McGehee v. United States Department of Justice
800 F. Supp. 2d 220
D.D.C.2011Background
- FOIA suit against DOJ seeking FBI Jonestown investigation materials; 48,738 pages produced, later narrowed to sample with Vaughn indexing; FBI conducted CRS/ACS searches and identified RYMUR file as core Jonestown material; plaintiffs challenging redactions and missing attachments; court scheduled summary judgment briefing and ordered reevaluation of exemptions 1 and 2 and sealing order; decision grants in part and denies in part.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adequacy of the FBI search | McGehee/Moore contend search was inadequate | FBI conducted reasonable, detailed search across CRS/ACS and main/cross-reference files | Search reasonable and adequately explained |
| Exemption 3: grand jury and CIA/NSA provisions | Exemption 3 used improperly to shield information | Rule 6(e) and statutes (NSA CIA Act) valid Exemption 3 bases | Exemption 3 proper with Rule 6(e) and NSA/CIA statutes |
| Exemption 7(C) privacy balancing | Disclosure of names/identifying info needed for historical record | Privacy interests outweigh public interest; information exempt | Exemption 7(C) applies; information properly withheld |
| Exemption 7(D) confidentiality of sources and 7(E) techniques | Insufficient showing of express/implied confidentiality; concerns about technique disclosure | Two sources expressly/impliedly confidential; 7(D) and 7(E) properly invoked | Exemption 7(D) and 7(E) properly applied; confidentiality and techniques preserved |
| Vaughn Index and segregability deficiencies | Vaughn Index vague; missing author/date/content; need full segregability analysis | Affidavits detail exemptions; missing pages/attachments acknowledged | Vaughn Index deficient; must be supplemented; need detailed segregability findings |
Key Cases Cited
- Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico v. United States Dep't of Justice, 830 F.2d 150 (D.C. Cir. 1987) (D.C. Cir. 1987) (grand jury/Exemption 3 framework; in camera review considerations)
- Oglesby v. United States Dep't of the Army, 920 F.2d 57 (D.C. Cir. 1990) (D.C. Cir. 1990) (requires reasonably detailed search affidavits for adequacy)
- Weisberg v. United States Dep't of Justice, 705 F.2d 1344 (D.C. Cir. 1983) (D.C. Cir. 1983) (reasonableness standard for FOIA searches)
- Vaughn v. Rosen, 484 F.2d 820 (D.C. Cir. 1973) (D.C. Cir. 1973) (requirement of Vaughn index identifying withheld material and exemptions)
- SafeCard Servs., Inc. v. Sec. & Exch. Comm'n, 926 F.2d 1197 (D.C. Cir. 1991) (D.C. Cir. 1991) (presumption of good faith for agency affidavits; limits on speculative challenges)
- Morley v. Cent. Intelligence Agency, 508 F.3d 1108 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (D.C. Cir. 2007) (high deference to national security affidavits; 7(D) analysis)