23/2026 at 08:30 AM in Alexandria Courtroom 801 before District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles. (pmil, ) |
| Filing 15 Joint MOTION For Entry of Proposed Order Regarding Motions by AOL Media, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Spears, Brooks) |
| Filing 14 NOTICE by Thomas Richards re #12 Emergency MOTION for Reconsideration re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order , #11 Order, #10 NOTICE This is Moot if Not Ruled on Today, #13 NOTICE, #11 Order Supplement to Motion for Reconsideration (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 13 NOTICE by Thomas Richards re #12 Emergency MOTION for Reconsideration re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order , #11 Order, #10 NOTICE This is Moot if Not Ruled on Today Exhibits for the Motion for Reconsideration (Attachments: #1 Exhibit Exhibit A - AOL new privacy policy, #2 Exhibit Exhibit B - AOL new FAQs)(Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 12 Emergency MOTION for Reconsideration re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order , #11 Order, #10 NOTICE This is Moot if Not Ruled on Today by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order Proposed Order for Reconsideration and TRO)(Richards, Lisa) |
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Filing 11
ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer on an agreed upon date and notice a hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction for a Thursday after January 8, 2026. Signed by District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles on 12/30/2025. (jlan)
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| Filing 10 NOTICE by Thomas Richards re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order TRO is moot if not ruled on by tomorrow (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 9 SUMMONS Returned Executed by Thomas Richards AOL Media, LLC served on 12/29/2025, answer due 1/20/2026 (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 8 Summons Issued as to AOL Media, LLC. NOTICE TO ATTORNEY: Please remove the headers and print two duplexed copies of the electronically issued summons for each Defendant. Please serve one copy of the summons and a copy of the Complaint upon each Defendant. Please ensure that your process server returns the service copy (executed or unexecuted) to your attention and electronically file it using the filing events, Summons Returned Executed or Summons Returned Unexecuted. (Attachments: #1 Notice to Attorney)(wgar, ) |
| Filing 7 Memorandum Proposed Order to #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Thomas Richards. (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 6 Plaintiff's AMENDED Emergency Motion for Preservation Order and For Sanctions for Spoliation of Evidence by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Affidavit Declaration of Lisa Richards, #2 Proposed Order Proposed Order, #3 Exhibit Exhibit A - AOL Prior Privacy Policy, #4 Exhibit Exhibit B - Metadata shows Privacy Policy was obtained Nov 27 25, #5 Exhibit Exhibit C - page now shows 403 forbidden error, #6 Exhibit Exhibit D - browsing history shows change from searchable to 403 error)(Richards, Lisa) Modified on 12/29/2025 to correct docket text (wgar, ). |
| Filing 5 Proposed Summons by Thomas Richards (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 4 Emergency Motion for Sanctions for Spoliation of Evidence and for Emergency Preservation Order in re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Affidavit Declaration of Lisa Richards)(Richards, Lisa) Modified on 12/23/2025 to correct docket text (wgar, ). |
| Filing 3 Declaration re #2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Thomas Richards. (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Thomas Richards. (Richards, Lisa) |
| Filing 1 Complaint ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AVAEDC-10668119.), filed by Thomas Richards. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Exhibit privacy policy from 2017 - wayback machine, #3 Exhibit privacy policy from 2017 - 403 errors today)(Richards, Lisa) |
| Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles and Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis. (wgar, ) |
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| Plaintiff: Thomas Richards | |
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| Defendant: AOL Media, LLC | |
| Represented By: | Brooks Holton Spears |
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