La Joya Housing Authority / Jose Reynaldo Trevino and Ovidio Ramirez
| Tracking # |
19-IGF-OIG-00005 |
| Submitted | Nov. 8, 2018 |
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Communications
From: Dave Hendricks
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
> All records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation of Jose Reynaldo Trevino, Ovidio Ramirez and the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas.
Mr. Trevino was the executive director of the La Joya Housing Authority. Mr. Ramirez was the Section 8 director of the La Joya Housing Authority.
The investigation started on or after Jan. 1, 1997, and resulted in federal criminal case 7:02-cr-338.
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,
Dave Hendricks
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
This automated message is to confirm that your FOIA or Privacy Act request to the Office of the Inspector General was submitted. You will receive a written acknowlegement of receipt once your submission has been reviewed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 8, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
This automated message is to confirm that your FOIA or Privacy Act request to the Office of the Inspector General was submitted. You will receive a written acknowlegement of receipt once your submission has been reviewed.
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Dear Mr. Hendricks:
Your request dated November 8 for "all records investigation of Jose Reynaldo Trevino, Ovidio Ramirez and the La Joya
Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas", along with your second request dated October 27 for "investigation involving Mr. Garza former executive director of the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas " is in review.
You will receive a response. We regret the delay as any release of records must be reviewed and concurred by management.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Dear Mr. Hendricks:
Please find attached our response letter relating to your two FOIA requests for all records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation of Juan Jose “J.J.” Garza” and “ all records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation of Jose Reynaldo Trevino, Ovidio Ramirez and the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas.” This response constitutes the closing on your two FOIA requests for records relating to the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, TX.
From: Dave Hendricks
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in reference to FOIA Request # 19-IGF-OIG-00005.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) apparently combined two FOIA requests (a request dated Oct. 29, 2018, and a request dated Nov. 8, 2018) and processed them together.
I am writing to ask HUD OIG to review how it handled the Nov. 8 request, which asked for:
"All records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation of Jose Reynaldo Trevino, Ovidio Ramirez and the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas."
HUD OIG responded on Dec. 13 that:
"Please be advised it is the general policy of the OIG to respond to all FOIA requests for records pertaining to specifically named individuals by refusing to confirm or deny the existence of such records. Lacking the subject individual's consent, proof of death, an official acknowledgement of an investigation, or an overriding public interest, even to acknowledge the existence of such records could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."
In this case, however, HUD OIG publicly acknowledged the investigation and both named individuals were convicted on federal criminal charges as a result of the investigation.
HUD OIG acknowledged the investigation in the April to September 2002 semi-annual report to Congress. Page 65 of the semi-annual report includes the following information:
"Defendant Ovidio Ramirez, former Section 8 director at the Housing Authority of the City of La Joya, TX, and defendant Jose Reynaldo Trevino, former executive director, each pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy and one county of conspiracy to embezzle. An investigation found that from January 1997 through December 1998, Ramirez and Trevino misappropriated $194,814 from the Authority's Section 8 funds. The two defendants duplicated Section 8 landlord checks and used the proceeds for their personal benefit."
See: https://www.hudoig.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sar49.pdf
Both Ovidio Ramirez and Jose Reynaldo Trevino were convicted in federal criminal case 7:02-cr-00338.
I respectfully ask HUD OIG to review how it handled the Nov. 8 FOIA request and release the responsive records with appropriate redactions.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter,
Dave Hendricks
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Dear Mr. Hendricks:
We will re-assess your second request dated November 8 relating to “all records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation of Jose Reynaldo Trevino, Ovidio Ramirez and the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas” and provide you with a response.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Gwen Beasley
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Dave Hendricks
Ms. Beasley,
Thanks! Really appreciate it.
Later,
Dave Hendricks
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
This automated message is to confirm that your FOIA or Privacy Act request to the Office of the Inspector General was submitted. You will receive a written acknowlegement of receipt once your submission has been reviewed.
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
No problem. Glad to assist you.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Good morning Mr. Hendricks:
Just a heads up. I have reached out to our Field Office to assist me in retrieving records on your second request. I will keep you informed along the way.
Sorry for any inconvenience in combining your second request. Please use the same FOIA tracking number noted in our communications on your second request.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Dave Hendricks
No problem. Will do.
Thanks!
Dave
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
This automated message is to confirm that your FOIA or Privacy Act request to the Office of the Inspector General was submitted. You will receive a written acknowlegement of receipt once your submission has been reviewed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 8, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #19-IGF-OIG-00005.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
This automated message is to confirm that your FOIA or Privacy Act request to the Office of the Inspector General was submitted. You will receive a written acknowlegement of receipt once your submission has been reviewed.
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Dear Mr. Hendricks:
I am sure, you've been aware of a 35 days furlough in which the Federal government was closed.
We will pick up from where we've left off in the reviewing of the records on your second request. We are notifying you, please be patient as the Federal government returns to its normal operation.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Dear Mr. Hendericks:
This responds to your second request dated November 8, 2018, for records relating to "All records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation of Jose Reynaldo Trevino, Ovidio Ramirez and the La Joya Housing Authority in La Joya, Texas." You also noted "The investigation started on or after Jan. 1, 1997, and resulted in federal criminal case 7:02-cr-338."
Due to a lapse in appropriated funds, the entire FOIA office was furloughed from December 22, 2018 to
January 28, 2019, and its employees were prohibited by law from processing your request. This delay is in addition to any delay due to the regular processing of your request. Although it was beyond our control, and we apologize for any inconvenience this additional delay may cause.
Per the HUD OIG Records Control Schedule, investigation case files are maintained for 10 years after closure and then destroyed. As you are requesting records dated after January 1, 1997, we no longer maintain those records.
If you are not satisfied with the response to this request, you may administratively submit an appeal pursuant to the Office of Inspector General's Freedom of Information Regulation, 24 CFR § 2002.25 (2010). This regulation provides for administrative review by the Inspector General of any denial of information. Your appeal must be postmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of the response to your request. Both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal." Your appeal should be addressed to the FOIA Appeal Specialist, Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Suite 8186, Washington, DC 20410, and should be accompanied by a copy of your initial request, a copy of this letter and your statement of circumstances, reasons and arguments supporting disclosure of the requested information.
Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is as follows:
Office of Government Information Services,
National Archives and Records Administration,
8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS,
College Park, Maryland 20740-6001
E-mail: ogis@nara.gov<mailto:ogis@nara.gov>;
Telephone: (202) 741-5770;
Toll free: 1-877-684-6448, or
Facsimile: (202) 741-5769
I trust that this information satisfies your second request. If you need any further assistance or would like to discuss any aspect of your request please do not hesitate to contact our FOIA Requester Service Center at (202) 708-1613. Please reference the above FOIA number when making inquiries about this matter.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Dave Hendricks
To whom it may concern,
Thank you for processing my FOIA request. I appreciate you taking the time to search for responsive records and your willingness to re-open the request in response to new information.
Sincerely,
Dave Hendricks
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Any time Mr. Hendricks.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 8, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #19-IGF-OIG-00005.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General
Mr. Hendricks:
We have submitted a response to your FOIA request on November 12, 2018, to requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com> , which is the e-mail address you’ve provided. Please check your e-mail junk mailbox. We also mailed a hardcopy to the address you have provided in your e-mail.
For future request, it is best to provide this Office with a correct e-mail and mailing address. This Office does not click on or use unsecured links you have provided.
CONTROLLED//CUI
Thank you,
Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)
Notary Public
Office of Legal Counsel to Inspector General
Housing & Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
WARNING NOTICE:
This message and any attachments are intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information in this e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, law enforcement sensitive, privileged attorney/client communications or work products, exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Do not share, copy or forward without consulting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Office of Legal Counsel. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized interception, review, use, dissemination or copying of the information in this e-mail and its attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately call the HUD-OIG OLC at (202) 708-1613, or notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete this e-mail from your system(s)
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