FOIA Advisor

Court opinion issued Feb. 15, 2018

Court Opinions (2015-2023)Allan BlutsteinComment

Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Wash. v. DOJ (D.D.C.) -- finding that agency performed reasonable search for records concerning Attorney General's recusal from certain matters related to 2016 presidential campaign.  Although plaintiff did not dispute DOJ's search methodology, it argued that the agency's search nonetheless was unreasonable because plaintiff believed that certain documents should have been located, such as an updated calendar and written advice to the Attorney General.  The court rejected plaintiff's belief as "nothing but supposition," noting that it was "hardly surprising that a busy day might turn out differently for a senior government official than was planned on his calendar.  Nor is it unheard of that an official might receive sensitive advice orally rather than in writing."

Summaries of all opinions issued since April 2015 available here