[108123] in Cypherpunks
How to get anyone ELSE's FBI Files
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael Ravnitzky)
Fri Feb 5 09:20:31 1999
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 07:58:45 +0000
From: Michael Ravnitzky <mikerav@ix.netcom.com>
To: cypherpunks-unedited@toad.com
Reply-To: Michael Ravnitzky <mikerav@ix.netcom.com>
YOU CAN GET THE FBI FILES OF ANYONE ELSE PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE DEAD OR
YOU HAVE THEIR WRITTEN PERMISSION. This includes athletes,
businesspersons, musicians, artists, writers, editors, publishers,
criminals, gangsters, performers, comedians, ganblers, inventors,
attorneys, aviators, broadcasters, journalists, politicians, royalty,
scientists, inventors, philosophers, clergy, psychologists, feminists,
photographers, diplomats, economists, physicians, psychics, etc. You
can also modify this letter to get the files on colleges and
universities, corporations, associations, or other organizations.
For organization files, simply remove the references to individuals.
Many well-known cryptographers and cryptographic associations have
files.
YOUR ADDRESS
TODAY’S DATE
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Freedom of Information - Privacy Act Unit
Office of Public and Congressional Affairs
935 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20535-0000 USA
Gentlemen:
This is a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act
concerning
NAME OF PERSON, who was born on BIRTH DATE in BIRTH PLACE and who died
on DEATH DATE. Enclosed is a copy of proof of death. (ENCLOSE A
PHOTOCOPY FROM A BIOGRAPHICAL VOLUME, ENCYCLOPEDIA ENTRY, WHO WAS WHO IN
AMERICA, NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE OBITUARY, DEATH CERTIFICATE, ETC.)
I request a copy of all records about this (deceased) individual which
are at the FBI. This includes (but is not limited to) documents,
reports, memoranda, letters, bulkies, ELSUR (electronic surveillance)
records and indices, Official and Confidential files, Personal and
Confidential Files, electronic files, database references, “do not
file” files, and other miscellaneous files and index citations relating
to the subject in other files (i.e. “see also” references). I would like
the ELSUR indices searched. In terms of which indices to search, please
interpret this request broadly. This person lived part of his/her life
before 1958, so please search your central general indices and not just
the more recent computer indices.
PLEASE SEND ME ALL MAIN FILES AND CROSS-REFERENCES, AND THE SEARCH
SLIP. I WANT ALL CROSS REFERENCES.
FOIA regulations provide that if some material is properly exempt from
mandatory disclosure, all segregable portions must be released. If the
requested material is released with deletions, I ask that each deletion
be marked to indicate the exemption(s) being claimed to authorize each
particular withholding. Also, I ask that your agency exercise its
discretion to release records which may be technically exempt, but where
withholding serves no important public interest.
I agree to pay reasonable costs associated with search and reproduction
of the requested records up to a maximum of $25 without my further
permission. MENTION HERE IF YOU ARE A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL, A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEDIA, AN EDUCATOR, OR A COMMERCIAL ENTITY.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR PHONE NUMBER
Note: This does not constitute legal advice. Do not rely on this
letter for legal purposes. Consult an attorney if you have any legal
questions pertaining to your own specific situation. This form letter
provided for reference purposes only.
