Full Title: Response to Congressional Request Concerning Political Interference in Release of Documents Under the Freedom of Information Act
Author(s): Raul Adrian, Erin Barnes-Weaver, Ganesa Curley, Patrick Gilbride, James Kohler, and Luke Stolz
Publisher(s): U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date: August 1, 2015
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Description (excerpt):
We did not find any indications of political interference or delay in the release of FOIA documents. According to the EPA, while there have been delays in responding to FOIA requests, those delays were generally due to the complexity or volume of information requested. We made our determinations based on our review of FOIA policies and procedures; and discussions with all FOIA Coordinators in EPA’s program offices and FOIA Officers in EPA’s regional offices, as well as with three political appointees.
We requested a written certification from the EPA’s Chief FOIA Officer that: (1) no non-career officials were involved in the agency’s response to any FOIA request; or (2) if such involvement occurred, that it never resulted in an undue delay or the provision of less information than would have otherwise been provided. The EPA’s Chief FOIA Officer explained that she did not find the request to be feasible given that all employees, both career and non-career, have FOIA responsibilities.
Due to the timeframes associated with this request, this report was not conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.