Godlike Productions - Discussion Forum
Users Online Now: 1,586 (Who's On?)Visitors Today: 47,697
Pageviews Today: 93,702Threads Today: 43Posts Today: 723
01:17 AM


Rate this Thread

Absolute BS Crap Reasonable Nice Amazing
 

How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption

 
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72463119
United States
08/11/2016 06:28 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
POLL: How interested are you in this stuff?
 Extremely interested - in fact already doing it myself
 Extremely interested to get started right away
 Blank (View Results) 



Note: The poll got cut short because I somehow hit the post button before it was done. So, cast your vote if you wish, but there were supposed to be more options. My apologies.

I hope some real good will come out of this thread.

I've been having a good time fighting corruption at local and state levels by submitting public records access requests.

Most states have their own laws, so you'll need to get familiar with those, but I believe it's pretty similar across the board. I can help you research your local laws with you if you wish.

This thread will share how easily I have filed numerous requests, gotten great information (100% free so far), and all I've needed to do was send ONE EMAIL -- though, sometimes with a follow up.

Forget all the forms they try to get you to fill out. At least in my state they aren't necessary.

So, if you've ever wanted to peek under the covers to see what your elected and appointed officials have been up to, this thread is here to help make that as easy as possible for you.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and therefore am unable to and will not give any legal advice. Anything you read on this thread should be considered 1st Amendment protected free speech, education, and general information that may not speak to your particular situation, therefore I accept no liability for anything that happens or doesn't happen if you elect to act or not act based on any of this information.

Some simple steps to filing a FOIA/Public Records request:

1. It must be in writing (email, fax, letter, form).
2. You can specify it is your state's law type of request (i.e. in PA it would be a "Right to Know" - request).
3. You can also (and should in my opinion) specify that it is also a "common law public records access request" as well.
4. You may be able to file ANONYMOUSLY if you wish. Check your local public records access law to make sure. If so, you can use an anonymous email account. They do not need to know who you are even if you are in one state while requesting information from another state.
5. There is a time limit on how quickly they must respond. It may be seven business days give or take. The clock starts the business day after the request is received by them.
6. If you get denied, you can try to work with them to clarify your request. Or if you feel the denial is unjust/illegal, most states have methods of appeal or you can file a suit in your state court. Judges often reward damages for violations of both state statutes and common law when it comes to improper records request denials.

I'll aim to list the link to more information for every state if folks show interest in this thread. It is definitely a BIG WAY to fight against the endless corruption.

You can really make officials nervous when you start requesting things like their employment contracts, salary, personnel records (under common law), etc. So if someone is really being uncooperative/corrupt, you can fight back with these requests.

Those are the basics.

A sample email for state of PA:

To: Public Records Dept. (email address of local, state or federal public records custodian)

From: Your email (your real email or anonymous email you have access to)

Subject: This is a "Right to Know" and Common Law public records access request

Body:

Dear Records Custodian,

This is a "Right to Know" and Common Law public records access request.

Format requested: electronic format (email, email attachment, PDF, image file, etc) delivered to this email account.

Records requested:

I request government records pertaining to _________ (subject) that involve ____________ (party or parties/departments) from (specific date) to (specific date or present).

Please note, this is a common law records request as well as a PA State "Right to Know" request. Therefore, many of the restrictions that apply to "Right to Know" requests are vacated under common law, which precedes and overrides the "Right to Know" law in many respects.

Sincerely,

Anonymous (or your name)

-------------

Please note, they must respond in the timeframe specified by your state's law (or federal law), which is usually around 7 business days.

Some records must be made available immediately in certain states like contracts, salaries, etc.

The custodian can often request an extension. Make sure the reason they are saying they need more time is a VALID reason according to your state or federal FOIA law. If not, challenge it with another email.

If you get a denial, make sure they specify why they are denying it, and make sure it is a valid denial according to your state of federal FOIA law. If not, challenge it with another email.

-------------

Public records requests are best way I know of currently to start getting people in local, state and federal gov't to start being less corrupt. If they know there are people who care and who are watching, they will be more careful to not do anything stupid/corrupt. Cockroaches like the dark, not the light.

-------------

There are certain limitations to the state public records laws, but those are, again, often vacated when it is also a common law request. Many records custodians don't know this (or act like they don't know this) and so you have to point it out to them sometimes. If you hit up against that, post here and we'll figure out the wording together to help them understand. Again, nothing here is legal advice... just sharing ideas and information as is our 1st Amendment right.

So, who's first? What information do you want? Post here and let's get the ball rolling. I'd like to see all of GLP filing at least one Public Records request monthly (if not weekly or daily). This will make a huge, positive difference in cleaning up our government if the right levers are hit.

Speaking of... FOIA and local Public Records requests related to voting are probably a REALLY GOOD IDEA right now in order to prevent voter fraud during the general election. I don't have much experience in that area, so would need some advice and guidance on the right information to request from the right people/departments/agencies. So, if you know something about voter fraud, please chime in.

So, are you ready to help generate a GLP flood of public records requests to help keep/make our public officials more honest?
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 72463119
United States
08/11/2016 06:56 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Bumping now that I've fixed the OP.

bump
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72677262
United States
08/11/2016 07:15 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
What's up with the crickets. Folks here tonight apathetic, lazy or a combo? Come on. Have fun with me. When you get a loads of free government documents as PDF attachments that show the underbelly of your local, state or federal government, and you've seen records likely never before seen by anyone other than very few individuals who wish you didn't have them ... and you know that by requesting them you may have just helped keep certain key decision makers honest -- it's a great feeling.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72771057
United States
08/11/2016 07:19 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Sure and make yourself a big fat (legal) target.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72771057
United States
08/11/2016 07:20 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Look how much information has been uncovered about corruption and see how nothing changes.

Your FOIA won't do shit to an apathetic/subverted public.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72677262
United States
08/11/2016 09:15 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Sure and make yourself a big fat (legal) target.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 72771057


By requesting information? Gimme a break.

Look how much information has been uncovered about corruption and see how nothing changes.

Your FOIA won't do shit to an apathetic/subverted public.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 72771057


NONSENSE. You obviously know nothing about this. Public records requests definitely DO make a difference. The problem is, they are vastly underused because people like you think they don't do any good (due to disinformation) or they're too complicated (dispelled in my OP) or are afraid to use them (again, due to disinformation). If you're that afraid, either try to locate your balls, or use an anonymous email w/proxy IP. You exemplify exactly why the corrupt are taking over.

It doesn't take much at all to shake up a corrupt town hall or state. Believe me. I've been rattling cages in our corrupt state by calling these officials out on their corruption right to their faces (figuratively speaking) over the phone. It's amazing how fast they get into action when you TELL THEM they are corrupt. Otherwise, they just ignore you, hoping you'll go away. Most gov't employees are lazy, but many are also corrupt. I had no idea how bad it was until I really dove into this. It's endemic at all levels of government right now.

For me, submitting these requests have definitely helped our situation, therefore, your blanket statement about how "nothing changes" with them is nonsense.

I'm one person and my small efforts have already made a difference. My requests just prompted a lazy state employee to finally send an email that stopped a very disruptive project that was not following the law. Prior to state records requests (not FOIA, which are federal), I had wasted many, many months trying to get that particular agency to do something they needed to do (enforcement related) and they kept saying, "Yes, we're going to do something." And that's it. They told me this over and over again across about five phone calls, yet they never did anything. However, a day or two after I sent my records request and suddenly... voila! An email finally gets sent by them and BAM! The problem project that was a foregone conclusion suddenly gets stopped dead in its tracks. To me, that is a VERY EFFECTIVE RESULT from a single records request sent via email.

Again, I'm only one person. Imagine tens or hundreds of GLPers working in concert to take on particular issues that matter to them. The digital documents gathered from requests can be shared online and commented on in their own threads.

Some GLPers have Internet/Radio/YouTube talk shows and it's my understanding that numerous influential people in the media follow GLP. If they see a juicy scoop here that nobody's caught onto yet because GLPers were the first to reveal important docs, they will likely be very happy to run with a story on those docs, and BOOM! We may have just made a positive impact.

I find that it's cowardly and apathetic behavior like yours that allows corruption to fester and thrive. Shining even a little light on these critters and they react with fear and straighten up... or they simply scurry back into their holes where they won't cause so many problems. They don't want their mistakes and corruption broadcast on social or MSM media or elsewhere. They will take positive action or stop taking wrong action if it means staying hidden and avoiding the spotlight.
Daniel Higdon

User ID: 69657566
United States
08/11/2016 09:31 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Thanks for sharing, OP. I've thought about doing this for some time. I think it can be worthwhile, especially on a state level. I'm going to save this thread to my favorites as a reference.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72677262
United States
08/11/2016 09:45 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Thanks for sharing, OP. I've thought about doing this for some time. I think it can be worthwhile, especially on a state level. I'm going to save this thread to my favorites as a reference.
 Quoting: Daniel Higdon


Awesome! Please feel free to ask me any questions so I can help. I may not be a lawyer, but I've read quite a bit on the topic and am learning fast from experience.

It's very easy to make a request, but they do try to come up with lame excuses to avoid fulfilling the requests. But so far, I've been able to win and get my request fulfilled every time I've fought back, and it doesn't take much. Anyone who gets a denial of their request, I am happy to help them respond to that denial.

Any suggestions on state-level requests related to upcoming elections? If I get the ideas, I'll draft some requests, submit them, and post them and their results online so folks can see how easy it is and what can be uncovered.

As GLP is full of detectives and researchers, they will LOVE the data that comes back from these requests! It's usually very interesting :)
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 12275642
United States
08/11/2016 09:53 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
For a brief period in my career I was the FOIA Officer for my Military Base - thats when I realized I was in complete and total control and could simply deny I even had recored of said incident. NOW I never had a request - but it made me lose faith in the FOIA process as a whole.

So your request is only as good as the Government Employee tasked with the responsibility to comply.

I don't want to rain on the parade - but its true and seems only more true as we progress in this flawed and corrupt system.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72677262
United States
08/11/2016 10:22 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
For a brief period in my career I was the FOIA Officer for my Military Base - thats when I realized I was in complete and total control and could simply deny I even had recored of said incident. NOW I never had a request - but it made me lose faith in the FOIA process as a whole.

So your request is only as good as the Government Employee tasked with the responsibility to comply.

I don't want to rain on the parade - but its true and seems only more true as we progress in this flawed and corrupt system.
 Quoting: Starbird


Thanks for sharing your unique perspective.

Despite what you may think, you were definitely not in control. If I had a strong enough belief that you had the records I sought, I would throw the kitchen sink at you, up to and including a lawsuit, until you complied. In short, I would have made your life a living hell and gotten my way, or at least made such a huge issue over your withholding that you would definitely not feel you were in control anymore and you probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night wondering what I was going to do next. That's the level at which I fight when I feel someone is being corrupt with me.

I know someone who has filed more open public records requests than probably any American in history. He has made life a living hell for hundreds of corrupt politicians. Let me tell you, those who wrongfully denied him the records he requested lived to regret their decision terribly. His attacks never stop. He just keeps going after them, publicly, for years, bombarding them with requests, getting state records boards after them, suing them, etc. Even if they sent him the docs at that point, he'd consider them corrupt for good and would probably never stop exposing them as corrupt. And that is what can happen when you deny the lawful request of the wrong person.

So, the system does work. Just sometimes it takes a little elbow grease to get the results you seek. Fortunately, I'm not afraid to work hard if it's for a good cause.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 58855070
United States
08/16/2016 07:26 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
What do you recommend when you get a reply back that says it's classified information?
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 72677262
United States
08/16/2016 08:15 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
What do you recommend when you get a reply back that says it's classified information?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 58855070


Is this a rhetorical question or did you receive such a response back?

If you received this response to a FOIA or other state public records request, please post it here. We might be able to help if it was done improperly, as usually they would just redact the classified portions.
Alpacalips

User ID: 57210108
United States
08/22/2016 11:30 AM

Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
My mom is good friends with a gal that is pretty high up in the government. This person does reports on the Freedom of Information Act. She was supposed to go spend a week with my mom but as been unable to because she has been so busy working over-time collecting data. She told my mom something big is coming down the pike and it will be a hard pill to swallow. She, of course, could not talk about it until the news about it comes out later this year.

damned
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 72463119
United States
08/22/2016 04:15 PM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
My mom is good friends with a gal that is pretty high up in the government. This person does reports on the Freedom of Information Act. She was supposed to go spend a week with my mom but as been unable to because she has been so busy working over-time collecting data. She told my mom something big is coming down the pike and it will be a hard pill to swallow. She, of course, could not talk about it until the news about it comes out later this year.

damned
 Quoting: Alpacalips


What branch of government is she in?
Alpacalips

User ID: 57210108
United States
08/24/2016 06:03 PM

Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
My mom is good friends with a gal that is pretty high up in the government. This person does reports on the Freedom of Information Act. She was supposed to go spend a week with my mom but as been unable to because she has been so busy working over-time collecting data. She told my mom something big is coming down the pike and it will be a hard pill to swallow. She, of course, could not talk about it until the news about it comes out later this year.

damned
 Quoting: Alpacalips


What branch of government is she in?
 Quoting: Inquire Within


She works for US Fish and Wildlife Service. Department of interior. FOIA Freedom of information Act.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 39865333
United States
12/21/2017 04:00 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Sure and make yourself a big fat (legal) target.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 72771057


By requesting information? Gimme a break.

Look how much information has been uncovered about corruption and see how nothing changes.

Your FOIA won't do shit to an apathetic/subverted public.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 72771057


NONSENSE. You obviously know nothing about this. Public records requests definitely DO make a difference. The problem is, they are vastly underused because people like you think they don't do any good (due to disinformation) or they're too complicated (dispelled in my OP) or are afraid to use them (again, due to disinformation). If you're that afraid, either try to locate your balls, or use an anonymous email w/proxy IP. You exemplify exactly why the corrupt are taking over.

It doesn't take much at all to shake up a corrupt town hall or state. Believe me. I've been rattling cages in our corrupt state by calling these officials out on their corruption right to their faces (figuratively speaking) over the phone. It's amazing how fast they get into action when you TELL THEM they are corrupt. Otherwise, they just ignore you, hoping you'll go away. Most gov't employees are lazy, but many are also corrupt. I had no idea how bad it was until I really dove into this. It's endemic at all levels of government right now.

For me, submitting these requests have definitely helped our situation, therefore, your blanket statement about how "nothing changes" with them is nonsense.

I'm one person and my small efforts have already made a difference. My requests just prompted a lazy state employee to finally send an email that stopped a very disruptive project that was not following the law. Prior to state records requests (not FOIA, which are federal), I had wasted many, many months trying to get that particular agency to do something they needed to do (enforcement related) and they kept saying, "Yes, we're going to do something." And that's it. They told me this over and over again across about five phone calls, yet they never did anything. However, a day or two after I sent my records request and suddenly... voila! An email finally gets sent by them and BAM! The problem project that was a foregone conclusion suddenly gets stopped dead in its tracks. To me, that is a VERY EFFECTIVE RESULT from a single records request sent via email.

Again, I'm only one person. Imagine tens or hundreds of GLPers working in concert to take on particular issues that matter to them. The digital documents gathered from requests can be shared online and commented on in their own threads.

Some GLPers have Internet/Radio/YouTube talk shows and it's my understanding that numerous influential people in the media follow GLP. If they see a juicy scoop here that nobody's caught onto yet because GLPers were the first to reveal important docs, they will likely be very happy to run with a story on those docs, and BOOM! We may have just made a positive impact.

I find that it's cowardly and apathetic behavior like yours that allows corruption to fester and thrive. Shining even a little light on these critters and they react with fear and straighten up... or they simply scurry back into their holes where they won't cause so many problems. They don't want their mistakes and corruption broadcast on social or MSM media or elsewhere. They will take positive action or stop taking wrong action if it means staying hidden and avoiding the spotlight.
 Quoting: Inquire Within


thread-force
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 75948893
United States
12/21/2017 04:06 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
A group of us in our small city went to records to see if money was being stolen or misused. We were told the records were available, however, we needed to know the name of the exact document name that we wanted.

That's right, we were denied access because we didn't know the name for every page of the budget. We hired a lawyer and LOST!

To this day its still being fought. The mayor has since retired in the Virgin Islands and swears he was only paid 98k a year. Right, and I have never seen the sun.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 74752921
United States
12/21/2017 04:11 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
A group of us in our small city went to records to see if money was being stolen or misused. We were told the records were available, however, we needed to know the name of the exact document name that we wanted.

That's right, we were denied access because we didn't know the name for every page of the budget. We hired a lawyer and LOST!

To this day its still being fought. The mayor has since retired in the Virgin Islands and swears he was only paid 98k a year. Right, and I have never seen the sun.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 75948893


It sounds like you had a crappy lawyer or something was very corrupt.

What state are you in if you don't mind my asking? I'll check out their records request laws.
SpringLeak

User ID: 75632946
United States
12/22/2017 12:01 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
Off the top of my head:

Any info related to either the government, or non government entities targeting or persecuting (cointelpro style) persons based on blood type or race.

Social services: How many blond haired children are in custody of non blond people, by hair color. How many blonds percent wise work for social services in the area that takes care of children.

Lots of demographics showing weather Blonds are represented in government.

A list of all property confiscated by the FBI that belong to me and a copy of all records, on DVD delivered by fedex signature requested.
SpamSpamSignatureSpamSpam
Force Ghost Void God Zombie Wookie King From Beyond The Stars - Also I'm modest and understated.

"Those who know, don't teach. Those who teach, are fucking with you."

"When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him." Jonathan Swift

"Whenever possible be more compassionate. It is always possible to be more compassionate."

"Four hearts combined are one."

"There is a reason we use brains for thinking and concrete for sidewalks."

"God is love. All you need is love...and GALAXY BLASTING SPACE WEAPONS." (I knew there was something wrong with this one, it just took me a while to figure it out)

"Women are evil, men are dumb, somebody pissed in the beer."

"The thing about smart people is: they seem like crazy people... to dumb people."

"He who says it cannot be done should not interrupt he who is doing it."

"Humanity has driven off the cliff, now the military is holding their hands over our eyes so we don't see the ground coming."

"Some of what you read is wrong because the people who wrote it also did not have a very good education and were groping around in the dark when they wrote it. Lets thank them for trying because without people like them we would have a lot more groping to do in a much darker world"
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 76019149
United States
12/22/2017 12:07 AM
Report Abusive Post
Report Copyright Violation
Re: How to use FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and state records laws to fight corruption
They make it hard by billing you.hourly.by making you mail it.by having no email.yes,its all a scam!
Fuck the police!





GLP