Tanya Lennon Fraud Report
| Submitted | Aug. 29, 2024 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Alexander Lennon
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
All documents related to fraud reports concerning Tanya Lennon (DOB: 10/15/1983) .
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.
Sincerely,
Alexander Lennon
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Wisconsin Open Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 29, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
This email is to acknowledge your request to the Department of Health Services (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding documents related to fraud reports concerning the name individual below. We are in the process of analyzing the request.
OIG gives public records requests high priority and provides requested records as soon as practicable and without delay. A reasonable time for response to a specific public record request depends on the nature of the request, the staff, and other resources available to process the request, the extent of the request, and whether confidential material contained in the responsive records must be redacted.
According to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), the Department may charge for locating records if the cost is $50 or more, as well as the costs of copies or scanning and mailing/shipping the records responsive to the request. We will prepare an estimate for the cost of the requested documents, if any, and will submit an invoice to you before compiling the records. Also, under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(f), OIG will require prepayment of the estimated cost of providing a copy of the records to you if the total cost exceeds $5.
You may direct any questions concerning this request to dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov<mailto:dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov>. “Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(b), if a determination denies a public records request, in whole or in part, it is subject to review by mandamus under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1) or upon application to a district attorney or the Attorney General.”
Sincerely,
Anthony J. Baize
Inspector General
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Phone: 608.266.2521
Fax: 608.267.3380
NOTICE: This email and any attachments may contain confidential information. Use and further disclosure of the information by the recipient must be consistent with applicable laws, regulations and agreements. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender, delete the email and do not use, disclose or store the information it contains.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Wisconsin Open Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 29, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The Department of Health Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received your open records request. OIG gives public records requests high priority and provides requested records as soon as practicable and without delay.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Wisconsin Open Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 29, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The Department of Health Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received your open records request. OIG gives public records requests high priority and provides requested records as soon as practicable and without delay.
From: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
This email is to follow up on your open records request to the Department of Health Services (DHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding request for records related to fraud allegations.
The documents requested are part of an on-going investigation. Upon review of the records and in consultation with our Office of Legal Counsel, I find that the public interest in investigating and prosecuting potential fraud, waste, and abuse in publicly funded programs outweighs the public interest in obtaining information and evidence related to specific allegations. That information may be available when the investigations are closed or if and when criminal or civil complaints are filed.
If you believe that the Department has improperly determined that materials should not be provided to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further, if you do so believe, you have a right under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1) to have the determination reviewed by mandamus or upon application to the attorney general or appropriate district attorney. This fulfills your open records request, and we will consider your request closed. If you should have any questions, you may contact me at dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov<mailto:dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov>.
This fulfills your open records request, and we will consider your request closed. If you should have any questions, you may contact me at dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov<mailto:dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov>.
Sincerely,
Anthony J. Baize
Inspector General
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Phone: 608.266.2521
Fax: 608.267.3380
NOTICE: This email and any attachments may contain confidential information. Use and further disclosure of the information by the recipient must be consistent with applicable laws, regulations and agreements. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender, delete the email and do not use, disclose or store the information it contains.
From: Alexander Lennon
Subject: Appeal of Denial of Open Records Request
Dear Mr. Baize,
I am writing to formally appeal the denial of my recent open records request concerning fraud investigations related to Tanya Lennon (now known as Tanya Anderson). While I understand the constraints associated with ongoing investigations, I respectfully assert that the public interest in transparency and accountability justifies the release of at least some portion of the requested records.
Additionally, I am now seeking access to any records related to allegations of both welfare fraud and SSI payee representative fraud reported against Tanya Lennon. Given that these actions directly relate to her misuse of public benefits and funds intended for the care of her children, it is imperative that timely disclosure be provided where permissible under Wisconsin’s Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39).
I understand that certain sensitive information may need to be redacted; however, I respectfully request the release of non-exempt records that do not compromise ongoing investigations. If the denial stands, I ask that the Department detail the specific exemptions relied upon to withhold the records. Additionally, I seek confirmation that these records will be made available once the investigation is complete or if criminal or civil complaints are filed.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and would appreciate further clarification if any additional steps are needed to facilitate access to the requested records. Please acknowledge receipt of this appeal, and let me know if there are any updates regarding the status of this request.
Sincerely,
Alexander Lennon
608-214-6492
From: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The Department of Health Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received your open records request. OIG gives public records requests high priority and provides requested records as soon as practicable and without delay.
From: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
This email is to follow up on your open records request to the Department of Health Services (DHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding request for records related to fraud allegations.
The documents requested are part of an on-going investigation and there are no additional responsive records to your request. Upon review of the records and in consultation with our Office of Legal Counsel, I find that the public interest in investigating and prosecuting potential fraud, waste, and abuse in publicly funded programs outweighs the public interest in obtaining information and evidence related to specific allegations. That information may be available when the investigations are closed or if and when criminal or civil complaints are filed. Under the balancing test, the department’s interest in maintaining the personally identifiable information and maintained in connection with a complaint and ongoing investigation outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
If you believe that the Department has improperly determined that materials should not be provided to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further, if you do so believe, you have a right under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1) to have the determination reviewed by mandamus or upon application to the attorney general or appropriate district attorney. This fulfills your open records request, and we will consider your request closed.
This fulfills your open records request, and we will consider your request closed. If you should have any questions, you may contact me at dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov<mailto:dhsoigopenrecordsrequest@wi.gov>.
Sincerely,
Anthony J. Baize
Inspector General
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Phone: 608.266.2521
Fax: 608.267.3380
NOTICE: This email and any attachments may contain confidential information. Use and further disclosure of the information by the recipient must be consistent with applicable laws, regulations and agreements. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender, delete the email and do not use, disclose or store the information it contains.