SHERROD BROWN
OHIO

COMMITTEES:

AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION,

AND FORESTRY   

BANKING, HOUSING,

AND URBAN AFFAIRS WASHINGTON, DC 20510 - 3505
FINANCE

AFFAIRS

January 18, 2017

The Honorable James Comey
Director

Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Ave. NW
Washington, DC. 20535

Dear Director Comey:
Subject: FOIA Appeal

I am writing regarding a letter the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sent on December 7, 2016
related to a MuckRock request for information on several of President-elect Trump?s nominees (FOIPA
Request No.: 1361974?000). In this letter the FBI denied the request for information on Relativity
Media, using exemption of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S. Code 
citing concerns that disclosure of the information could ?interfere with enforcement proceedings.?

Considering U.S. Secretary of the Treasury-designee Steven Mnuchin?s ties to Relativity Media,
including his large investment in the company, the ?nancial relationship between OneWest Bank and
Relativity Media, and Mr. Mnuchin?s time as co-Chairman of Relativity?s Board, I believe it is in the
public?s interest for you to release this information.

The job of Secretary of the Treasury is among our nation?s most important. If Mr. Mnuchin is to be
con?rmed for that position, we must ensure that his ability to do the job of overseeing American ?nance
and trade in a manner be?tting that of?ce is in no way compromised. I ask that you release all relevant
information on Relativity Media and Mr. Mnuchin to MuckRock and the U.S. Senate as it considers Mr.
Mnuchin?s nomination.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
Ranking Member
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

cc: David M. Hardy, Section Chief, Record/Information Dissemination Section, Records
Management Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Senator Orrin Hatch, Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
Senator Ron Wyden, Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

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