Covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities. (California Department of Justice)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request – Request for Expedited Processing

Dear FOIA Officer,

This letter serves as a formal request under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, and the applicable regulations, for access to records in the possession of this agency related to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities.

As an American citizen exercising my rights under the FOIA, I hereby request expedited processing of this request due to its significant public interest and the urgency of the matter.

I am seeking access to the following records:

1. Internal memoranda, directives, and communications discussing the planning, execution, and objectives of covert operations, including any references to historical programs such as COINTELPRO and MK Ultra.
2. Operational plans, strategies, and guidelines governing surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities, including any coordination with community policing initiatives.
3. Records of surveillance operations, including logs, reports, and warrants obtained for monitoring targeted individuals or groups, as well as any watch lists or databases utilized.
4. Intelligence reports, assessments, and analyses resulting from surveillance and infiltration efforts, including assessments of private contractors involved.
5. Training materials, manuals, and protocols used to educate personnel involved in covert operations, including materials related to community alerts or coordination with neighborhood watch groups.
6. Budgetary documents related to the funding and allocation of resources for covert surveillance and intelligence activities.
7. Legal opinions, guidance, and interpretations concerning the legality and oversight of covert programs.
8. After-action reports, evaluations, and assessments conducted to review the effectiveness and impact of covert operations.
9. Copies of contracts, agreements, and invoices involving any third-party contractors engaged in activities specified above.
10. All records of complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions related to the aforementioned activities.

This request also includes documents related to activities synonymous with or related to "Cointelpro 2.0," encompassing covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, undercover investigations, disruption programs, counterterrorism measures, covert infiltration tactics, political surveillance programs, coercive intelligence operations, and national security investigations.

I request that all responsive records be provided to me in electronic format, preferably via email or a secure online portal. If certain documents are exempt from disclosure, please provide a detailed explanation of the applicable exemptions and provide segregable portions that can be released.

Please process this request specifically for Evan L Rees, as the documents sought are requested in relation to myself.

I am willing to pay reasonable fees associated with this request. If the estimated fees exceed $50.00, please notify me in advance of processing the request.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your prompt handling of this request. I look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

Dear Mr. Day,

Thank you for your response and for clarifying the Department's stance regarding my request.

I appreciate the guidance provided regarding directing my inquiries to the appropriate federal agencies for records pertaining to "COINTELPRO," "MK Ultra," and counterintelligence operations. However, I believe there may still be pertinent records within the California Department of Justice's possession that align with the subject matter of my request.

I understand and respect the Department's concerns regarding the breadth of my initial request and the potential burden it may have imposed. Therefore, I am committed to working collaboratively to refine my request and ensure that it aligns more closely with the Department's capabilities and responsibilities.

In an effort to facilitate a more targeted search and minimize any inconvenience, I am willing to narrow the scope of my request.

Specifically, I can focus on the following:

1. Internal communications on covert operations, including historical programs like COINTELPRO and MK Ultra.
2. Operational plans for surveillance, including community policing coordination.
3. Records of surveillance operations, including reports and warrants.
4. Intelligence reports resulting from surveillance efforts, including contractor involvement.
5. Training materials for covert operations personnel, including community alert protocols.
6. Budget documents for covert surveillance activities.
7. Legal opinions on covert program legality and oversight.
8. Evaluations of covert operation effectiveness.
9. Contracts and invoices for third-party contractors.
10. Records of complaints and investigations related to covert activities.

Please include all activities synonymous with or related to "Cointelpro 2.0," such as covert surveillance, counterintelligence, undercover investigations, and national security measures.

The time frame for the records I am seeking fall between the dates of 1/1/2005 and 4/14/2024.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your guidance on how best to proceed.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees
MuckRock News