Rebecca Ostriker v. Department of Veteran Services (SPR 20210533)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 15, 2020 SPR21/0533 Matthew Deacon, Esq. General Counsel Department of Veterans Services 600 Washington Street 7th Floor Boston, MA 02111 Dear Attorney Deacon: I have received the petition from Rebecca Ostriker of the Boston Globe appealing the response of the Department of Veterans Services (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(A); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 4, 2021, Ms. Ostriker requested, “… [the] DD Form 214 or equivalent, for retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Bennett Walsh as well as any other personnel records including honors or disciplinary action dating from Mr. Walsh’s tenure in the Marine Corps that are on record with the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services.” The Department responded on February 7, 2021. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Ms. Ostriker appealed, and SPR21/0533 was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a subsequent response to Ms. Ostriker to address her concerns. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Ostriker with a response to her request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Ostriker may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Matthew Deacon, Esq. SPR21/0533 Page 2 March 15, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Rebecca Ostriker