Mail Cover Requests
| Tracking # |
2020-IGFP-00375, 2020-FPIS-00255 2020-IGFP-00375 |
| Submitted | May 13, 2020 |
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Communications
From: John Ricker
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any and all records that contain the addresses of mail cover requests from 2019 to present.
I request these in the original format where possible, however would prefer all digital documents.
I am referring to the type of requests as described in Inspector General David William's audit entitled "Postal Inspection Service Mail Covers Program," released May 28, 2014.
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 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 as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
John Ricker
From: United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General
Dear Mr. Ricker:
This responds to your May 13 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for any and all records containing the addresses of mail cover requests from 2019 to present.
The U.S. Postal Service comprises the Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); the Postal Rate Commission (PRC); and the OIG; each with its own area of responsibility and individual FOIA office. This response is on behalf of the OIG only.
The Postal Service Records Office establishes procedures to ensure Postal Service records management practices comply with both the FOIA and Privacy Act. The Records Office, along with the St Louis Requester Service Center, is the designated custodian for non-law enforcement Postal Service records; including but not limited to contracting and personnel records. Additional information regarding the Postal Service FOIA program can be found at https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/foia/welcome.htm.
The USPIS is the designated custodian for postal records relating to Postal Service law enforcement issues. The USPIS is a federal law enforcement entity charged with enforcing the Federal statutes involving mail fraud, illegal drugs, external mail theft, and other postal crimes, including revenue deficiencies, and are responsible for safety and security of all postal employees and facilities. Information on the USPIS is available on the Internet at: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
The OIG is an independent agency, created in 1997, with oversight authority over audits and investigations of Postal and Inspection Service fraud, abuse, and misconduct. The OIG's mission is to prevent, detect, and report fraud, theft, and misconduct, and promote efficiency in the operation of the Postal Service.
While the OIG has "oversight authority" for activities of the above referenced entities, the OIG is a separate agency and does not have management authority over the daily operations of either the Postal Service or USPIS. In addition, the OIG FOIA office does not have access to records maintained by the Postal Service or UPSIS and cannot direct either FOIA office to release records under their control.
Because the USPIS administers the mail cover program and maintains any records potentially responsive to your request, we have forwarded a copy of your request to their office. They will respond to you directly. If you have questions regarding this referral, please contact them via email at foia@uspis.gov<mailto:foia@uspis.gov>, or in writing at:
Inspection Service FOIA/PA Unit
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Room 3301
Washington, DC 20260
If you have questions regarding the processing of this request, please submit them in writing to foia@uspsoig.gov<mailto:foia@uspsoig.gov>. We will provide you an answer within 2 working days. You may also 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: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, Room 2510, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001, e-mail at ogis@nara.gov<mailto:ogis@nara.gov>; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at 1-877-684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769.
As this completes our work on your request, we are closing your file here.
Sincerely,
USPS-OIG FOIA Team
From: United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General
Good morning Mr. Ricker,
Are you requesting the actual Mail Covers or just the addresses for the Mail Covers during this timeframe?
Please advise.
Kietta T. Lockerman
FOIA Analyst
Office of Counsel/FOIA
FOIA@uspis.gov
202.268.7004
From: John Ricker
Good Morning Kietta,
If I could actually get the addresses for mail covers during this time frame, that would be perfect!!
But I was afraid they would all be redacted or some such result, in which case I would like the actual mail covers.
Thank you!
John Ricker
From: United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General
So just to be clear, you are requesting the Mail Covers?
Kietta T. Lockerman
FOIA Analyst
Office of Counsel/FOIA
FOIA@uspis.gov<mailto:FOIA@uspis.gov>
From: John Ricker
Hi Kietta,
If you would be willing to provide the addresses that would be all that I need.
However, if you are not or would redact every single address then I am requesting the actual mail covers.
I’m requesting the actual mail covers but I really only want the addresses, so if you provide me the addresses, i don’t need the actual mail covers.
Thanks,
John
From: United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General
Mr. Ricker,
In order for me to properly respond to your request, you must be specific in what you are requesting. Do you want the addresses for the Mail Covers or the actual Mail Covers or both? Please be specific.
Kietta T. Lockerman
FOIA Analyst
Office of Counsel/FOIA
FOIA@uspis.gov<mailto:FOIA@uspis.gov>
From: John Ricker
Hi Kierra,
Let’s go with both then,
Thanks,
John Ricker
From: United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General
Good morning Mr. Ricker,
Please see the attached correspondence concerning your Freedom of Information Act request dated May 13, 2020 and assigned FOIA Case Number 2020-FPIS-00255.
Should you have any questions, please contact the FOIA Hotline at 202-268-7004 or by email at foia@uspis.gov
Thank you,
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Unit
From: John Ricker
Hi Kietta,
Your acknowledgement letter states that I have to follow the procedures in USPS handbook AS-353, which concerns USPS’ procedures for how they process FOIA requests. This has no procedures for submitting requests. I think you mistakenly included that. In addition, you stated that I had to verify my identity to receive any records, I submitted a FOIA request, not a privacy act request regarding records containing myself.
I am specifically not asking for names, or for you to match any address with any name. I only wish to know the physical addresses and to see the forms which may be redacted.
In addition there is non-confidential information on the forms even if it is simply the form number.
Please see 5 U.S.C. (b)
“Any reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be provided to any person requesting such record after deletion of the portions which are exempt under this subsection. The amount of information deleted shall be indicated on the released portion of the record“
From: John Ricker
Hi,
I wanted to follow up on this request.
Thank you,
John Ricker
From: United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General
Mr. Ricker –
Regarding case number 2020-FPIS-00255 this case is currently closed.
Regarding case number 2020-IGFP-00375 I have forwarded your request for status update to the proper office for response.
Thank you,
Anastasia
Office of Counsel
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
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