Communications with contractor Netsential (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)

Jacob Silverman filed this request with the Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center of the United States of America.
Multi Request Communications with contractor Netsential
Submitted Aug. 10, 2020
Est. Completion Dec. 18, 2020
Status
No Responsive Documents

Communications

From: Jacob Silverman

Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request: Communications with contractor Netsential (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)

Email


To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

All electronic communications, including emails, with Netsential, a Texas-based web hosting firm that contracts with local law enforcement, the FBI, DHS, and municipal governments. Netsential was recently the source of the hacked data known as BlueLeaks.

I am especially seeking information about contracts Netsential has received to create and maintain websites and other digital services for the FBI, FBI-affiliated organizations, LE, and various intelligence fusion centers.

Please also search for communications with Stephen Gartrell, the founder of Netsential.

Relevant news articles/links:
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/06/blueleaks-exposes-files-from-hundreds-of-police-departments/
https://netsential.com/

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,

Jacob Silverman

From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center

Subject: Re: Freedom of Information Act Request: BlueLeaks Bulletins (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)

Email

Good Afternoon,

This email provides an update to your FOIA request dated, August 10, 2020 in which you seek:

"All electronic communications, including emails, with Netsential, a Texas-based web hosting firm that contracts with local law enforcement, the FBI, DHS, and municipal governments. Netsential was recently the source of the hacked data known as BlueLeaks.

I am especially seeking information about contracts Netsential has received to create and maintain websites and other digital services for the FBI, FBI-affiliated organizations, LE, and various intelligence fusion centers.
Please also search for communications with Stephen Gartrell, the founder of Netsential."

Due to the unusual circumstances related to the COVID-19 response, FOIA request responses are delayed at this time. Your request for records is being processed. Currently, we are awaiting the results from our search for records based on the criteria provided in this request. Once we receive the search results, we will provide an update with the expected response timeframe based on the volume of records returned.

If you have any questions regarding your FOIA request, you may contact me at this email address.

Thank you for your understanding,

WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>

From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center

Subject: RE: Freedom of Information Act Request: Communications with contractor Netsential (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)

Email

Good Morning,

Per my email on October 5, 2020, we have not yet received the search results from your FOIA request. Communications-based records are managed by a centralized system. Once I receive the results I will provide an estimated time for processing.

Thank you,

WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>

From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center

Subject: RE: Freedom of Information Act Request: Communications with contractor Netsential (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)

Email

Good Afternoon,

I am currently reviewing the results of the communications-based search. You can expect a response no later than Friday, December 18, 2020.

Thank you,

WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>

From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center

Subject: Final Response: Freedom of Information Act Request: Communications with contractor Netsential (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)

Email

Good Afternoon Jacob Silverman,
This email serves as final response to your FOIA request, dated August 10, 2020 in which you seek:

"All electronic communications, including emails, with Netsential, a Texas-based web hosting firm that contracts with local law enforcement, the FBI, DHS, and municipal governments. Netsential was recently the source of the hacked data known as BlueLeaks.

I am especially seeking information about contracts Netsential has received to create and maintain websites and other digital services for the FBI, FBI-affiliated organizations, LE, and various intelligence fusion centers.

Please also search for communications with Stephen Gartrell, the founder of Netsential."

It is the public policy of the District of Columbia that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees. As such, the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency is/was not a user of Netsential. An extensive review of records has confirmed that we do not have records responsive to your request and your request has been closed.

If, for any reason, you interpret this to be a denial of your request, please also know that, under D.C. Official Code ยง 2-537 and 1 DCMR 412, you have the right to appeal this letter to the Mayor or to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. If you elect to appeal to the Mayor, your appeal must be in writing and contain "Freedom of Information Act Appeal" or "FOIA Appeal" in the subject line of the letter as well on the outside of the envelope. The appeal must include (1) a copy of the original request; (2) a copy of any written denial; (3) a statement of the circumstances, reasons, and/or arguments advanced in support of disclosure; and (4) a daytime telephone number, and e-mail and/or U.S. Mail address at which you can be reached. The appeal may be submitted online<https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx> via the DC government Public FOIA Portal. Written appeals may also be mailed to: The Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel, FOIA Appeal; 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 407, Washington, D.C. 20004. Electronic versions of the same information can instead be e-mailed to The Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel at foia.appeals@dc.gov<mailto:foia.appeals@dc.gov>. Further, a copy of all appeal materials must be forwarded to the HSEMA FOIA Officer. Failure to follow these administrative steps will result in delay in the processing and commencement of a response to your appeal to the Mayor.

If you have any additional questions regarding this request, you may contact me at this email address or the number below.

Sincerely,

Whitney Bowen Abrams

HSEMA FOIA Officer

hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>

For the latest information on the District Government's response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov<https://coronavirus.dc.gov/>.

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