Julia M Robinson FOIA Reqeust

Dear Ms. Robinson:

This acknowledges receipt of your June 1 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for records related to you.

Additional information/documentation is required before we can begin processing your request.

Certification of Identity (Necessary to release information related to you):

Under postal regulations found at 39 C.F.R. § 265.3(d), "First-party requests. A requester who is making a request for records about himself must provide verification of identity sufficient to satisfy the component as to his identity prior to release of the record. For Privacy Act-protected records, the requester must further comply with the procedures set forth in 39 CFR 266.6."

This verification must be received before the OIG may release any personal information. This ensures records of individuals in OIG systems of records are not wrongfully disclosed to others. Examples of sufficient identification are a copy of a valid driver's license, Medicare card, and/or employee identification card showing your face. A copy of our Privacy Waiver and Certification of Identification form is enclosed. When we receive the signed completed form and proof of identity, we will search for records responsive to your request. Any responsive records located will be processed under established FOIA guidelines and a final determination will be issued.

Privacy Waiver (Necessary to release information related to persons other than you, including names, statements, any other identifying information):

Under postal regulations found at 39 C.F.R. § 265.3(e), "Third-party requests. Where a FOIA request seeks disclosure of records that pertain to a third party, a requester may receive greater access by submitting a written authorization signed by that individual authorizing disclosure of the records to the requester, or by submitting proof that the individual is deceased (e.g., a copy of a death certificate or an obituary). Please have the subject of the record complete both the top and middle portions of the attached Privacy Waiver and Certification of Identity form, and provide sufficient identification, authorizing the OIG to release records to you. Examples of sufficient identification are a copy of a valid driver's license, Medicare card, and/or employee identification card. This form may be photocopied as necessary.

Not completing the certification and proof of identity/privacy waiver process will limit our ability to release any responsive records we find in our files. Such records may be, in whole or in part, exempt from disclosure under FOIA Exemptions 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3), (b)(6), and(b)(7)(c).

Exemption (b)(3) provides agencies may withhold records exempted from disclosure by another statute that "establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld." Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, an OIG is duty bound to protect information provided by agency employees during an investigation. Public Law 95-452 5 U.S.C. app. 3 § 7(b).

Exemption (b)(6) pertains to information the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of third parties. The withheld material includes names, titles, and identifying information of private citizens. This information is not appropriate for discretionary disclosure.

Exemption (b)(7)(c) permits the withholding of records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could constitute an unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of third parties. Lack­ing an individual's consent or an overriding public interest, third party investigatory records and/or allegations of misconduct must be withheld under Exemption (7)(c). This includes the names of, or identifying statements made by, any persons making allegations against the subject of an OIG investigation.

If we do not receive the signed completed form and proof of identity by COB June 30, we will presume you are no longer interested in pursuing this request and will close your file, but you may file again later. You may return the completed form via e-mail at foia@uspsoig.gov<mailto:foia@uspsoig.gov> or U.S. Mail at 1735 N. Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209.

Sincerely,

USPS OIG FOIA Team