Non-disclosure agreements signed by Massachusetts State Police
Submitted | Oct. 13, 2014 |
Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Evan Anderson
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all non-disclosure agreements signed by the Massachusetts State Police from Jan 1, 1995 until the date this request is processed.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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 Anderson
From: Procopio, David (POL)
Mr. Anderson,
We are in receipt of your Oct. 13 public records request seeking "a copy of all non-disclosure agreements signed by the Massachusetts State Police from Jan 1, 1995 until the date this request is processed."
Would you be able to further clarify the nature of agreements you are seeking so that we may most accurately process this request, i.e., are you seeking agreements attached to monetary settlements, etc.
Thank you
Dave Procopio
David Procopio
Director, Media Relations
Massachusetts State Police
(508) 820-2622
David.Procopio@MassMail.State.MA.US<mailto:David.Procopio@MassMail.State.MA.US>
From: Evan Anderson
Hi Mr. Procopio,
To clarify, I'm looking for any agreements held by the Massachusetts State Police in which one or more signatories agree(s) to refrain from disclosing information for any reason whatsoever. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
-- Evan
From: Section, MSP Legal (POL)
Good Morning Mr. Anderson,
Given the breadth of your request, the Department would be required to search through all Department files (since the Department may have entered into such an agreement in the context of investigations, litigation, or other instances requiring such an agreement) for the past nineteen years (both by hand and electronically) in an effort to identify any information that may be potentially responsive to your request. As you can imagine, searching through all Department files for a nineteen year period will require an immense amount of time and resources to complete. Accordingly, given the current scope of the request (any agreements since January 1, 1995 held by the Massachusetts State Police in which one or more signatories agree(s) to refrain from disclosing information for any reason whatsoever), the Department believes that the cost of searching for and producing records responsive to it would be cost prohibitive. The Department would be happy to work with you to narrow this request in order to obtain the desired public records. Please do not hesitate to contact our Media Relations section at 508-820-2622 if you would like to further discuss the potential search parameters.
Massachusetts State Police Legal Section
General Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
From: Evan Anderson
Hello,
I just attempted to reach Media Relations but was unsuccessful. Basically, I would like to know if producing records responsive to my request would still be cost prohibitive if I narrow the request to cover agreements only since January 1, 2009. Please let me know.
Sincerely,
-- Evan
From: Section, MSP Legal (POL)
Mr. Anderson,
The Department would, again, be required to search through all Department files (since the Department may have entered into such an agreement in the context of investigations, litigation, or other instances requiring such an agreement) for the past five years (both by hand and electronically) given the new parameters of your request. Even with your narrowed request, as you can imagine, searching through all Department files for a five year period will still require an immense amount of time and resources to complete. Accordingly, even with the narrowed scope of your request, the Department believes that the cost of searching for and producing records responsive to it would be cost prohibitive The Department would be happy to work with you to narrow this request further in order to obtain the desired public records. Please do not hesitate to contact our Media Relations section at 508-820-2622 if you would like to further discuss the potential search parameters.
Massachusetts State Police Legal Section
General Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
From: Evan Anderson
Hello,
I left a message with a gentleman from the MSP Legal Section sometime around late October or early November, asking about any possible parameters that I may use in order to narrow my public records request. It was originally filed on October 13 and was revised on October 22. It was not given a case number, but you can see the original request and the follow-ups here: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/massachusetts-1/non-disclosure-agreements-signed-by-massachusetts-state-police-13793/
Sincerely,
Evan
From: Section, MSP Legal (POL)
Mr. Anderson,
Searching through all Department files, both by hand and electronically, (since the Department may have entered into such an agreement in the context of investigations, litigation, or other instances requiring such an agreement) for an extensive time-period will require an immense amount of time and resources to complete. As such, if you are able to provide the Department with more specific search terms (both in terms of years for which data is sought and the nature or specific use of such an agreement), this will aid the Department in preparing a cost estimate that more accurately reflects the demands related to the information you are seeking. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Massachusetts State Police Legal Section
General Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
From: Evan Anderson
Hello,
I would like to revise my request to the following:
"A copy of all non-disclosure agreements relating to investigations signed by the Massachusetts State Police from Jan 1, 2012 until the date this request is processed."
I hope this is a sufficiently narrow request. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Evan
From: Rooney, Glenn M (POL)
Mr. Anderson,
In order to appropriately respond to your request, I believe it would be more productive to discuss this matter over the phone. Could you kindly provide a phone number at which you may be reached? Thank you.
Glenn M. Rooney, Esq.
Staff Counsel
Massachusetts State Police
General Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
Tel: (508) 820-2391
Fax: (508) 820-2649
From: Section, MSP Legal (POL)
Mr. Anderson,
This message is to confirm that on December 9, 2014 you confirmed in a telephone call with a member of the Department’s Legal Section that you wish to withdraw this request. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Massachusetts State Police Legal Section
General Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
From: Evan Anderson
Hello,
It is true that I wish to withdraw my request for "non-disclosure agreements", however, I would like to resubmit a request for all MOUs signed by the Massachusetts State Police between January 1, 2014 and the date this request is processed.
Thank you,
Evan
From: Section, MSP Legal (POL)
Mr. Anderson,
Attached you will find the Department’s response to your recent records request. You will only be receiving the attached via email. Your attention to this matter is appreciated. Thank you.
Massachusetts State Police Legal Section
General Headquarters
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
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