Department of Corrections lawsuits/settlements (Department of Corrections)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act ("FOAA"), I hereby request the following records:

Copies of all reports, lists, or databases detailing the lawsuits, grievances, or other mediated conflicts in which this agency was listed as a party. This should include all such lawsuits and otherwise in which this agency was listed either as a plaintiff or a defendant in all instances through the end of 2015. This should also include all such lawsuits, settlements, and otherwise in which was named a party any representative of this agency, any individual acting in some capacity on behalf of this agency, or any company, corporation, or contractor providing services on behalf of this agency. Please include all available segregable data, including but not limited to the parties involved, the nature of the complaint, the date on which proceedings began, the date on which the resolution was reached, the nature of the resolution, the amount used to settle the conflict, any records related to associated legal fees incurred as part of the conflict, etc. This should include requests for funds used to cover settlement agreements, court costs, or other expenses related to lawsuits.

Further clarification can be provided upon request.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by 1 M.R.S.A. § 408(6). 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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton