"Parallel construction", altering the origin of an investigatory trail
| Tracking # |
13-00542-F |
| Submitted | Aug. 5, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Brad Threatt
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
All available documents referring using the term "parallel construction", or describing a process in which the purported origin of an investigation is altered, as well as a count of how many times this process has been used in each of the past 5 calendar years.
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, 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 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,
Brad Threatt
From: Drug Enforcement Administration
An acknowledgement letter, 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 Aug. 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-00542-F.
Thank you for your help.
From: DEA.FOIA
Dear MuckRock,
This response is in reference to two (2) FOIA requests (attached) submitted to DEA. Requests 13-00541-F and 13-00542-F were submitted on the same day regarding the same subject. DEA is able to conduct a search for 13-00541-F, however; 13-00542-F for "all available documents..." is overly broad and burdensome. The Department of Justice (DOJ) rules, contained at 28 C.F.R. § 16.3(b), provide that “you must describe the records in enough detail to enable department personnel to locate them with a reasonable amount of effort” and when possible, your request should include specific information about each record sought such as the date, title or name, author, recipient and subject matter of the record. These specifics are important to determine the extent and scope of the search, and to determine the records that are responsive. DEA can make certain presumptions to overcome some of the deficiencies in your request, but not all of them. Also, under the FOIA an agency is not required to answer questions posed as FOIA requests.
Please advise if you are only interested in proceeding with FOIA request 13-00541-F. If you wish DEA to conduct a search for 13-00542-F, you will need to reformulate.
Please reply to this email. If you have further questions, please contact J. Delo on 202-307-7748.
From: DEA.FOIA
Dear MuckRock/Mr. Brad Threatt,
This response is in reference to 13-00542-F. DEA is unable to conduct a search for 13-00542-F. Your request for "all available documents..." is overly broad and burdensome. The Department of Justice (DOJ) rules, contained at 28 C.F.R. § 16.3(b), provide that “you must describe the records in enough detail to enable department personnel to locate them with a reasonable amount of effort” and when possible, your request should include specific information about each record sought such as the date, title or name, author, recipient and subject matter of the record. These specifics are important to determine the extent and scope of the search, and to determine the records that are responsive. DEA can make certain presumptions to overcome some of the deficiencies in your request, but not all of them. Also, under the FOIA an agency is not required to answer questions posed as FOIA requests.
If you wish DEA to conduct a search for 13-00542-F, you will need to reformulate your request letter.
Please reply to this email. If you have further questions, please contact J. Delo on 202-307-7748.
From: Brad Threatt
I withdraw the request for #13-00542-F, as the information in #13-00541-F should satisfy my request.
Thanks for your time,
-Brad T.
Files
pages