February 29, 2012
Transportation Security Administration
TSA-20, West Tower, FOIA Division
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 22202-4220
Via e-mail: FOIA.TSA@dhs.gov
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am seeking an electronic copy of the Federal Air
Marshal Service misconduct database managed by the operational integrity division. Please
include all columns and rows unless there is a FOIA exemption for withholding a specific column
or row. Please also include the data dictionary, record layout, code sheet or any other
documentation necessary to interpret the data.
As you process this request, I ask you to think about President Obama’s FOIA memorandum,
dated January 21, 2009, in which he said: “In the face of doubt, openness prevails. The
Government should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be
embarrassed by disclosure because errors and failures might be revealed, or because of
speculative or abstract fears.”
In order to help determine my status to assess fees, you should know I am a reporter for
ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the
public interest, based in New York.
As a representative of the news media I am only required to pay for the direct cost of duplication
after the first 100 pages. Through this request, I am gathering information that is of current
interest to the public because this information is being sought for dissemination to the general
public.
Please waive any applicable fees. Release of the information is in the public interest because it
will contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations and activities.
Please note that I would like to receive the database in electronic format. I can accept the data
in several formats (pdf, doc, etc.) and can accept the data on a variety of media (CD-ROM, e-mail
attachment, etc.).
Because time is very much a factor, I ask that you communicate with me by telephone or e-mail
if you have any questions. My phone number is 917-512-0217, and my e-mail address is
michael.grabell@propublica.org. To save time and cost, please e-mail the records if possible.
If you deny any part of this request, please cite each specific reason that you think justifies your
refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available to me under the
law.
Thank you for your assistance with my request.
Michael Grabell, staff writer
Voice (917) 512-0217
Fax (212) 785-2634

 michael.grabell@propublica.org

One Exchange Plaza 23rd Floor New York, New York
10006 212-514-5250 propublica.org