William M. Beecher (May 27, 1933 – February 9, 2024)

Matthew Petti filed this request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America.

It is a clone of this request.

Tracking #

1620220-001

1620220-000

Due April 3, 2024
Est. Completion None
Status
Awaiting Response

From: Matthew Petti

To Whom It May Concern:

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

Records mentioning, relating to, or generated as a result of investigation or inquiry into investigative journalist William M. Beecher (May 27, 1933 – February 9, 2024). His death is widely-known and widely reported; as such, privacy concerns under FOIA Exemptions 6 and 7 are voided, as are any concerns under the Privacy Act. For example, you may find his New York Times obituary at the following link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/business/media/william-beecher-dead.html

Please conduct a search of the Central Records System, including but not limited to the Electronic Surveillance (ELSUR) Indices, the Microphone Surveillance (MISUR) Indices, the Physical Surveillance (FISUR) Indices, and the Technical Surveillance (TESUR) Indices, for both main-file records and cross-reference records of both HQ and all field offices for all relevant names, agencies, organizations, companies and events including but not limited to those cited in the previous paragraphs and/or links as well as a cross-reference with the Southern Poverty Law Center to include any information provided by the SPLC. My request includes but is not limited to 137, 157, 176, 177, 183, 184, 188, and 214 files. If previously released records are available, then I request a rolling release consisting of those records while additional records are located and processed for release.

If any part of these documents are exempt from disclosure, please be sure to review and release all reasonably segregable nonexempt portions of responsive documents, as the FOIA requires.

I request that I be properly classified as a media requester. I am an investigative journalist who has written numerous articles on topics of public interest for the Daily Beast, the Asia Times, Responsible Statecraft, the National Interest, Reason Magazine, America Magazine and the Armenian Weekly, and I am requesting these documents in an editorial capacity. Please contact me if you have any questions about my media status.

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,

Matthew Petti

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

There are eFOIA files available for you to download.

  • E8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629_Q213792_D165178584

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

There are eFOIA files available for you to download.

  • E8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629_Q213792_R435766_D165180893

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From: Matthew Petti

To whom this may concern,

My name is Matthew Petti and I am writing in response to my FOIA request number 1620220-000. Thank you so much for your prompt response.

In your letter dated 6 March 2024, you write that "additional records potentially responsive to your subject may exist. If this release of previously processed material does not satisfy your request, you may request an additional search for records."

I would like to formally advise that I would like an additional search for records. Thank you again for your prompt attention to this matter. If possible, please let me know if you've received this message.

Best regards,
Matthew

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI has received your additional correspondence regarding your Freedom of Information/Privacy Act (FOIPA) request and it has been forwarded to the assigned analyst for review and determination.

Respectfully,

Public Information Officer
FBI - Information Management Division
200 Constitution Drive
Winchester, VA 22602
O: (540) 868-4593
E: foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>

Do you have further questions about the FOI/PA process? Visit us at http://www.fbi.gov/foia

Please check the status of your request online at https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps Status updates are performed on a weekly basis.

Note: This is a non-emergency email address. If this is an emergency, please call 911 directly. If you need to report a tip for immediate action, please contact FBI Tips at http://tips.fbi.gov/ or reach out to your local field office.

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

There are eFOIA files available for you to download.

You can download the files at:

* [E8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629_Q213792_D165191386.pdf](https://efoia.fbi.gov/download-file/submission-8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629/qkAj8ohWsB8NfDa/E8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629_Q213792_D165191386.pdf)

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  • E8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629_Q213792_D165191386

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Good afternoon,

We're contacting you in reference to the FOIPA request number included in the subject line of this email.  The FBI located approximately 2,083 pages potentially responsive to your request. 

Requests are processed in the order in which they are received through our multi-track processing system:
Extra-small track requests (0-50 pages) current average time is approximately 8 months to complete;
Small track requests (51-250 pages) current average time is approximately 36 months to complete;
Medium track requests (251-500 pages) current average time is approximately 44 months to complete;
Large track requests (501-4,999 pages) current average time is approximately 67 months to complete; and
Extra-large track requests (5,000+ pages) current average time is approximately 79 months to complete.

The current average time to complete your large track request is at least 67 months. Reducing the scope of your request may accelerate the processing, allow for a timelier receipt of the information you seek, and reduce the duplication costs, if applicable. Would you be willing to consider reducing the scope of your request to place it in a smaller, potentially faster processing track?

Please let us know if this is something you would be interested in further discussing. If you chose to narrow the scope of your request, you will be able to request remaining material via a new FOIPA request submission at the completion of this request, subject to applicable fees.

Respectfully,

Negotiation Team
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov<mailto:Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov>

Status Checks: https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vault.fbi.gov_fdps-2D1_-40-40search-2Dfdps&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=SdHEKbKopxbZbSeRluCcd86nmwJXks1SzF_CE3LxaTE&e=> | foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>
For additional information, please visit the www.fbi.gov/foia<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.fbi.gov_foia&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=-aTlmvcM5Bk6Q7nyu9yDBhN3v2HmU3sGIZ7u9r2JLFg&e=> website.

From: Matthew Petti

Dear Negotiation Team,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Matthew Petti and I am writing with regard to my FOIA request number 1620220-001/William Beecher. Do you have any suggestions on how to reduce the scope of the request? Otherwise, I am happy to leave it in the large track.

Sincerely,
Matthew

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Good morning,
Thank you for your email concerning the scope reduction of this request. Unfortunately, we are limited on what we can discuss since the potentially responsive pages haven’t been reviewed by a FOIA analyst.
After further review, the potentially responsive pages are within the date range of 1953-1987.
We recommend the following options:

We could narrow the scope of this request by limiting to a specific date range within 1953-1987.

We could reduce the scope of this request by limiting to approximately 50 potentially responsive pages. This request would move to the simple track with an average time to complete of approximately 8 months.

We could reduce the scope of this request by limiting to approximately 250 potentially responsive pages. This request would move to the small track with an average time to complete of approximately 36 months.

We could reduce the scope of this request by limiting to approximately 500 potentially responsive pages. This request would move to the medium track with an average time to complete of approximately 44 months.

Please let us know how you would like to move forward with reducing the scope of your request.
Respectfully,

Negotiation Team
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov<mailto:Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov>

Status Checks: https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vault.fbi.gov_fdps-2D1_-40-40search-2Dfdps&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=SdHEKbKopxbZbSeRluCcd86nmwJXks1SzF_CE3LxaTE&e=> | foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>
For additional information, please visit the www.fbi.gov/foia<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.fbi.gov_foia&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=-aTlmvcM5Bk6Q7nyu9yDBhN3v2HmU3sGIZ7u9r2JLFg&e=> website.

From: Matthew Petti

Dear Negotiation Team,

I hope this message finds you well. This is Matthew Petti, writing with regard to my Freedom of Information Act Request #1620220-001. I appreciate your suggestions on how to reduce the scope of the request. I would be happy to limit the date range to the years from 1969 to 1975, inclusive.

Sincerely,
Matthew

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your email. If we reduce this request to records from 1969-1975, there would be approximately 1,981 potentially responsive pages. This would request would remain in the large track.

Would you like to proceed with reducing the request in the manner? Or potentially further reduce this request within a smaller date range?

Respectfully,

Negotiation Team
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov<mailto:Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov>

Status Checks: https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vault.fbi.gov_fdps-2D1_-40-40search-2Dfdps&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=SdHEKbKopxbZbSeRluCcd86nmwJXks1SzF_CE3LxaTE&e=> | foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>
For additional information, please visit the www.fbi.gov/foia<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.fbi.gov_foia&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=-aTlmvcM5Bk6Q7nyu9yDBhN3v2HmU3sGIZ7u9r2JLFg&e=> website.

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Good morning,

We haven’t heard back from you and would like to follow up with the below.

Respectfully,

Negotiation Team
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov<mailto:Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov>

Status Checks: https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vault.fbi.gov_fdps-2D1_-40-40search-2Dfdps&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=SdHEKbKopxbZbSeRluCcd86nmwJXks1SzF_CE3LxaTE&e=> | foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>
For additional information, please visit the www.fbi.gov/foia<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.fbi.gov_foia&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=-aTlmvcM5Bk6Q7nyu9yDBhN3v2HmU3sGIZ7u9r2JLFg&e=> website.

From: Matthew Petti

Dear Negotiation Team,

I hope this message finds you well. This is Matthew Petti, writing with regard to my Freedom of Information Act Request #1620220-001. What would the page count look like if I limited it to records from 1975 onwards?

Sincerely,
Matthew

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Good morning,

Thank you for your email. If we reduce the scope of this request to documents from 1975-1987, there would be 4 potentially responsive pages. Is there are track size you are interested in move this request to? Some requesters opt to narrow the request to the first or most recent 50 pages for a simple track request. We can go up to 250 pages for a small track request, or up to 500 for a medium track request.

Please advise how you would like to proceed.
Respectfully,

Negotiation Team
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov<mailto:Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov>

Status Checks: https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vault.fbi.gov_fdps-2D1_-40-40search-2Dfdps&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=SdHEKbKopxbZbSeRluCcd86nmwJXks1SzF_CE3LxaTE&e=> | foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>
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From: Matthew Petti

Dear Negotiation Team,

Thank you again for the quick response. This is Matthew Petti, writing with regard to my Freedom of Information Act Request #1620220-001. Could I limit the response to the most recent 50 pages, then? This is really helpful and I appreciate the pointers.

Sincerely,
Matthew

From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Good morning,

No problem. Thank you for your willingness to reduce the scope of this request.

Respectfully,

Negotiation Team
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov<mailto:Fbi.foipa.negotiation@fbi.gov>

Status Checks: https://vault.fbi.gov/fdps-1/@@search-fdps<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__vault.fbi.gov_fdps-2D1_-40-40search-2Dfdps&d=DwMFAw&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=XBMMkObpUV4qgiRWe16ruf84MlE_zzfeACVcd84hmls&m=Aw62oYIKH07oNuehHecdHgLWMqlWFG0DYoQjNpzMHkhbi3BtoiHrci3yBRh212Wp&s=SdHEKbKopxbZbSeRluCcd86nmwJXks1SzF_CE3LxaTE&e=> | foipaquestions@fbi.gov<mailto:foipaquestions@fbi.gov>
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From: Federal Bureau of Investigation

There are eFOIA files available for you to download.

  • E8e462217ac1d670f6d3199839644d926dbdf3da668e684a629_Q213792_D165336674