Law enforcement informal and formal settlement data and reports (Austin Police Department)

Dear Beryl Lipton:

Thank you for your interest in the public records of the Austin Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on 6/30/2020 and given the reference number R040501-063020 for tracking purposes.
Please be advised that the Austin Police Department’s Central Records Division receives over 2500 requests for information a month. These requests are processed in the order received, and we strive to respond to each request promptly, as required by law.
Please know that, as a result of the large volume of requests received, the anticipated timeframe for responding to your request is approximately 45-60 business days.
You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records requested. PLEASE NOTE: The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you’ll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Austin Public Records Center.
Austin Police Department

Dear Beryl Lipton:
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin. Your request was received in this office on 8/17/2020 and given the reference number C076661-081720 for tracking purposes. Your request will be forwarded to the relevant City departments to locate the information you seek.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Materials related to and sufficient to show all instances of alleged or actual inappropriate or illegal behavior or actions resulting in compensation or expenditures involving this agency.

Responsive materials include records of all settlements (formal and informal) and payments to which this agency was or is a party for the period from January 1, 2010 through the date this request is processed. Responsive materials include those for matters and legal claims resolved prior to the initiation of any litigation.

In particular, materials responsive to this request include all reports, lists, databases, spreadsheets, and other documentation detailing incidents of legal claims or other allegations requiring compensation for claimants, attorneys, or any other party.

If spreadsheets or similar documents are available in response to this request, please provide all segregable data, including but not limited to:

The nature of the claim or legal matter
The claimant and other parties involved
The relevant case and tracking numbers for court and internal systems
The date the lawsuit was served or litigation commenced
The final disposition or current status of the case, including whether a case is still pending
The amount spent to date as a result of the legal engagement
The amount paid to any parties related to the legal claim, including any city payout and any non-monetary compensation

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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jq9dK%3AnUZrDTSaO0J5feHabI4q1eKlAT8&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Flaw-enforcement-informal-and-formal-settlement-data-and-reports-austin-police-department-97131%252F%253F
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, you will receive communication from the City of Austin within 10 business days informing you of one or more of the following:
• The date the information will be available or a copy of the records sought
• A cost estimate/invoice
• A letter advising there is no responsive information for your request or that some/all the responsive information may or must be withheld by the City of Austin in accordance with the law
• The need for clarification from you.
Please note your request must ask for records that already exist. The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, perform legal research, or answer questions.

You will receive an email once your request is complete.

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Public Information Request of August 17, 2020, Reference # C076661-081720
Dear Beryl Lipton,
The City of Austin received a public information request from you on August 17, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Materials related to and sufficient to show all instances of alleged or actual inappropriate or illegal behavior or actions resulting in compensation or expenditures involving this agency.

Responsive materials include records of all settlements (formal and informal) and payments to which this agency was or is a party for the period from January 1, 2010 through the date this request is processed. Responsive materials include those for matters and legal claims resolved prior to the initiation of any litigation.

In particular, materials responsive to this request include all reports, lists, databases, spreadsheets, and other documentation detailing incidents of legal claims or other allegations requiring compensation for claimants, attorneys, or any other party.

If spreadsheets or similar documents are available in response to this request, please provide all segregable data, including but not limited to:

The nature of the claim or legal matter
The claimant and other parties involved
The relevant case and tracking numbers for court and internal systems
The date the lawsuit was served or litigation commenced
The final disposition or current status of the case, including whether a case is still pending
The amount spent to date as a result of the legal engagement
The amount paid to any parties related to the legal claim, including any city payout and any non-monetary compensation

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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jq9dK%3AnUZrDTSaO0J5feHabI4q1eKlAT8&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Flaw-enforcement-informal-and-formal-settlement-data-and-reports-austin-police-department-97131%252F%253F”
In order for the City of Austin to begin processing your request, we need additional clarification. What specific departments are you requesting this information be obtained from? Specifically, are you seeking only records that involve the Austin Police Department? Also, please confirm the date range for this request.
If you would like for the City of Austin to proceed with your public information request, please provide clarifications within from 08/17/2020. Otherwise, the City of Austin will consider your request closed. sixty (60) calendar days
You may provide a response to the City of Austin by any of the following methods:
* by responding to this email or
* by regular mail to City of Austin Law Department P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX  78767
Upon receipt of your clarification, the City of Austin will further respond to your Public Information Act Request as required by law, including providing you with an estimate of costs associated with producing the requested records.
If you have any questions, please contact my office at (512) 974-2268.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin- Law Department
(512) 974-2268

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Public Information Request of August 17, 2020, Reference # C076661-081720
Dear Beryl Lipton,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 17, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Materials related to and sufficient to show all instances of alleged or actual inappropriate or illegal behavior or actions resulting in compensation or expenditures involving this agency.

Responsive materials include records of all settlements (formal and informal) and payments to which this agency was or is a party for the period from January 1, 2010 through the date this request is processed. Responsive materials include those for matters and legal claims resolved prior to the initiation of any litigation.

In particular, materials responsive to this request include all reports, lists, databases, spreadsheets, and other documentation detailing incidents of legal claims or other allegations requiring compensation for claimants, attorneys, or any other party.

If spreadsheets or similar documents are available in response to this request, please provide all segregable data, including but not limited to:

The nature of the claim or legal matter
The claimant and other parties involved
The relevant case and tracking numbers for court and internal systems
The date the lawsuit was served or litigation commenced
The final disposition or current status of the case, including whether a case is still pending
The amount spent to date as a result of the legal engagement
The amount paid to any parties related to the legal claim, including any city payout and any non-monetary compensation

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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jq9dK%3AnUZrDTSaO0J5feHabI4q1eKlAT8&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Flaw-enforcement-informal-and-formal-settlement-data-and-reports-austin-police-department-97131%252F%253F”
Your Public Information Request Reference # C076661-081720 is still being processed.  The City of Austin will make the effort to ensure information you have requested is made available in a timely manner.  We anticipate completing your request on or before December 3, 2020.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin—Law Department
(512) 974-2268

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Public Information Request of August 17, 2020, Reference # C076661-081720
Dear Beryl Lipton,
The City of Austin received a public information request from you on August 17, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Materials related to and sufficient to show all instances of alleged or actual inappropriate or illegal behavior or actions resulting in compensation or expenditures involving this agency.

Responsive materials include records of all settlements (formal and informal) and payments to which this agency was or is a party for the period from January 1, 2010 through the date this request is processed. Responsive materials include those for matters and legal claims resolved prior to the initiation of any litigation.

In particular, materials responsive to this request include all reports, lists, databases, spreadsheets, and other documentation detailing incidents of legal claims or other allegations requiring compensation for claimants, attorneys, or any other party.

If spreadsheets or similar documents are available in response to this request, please provide all segregable data, including but not limited to:

The nature of the claim or legal matter
The claimant and other parties involved
The relevant case and tracking numbers for court and internal systems
The date the lawsuit was served or litigation commenced
The final disposition or current status of the case, including whether a case is still pending
The amount spent to date as a result of the legal engagement
The amount paid to any parties related to the legal claim, including any city payout and any non-monetary compensation

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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jq9dK%3AnUZrDTSaO0J5feHabI4q1eKlAT8&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Flaw-enforcement-informal-and-formal-settlement-data-and-reports-austin-police-department-97131%252F%253F”
In order for the City of Austin to begin processing your request, we need additional clarification. Can you clarify the time-frame?
If you would like for the City of Austin to proceed with your public information request, please provide clarifications within from 10/21/2020. Otherwise, the City of Austin will consider your request closed. sixty (60) calendar days
You may provide a response to the City of Austin by any of the following methods:
* by responding to this email or
* by regular mail to City of Austin Law Department P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX  78767
Upon receipt of your clarification, the City of Austin will further respond to your Public Information Act Request as required by law, including providing you with an estimate of costs associated with producing the requested records.
If you have any questions, please contact my office at (512) 974-2268.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin- Law Department
(512) 974-2268