Janet Napolitano's rolodex

Good Afternoon,
Attached is our acknowledgment to your DHS FOIA request.  If you need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at 866-431-0486.

July 11, 2013
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Privacy Office
Director, Disclosure & FOIA
245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410
STOP-655
Washington, D.C. 20528-0655

This is a follow up to request number 2013-HQFO-00715:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On June 11, 2013:

Good Afternoon,
Attached is our acknowledgment to your DHS FOIA request.  If you need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at 866-431-0486.

---

On June 6, 2013:

Hello,

I am resubmitting the request below, which was originally submitted to the DHS FOIA email inbox on 5 May 2013 but which Angela Washington indicated had not been received. Please acknowledge receipt.

Thank you.

------------

From Jason Smathers on May 5, 2013:
To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a secretary or administrative assistant.

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,

Jason Smathers

---

On June 4, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 5, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On May 5, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a secretary or administrative assistant.

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.

Good Afternoon, Attached is our final response to your request.  If you need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at 866-431-0486. Regards, DHS Privacy Office Disclosure & FOIA Program

September 16, 2013
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Privacy Office
Director, Disclosure & FOIA
245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410
STOP-655
Washington, D.C. 20528-0655

This is a follow up to request number 2013-HQFO-00715:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On Aug. 17, 2013:

August 17, 2013
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Privacy Office
Director, Disclosure & FOIA
245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410
STOP-655
Washington, D.C. 20528-0655

This is a follow up to request number 2013-HQFO-00715:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On July 18, 2013:

I appeal.

Keeping an organized collection of contact information is a function
clearly not only a personal endeavour, but a requirement to function
properly in the respective governmental role.

Contacting people and organizations is a function of employment in
government and not solely a personal task. Thus, the file created for the
purpose of contacting people and organizations is an agency record.

Further, even if some portion of the records are not agency records, it is
possible to segregate those and release the agency records.

On these grounds and all other grounds deemed appropriate by the appeals
authority, I appeal the withholding in full of all records.

Regards,
Jason Smathers

---

On July 18, 2013:

Good Afternoon, Attached is our final response to your request. If you
need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide
the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the
information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can
be reached at 866-431-0486. Regards, DHS Privacy Office Disclosure & FOIA
Program

---

On July 11, 2013:

July 11, 2013
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Privacy Office
Director, Disclosure & FOIA
245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410
STOP-655
Washington, D.C. 20528-0655

This is a follow up to request number 2013-HQFO-00715:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On June 11, 2013:

Good Afternoon,
Attached is our acknowledgment to your DHS FOIA request. If you need to
contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS
reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information
you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at
866-431-0486.

---

On June 6, 2013:

Hello,

I am resubmitting the request below, which was originally submitted to the
DHS FOIA email inbox on 5 May 2013 but which Angela Washington indicated
had not been received. Please acknowledge receipt.

Thank you.

------------

From Jason Smathers on May 5, 2013:
To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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,

Jason Smathers

---

On June 4, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 5, 2013. Please let me know
when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is
needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On May 5, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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.

---

On July 11, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On June 11, 2013:

Good Afternoon,
Attached is our acknowledgment to your DHS FOIA request. If you need to
contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS
reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information
you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at
866-431-0486.

---

On June 6, 2013:

Hello,

I am resubmitting the request below, which was originally submitted to the
DHS FOIA email inbox on 5 May 2013 but which Angela Washington indicated
had not been received. Please acknowledge receipt.

Thank you.

------------

From Jason Smathers on May 5, 2013:
To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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,

Jason Smathers

---

On June 4, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 5, 2013. Please let me know
when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is
needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On May 5, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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.

---

On Aug. 17, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On July 18, 2013:

I appeal.

Keeping an organized collection of contact information is a function
clearly not only a personal endeavour, but a requirement to function
properly in the respective governmental role.

Contacting people and organizations is a function of employment in
government and not solely a personal task. Thus, the file created for the
purpose of contacting people and organizations is an agency record.

Further, even if some portion of the records are not agency records, it is
possible to segregate those and release the agency records.

On these grounds and all other grounds deemed appropriate by the appeals
authority, I appeal the withholding in full of all records.

Regards,
Jason Smathers

---

On July 18, 2013:

Good Afternoon, Attached is our final response to your request. If you
need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide
the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the
information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can
be reached at 866-431-0486. Regards, DHS Privacy Office Disclosure & FOIA
Program

---

On July 11, 2013:

July 11, 2013
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Privacy Office
Director, Disclosure & FOIA
245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410
STOP-655
Washington, D.C. 20528-0655

This is a follow up to request number 2013-HQFO-00715:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On June 11, 2013:

Good Afternoon,
Attached is our acknowledgment to your DHS FOIA request. If you need to
contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS
reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information
you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at
866-431-0486.

---

On June 6, 2013:

Hello,

I am resubmitting the request below, which was originally submitted to the
DHS FOIA email inbox on 5 May 2013 but which Angela Washington indicated
had not been received. Please acknowledge receipt.

Thank you.

------------

From Jason Smathers on May 5, 2013:
To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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,

Jason Smathers

---

On June 4, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 5, 2013. Please let me know
when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is
needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On May 5, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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.

---

On July 11, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 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 #2013-HQFO-00715.

Thank you for your help.

---

On June 11, 2013:

Good Afternoon,
Attached is our acknowledgment to your DHS FOIA request. If you need to
contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS
reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information
you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at
866-431-0486.

---

On June 6, 2013:

Hello,

I am resubmitting the request below, which was originally submitted to the
DHS FOIA email inbox on 5 May 2013 but which Angela Washington indicated
had not been received. Please acknowledge receipt.

Thank you.

------------

From Jason Smathers on May 5, 2013:
To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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,

Jason Smathers

---

On June 4, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on May 5, 2013. Please let me know
when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is
needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On May 5, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:

A copy of Janet Napolitano's rolodex, including both electronic and paper
versions. i.e., any business card file kept, any address book kept, or and
contacts program kept on a computer such as outlook, google, etc. Please
include both the records kept by Janet Napolitano herself and those kept by
anyone responsible for communicating on her immediate behalf such as a
secretary or administrative assistant.

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,

Jason Smathers

Mr. Smathers,

Attached, please find an acknowledgment of your appeal of FOIA 2013-HQFO-00715.

Sincerely,

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

202-343-1743 (Main FOIA Number)
202-343-4011 (Fax)

Visit our FOIA website

This communication, along with any attachments, is covered by federal and state law governing electronic communications and may contain confidential and legally privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, use or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please reply immediately to the sender and delete this message. Thank you.

Mr. Smathers:

Please find attached the FOIA appeal decision issued by Chief Judge Brudzinski's office.

Thank you,

Lauren Meus
Hearing Docket Clerk