DoJ Ethics Waivers/Advice

Michael Morisy filed this request with the Department of Justice, Justice Management Division of the United States of America.
Tracking #

2750203

Due May 18, 2015
Est. Completion None
Status
Awaiting Response

Communications

From: Michael Morisy

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

Ethics Waivers or Ethics Advice regarding DOJ political appointees from January 1, 2011 to the present.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. 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.

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 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy

From: Department of Justice, Management Division

An acknowledgement letter, stating the request is being processed.

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 Oct. 20, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2750203.

Thank you for your help.

From: JMDFoia (JMD)

Mr. Morisy:

We have your FOIA request and your recent follow-up request. Your initial request asking for "records related to ethics waivers or ethics advice regarding DOJ political appointees from January 1, 2011 to present", is presently in the JMD Ethics office for response. In order to determine if we have any materials relevant to your enquiry and provide a response as quickly as possible, it would be most helpful if you could narrow your request from "ethics waivers" and "ethics advice" to more specific topics or matters in which you are interested.

It is important to note that there is a wide range of political positions at the Department, from GS-7 appointees to Presidentially-Appointed, Senate Confirmed (PAS) officials. Are you requesting the ethics waivers and advice given to all of the Department's political appointees or only the PAS officials? Narrowing this group would help expedite processing. You should know that the JMD Ethics office does not directly advise all of the Department's political appointees (e.g., not U.S. Attorneys), but does provide guidance to the senior management officials in Washington, D.C. Finally, given the time period of your request, are there certain events or matters for which you are seeking information.

Your request does not list a phone number. Is it possible for you to provide one so we can contact you to discuss your request?

We look forward to your reply so that we may determine whether we have any documents responsive to your request.

Karen McFadden
FOIA Contact
Justice Management Division

From: McFadden, Karen (JMD)

Mr. Morisy:

We have your FOIA request and your recent follow-up request. Your initial request asking for "records related to ethics waivers or ethics advice regarding DOJ political appointees from January 1, 2011 to present", is presently in the JMD Ethics office for response. In order to determine if we have any materials relevant to your enquiry and provide a response as quickly as possible, it would be most helpful if you could narrow your request from "ethics waivers" and "ethics advice" to more specific topics or matters in which you are interested.

It is important to note that there is a wide range of political positions at the Department, from GS-7 appointees to Presidentially-Appointed, Senate Confirmed (PAS) officials. Are you requesting the ethics waivers and advice given to all of the Department's political appointees or only the PAS officials? Narrowing this group would help expedite processing. You should know that the JMD Ethics office does not directly advise all of the Department's political appointees (e.g., not U.S. Attorneys), but does provide guidance to the senior management officials in Washington, D.C. Finally, given the time period of your request, are there certain events or matters for which you are seeking information.

We look forward to your reply so that we may determine whether we have any documents responsive to your request. Your request does not list a phone number. Is it possible for you to provide one so we can contact you to discuss your request?

Karen McFadden
FOIA Contact
Justice Management Division

From: JMDFoia (JMD)

Mr. Morisy:

On Friday, January 17, 2014, we sent the e-mail (below) to you asking for your phone number so we could contact you to determine if we have any materials relevant to your enquiry. We have not heard from you since that date.

We ask that you provide a phone number so we can discuss your request with you by close of business Thursday, February 20, 2014 so we can proceed with your FOIA request. If you don't respond by that date, we will assume you have no further need for this information and close your request.

Karen McFadden
FOIA Contact
Justice Management Division
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From: JMD-FOIA (imailagent)

July 13, 2015

Mr. Michael Morisy

MuckRock News
DEPT MR 18539
P.O. Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Memorandum to Dapha Renan from Lee J. Lofthus, Participation in
Matters Relating to Executive Orders Concerning Detainee Review, and
Policies on Detention, Interrogation and Transfer, April 17, 2009.

JMD FOIA TRACKING NUMBER: 103361

Dear Mr. Morisy:

I am writing on behalf of the Justice Management Division (JMD) of the
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom
of Information (FOIA) request on 07/13/2015.

For your information, the Justice Management Division assigns incoming
requests to one of three tracks: simple, complex, or expedited. Each
request is then handled on a first-in, first-out basis in relation to
other requests in the same track. Simple requests usually receive a
response in approximately one month whereas complex requests
necessarily take longer. At this time, your request has been assigned
to the Complex track.

If you have a question about the status of your FOIA request, you may
contact this office by emailing JMDFOIA@usdoj.gov
<mailto:JMDFOIA@usdoj.gov> or by calling 202-514-3101 during regular
business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time,
excluding federal holidays).

Please refer to your assigned JMD FOIA TRACKING NUMBER listed above
whenever you contact the Department regarding this request.

Sincerely,

Karen E. McFadden

FOIA Contact

Justice Management Division

From: JMD-FOIA (imailagent)

July 13, 2015

Mr. Michael Morisy

MuckRock News
DEPT MR 18539
P.O. Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Request for Memorandum to Chad Golder from Lee J. Lofthus,
Participation in Matters Relating to Executive Orders Concerning
Detainee Review, and Policies on Detention, Interrogation and Transfer,
April 17, 2009.

JMD FOIA TRACKING NUMBER: 103380

Dear Mr. Morisy:

I am writing on behalf of the Justice Management Division (JMD) of the
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom
of Information (FOIA) request on 07/13/2015.

For your information, the Justice Management Division assigns incoming
requests to one of three tracks: simple, complex, or expedited. Each
request is then handled on a first-in, first-out basis in relation to
other requests in the same track. Simple requests usually receive a
response in approximately one month whereas complex requests
necessarily take longer. At this time, your request has been assigned
to the Complex track.

If you have a question about the status of your FOIA request, you may
contact this office by emailing JMDFOIA@usdoj.gov
<mailto:JMDFOIA@usdoj.gov> or by calling 202-514-3101 during regular
business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time,
excluding federal holidays).

Please refer to your assigned JMD FOIA TRACKING NUMBER listed above
whenever you contact the Department regarding this request.

Sincerely,

Karen E. McFadden

FOIA Contact

Justice Management Division

From: JMD-FOIA (imailagent)

July 13, 2015

Mr. Michael Morisy

MuckRock News
DEPT MR 18537
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Request for Memorandum to Beth S. Brinkman from Lee J. Lofthus,
Participation in Matters Relating to Persons Detained at Guantanamo
Bay, May 6, 2009.

JMD FOIA TRACKING NUMBER: 103400

Dear Mr. Morisy:

I am writing on behalf of the Justice Management Division (JMD) of the
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom
of Information (FOIA) request on 07/13/2015.

For your information, the Justice Management Division assigns incoming
requests to one of three tracks: simple, complex, or expedited. Each
request is then handled on a first-in, first-out basis in relation to
other requests in the same track. Simple requests usually receive a
response in approximately one month whereas complex requests
necessarily take longer. At this time, your request has been assigned
to the Complex track.

If you have a question about the status of your FOIA request, you may
contact this office by emailing JMDFOIA@usdoj.gov
<mailto:JMDFOIA@usdoj.gov> or by calling 202-514-3101 during regular
business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time,
excluding federal holidays).

Please refer to your assigned JMD FOIA TRACKING NUMBER listed above
whenever you contact the Department regarding this request.

Sincerely,

Karen E. McFadden

FOIA Contact

Justice Management Division

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 Oct. 20, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2750203.

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 Oct. 20, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2750203.

Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.

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