Communications between Film Studios and Justice Department
| Tracking # |
DOJ-AP-2017- 002883; 16-076, CRM-300514933 |
| Submitted | Jan. 29, 2016 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: J.K. Trotter
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Copies of all correspondence—including phone logs, emails, email attachments, and/or paper letters—exchanged between any employee of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and any person, persons, or institutions identifying themselves as producers, directors, or and/or involved parties, including any production companies, of any film project(s) concerning the story of a Mexican man named Joaquin Guzman (a.k.a. “El Chapo”).
The existence of this correspondence was recently reported by NBC News:
(“According to multiple officials, several production companies contacted the Justice Department to express an interest in producing a film. At least one of those companies — and a well-known actor — were in contact with associates of El Chapo.”)
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 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
J.K. Trotter
From: Gleaves, Lani (NSD)
Martin Peck
MuckRock
DEPT MR 23430
411A Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
Re: FOIA/PA # 16-076
Dear Mr. Peck:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your email dated January 29, 2016, seeking "Copies of all correspondence including phone logs, emails, email attachments, and/or paper letters exchanged between any employee of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division and any person, persons, or institutions identifying themselves as producers, directors, or and/or involved parties, including any production companies, of any film project(s) concerning the story of a Mexican man named Joaquin Guzman (a.k.a. "El Chapo")." Our FOIA office received your Freedom of Information request on January 29, 2016.
Our policy is to process FOIA requests on a first-in, first-out basis. Consistent with this policy, every effort will be made to respond to your request as quickly as possible. The actual processing time will depend upon the complexity of the request, whether it involves sensitive or voluminous records, and whether consultations with other agencies or agency components are appropriate.
Sincerely,
Arnetta Mallory
Arnetta Mallory
Government Information Specialist
From: Gleaves, Lani (NSD)
Gleaves, Lani (NSD) would like to recall the message, "Re: FOIA Request FOIA/PA #16-076 Peck".
From: Gleaves, Lani (NSD)
J. K. Trotter
MuckRock
DEPT MR 23430
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: FOIA/PA # 16-076
Dear Mr. Trotter:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your email dated January 29, 2016, seeking "Copies of all correspondence including phone logs, emails, email attachments, and/or paper letters exchanged between any employee of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division and any person, persons, or institutions identifying themselves as producers, directors, or and/or involved parties, including any production companies, of any film project(s) concerning the story of a Mexican man named Joaquin Guzman (a.k.a. "El Chapo")." Our FOIA office received your Freedom of Information request on January 29, 2016.
Our policy is to process FOIA requests on a first-in, first-out basis. Consistent with this policy, every effort will be made to respond to your request as quickly as possible. The actual processing time will depend upon the complexity of the request, whether it involves sensitive or voluminous records, and whether consultations with other agencies or agency components are appropriate.
Sincerely,
Arnetta Mallory
Arnetta Mallory
Government Information Specialist
From: Department of Justice, National Security Division
The request has been rejectedby the agency.
From: Department of Justice, National Security Division
The request has been rejectedby the agency.
From: CRM FOIA
Please see the attached, which is this Office's final response to your request. If you have any
questions, please contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307[X] for further assistance.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
From: MuckRock
To Whom It May Concern:
The attached FOIA request has been routed to your office for processing. Confirmation of receipt and an estimated date of completion would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
From: CRM FOIA
Please see the attached, which is this Office’s updated response to your request. If you have any questions, please contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307[X] for further assistance.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: CRM FOIA
Please see the attached, which is this Office's status update of your request. If you have any questions, please contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307 for further assistance.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Jan. 29, 2016. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #16-076, CRM-300514933.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: CRM FOIA
Mr. Trotter
Please see the attached, which is this Office's response to your request. If you have any questions, please contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307 for further assistance.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
From: J.K. Trotter
Hello,
This is a formal appeal of my request under the Freedom of Information Act (Request No. CRM-300514933), which sought "Copies of all correspondence—including phone logs, emails, email attachments, and/or paper letters—exchanged between any employee of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and any person, persons, or institutions identifying themselves as producers, directors, or and/or involved parties, including any production companies, of any film project(s) concerning the story of a Mexican man named Joaquin Guzman (a.k.a. 'El Chapo')."
In a letter dated February 2, 2017, the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice indicated that there were no records responsive to my request. The problem with the Department's response is that it directly conflicts with public reports indicating that such records do exist, and would likely be releasable:
The Freedom of Information Act grants requestors the right to appeal an agency's initial decision regarding a FOIA request. Accordingly, I ask that the Department of Justice go back and review my request, and look again for the records I requested.
If you require any other information from me, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you, and sincerely,
J.K. Trotter
From: OIP-NoReply@usdoj.gov
03/10/2017 03:04 PM FOIA Request: DOJ-AP-2017-002883
From: CRM FOIA
Your appeal was received in the Criminal Division, and was forwarded to the Office of Information Policy. If you have any questions about the status of your appeal, you should contact OIP directly at the address below.
Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs
Laurie Day
Chief, Initial Request Staff
Office of Information Policy
Department of Justice
Suite 11050
1425 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
-
~WRD000
From: OIP-NoReply@usdoj.gov
DOJ-AP-2017-002883 has been processed with the following final disposition: Affirmed on Appeal -- No records.
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