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ethics
7 Articles
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Emails show internal confusion over Interior’s “Secretary’s Shotgun Showdown”
In 2017, the Department of the Interior announced a new initiative to “reemphasize hunting and fishing” at the DOI: “Secretary’s Shotgun Showdown,” a video game tournament in which employees would take on then-Secretary Ryan Zinke in a game of “Big Buck Hunter Pro” for the chance to win “bragging rights” and a “Beverage on the Balcony.” Just days before the game was dropped off, key details had yet to be finalized.

This week’s FOIA round-up: DEA database points to companies’ roles in opioid epidemic and Interior emails reveal violations of federal ethics rules
In this week’s FOIA round-up, the Washington Post and HD Media gain access to a database that tracks opioid distribution, emails obtained through a FOIA request reveal the extent of a top Department of the Interior official’s violations of federal ethics rules, and city and court records reveal that in one Alaska town every single police officer has been convicted of domestic violence.
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Massachusetts lawmakers continue to limit access to financial interest records
At least 29 states post Statements of Financial Interest online, making it easy to peruse your local official’s financial ties. But under the Massachusetts Financial Disclosure Law, those wanting to get a closer look at their lawmaker’s finances have to be okay with not only showing some identification, but having their name shared with the official in question.
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Shifting from Tasers to AI, Axon wants to use terabytes of data to automate police records and redactions
Axon, one of the most prominent suppliers of tech tools to law enforcement, is shifting from selling its signature Tasers to embedding artificial intelligence in police departments around the country
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FOIAing the Trump Administration: After a year, aspects of Trump appointees’ ethics agreements begin to expire
Trump has been in office for one year, which means some of his earliest appointees will soon be free of certain promises in their ethics agreements. This week, we take a look at how you can investigate Trump appointees’ ethical obligations using public records.
8 Requests
Completed
ACLU FOIA Requests Made Around Trump Inauguration
Nathan Lawrence sent this request to the Office of Government Ethics of the United States of America
Rejected
T. McElwee sent this request to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics of New York
Completed
Agency policies and interactions with county party committee officials (New York Board of Elections)
T. McElwee sent this request to the New York Board of Elections of New York
Completed
T. McElwee sent this request to the New York City Board of Elections of New York City, NY
No Responsive Documents
T. McElwee sent this request to the The Conflicts of Interest Board of New York City, NY