Michael P. Welsh, Esq. v. Suffolk County Sheriff's Department (SPR 20253250)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 6, 2025 SPR25/3250 Brigid Finnegan Executive Assistant Office of the General Counsel Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department 200 Nashua Street Boston, MA 02114 Dear Ms. Finnegan: I have received the petition of Michael P. Welsh, Esq., of the Law Office of Michael P. Welsh, appealing the response of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 3, 2025, Attorney Welsh sent a request, dated August 15, 2025, for the following records: [1] All records pertaining to the specific service of process allegedly effectuated on [an identified individual] on November 13, 2023, at [a specified address], Boston, MA 02210. This includes, but is not limited to: [a] All internal notes, logs, or communications (including email, text messages, internal memos, or handwritten notes) regarding the attempt(s) to serve . . . on that date[;] [b] All records identifying the individual(s) who personally attempted to effectuate service on . . . on November 13, 2023[;] [c] All records of payments, invoices, or receipts related to the service of this summons[;] [d] Any and all internal records, communications, or policies regarding the authorization or delegation of official service of process duties to individuals who are not sworn Deputy Sheriffs. [2] All records pertaining to the attempted service of . . . on November 9, 2023. This includes, but is not limited to: [a] All internal notes, logs, or communications regarding this attempted service[;] 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

Brigid Finnegan SPR25/3250 Page 2 November 6, 2025 [b] Any and all records identifying the individual(s) who personally attempted to effectuate service on November 9, 2023[.] [3] All records relating to the identity, employment, and authorization of [an identified individual] … who communicated with . . . regarding service of process on November 9 and November 13, 2023. This includes: [a] Her official title and affiliation with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department[;] [b] Any contracts, agreements, or records of her compensation for performing service of process on behalf of the Department[;] [c] Any and all internal directives or authorizations for [a specified individual] to conduct service of process[.] [4] All records pertaining to [a named individual’s] activities on November 13, 2023, including his assignment, logs, or any other documentation that would corroborate his personal service of . . . on that date[;] [5] All records pertaining to any other attempts to effectuate service of process on . . . for Norfolk Probate and Family Court Docket No. NO19D1196DR prior to November 9, 2023[;] [6] All communications (including email, text messages, phone logs, or internal memoranda) between any employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and [three identified individuals], or anyone acting on their behalf, from October 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023, that refer to . . . or Norfolk Probate and Family Court Docket No. NO19D1196DR[;] [7] Any policies, procedures, or directives in effect in November 2023 concerning: [a] The proper execution and certification of a “Return of Service” by a Deputy Sheriff[;] [b] The delegation of official service of process duties to civilian or unauthorized personnel[.] On September 22, 2025, Attorney Welsh modified his request to include “[a]ll records of any attempted or completed service of process on [an identified individual] in connection with Norfolk Probate and Family Court Docket No. NO19D1196DR, from August 1, 2022 through the present.” The Department responded on September 8, 2025, September 17, 2025, and September 19, 2025. Unsatisfied with the Department’s responses, Attorney Welsh petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/3250, was opened as a result.

Brigid Finnegan SPR25/3250 Page 3 November 6, 2025 Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, the Department provided a supplemental response on November 5, 2025. In light of this supplemental response, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. It is my understanding that Attorney Welsh has appealed the Office’s November 5, 2025 response resulting in a new appeal which is currently opened as SPR25/3264. Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Michael P. Welsh, Esq.