JPMorgan's Involvement in the Slave Trade

MuckRock News
DEPT MR 146407
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115

Date: 12/23/2023

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
FOIA/PA Unit
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

Subject: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request – JPMorgan's Involvement in the Slave Trade

Dear FOIA Officer,

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I am submitting a request for access to and copies of all records held by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice pertaining to JPMorgan's historical involvement in the slave trade.

For the purpose of this request, the records I seek include, but are not limited to:

1. Any correspondence, reports, or memoranda exchanged between the Civil Rights Division and JPMorgan during the historical period when the institution may have been involved in the slave trade.

2. Documents related to any investigations, audits, or legal actions taken by the Civil Rights Division against JPMorgan regarding its historical practices in connection with the slave trade.

3. Any internal policies, guidelines, or communications within the Civil Rights Division that pertain to investigating and addressing historical injustices, including those related to financial institutions and their involvement in morally reprehensible practices such as the slave trade.

4. Records indicating any efforts or initiatives undertaken by the Civil Rights Division to proactively address or disclose information related to the historical involvement of financial institutions, including JPMorgan, in the slave trade.

In support of this request, I would like to draw your attention to relevant case law, including but not limited to:

- **National Archives and Records Administration v. Favish, 541 U.S. 157 (2004):** Emphasizing the importance of balancing privacy interests against the public interest in disclosure when considering FOIA requests.

- **Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 489 U.S. 749 (1989):** Underscoring the need for a functional analysis of the requested documents, focusing on the nature and content of the information rather than the identity of the parties involved.

Should any portion of the requested records be deemed exempt from disclosure, I request the release of any reasonably segregable non-exempt portions in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552(b). If an entire document is exempt, I request a detailed justification, citing specific FOIA exemptions, and provision of an exemption log as per Vaughn v. Rosen, 484 F.2d 820 (D.C. Cir. 1973).

Please be aware of your obligation under the law not to destroy any records potentially responsive to this request. Any withholding, redaction, or destruction of responsive records without proper justification constitutes a violation of the FOIA and is subject to litigation, as confirmed in Kissinger v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 445 U.S. 136, 150 (1980).

Enclosed is a letter requesting a fee waiver for the processing of this request. As an independent investigative journalist associated with TransparencyReport.pw, I believe that the information I seek is in the public interest, and its disclosure contributes significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government.

If the enclosed waiver is not accepted and there are any potential charges in excess of $200 associated with fulfilling my request, please inform me in advance.

As stipulated by the FOIA, I look forward to your response within twenty business days (5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i)).

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
TransparencyReport.pw
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu

Enclosure: Fee Waiver Request Letter

Please be aware: All communications related to this request, including incoming and outgoing communications, will be publicly available on MuckRock.com. Additionally, any correspondence in relation to this request will be instantly published on the platform.