The United States filed suit against Gregory A. Darst in a case where Darst has pending motions for summary judgment and dismissal for lack of standing. The dispute centers on issues that remain unclear from the brief procedural order, though the government appears to be pursuing its own summary judgment motion against Darst.
Judge Helmick noted that while government counsel appeared for the April 8 telephone status conference, "Mr. Darst did not." The judge emphasized the need "to maintain the progress of this litigation" despite Darst's absence, setting firm deadlines for both parties to brief their competing motions.
The case has been moving through the Northern District of Ohio since 2024, with the court previously holding a February 4, 2026 scheduling hearing where both sides participated. That hearing resulted in the April status conference that Darst ultimately skipped.
Under the court's new schedule, the government must respond to Darst's pending motions by May 4 and file its own summary judgment motion by June 15. Darst will then have until August 3 to respond, with the government's reply due August 17, potentially setting up a resolution of the case by late summer.