FOIA information request (George Waters) info and questions.

This is the letter I got today from the FBI in response to my inquiry about George Waters.


This is in response to your Freedom of Information/privacy Acts (FOIPA) request dated February 4, 2010.

In order to respond to our many requests in a timely manner, our focus is to identify responsive records in the automated and manual indices that are indexed as main files. A main index record carries the names of subjects of FBI investigations. Records which may be responsive to your Freedom of information- privacy Acts request were destroyed June 2, 2009. Since this material could not be reviewed, it is not known if it was responsive to your request. The retention and disposal of records is governed by statute and regulation under the supervision of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Title 44, United States Code, Section 3301 and Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 12, Sub-chapter B part 1228. The FBI Records Retention Plan and Disposition Schedules have been approved by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and are monitored by NARA.

You may file an appeal by writing to the Director, Office of Information Policy (OIP), U.S. Department of Justice, 1425 New York Ave., NW, Suite 11050, Washington, D.C. 20530-0001. Your appeal must be received by OIP within sixty days from the date of this letter in order to be considered timely. The envelope and the letter should be clearly marked “Freedom of Information Appeal.” Please cite the OOIPA Request Number assigned to your request so that it may be identified easily.

I think they are saying that the records have been destroyed but could be archived in NY. I am willing to write and ask again for any records. What do you all think????

I'm confused what the date means. Does it mean they only have to be archived for so many years before being destroyed? What was destroyed on June 2, 2009?

Either I am too tired or that is one cryptic letter.

Ok, that letter states that these records would be for FBI investigations.

IIRC, the suggestion was made way back that the CIA might have records on GW because of his anti vietnam stance and his efforts to avoid the draft.

I hope Dr. Doogie can chime in on this one.... I'm not really sure the difference between requesting records available through the FOIA from the FBI and CIA.. or if there is a difference. Would there be two different places to request the records from the two, or are they all the same for requests.

Doogie, can you help explain this?

thanks!

I am at a loss to explain this. Why would the FBI destroy the index for these names? And the letter is very confusing.

Cubby,

The way I read this is that the name search came back as records destroyed June 2, 2009. So they can't tell me if the records meet my request. I filled out a form from the FBI site for information on GW and any information that they had on him. I explained why I was inquiring; possible kidnapping connection, any interviews or files pertaining the investigation and any names associated with the case. Since the file was destroyed, they can't tell me if this information was in the file. I do see that some file are archived. So I think I need to write and see if these were archived. That is how I am reading this, but not sure.

Thanks Doogie. Maybe we can think about it for a day or so. Sometimes things come to mind when they've had a minute to sink in........

Also what does the statute about the retention and disposal of records mean? I haven't had a chance to look it up yet......

I didn't know where to post about the FOIA and requests from the FBI. If you want we can have a thread just for this. I thought this thread was for things we are currently working on. I intend to keep writing to some one until I get an answer. :innocent:

The subject came up sometime back that it is possible the CIA or another government agency might have a file on George Waters as a result of his anti vietnam war stance and attempts to avoid the draft. As a result of that possibility we are in the process of requesting info regarding any files we can obtain on GW via the FOIA.

Please discuss that here.

I'll be moving relevent posts and information as I run across them... If you see something that needs to be moved here, please send me a pm with a link to the post. Thanks!

Maybe Dr. Doogie or Annasmom can post a recap of why it is believed there may be files on GW which might answer some of our questions in this case.

Cubby,

you're the best! Thank you for this thread and moving the posts over. I did a draft letter and emailed Annasmom with it to look over. If it sounds good, I will get it in the mail today. It is going to Washington D.C. For some reason I keep saying N.Y. but the appeal address is Washington D.C. I can't believe they would just destroy records and not archive them. Some things they probably don't need to keep, but I am hoping these are still available somewhere.

I sent a letter of appeal to the Office of Information Policy today. Posting to create a record/date of inquiries. Will let you know the response ASAP.

Cubby said:

Maybe Dr. Doogie or Annasmom can post a recap of why it is believed there may be files on GW which might answer some of our questions in this case.

Click to expand...

There are two reasons (that I am aware of) that there probably are files on GW. First, he was vocal protester and conscientious objector of the war in Viet Nam. Also, his sister is a well-known leader of a socialist group who certainly has a file and GW may have been investigated as the FBI looked at her family.

Why we are interested in the files is that they may list associates of GW that we are unaware of and they also may include info about Brody and his associates.

What languages did GW speak???

Pink Panther said:

What languages did GW speak???

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Have I asked an obvious question that everyone already knows and has discussed? Or one that no one can answer?

I'm confused???

Pink Panther said:

Have I asked an obvious question that everyone already knows and has discussed? Or one that no one can answer?

I'm confused???

Click to expand...

He just spoke English and a little (very little) Greek.

I called the FOIA office and spoke with the public relations officer. He assured me that the file has been destroyed and that it was not archived or the letter would have stated that. I am wondering now if any cross information from his file is in Anna's file? I don't know if GB would have a file, or if he did, is it destroyed?

I don't think Anna would have a file. I don't believe everyone has a file. There would have had to be a possible reason as Dr. Doogie suggested. Maybe Dr. Doogie could chime in and give some additional thoughts.

I'm thinking GW did in fact have a file which was destroyed, versus, not having a file at all.........

Thanks for exploring this Bern....... kind of sucks this avenue was another brick wall.

jmo.

I smell a coverup - not about Anna's case, but of a larger nature. The government kept files on many people and now it seems that by destroting the files, they can minimize knowledge of the level of invasion of privacy that occured during the Viet Nam years. Unfortunately, by covering their azzes, they have eliminated one possible avenue to further the search for Anna. Dammit!

I ditto your dammit Dr. Doogie! :banghead:

I got four pieces of mail from the FBI today: Two said that my request for a fee waiver was denied. The other two said they were searching the "indices to our Central Records System for the information you requested, and will inform you of the results as soon as possible" There are separate requests for George Henry Waters II and "Disappearance of Anna Christian Eifee Waters". These are all form letters. Since I don't know what fee they are talking about, I am a little worried about that part of it. I guess, according to what Doogie says, that they now have a file on ME, but I'm not particularly worried about that.