Martin Gardner FBI File
| Tracking # |
1471030-000 |
| Submitted | April 9, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: R. M. Seibert
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Records relating to or mentioning Martin Gardner, a famous author and skeptic known for debunking various myths and false claims related to pseudoscience and new age philosophy . He was born on October 21, 1914 and his death on May 22, 2010 was widely reported: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/us/24gardner.html
Please conduct a search of the Central Records System, including but not limited to the ELSUR Records System, the Microphone Surveillance (MISUR) Indices, the Physical Surveillance (FISUR) Indices, and the Technical Surveillance (TESUR) Indices, for both main-file records and cross-reference records for all relevant names, individuals, agencies and companies. If any potentially responsive records have been destroyed and/or transferred to NARA, then I request copies of the destruction or transfer slips as well as any other documentation relating to, mentioning or describing said transfer or destruction.
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 and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
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,
R. M. Seibert
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 April 9, 2020. 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: 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 April 9, 2020. 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: Federal Bureau of Investigation
A fix is required to perfect the request.
From: R. M. Seibert
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Records relating to or mentioning Martin Gardner, a famous author and skeptic known for debunking various myths and false claims related to pseudoscience and new age philosophy . He was born on October 21, 1914 and his death on May 22, 2010 was widely reported: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/us/24gardner.html
Please conduct a search of the Central Records System, including but not limited to the ELSUR Records System, the Microphone Surveillance (MISUR) Indices, the Physical Surveillance (FISUR) Indices, and the Technical Surveillance (TESUR) Indices, for both main-file records and cross-reference records for all relevant names, individuals, agencies and companies. If any potentially responsive records have been destroyed and/or transferred to NARA, then I request copies of the destruction or transfer slips as well as any other documentation relating to, mentioning or describing said transfer or destruction.
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 and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
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,
R. M. Seibert
From:
This is an automated reply to inform you that the National Archives and Records Administration received your e-mail.
We have received your request and will respond within 20 working days. Please note that submitting duplicate requests will increase wait times.
If you have any questions, you can call our office at 301-837-3190. You can also visit our web page at www.archives.gov/research/foia.
Notice to NARA Researchers and FOIA Requesters
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of our staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgment as well as a substantive response to your reference or FOIA request or appeal. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.
Thank you.
From: National Archives And Records Administration – Archival Or Special Access
Dear R.M. Seibert,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information Act request for records in the
custody of the National Archives and Records Administration. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to process FOIA requests according to
our normal procedures. We have assigned your request the temporary tracking
number *RF-235. *When we resume normal operations, we will log requests
into our system in the order they were received. At that time, we will
provide you with a new FOIA tracking number and a more substantive
response. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your
understanding and patience.
Sincerely,
Brigitte Flynn
Special Access & FOIA Staff
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 April 9, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #1471030-000.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 April 9, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #1471030-000.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: National Archives And Records Administration – Archival Or Special Access
Dear R.M. Seibert:
I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
of August 24, 2020, for records in the custody of the National Archives and
Records Administration. Your request was received in this office on August
24, 2020, and assigned FOIA tracking number 64565, interim tracking number
RF-235.
You requested FBI case files related to Martin Gardner. We conducted a
search of all available indexes transferred to the National Archives for
Martin Gardner and were unable to identify any FBI case files responsive to
your request in our holdings.
Because we were unable to identify any case files pertinent to your subject
of interest, we are closing your request administratively. This concludes
the processing of your request.
If you have not done so already, you may wish to submit a FOIA request to
the FBI for a search of their indexes for files relating to your subject.
Information about how to submit a FOIA request with the FBI is available on
their website at:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/records-management/foipa/requesting-fbi-records
.
If you are not satisfied with our action on this request, you have the
right to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days
from the date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be
delivered by regular U.S. mail or by email. By filing an appeal, you
preserve your rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the
deciding agency with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider
its decision. If you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be
addressed to the Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National
Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College
Park, Maryland 20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly
marked “FOIA Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by email, please send it to
foia@nara.gov, addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA
Appeal” in the subject line. Please be certain to explain why you believe
this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information
Act. All communications concerning this request should reference your FOIA
tracking number.
If you would like the opportunity to discuss our response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:
Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area
FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190
FOIA Public Liaison: Michael Marquis
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500
College Park, MD 20740-6001
301-837-3190
If you are unable to resolve your dispute through our Public Liaison, the
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is the federal FOIA
ombudsman. OGIS offers mediation services to help resolve disputes between
FOIA requesters and federal agencies. You may contact OGIS at the following
address:
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510
College Park, MD 20740-6001
202-741-5770
1-877-684-6448 (toll-free)
If you have additional questions, please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Coon
Archivist
Special Access and FOIA Program (RF)
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500
College Park, MD 20740-6001
301-837-1604
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