To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Freedom of Information Act Request
Date: December 10, 2024
To: FOIA/PA Mail Referral Unit
U.S. Department of Justice
Room 115, LOC Building
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Email: MRUFOIA.Requests@usdoj.gov
Subject: Comprehensive FOIA Request for Records Pertaining to Complaint #542283-VPS and Associated Actions
Dear FOIA Officer,
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), I hereby request access to all records, documentation, and communications related to the processing, review, decision-making, and actions taken in connection with complaint #542283-VPS, submitted on December 2, 2024. This request includes records addressing allegations of systemic constitutional violations, ADA non-compliance, whistleblower retaliation, and associated governance issues.
Scope of Request
Complaint Review and Processing:
All internal records, including memos, emails, meeting notes, decision logs, and evaluations, documenting the review and disposition of complaint #542283-VPS.
Any workflows or internal task assignments related to this complaint, including timelines and responsible personnel.
External and Interagency Communications:
Correspondence between DOJ and external entities, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Connecticut Attorney Generals Office, and other federal or state agencies concerning the subject matter of the complaint.
Interagency directives or advisories relating to oversight or collaboration on systemic issues identified in the complaint.
Policy, Procedure, and Action Records:
Documentation of DOJ protocols, policies, or operational guidelines used in assessing, addressing, or dismissing complaint #542283-VPS.
Records of enforcement actions, case follow-ups, or formal referrals stemming from the complaint.
Personnel Involvement:
Identification of all DOJ personnel involved in processing or overseeing this matter, including their roles, decision-making authority, and communication logs.
Legal and Procedural Basis:
Any legal analyses, internal opinions, or statutory references justifying the decision communicated to me in your letter dated December 2, 2024, indicating no further action would be taken.
Supporting documentation outlining the DOJ's compliance with whistleblower protection standards, ADA obligations, and constitutional governance in this decision.
ADA and Whistleblower Protections:
All DOJ records, policies, and communications addressing ADA accommodations or whistleblower protections as applied in this case.
Documentation of any DOJ awareness, training, or application of ADA-compliant processes related to this complaint.
Accommodations Previously Requested
The following accommodations, explicitly outlined in prior communications, remain unfulfilled:
Exclusive Use of MuckRock Platform
Requested: All communications must be routed exclusively through the MuckRock platform. No external portals, password-protected links, or alternate communication methods are acceptable.
Non-Compliance: Communications have directed me to use external portals and password-protected links, violating ADA guidelines and my explicit requests.
Accessible Document Formatting
Requested: All documents must be provided as screen-reader compatible PDFs, properly labeled and indexed for ease of navigation and accessibility.
Non-Compliance: Provided documents have not adhered to accessibility standards, preventing effective access to critical information.
Simplified Summaries for Complex Records
Requested: Simplified summaries must accompany all complex or technical records to enhance comprehension and ensure equitable participation.
Non-Compliance: No summaries have been provided, creating unnecessary barriers to understanding the records.
Identification of Responsible Personnel
Requested: Each communication must include the name, title, and role of the individual responsible for processing or responding to my requests.
Non-Compliance: Correspondence has consistently lacked this information, hindering accountability and effective follow-up.
Immediate Action Required
Request for Expedited Processing
Given the significant public interest in transparency regarding whistleblower retaliation, ADA compliance, and constitutional violations, expedited processing is requested under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E). Immediate access to these records is essential to addressing ongoing harm and systemic governance issues.
Request for Fee Waiver
As this request is made in the public interest and not for commercial purposes, I request a fee waiver under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). Disclosure of these records will contribute substantially to public understanding of government operations and decision-making.
Deadline and Compliance Expectations
I anticipate your acknowledgment of this request within the statutory 20 business days and fulfillment of the request without undue delay. Any refusal to provide responsive records must be accompanied by a detailed justification citing specific statutory exemptions.
Failure to comply with FOIA obligations or provide the requested accommodations will necessitate escalation through administrative appeals, formal complaints to oversight bodies, and judicial remedies.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources
DB.42.131.Inf.
ABI Resources https://www.ctbraininjury.com/blog/tags/db-42-131-inf https://x.com/ABIresources/status/1866212331279339765 https://www.youtube.com/@ABI.RESOURCES-CT-ABI-MFP-CARE/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2
CC:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Connecticut Attorney Generals Office
Relevant Congressional Oversight Committees
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 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
DAVID MEDEIROS
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Washington Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 13, 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.
FOIA Appeal: Constitutional Violations, Whistleblower Protections, Taxpayer Accountability, and ADA Non-Compliance
Date: December 17, 2024
To:
FOIA/PA Mail Referral Unit
U.S. Department of Justice
Room 115, LOC Building
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Email: MRUFOIA.Requests@usdoj.gov
From:
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources
FOIA Reference: Tracking Number EMRUFOIA121324
Introduction
This is a formal appeal under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) regarding your improper response dated December 17, 2024. My original FOIA request (submitted December 10, 2024) explicitly identified Complaint #542283-VPS and sought records addressing:
Constitutional violations (First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments);
Whistleblower retaliation and systemic oversight failures;
Misuse of taxpayer funds under federal programs;
ADA and Section 504 non-compliance, obstructing disability accommodations.
Your reliance on 28 CFR 16.3(b) to delay this request is legally improper. The records sought are sufficiently described, and your failure to act violates FOIA and related statutory obligations.
1. Constitutional Violations
Your response obstructs access to records and denies procedural fairness, violating fundamental constitutional rights:
First Amendment: My right to petition the government for transparency and oversight.
Fifth Amendment: Denial of procedural due process through unjustified delays.
Fourteenth Amendment: Equal protection under the law, specifically for disability-based accommodations.
Legal Precedents:
Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia, 448 U.S. 555 (1980): Transparency is essential for public trust.
Lane v. Brown, 841 F.3d 1098 (2016): Failure to honor ADA accommodations is discriminatory.
Remedy Sought:
Immediate production of all responsive records pertaining to Complaint #542283-VPS.
Written acknowledgment of my constitutional rights and corrective measures to uphold these rights.
2. Whistleblower Protections Violations
The requested records relate to systemic misconduct and oversight failures. Your refusal to disclose these records obstructs transparency and undermines whistleblower protections.
Legal Authority:
5 U.S.C. 2302 (Whistleblower Protection Act): Protects disclosures exposing misconduct and retaliation.
31 U.S.C. 3729 (False Claims Act): Ensures exposure of fraud, waste, and abuse of public resources.
Remedy Sought:
Full disclosure of internal communications, investigations, task logs, and policies regarding Complaint #542283-VPS.
Confirmation that no whistleblower-related documents are being improperly withheld.
3. Taxpayer Accountability Violations
My FOIA request addresses the use and oversight of taxpayer funds under federally funded programs. Denying access to these records obstructs public accountability.
Legal Authority:
5 U.S.C. 552: Mandates disclosure of government records unless a clear statutory exemption applies.
NARA v. Favish, 541 U.S. 157 (2004): Public interest in government accountability outweighs secrecy.
Remedy Sought:
Release all audits, funding records, decision logs, and communications tied to Complaint #542283-VPS.
Provide a Vaughn Index citing precise statutory exemptions for any withheld records.
4. ADA and Section 504 Non-Compliance
I explicitly requested reasonable ADA accommodations to ensure equitable access to FOIA processes, including:
Exclusive Muckrock platform communications only. (no portals, password links, or physical mail).
Screen-Reader Compatible PDFs, properly labeled and indexed.
Simplified Summaries for complex records.
Identification of FOIA personnel handling this request (names, titles, and roles).
Your failure to fulfill these accommodations violates:
42 U.S.C. 12132 (ADA Title II): Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
29 U.S.C. 794 (Section 504): Requires equitable access to federally funded services.
Legal Precedents:
Alexander v. Choate, 469 U.S. 287 (1985): Agencies must ensure meaningful access to public programs.
Lane v. Brown, 841 F.3d 1098 (2016): Denial of accommodations is unlawful discrimination.
Remedy Sought:
Reissue all correspondence and records in ADA-compliant formats immediately.
Confirm that all requested ADA accommodations will be honored for this and future FOIA communications.
Compliance Timeline and Escalation
Compliance Deadlines:
5 Business Days: Acknowledge receipt of this appeal and confirm compliance with ADA accommodations.
10 Business Days: Fulfill my FOIA request by releasing all responsive records or providing a Vaughn Index.
Escalation for Non-Compliance:
Failure to comply will result in immediate escalation to:
DOJ Office of Inspector General (OIG) for procedural failures and misconduct.
DOJ Civil Rights Division ADA Enforcement Unit for disability rights violations.
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) for FOIA mediation and oversight.
Federal Courts for injunctive relief, enforcement of statutory obligations, and recovery of costs.
Congressional Oversight Committees for systemic violations impeding public accountability.
Conclusion
Your failure to adhere to FOIA, constitutional mandates, whistleblower protections, and ADA compliance constitutes a serious legal violation. I demand:
Immediate release of all responsive records tied to Complaint #542283-VPS.
Full implementation of all requested ADA accommodations.
Written acknowledgment of violations and a corrective plan to ensure future compliance.
Failure to meet these obligations will trigger immediate escalation to enforcement authorities.
CC:
CC:
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
1. Merrick B. Garland
Title: Attorney General
Phone: (202) 514-2000
Email: doj.oag@usdoj.gov
2. Kristen Clarke
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Phone: (202) 514-4609
Email: civilrights.justice@usdoj.gov
3. Michael E. Horowitz
Title: Inspector General, DOJ Office of Inspector General
Phone: (202) 514-3435
Email: oig.hotline@usdoj.gov
4. Alina M. Semo
Title: Director, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Phone: (202) 741-5770 | Toll-Free: 1-877-684-6448
Email: ogis@nara.gov
5. Michael G. Seidel
Title: Section Chief, Record/Information Dissemination Section, Information Management Division
Phone: (202) 324-3000
Email: foipaquestions@fbi.gov
6. Priscilla Jones
Title: Supervisory Administrative Specialist, Office of Information Policy
Phone: (202) 514-3642
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
7. Rianna Barrett
Title: Associate Chief, Administrative Appeals Staff
Phone: (202) 514-3642
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
8. Christina Trojan
Title: Chief, Administrative Appeals Staff
Phone: (202) 514-3642
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
9. Xavier Becerra
Title: Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Phone: (202) 690-7000
Email: secretary@hhs.gov
10. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
Title: Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Phone: (410) 786-3000
Email: FOIA_Request@cms.hhs.gov
11. Lisa Pino
Title: Director, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), HHS
Phone: (800) 368-1019
Email: ocrmail@hhs.gov
Connecticut State Officials
12. Ned Lamont
Title: Governor, State of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 566-4840
Email: governor.lamont@ct.gov
13. William Tong
Title: Attorney General, State of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 808-5318
Email: attorney.general@ct.gov
14. Andrea Barton Reeves
Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Phone: (860) 424-5053
Email: andrea.bartonreeves@ct.gov
Congressional Oversight Committees
15. James Comer
Title: Chair, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Phone: (202) 225-5074
Email: oversightpress@mail.house.gov
16. Gary Peters
Title: Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Phone: (202) 224-2627
Email: committee@hsgac.senate.gov
17. Jamie Raskin
Title: Chair, House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Phone: (202) 225-5341
Email: civilrights@mail.house.gov
18. Dick Durbin
Title: Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Phone: (202) 224-2152
Email: judiciary@senate.gov
Kristen Clarke Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Michael E. Horowitz Inspector General, DOJ
Alina M. Semo Director, OGIS
Merrick B. Garland Attorney General
Xavier Becerra Secretary, HHS
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator, CMS
Lisa Pino Director, OCR HHS
Ned Lamont Governor of Connecticut
William Tong Connecticut Attorney General
Andrea Barton Reeves Commissioner, DSS
James Comer Chair, House Committee on Oversight
Gary Peters Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security
Jamie Raskin Chair, House Subcommittee on Civil Rights
Dick Durbin Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Merrick B. Garland Attorney General, DOJ
Kristen Clarke Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Michael E. Horowitz Inspector General, DOJ
Alina M. Semo Director, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Relevant Congressional Oversight Committees
DOJ Office of Inspector General (OIG) FOIA.oig@usdoj.gov
DOJ Civil Rights Division ADA Enforcement Unit
Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General AG@usdoj.gov
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) ogis@nara.gov
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra HHS_FOIA@hhs.gov
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure FOIA_Request@cms.hhs.gov
Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut)
Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut)
Congressional Oversight Committees
Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources
DB.42.131.Inf. https://www.ctbraininjury.com/blog/tags/db-42-131-inf
https://x.com/ABIresources/status/1866212331279339765 https://www.youtube.com/@ABI.RESOURCES-CT-ABI-MFP-CARE/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Washington Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 13, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #EMRUFOIA121324.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Washington Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 13, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #EMRUFOIA121324.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Washington Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 13, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #EMRUFOIA121324.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Washington Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 13, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #EMRUFOIA121324.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
