FOIA - Covert Surveillance Programs, Counterintelligence Operations and Domestic Intelligence Activities (United States Postal Service)

To Whom It May Concern:

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

This FOIA request, submitted by Evan L Rees, seeks access to documents related to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities conducted by this agency or it's contractors that may be synonymous with or reminiscent of tactics employed in historical programs such as COINTELPRO and MK Ultra. Specifically, this request aims to obtain records pertaining to activities that could be colloquially referred to as "Cointelpro 2.0" or any other covert programs undertaken by the agency involving surveillance, infiltration, disruption, or manipulation of individuals or groups within the United States.

Documents of interest include, but are not limited to:

1. Internal memoranda, directives, and communications discussing the planning, execution, and objectives of such covert operations, including any references to MK Ultra or similar programs.
2. Operational plans, strategies, and guidelines governing the conduct of surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities, including any involvement or coordination with community policing initiatives.
3. Records of surveillance operations, including logs, reports, and warrants obtained for monitoring targeted individuals or groups, including any watch lists or databases used for tracking.
4. Intelligence reports, assessments, and analyses generated as a result of surveillance and infiltration efforts, including any assessments related to private contractors involved in intelligence activities.
5. Training materials, manuals, and protocols used to educate personnel involved in covert operations, including any materials related to community alerts or coordination with neighborhood watch groups.
6. Budgetary documents related to the funding and allocation of resources for covert surveillance and intelligence activities.
7. Legal opinions, guidance, and interpretations concerning the legality and oversight of covert programs.
8. After-action reports, evaluations, and assessments conducted to review the effectiveness and impact of covert operations.

This request also encompasses documents related to activities synonymous with or related to "Cointelpro 2.0," including but not limited to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, undercover investigations, disruption programs, counterterrorism measures, covert infiltration tactics, political surveillance programs, coercive intelligence operations, and national security investigations.

Please process this request specifically for Evan L Rees, as the documents sought are requested in relation to myself.

I am specifically requesting expedited processing of this request, as the information sought is of timely and significant public interest.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

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,

Evan L Rees

Subject: Response to FOIA Request No. 2024-FPIS-00344

Dear Ms. Washington,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 4, 2024, regarding my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. I appreciate the attention given to my inquiry and provide the requested information and signature in response.

Enclosed, please find the Certification of Identity form with my original notarized signature, as per your request. Additionally, I have completed the Declaration section of the form as an alternative to a notarized signature, as allowed under title 28, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1746.

Regarding your statement concerning fees, I am willing to pay all reasonable fees associated with processing my request. Please proceed with the processing of my request, and if applicable, kindly inform me of any fees exceeding the initial threshold of $25.00. I understand that under the FOIA, the first 100 pages are provided at no charge, with additional pages incurring a fee of $.15 per page.

Furthermore, I wish to reiterate the importance and urgency of my request. The documents I seek pertain to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities, which are of significant public interest and relate to matters of national security and civil liberties. It is imperative to ensure transparency and accountability in government actions, especially regarding potentially intrusive or unlawful activities.

I assure you of my commitment to pursuing this matter diligently and in compliance with all legal requirements. If any further information or clarification is needed, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Evan L. Rees

Dear Mathea Hodge,

Thank you for your prompt response to my recent FOIA request dated [insert date]. I appreciate the attention given to my inquiry and understand the need for specificity in identifying the records sought.

In light of your feedback, I am providing further details to refine the scope of my request:

1. The requested records should cover the period from 1/1/2009 to 4/16/24, encompassing the past 15 plus years . This time frame will ensure a comprehensive examination of relevant activities within a reasonable time frame.

2. I am requesting documents related to covert surveillance programs, counterintelligence operations, and domestic intelligence activities conducted by this agency, it's contractors that may be synonymous with or reminiscent of tactics employed in historical programs such as COINTELPRO and MK Ultra. Please include communications with other US Federal Government agencies in regard to the aforementioned.

3. Specifically, this request aims to obtain records pertaining to activities that could be colloquially referred to as "Cointelpro 2.0" or any other covert programs undertaken by the agency involving surveillance, infiltration, disruption, or manipulation of individuals or groups within the United States.

By narrowing the focus of the request, I aim to facilitate a more efficient search process while ensuring the retrieval of pertinent documents that align with the objectives outlined in my initial request.

These records are crucial for fostering transparency and accountability within government operations, thereby safeguarding the public's trust and ensuring the protection of civil liberties.

Thank you again for your patience, cooperation and diligence in handling this request. I look forward to receiving a comprehensive response at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Evan L Rees

Hi Marthea,

I can be available for your call today, Tuesday 4/23/24 between 10am and 2pm (pacific) or tomorrow 4/23/24 in the same time slot. Please feel free to call 310-499-8771. This is currently my best call back number. Please let me know a specific time that fits within these parameters and works for your schedule as well.

Best regards, Evan Rees