Whitmer Kidnap Plot (Department of Justice - FOIA/PA Mail Referral Unit)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Dear FOIA Officer,
I am writing to formally request information related to the Governor Gretchen Whitmer Kidnapping plot case for the purpose of journalistic inquiry and reporting. Specifically, I am seeking access to any and all documents, records, and communications related to this case, including but not limited to:
1. Investigative reports
2. Interview transcripts
3. Surveillance footage
4. Court documents
5. Correspondence with other government agencies
6. Internal emails, memos, and communications discussing the case
7. Any other relevant information or evidence

To assist in narrowing the search, I kindly request that the timeframe of the request covers all relevant information from the inception of the case to the present day.
I understand that fees may apply for processing this request, and I am willing to cover reasonable costs. However, I am requesting a fee waiver if the requested information is in the public interest and its disclosure serves to inform the public.
As a journalist, I am committed to providing accurate and in-depth reporting to the public, and I believe that access to this information will contribute to the public's understanding of this case and the actions of government agencies involved.
Please consider this FOIA request and respond within the statutory timeframes outlined in the FOIA. If you require any clarification or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the email address or phone number provided above.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response.

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,

Christina L. Urso

Hello,

This is in reference to my FOIA Request, tracking number EMRUFOIA111023-1.

A fix was requested, asking me to specify a jurisdiction and that would be the Western District of Michigan. Please let me know if you need anything else. Thank you.

I have updated, fixed and narrowed my request again:

To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
I am writing to formally request information related to the Governor Gretchen Whitmer Kidnapping plot case for the purpose of journalistic inquiry and reporting. Specifically, I am seeking access to any and all documents, records, and communications related to this case, including but not limited to:
1. Investigative reports
2. Interview transcripts
3. Surveillance footage
4. Internal emails, memos, and communications discussing the case
5. Any other relevant information or evidence
To assist in narrowing the search, I kindly request that the timeframe of the request covers all relevant information from the inception of the case in 2020 to the present day, narrowed to the jurisdiction of the western district of Michigan.
I understand that fees may apply for processing this request, and I am willing to cover reasonable costs. However, I am requesting a fee waiver if the requested information is in the public interest and its disclosure serves to inform the public and I dispute your claim that it is not in the public interest. The reason it is in the public interest is the case was a high-profile “terrorism enterprise investigation” that received national coverage and five of the men that were charged in the case have been acquitted by two different juries due to the very serious and credible allegations of entrapment. The five men who were convicted are currently appealing those convictions and if those cases are overturned it would be a huge deal and create new case law and it would affect future cases. It could be so significant that it is taught in law schools. There is nothing more in the public interest than understanding how innocent American citizens could be targeted by the federal government and the law enforcement agencies that are supposed to be there to protect them.
As a journalist, I am committed to providing accurate and in-depth reporting to the public, and I believe that access to this information will contribute to the public's understanding of this case and the actions of government agencies involved.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/08/jury-deadlocked-on-some-charges-in-whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial-00024095
https://news.yahoo.com/fbi-informants-had-bigger-role-213400243.html?guccounter=1
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60999431
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/15/politics/gretchen-whitmer-michigan-kidnapping-plot/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/08/us/verdict-whitmer-kidnapping-case.html
https://archive.is/txElo
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2022/4/13/23023950/michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer-kidnapping-plot-acquittal-fbi-entrapment-jacob-sullum-column

I would like to request a cost estimate for processing the request if my fee waiver request is denied.