DS9 Document EFTA00582891

DRAFT August 12, 2015 Via Certified Mail Dennis J. Argall FOIPA Public Liaison Officer Federal Bureau of Investigation Record/Information Dissemination Section 170 Marcel Drive Winchester, VA 22602-4483 RE: Request No 1203982-001 (Jeffrey Epstein) Dear Mr. Argall: On May I, 2015 I sent a letter to you to describe the history of my attempts to have the FBI provide FOIA mandated disclosures relating to the above-numbered request. To summarize, on April 25, 2013, following a finding that 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7)(A) was inapplicable as a basis to withhold all records of past investigations, the FBI reopened the above-numbered FOIA request and stated that it had started its processing and searching for responsive records. On June 24, 2013, on Mr. Epstein's behalf, the FBI was informed that we would pay the costs of copying. In the 27 1/2 months since the FBI reopened the request and agreed it was required to search through the over 12,000 pages of FOIA-related materials, Mr Epstein has received just two "batches", the first numbering 372 pages (including redactions) that was produced on December 16, 2014, and the second "batch" 5'/z months later on May 29, 2015. Today, when I inquired as to when I could expect a third interim production you informed me that no only had the FBI reviewer assigned to the Epstein file not commenced any processing of any additional materials, the review was not currently scheduled and would not begin until, at earliest, October. Given the lengthy delays due to the second level reviews conducted in Southern Florida by either the USAO or FBI, it predictably will therefore take, at the very minimum, 5'/z months from the prior production in May until a third "batch" would be provided (not the 60-90 days I had repeatedly been told was the ordinary delay on large files such as Mr. Epstein's between separate 500 page productions). At this pace — a production of 500 pages out of the still unprocessed 11,000 pages each 5 1/2 months - the remaining 22 "batches" will not be produced for ten more years. You also advised that the reviewer assigned to the request was processing other files and that, in essence, other than communicating with me (which you have done EFTA00582891 on a regular basis), you could not suggest a way to expedite the pace other than by my advising Mr. Epstein to relinquish his FOIA rights to the review of his entire file. I would request that the FBI agree to a procedure that expedites the production of the 12,000 page file. A citizen should not have to wait over a decade to have his FOIA rights vindicated. I would further request a conference with David Hardy, or if not him, the individual who is responsible for discharging the FBIs FOIA responsibilities. Yours truly, Martin G. Weinberg cc: David Hardy, Section Chief EFTA00582892