Aaron Lloyd CIGIE FOIA Denial to David Medeiros: Clear Violations of ADA Rights, Whistleblower Protections, Constitutional Rights, Civil Rights, and Medicaid Oversight Laws Aaron Lloyd and CIGIE FOIA Staff Close David Medeiros Request Without Search or Accommodation Forensic Investigative Report Complete Accountability Reconstruction of CIGIE FOIA Case Number 6330-2024-026

Forensic Investigative Report Complete Accountability Reconstruction of CIGIE FOIA Case Number 6330-2024-026 Date: February 21, 2026 In December 2023, Deputy General Counsel Aaron Lloyd of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) issued a final response closing FOIA Case 6330-2024-026 submitted by David Medeiros. The request sought email communications regarding federally funded programs. Despite David Medeiros clearly disclosing his traumatic brain injury and requesting reasonable ADA accommodations, CIGIE conducted no search and provided no assistance. This action implicates multiple layers of federal law, including Constitutional petition rights, Whistleblower protections under the False Claims Act and Whistleblower Protection Act, ADA and Section 504 requirements, civil rights obligations, and Medicaid program transparency standards. This expert review breaks down every element for complete public and federal accountability. Purpose This report provides federal departments (CIGIE Office of General Counsel, Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, HHS Office of Inspector General, HHS Office for Civil Rights, and FOIA oversight bodies) with a precise, chronological, and fully referenced mapping of every individual, action, date, time, communication, and decision in this matter. Every “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” and “how” is explicitly documented so reviewers can immediately identify responsibility at each step. All information is taken directly from the official email thread and attached response letter. Section 1 – Full Identification of Every Person and Contact Point Requester David Medeiros Founder and Owner ABI Resources LLC (Medicaid ABI Waiver Program provider) Mailing address: 39 Kings Highway, STE C, Gales Ferry, CT 06335, United States Business phone: 860-942-0365 CIGIE Personnel Aaron Lloyd Deputy General Counsel FOIA Public Liaison Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Office of General Counsel Mailing address: 1717 H Street NW, Suite 825, Washington, DC 20006 Email: (signed response only – no direct email listed in thread) CIGIE FOIA Staff Official FOIA processing team Email: foiastaff@cigie.gov Mailing address: same as above CIGIE Chairperson c/o Office of General Counsel Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Mailing address: 1717 H Street NW, Suite 825, Washington, DC 20006 Email for appeals: FOIAAPPEAL@cigie.gov Fax for appeals: (202) 254-0162 Additional Contact Points Referenced Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) National Archives and Records Administration Mailing address: 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001 Email: ogis@nara.gov Phone: (202) 741-5770 Toll-free: (877) 684-6448 Fax: (202) 741-5769 Section 2 – Complete Chronological Reconstruction with 5W1H for Every Event Event 1 – Original FOIA Submission Who: David Medeiros What: Submitted formal Freedom of Information Act request seeking all email communications to and from Connecticut Community Care (CCC) from 2013 to the present When: November 26, 2023 Where: Submitted to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Why: To obtain transparency on interactions between two entities that receive and administer federal funds How: Written request clearly identifying the parties and time period Event 2 – CIGIE Final Response and Administrative Closure Who: Aaron Lloyd (Deputy General Counsel and FOIA Public Liaison) What: Issued final response stating CIGIE does not normally maintain records of the type requested, no search was conducted, and the matter is administratively closed When: December 7, 2023 (letter dated and digitally signed at 20:51:22) Where: Sent from CIGIE Office of General Counsel, Washington, DC Why: Standard policy when CIGIE does not maintain the requested records How: Formal signed letter sent via email by CIGIE FOIA Staff at 8:54 PM on December 7, 2023, with the PDF attached Event 3 – CIGIE FOIA Staff Transmittal Email Who: CIGIE FOIA Staff What: Forwarded the signed final response letter to Mr. Medeiros When: December 7, 2023 at 8:54 PM Where: Sent from foiastaff@cigie.gov to aabiwr@live.com Why: To deliver the official response How: Email with the PDF attachment titled “2023 Dec 7 signed 2024-026 FOIA final response.pdf” Event 4 – Formal Appeal Submission Who: David Medeiros What: Submitted formal appeal of the closure decision, emphasizing public interest, scope of request, alternative sources, mediation through OGIS, privacy/ADA compliance, and unique nature of the request When: December 11, 2023 at 6:19 AM Where: Sent from aabiwr@live.com to foiastaff@cigie.gov and FOIAAPPEAL@cigie.gov Why: To challenge the administrative closure and request further review or referral How: Detailed written appeal addressed to the CIGIE Chairperson with specific legal citations and accommodations requested Event 5 – Formal Request for Expedited Processing Who: David Medeiros What: Submitted formal request for expedited processing of the FOIA matter citing ADA accommodation needs, whistleblower protections, public interest, and personal circumstances related to brain injury When: January 3, 2024 at 12:13 PM Where: Sent from aabiwr@live.com to foiastaff@cigie.gov and FOIAAPPEAL@cigie.gov Why: To obtain faster handling due to compelling legal and personal needs How: Detailed written request outlining specific legal bases and urgency Section 3 – Accountability Mapping – Who Was Responsible for What Decision not to search and to administratively close the request: Aaron Lloyd (December 7, 2023) Issuance and transmittal of the final response: CIGIE FOIA Staff (December 7, 2023 at 8:54 PM) Receipt and processing of the appeal: CIGIE Office of General Counsel / FOIAAPPEAL mailbox (December 11, 2023 onward) Receipt and processing of the expedited processing request: CIGIE FOIA Staff and FOIAAPPEAL mailbox (January 3, 2024 onward) This report gives every federal reviewer a clear, line-by-line picture of exactly who performed each action, on what date and time, for what reason, and by what method. All contact information is listed so direct verification or follow-up is immediate. The reconstruction is complete and ready for any internal audit, civil-rights review, or oversight inquiry. Expert Professional Legal Review Constitutional Rights, Whistleblower Retaliation, Civil Rights, ADA, TBI-Specific Protections, Taxpayer Rights, and FOIA Obligations in CIGIE FOIA Case Number 6330-2024-026 Prepared for Federal Oversight and Accountability Purposes Date: February 21, 2026 Introduction This legal review provides a comprehensive, expert analysis of the rights implicated by the handling of CIGIE FOIA Case Number 6330-2024-026, submitted by David Medeiros of ABI Resources LLC on November 26, 2023. The request sought email communications between Connecticut Community Care (CCC) and The Supported Living Group from 2013 to the present. CIGIE responded on December 7, 2023 that it does not normally maintain such records and closed the matter without conducting a search. Mr. Medeiros filed a detailed appeal on December 11, 2023 and a formal expedited-processing request on January 3, 2024, citing ADA accommodations, whistleblower protections, public interest, and his brain injury. The review examines each legal framework in depth, applying the facts of the timeline to identify potential violations, the responsible actors, the precise timing, the mechanisms of harm, and the legal and policy consequences. 1. Constitutional Rights Implications First Amendment – Right to Petition for Redress of Grievances The First Amendment guarantees the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. FOIA is the primary statutory mechanism for exercising this right with respect to federal records. CIGIE’s decision on December 7, 2023 to close the request without any search, followed by the handling of the appeal and expedited-processing request, placed an undue burden on this right when the requester had disclosed cognitive challenges stemming from brain injury. Fifth Amendment – Procedural Due Process The Fifth Amendment requires fair notice and an opportunity to be heard before depriving a person of a protected interest. CIGIE’s administrative closure on December 7, 2023 and the subsequent processing of the appeal did not address the requester’s repeated requests for ADA-compliant handling or guidance on alternative agencies. This created a procedural barrier that effectively denied meaningful access to the FOIA process. 2. Whistleblower Retaliation Protections Mr. Medeiros’ appeal and expedited-processing request explicitly referenced whistleblower protections and matters involving potential retaliation. The timing of the closure on December 7, 2023 and the continued processing without expedited handling after the January 3, 2024 request raise concerns under the Whistleblower Protection Act (5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8)) and the False Claims Act anti-retaliation provision (31 U.S.C. § 3730(h)). Denial of expedited processing or meaningful review after protected disclosures can constitute adverse action. 3. Civil Rights and ADA / Section 504 Violations Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 Federal agencies must not exclude qualified individuals with disabilities from participation in any program or activity. FOIA processing is such a program. Mr. Medeiros disclosed his brain injury and requested reasonable accommodations on multiple occasions. CIGIE’s response on December 7, 2023 and the handling of the subsequent appeal and expedited request did not provide any accommodation. This constitutes a clear failure to accommodate under Section 504. Americans with Disabilities Act Standards (applied through Section 504) The duty to provide reasonable modifications is mandatory once a disability is disclosed. Mr. Medeiros requested accessible formats, expedited processing as an accommodation, and guidance. None were provided. This is a textbook violation. 4. TBI-Specific Rights and Protections The Traumatic Brain Injury Act and Olmstead integration mandate recognize the right of individuals with TBI to community-based services and meaningful access to information that affects those services. Blocking or delaying transparency about entities that receive federal funds for TBI-related services undermines these protections. Mr. Medeiros’ dual role as both a provider and a person living with TBI makes the failure to accommodate particularly consequential. 5. Taxpayer Rights and FOIA Obligations As a taxpayer whose tax dollars support the programs administered by entities like CCC and The Supported Living Group, Mr. Medeiros has a statutory right to FOIA access. FOIA must be construed broadly in favor of disclosure. CIGIE’s policy of not searching for records of this type, combined with the lack of referral or guidance in response to the appeal, frustrates the core purpose of FOIA and taxpayer oversight rights. 6. Cumulative Impact and Potential Legal Consequences The sequence shows knowledge of the disability (November 26, 2023 request and subsequent communications), repeated requests for accommodation and expedited processing, and no documented accommodation or expedited handling. This pattern supports claims for injunctive relief under the Rehabilitation Act/ADA, potential retaliation findings under whistleblower statutes, and constitutional challenges. Recommended Immediate Federal Actions Reopen and process the request with full ADA accommodations and expedited handling. Provide a referral to the appropriate federal or state agency that may hold the requested records. Conduct an internal review of CIGIE FOIA procedures for compliance with Section 504 and whistleblower protections. Preserve all records related to this case for potential oversight review. This review is intended to assist federal departments in identifying exactly who did what, when, and how in this matter so that accountability and corrective action can be taken promptly and thoroughly. The full email thread and signed response letter are available for verification through standard FOIA channels. This concludes the legal review. Who is David? David Medeiros is a man in Connecticut who helps people with brain injuries. He runs a small company that uses special government programs to give people the support they need to live at home instead of in a hospital or nursing home. He has a brain injury himself, so he knows exactly how hard these programs can be to deal with. What did David want? He wanted to see some old emails. Specifically, emails between two groups that get government money to help people with brain injuries: He wanted emails from 2013 all the way to now. He was trying to understand how these two groups talk to each other and make decisions about who gets help. He thinks this information might show if the system is being fair. What did he do? On November 26, 2023, David sent a polite letter asking for those emails. He used a law called the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law lets any person ask the government for records. In his letter he also said: “I have a brain injury and a stroke. Reading and thinking is very hard for me right now. Please help me if you can.” What happened next? On December 7, 2023, the government office (called CIGIE) wrote back. They said: “We don’t normally keep those kinds of emails, so we are closing your request. We didn’t even look for them.” David was surprised. He sent them an appeal (a formal “please look again”) on December 11, 2023. He explained why it was important for the public and for people with brain injuries. He also asked them to handle it faster because of his brain injury. On January 3, 2024, he sent another polite message asking for fast processing and reminding them about his disability and his rights as a whistleblower (someone who speaks up when something might be wrong). Where are we now? CIGIE has not answered David’s appeal or his request for faster processing yet. The request is still closed, and David is still waiting. Why does this matter? David has a brain injury. The law says the government must give him reasonable help (called “accommodations”) so he can use their services the same as anyone else. They knew about his injury but never offered any help. He is trying to make sure the programs that help people with brain injuries are fair and honest. He is using his rights as a taxpayer and as someone who works in the system. This is part of a bigger pattern where David keeps asking for simple transparency and keeps hitting the same wall. In plain English: David asked a government office for some emails so he could help people with brain injuries. He told them his own brain injury makes it hard for him. They closed the request without helping him or looking for the emails. He appealed and asked for faster help. They still have not answered him.