Suffolk County seized asset logbook
| Tracking # |
140924 |
| Submitted | Sept. 24, 2014 |
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Communications
From: Todd Feathers
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 the Suffolk County District Attorney's "Seized Fund Logbook."
I also request that all fees be waived as I am a journalist -- employed by the Boston Globe and MuckRock -- and intend to use the requested information to educate the public.
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,
Todd Feathers
From: Towle, John (DAA)
What is the deal with the Globe and these incredibly expansive requests into all aspects of the office? Does anyone have any idea if there is something going on behind this?
Sent from my iPhone
From: Conley, Daniel (DAA)
Let's ask. Put together all the FOIA requests and see if we can discern a theme. Then we can call the Metro editor or McGrory and ask how can we help. Have we not been transparent? What's up? What can we do to assist your investigation? Kill 'em with kindness. At least we'll know where they're going.
From: Towle, John (DAA)
Agreed. Will do.
Sent from my iPhone
From: Towle, John (DAA)
Hi Mr. Feathers,
I’m John Towle and I serve as Chief of Staff in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. This is not a formal response to your most recent FOIA request. It’s been assigned to one of our attorneys who will prepare that. I am reaching out to see if I can arrange a time for us to speak by phone or in person about this and other requests. As I hope you know, this office does strive to be as open and transparent as possible not only in response to formal requests like yours but in dealing with the media in general. I believe our Press Office, with Jake and Renee, have an excellent reputation with the media as a whole because we recognize that the media is doing its job and we try to be as helpful as we can. That said, we are an agency of large responsibilities but very limited resources. Over the past year, we have seen a pretty significant uptick in formal FOIA requests and some of them have appeared on their face to be very, very broad and they put a strain on our resources. I’d like to speak with you about whether you have a specific issue in mind and if there might be a better, more efficient way of giving you what you need and what we can properly provide. Naturally, you are under no obligation to do so and we will respond to your request appropriately as best we can regardless, but I thought a conversation might be helpful. You have my email and my office number is 617-619-4208. Thanks,
John
================================
John Towle
Chief of Staff
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
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~WRD000
From: Todd Feathers
John,
I'd be happy to talk at any point today, and my cell is below. I'm not sure how much help I can be to you regarding the numerous requests your office is receiving. I have only submitted two requests to the Suffolk DA, both regarding asset forfeiture and both identical to requests I submitted to the 10 other DAs. I'm not aware of any particular interest in the Suffolk DA's office at the Globe, but then again I probably wouldn't be unless I was directly involved, which I'm not.
That being said, you guys do have an excellent reputation at the Globe and I have always personally preferred to work with Jake and Renee over any of the other DA spokespeople (although let's keep that between us).
But like I said, I'd be happy to talk today about my request or anything else I can help with.
Best,
Todd Feathers
608-698-5806
From: Towle, John (DAA)
Hi Todd,
Thanks for the quick response. I apologize but was in a series of meetings so was unable to call. Is there a good time tomorrow we can arrange? Whatever works best for you I’ll make work. Thanks again.
John
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~WRD000
From: Todd Feathers
John,
Any time after 2 p.m. should work.
Todd
From: Towle, John (DAA)
Great. Talk to you then.
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~WRD000
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 24, 2014. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 24, 2014. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Towle, John (DAA)
Hi Todd,
I apologize profusely for the delay. I have asked our press office to please expedite this request and whatever the response it will be at no cost. If I could ask a favor however, could you please send any future requests through our press office, as opposed to the District Attorney. I am happy to be cc:d but getting these directly to Jake and Renee (cc:d here) is the best way to avoid future delays. Again, my apologies.
John
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~WRD000
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 24, 2014. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Callahan, Allison (DAA)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to request clarification of the information you seek. Please indicate the year or years for which you seek asset forfeiture information from this office. Thank you.
Allison Callahan
ADA Allison Callahan
Assistant District Attorney
Appeals Division
Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
Phone: 617-619-4085
Fax: 617-619-4069
On Sept. 24, 2014:
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 the Suffolk County District Attorney's "Seized Fund Logbook."
I also request that all fees be waived as I am a journalist -- employed by the Boston Globe and MuckRock -- and intend to use the requested information to educate the public.
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,
Todd Feathers
Filed via MuckRock.com<http://MuckRock.com>
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 13587
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819
PLEASE NOTE the new address as well as the fact that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than MuckRock News) requests might be returned by the USPS as undeliverable.
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From: Todd Feathers
Ms. Callahan,
I would like copies of the asset seizure logbook from 2010 to the most current version. Because I have run into this problem with other jurisdictions, I want to clarify that I am asking for the logbook -- a breakdown of each seizure by agency -- and not simply the annual reports that the district attorney's office submits.
Thank you so much for your help,
Todd Feathers
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 24, 2014. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 24, 2014. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Callahan, Allison (DAA)
Mr. Feathers,
Please direct additional correspondence regarding this request to ADAM Kesselheim, whom I have cc'd on this message as I am on leave. Thank you.
Allison Callahan
Sent from my iPhone
From: Todd Feathers
Hello - I received your May 7th letter, came with a CD which was supposed to contain responsive documents. Unfortunately, the CD appeared to be blank. Could you please re-send another CD containing the documents?
From: Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
There are too many files to display on this communication. See all files
From: Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.
From: Kesselheim, Dara (DAA)
Mr. Feathers:
I copied the documents onto a new CD and put them in the mail today.
Please let me know if you have any problems.
Thanks,
Dara Kesselheim
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~WRD000
From: Todd Feathers
Received the CD and accessed the records - thanks so much!
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