FBI denies expedited request

This letter arrived via snail mail yesterday morning. Although DOJ is denying my appeal for expedited processing for release of the FBI's file on Bush, it's good to know my regular FOIA request for the dossier is still in their normal processing queue.

Two minor points. My appeal letter was dated August 27, not undated as the DOJ co-director claims. Also, the director of public affairs for the FBI is Mark Corallo, not Carallo.

If you know of any attorneys or a public interest research group willing to assist me in gaining access to Bush's FBI file, such as filing a federal lawsuit, please put them in touch with me. It's too bad only one reporter, John Byrne of http://www.rawstory.com/, has written about the Bush FBI, but that will change, I hope, once the dossier is released.

My phone number is 415-621-6267.
^^^

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Information and Privacy
Washington, DC 20530
Ph: 202-514-3642

November 2, 2004

Re: Appeal No. 04-2795, Request No. 1001866

Mr. Michael Petrelis
2215-R Market Street, #413
San Francisco, CA 94114

Dear Mr. Petrelis:

This responds to your undated letter received in this Office on September 7, 2004, in which you appealed the refusal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to expedite the processing of your request for records concerning President George W. Bush. I regret the delay in responding.

I am affirming the FBI's denial of your request for expedited treatment under 28 C.F.R. 16.5 (d) (iv) (2004), which allows for expedited treatment of matters of "widespread and exceptional media interest in which there exists possible questions about the government's integrity which effect the public confidence."

The decision under that standard was made by Mark Carallo, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, in accordance with 28 C.F.R. 16.5 (d) (2). I have determined that Mr. Carallo properly denied your request for expedited processing.

The FBI has already initiated regular processing of your request. You may appeal again to this office when the FBI completes its action on this particular request if any of the responsive material is denied. We will then open a new appeal and review the component's substantive action on your request.

If you are dissatisfied with my action on your request for expedited treatment of your appeal, you may seek judicial review in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552 (a) (6) (E) (iii).

Sincerely,
Richard L. Huff
Co-Director