Matthew Stout v. Attorney General's Office (SPR 20211400)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records June 17, 2021 SPR21/1400 Lorraine A. G. Tarrow, Esq. Assistant Attorney General/Records Access Officer Office of the Attorney General 1 Ashburton Place, Room Boston, MA 02108 Dear Attorney Tarrow: I have received the petition of Matthew Stout of the Boston Globe appealing the response of the Office of the Attorney General (Office) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 13, 2021, Mr. Stout requested “. . . copies of any documents and/or supporting information included with referrals the Attorney General’s office received from the Office of Campaign and Finance concerning [5 named individuals]. The Office responded on June 2, 2021, denying access to responsive records pursuant to Exemption (a) of the Public Records Law. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(a). Unsatisfied with the Office’s response, Mr. Stout petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/1400, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division senior attorney and an Office representative, it is my understanding that the Office intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. Stout. Conclusion Accordingly, I find the Office is to provide Mr. Stout with a supplemental response in a manner consistent with this determination, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Stout may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’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

Lorraine A. G. Tarrow, Esq. SPR21/1400 Page 2 June 17, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Matthew Stout