Jocelyn Jones v. Attorney General's Office (SPR 20241307)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 21, 2024 SPR24/1307 Hanne Rush, Esq. Assistant Attorney General Records Access Officer Office of the Attorney General One Ashburton Place, 20th Floor Boston, MA 02108 Dear Attorney Rush: I have received the petition of Jocelyn B. Jones, Esq., of Segal Roitman, LLP, appealing the response of the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 23, 2024, Attorney Jones requested: [p]requalification documents minus financial information is a public record. The prequalification must use criteria similar to the trade contractor prequalification. The only information that is exempt is a company’s financial information once received by a public entity it is a public record. I am not asking for Trade secrets. Prior Appeal The requested records were the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR24/0510 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (February 29, 2024). In my February 29th determination, I found that the AGO did not meet its burden to withhold the records, in their entirety, under Exemption (f) of the Public Records Law. The AGO responded on March 14, 2024. Unsatisfied with the response, Attorney Jones petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/1307, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the AGO intends on providing a further response to Attorney Jones. Accordingly, the AGO is to provide Attorney Jones with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Attorney Jones may appeal the appeal the substantive nature of the AGO’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

Hanne Rush, Esq. SPR24/1307 Page 2 May 21, 2024 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jocelyn B. Jones, Esq.