INTERPOL Files on L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology and the NCLESJ
Tracking # |
1324198-000 |
Submitted | Feb. 8, 2015 |
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Communications
From: R. M. Seibert
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
All documents, cables, reports and correspondence related to L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology and the Scientology front-group known as The National Commission on Law Enforcement and Social Justice (NCLESJ). Please limit the search for responsive documents to the time period ranging from January 1, 1955 through December 31, 1995.
Proof of death on L. Ron Hubbard is not required as it was widely reported: http://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/29/obituaries/l-ron-hubbard-dies-of-stroke-founder-of-church-of-scientology.html
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest due to the massive propaganda war that Scientology waged against INTERPOL beginning in the late 1960s and lasting over twenty-five years. This effort culminated in Senate hearings, failed legislation proposals, an investigation into Scientology's claims of harassment against Interpol by the US Attorney's office and various civil lawsuits. All of which was widely reported as demonstrated on the following examples:
http://bit.ly/1zxnwam
http://bit.ly/1Iwahg1
http://bit.ly/1zxq34b
http://bit.ly/1zlFEiz
To this day, official Scientology publications claim that some sort of victory was won over your agency ( https://archive.today/xgX6Y ). The disinformation Scientology spread about INTERPOL activities has also been left unchallenged in books still carried in libraries and various news archives. Yet Senate hearing transcripts and federal court records seemingly indicate it was a baseless campaign, which ultimately served to establish an intimidating precedent. The same tactics that were initially used against INTERPOL were later repeated in similar campaigns against the FDA, US State Department, FBI, and the IRS that was far more successful. This precedent of Scientology being able to overpower government agencies and critical inquiry using false propaganda and vexatious litigation continues to influence modern-day law enforcement and government agency investigations. It all began with your agency and should therefore be put into proper historical context with the public disclosure I am seeking.
Additionally, 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 in the process of news gathering, forwarded to various academics who research the history of the Church of Scientology and is 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,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: Interpol-USNCB FOIA
Ms. Seibert,
The attached is in response to your FOIA request.
Sincerely,
INTERPOL Washington FOIA Service Center
(202)-616-0201
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. 20530
From: R. M. Seibert
To Whom It May Concern:
Thank you for your prompt response and efficient response to my FOIA request, reference #2015-079.
On page 2 of my response letter notes that four additional pages deemed responsive to this request were referred to another agency for release determination. It then states I should expect a further determination from that agency.
Would it be possible to find out which agency I should be expecting a response from?
With gratitude for you assistance,
Ms. R. M. Seibert
From: INTERPOL Washington (U.S. National Central Bureau)
An interim response, 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 Feb. 8, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #1324198-000.
Thank you for your help.
From: Interpol-USNCB FOIA
Ms. Seibert,
The attached is in response to your email.
Sincerely,
INTERPOL Washington FOIA Service Center
(202)-616-0201
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. 20530
From: INTERPOL Washington (U.S. National Central Bureau)
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
From: INTERPOL Washington (U.S. National Central Bureau)
A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.
Files
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