U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy Suite 11050 1425 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Telephone: (202) 514-3642 June 1, 2018 Re: Mr. Austin R. Evers American Oversight 1030 15 Street NW, Suite B255 Washington, DC 20005 foia@americanoversight.org DOJ-2018-001444 (AG) DOJ-2018-001530 (DAG) DOJ-2018-001531 (PAO) DOJ-2018-001532 (OLA) DOJ-2018-001445 (AG) DOJ-2018-001533 (DAG) DOJ-2018-001534 (PAO) DOJ-2018-001535 (OLA) 18-cv-00224 (D.D.C.) VRB:BPF Dear Mr. Evers: This is a third interim response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests dated and received in this Office on December 13, 2017, in which you requested: (1) certain records pertaining to the Department sharing text messages between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page with reporters and Congress, dating since November 15, 2017, and (2) copies of the text messages. This response is made on behalf of the Offices of the Attorney General (OAG), Deputy Attorney General (ODAG), Public Affairs (PAO), and Legislative Affairs (OLA). On May 1, 2018 and May 4, 2018, we provided you with interim responses to your requests. At this time, I have determined that an additional twenty-eight pages containing records responsive to your requests are appropriate for release with excisions made pursuant to Exemption 6 of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6), and copies are enclosed. Exemption 6 pertains to information the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of third parties. For your information, Congress excluded three discrete categories of law enforcement and national security records from the requirements of the FOIA. See 5 U.S.C. § 552(c) (2012 & Supp. IV 2016). This response is limited to those records that are subject to the requirements of the FOIA. This is a standard notification that is given to all our requesters and should not be taken as an indication that excluded records do, or do not, exist. Please be advised that duplicative material was not processed, and is marked accordingly. VERSIGHT -2If you have any questions regarding this response, please contact Vinita Andrapalliyal of the Department’s Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch, at 202-305-0845. Sincerely, Vanessa R. Brinkmann Senior Counsel Enclosures AM (, \J PVERSIGHT 000001 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} Sent : Thursday, December 14, 2017 11:46 AM To: Darren Samuelsohn Cc: Josh Gerstein Subject : RE: Sharing a POLITICO link: "OOJ fuels doubts about integrity of Mueller probe" I meant to cc Josh since he knows that we warted until all congressional members had been provided their copies . Please check with your own reporters before writing something so false and easily disprovable in your own new sroom. Sa.cahIsg,n Flom D irector of Public Affun 202.305.5808 From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Thursday, December 14, 201711:42 AM To: 'Darren Samuelsohn' Subject : RE:Sharing a POLITICOlink: "DOJ fuels doubts about integrity of Mue lle r probe " I have said this repeatedly and your reporter who was here knows this. No reporter got anything from DOJ before congress . Every committee chainnand and ranking member of 5+ committees had the texts in advance of any reporter seeing it. Except the outlets that I understand already had the tweets weeks ago from another source. PLEASE CORRECTJMMEDIATELY Rosenstein also faced several questions from Democrats seeking an exp lanation about why reporters had gotten access to Strzok' s text messages before t he lawmakers. Sa.cahIsg,n Flore~ Director of Public Affair; 202.305.5808 From : Darren Samuelsohn [mai lto:dsamuelsohn@polit ico.com) Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2017 11:08 AM To: Darren Samuelsohn Subject : Sharing a POLITICOlin k: "DOJ fuels doubts about in tegr ity of Mueller probe" Good morning , Sharing my latest story published this AM in POLITICO: "DOJ fuels doubts about integrity of Mueller probe " https:ljwww.polit ico.com/story/2017/12/14/justice-department -muel ler-invest igation -295483 DOJ-17-0577-G-000001 Documen t ID: 0.7.16060 .93256 20180326-006393 1 000002 Please share on social media and with friends and collagues. You can tag me @dsamuelsohn on Twitter. Be in touch, Darren Samuelsohn Senior reporte r, POLITICO Desk: 703-842-1769 Cell: Dsamuelsohn@pol itico.com @dsamuelsohn 1 DOJ-17-0577-G-000002 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .93256 20180326 -0063932 000003 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 2017 6:03 PM To: New Byron York Subje ct: RE:strzok texts Here's my on the record response: The Department ensures that its release of information from the Department to members of Congress or to the media is consistent with law, including the Privacy Act. As the Department 's letter to Congress last night makes clear, this information was provided in response to re-quests from several Congressional committees for access to this information that was not subject to withholding except ions. Notice and delivery of th is information was made to the lawyers for the parties and the relevant congressional committees in advance of public release. Further, prior to release , career officials determined that the text messages could be released under both ethical and lega l standards. On background as a source familiar: Around 375 texts were sent to the Hill last night. After those were delivered , some beat reporters over here were shown the packet that Congress received to ensure the reporting was accurate. I'm confident the number is higher than that but I don 't know the exact number. I know th is was only the first tranche. (Off the record: But my understanding is that members have not wanted all of the texts necessarily. And we would have redact texts that were of a purely personal nature -for example discussing children etc) I wouldn't know the context for these tweets. Strock would have to speak to that during his hill testimony. Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs 202.305.5808 -- Original Message-- -From: New Byron York (mailto:byronyork@comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 4:48 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: strzok texts sarah ... on any bas is you like... how many of the strzok-page texts were shown to reporters last night? and is the total number of strzok-page texts still thought to be 10,000? is the department going to make *all* the texts availab le to the intelligence an d judiciary committees of both house and senate? will there be some sort of arrangement for some of the texts, like staff can r~ ~ .J ~P..~m •~ ~ r ~~~ •~I A OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060 .92836 r~~m ~ r r ~m~~J...:~~ 1:1,~ ~J...~~':) J..... ~ ,.,:II ~I-.~ P..~.,r~ ~~.J r ~~~~~ J...~ ~J...I~ ~~ r~~ ~ J...~m DOJ-17-0577-G-000003 20180326 -007 1914 000004 lt:::dU lfft:::111 Ill d ::.f-Jt:::1..ldl 1uu111, ur ::.Ufllt:::llllf l~ 1111.t::: lf ld l: UUl WIii Ul t:: IIUU::. t::: d l lU ::.t:::lldlt::: Ut::: dUlt::: lU !>t:::t::: lllt:::111 all? and: what is the context for the 'insurance policy' tweet? as always, thanks byron DOJ-17-0577-G-000004 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .92836 20180326-007 1915 000005 Press From : Press Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 4:31 PM To: Prior, Ian {OPA) Cc: Pettit , Mark T. {OPA) Subjec t: FW: Harper ' s Magazine inquiry Thank you - KS From : Claire Bryan [mailto:west@harpers.org) Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 2017 4:25 PM To: Press Subject: Harper 's Magazine inquiry Hi Kristen , Thanks for speaking just now . fm looking to gain acce .ss to text messages that were exchanged between FBI officials (Peter Strzok and Lisa Page) in :\llarch 2016 that the Department of Justice reviewed . Can you connect me to someone who could pr ovide these documents for me? You can reach me at . My deadline is Friday. - Thank you in advance for your assistance . Best , Claire Bryan Claire Bryan Editorial Assistant west@harpers .org Harper 's Magazine 666 Broadwa y, 11th Floo r New York , }.,ry 10012 https ://harpers.org DOJ-17-0577-G-000005 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58506 20180326-00720 12 000006 Prior, Ian (OPA) From : Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, To: Daniel Friedman Subject : RE: Statement Oevelin -another https://twitter December 13, 2017 4:09 PM on release of Strzok texts? beat reporter, as is Paula Reid and Del Wilbur .com/DevlinBarrett/status/941025249396375552 Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202.616 .0911 Cell: - For information on office hours, access to me dia events, and standard ground rules f or interviews, please dick here. From : Daniel Friedman [mailto:DFriedman@motherjones.com ] Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 2017 4:06 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject : Re: Statement on release of Strzok texts? Thanks_ From : Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 2017 3:43:29 PM To: Daniel Friedman Subject: RE: Statement on release of Strzok texts? "The Department ensures that its release of information from the D epartment to members of Congress or to the media is consisten t with law , including the Priva cy Act As the Department 's letter to Congress last night make s clear, this information w as provided in respons e to requests from several Congressional committees for access to this information that was not subject to withholding exceptions . Notice and delivery of thisinformation was made to the lawyers for the partie s and the relevant congressional committees in advanc e of public release_ Further , prior to release , career officials determined that the text messages. could be released under both ethical and legal standards _" Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202.6 16.0911 Cell: (b) ( 6) For inform ation on office hours, access to m edia eve nts, and standard ground rulesfor interviews, ple ase click here. AM OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58908 DOJ-17-0577-G-000006 20180326-0072025 000007 From: Daniel Friedman [mailto:DFriedman@motherjones.com ] Sen t : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 3:40 PM To: Prior, Ian {OPA) Subje ct: Re: Statement on release of Strzok texts? Thanks. If you get more in his rd like to know, even if the record. That does seem to me like the part where this is perhaps mmsual. Thanks, Dan From : Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 201711:27:07 AM To: Daniel Friedman Subject: RE: Statement on release of Strzok texts? Off t he record, I honestly don't know the process. Will have to check Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202.616.0911 Cell: For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rules for interviews, please click here. From: Daniel Friedman [mailto:DFriedman@motherjones.com ] Sent : Wednesday , Oe"Cember 13, 201711:23 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject : Re: Statement on release of Strzok texts? Just recalled one quest ion I should have asked : These texts were given/obtained by the IG and turned over to Congress as the result of members ' request , I believe. Do they pass through the comms office as part of the process through which the leg. affairs people turn them over to the Hill? From : Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 201711:14AM To: Daniel Friedman Subje ct: RE:Statement on release of Strzok texts? Just called you Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202.616.0911 Cell: - DOJ-17-0577-G-000007 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58908 20180326 -0072026 000008 For information on office hours, access to media events, and standard ground rules for interviews , please dick here. From : Daniel Friedman [ mailt o:DFriedman@motherjones .com] Sent: Wednesday, Decembe r 13, 201711:llAM To: Prior , Ian (OPA) Subje ct: Re: statement on release of Strzok texts? Do you have handy prior examples of instances in which DOJ provided information to the press that was also sent to Hill, to avoid confusion? I personally have never received somethin g like that. From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 201710:59:30 AM To: Daniel Friedman Subject: RE:Statement on release of Strzok texts? yes Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202.6 16.0911 Cell: (b) ( 6) For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rules for interviews, please click here. From : Daniel Friedman [ mailto:OFriedman@mother Sent: Wednesday, De"Cember 13, 201710:58 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subje ct : Re: Statement on release of Strzok texts? jones.com ] Thanks . Are the texts shared the same as the ones t he Hill got? I was under impression Fox saw more texts than were turned over to the Hill. From : Prior , Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 201710:56:04 AM To: Daniel Friedman Subje ct: RE:Statement on release of Strzok texts? From DOJ official: We often provide information we give to Congressional committees to avoid any confusion. Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202.616.0911 Cell: (b) ( 6) For information on office hours, access to media events, and standard ground rulesfor interviews, please dick here. DOJ-17-0577-G-000008 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58908 20180326 -0072027 000009 From : Daniel Friedman [ mailto:DFriedman@motherjones Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 201710:55 AM To: Prior , Ian (OPA) Subject: Statement on release of Strzok texts? .com) Ian, Do you have a statement you can share on DOJ allowing some reporters to view Strzok/ Page texts? Saw reference to that on twitter. Can I see them too? Thanks, Dan Friedman DOJ-17-0577-G-000009 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58908 20180326 -0072028 000010 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 20 17 4:02 PM To: Emma Loop Subje ct: RE:texts Yes. Sourcing rule stays the same as yall agree d to. Sacah Isgw: Flo re, Dir ector of Public Affairs 202.3055808 From : Emma Loop [mailto:emma.loop@buz. zfeed.com) Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 3:59 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} Subject : texts Hi Sarah, I was just at the DOJ copying the text messages between Strzok and Page . Matt told me we aren't to attnbute the text s to you but multiple lawmakers spoke about the D OJ allowing r eport ers to view the texts at the Ho use Judiciary Committee hearing toda y, and DAG Rosenstein said he believed it was true . D o we still need to avoid attnbuting to DOJ? Thanks. Emma Emma Loop I BuuFeed News I Capitol Hill Reporter, Was hington I c: I PGP: http:// bit.ly/2pCPtiT I Twitte r: @LoopEmma I buzzfeed.coml emmaloop (on Signal) I d: 202-602-1706 Got a confidential l ip? Here's how to send it to us: tios.buzzfeed .com DOJ-17-0577-G-000010 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .93262 20180326 -0072030 000011 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:17 PM To: Michael lsikoff Cc: Pettit, Mark T. (OPA) Subje ct: RE:fbi text messages We haven' t sent th em t o anyone and have been letting people come t o view and repo rt on in came ra. Ccing Mark as you are welcome to do so as well Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202.6 16.0911 Cell: For information on office hours, access to media even ts, and standard ground rules for interviews, ple ase dick here. From: Michael lsilcoff[mailto:m isikoff@oath.com] Sent Wednesday , December 13, 2017 3:11 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subje ct : fbi text messages Hi Ian -- can you forward me a complete cop y of the te>."tmessages you released last nite? Mike Isikoff Yahoo News C (b) (6) DOJ-17-0577-G-000011 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .59055 20180326 -00720 42 000012 Prio r, Ian (OPA) From : Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:07 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com Subje ct : RE: A couple o.fStrzok questions There is someone from Reuters that ca me in to view Ian 0. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202.616.0911 Cell: (b)(6) For information on office hours, access to media events, and standard ground rule s for interviews, please click here. --Original Message--From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:06 PM To: Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: A couple of Strzok quest ions Yes, these are the pertinent texts as determined by the IG as our letter to congress addresses this. Ian can send you a copy. We sent you a statement that career officials approved the release on legal and ethical grounds that included the release to both congress and the media. > On Dec 13, 2017 , at 2:53 PM, "Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com euters.com> wrote : " > Colleagues tell me There are clearly SMSs omitted from the message chains in these documents. Who made the decision to omit them, the IG or DOJ? Secondly as I understand it career officials authorized release of messages to Congress but not to Media. Who explicitly autho rized media release ? Tks mh > > Sent from my iPhone DOJ-17-0577-G-000012 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .57636 20180326-00720 4 3 000013 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior , Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 2:30 PM To: Jurecic , Quinta Subje ct : RE: Comment on Strzok/Page texts On the record statement below. Off the record, in response to these criticisms that something unp recedented happened last night - • https://tw ittercom/Devl in Barrett/status/941026249396375552 "The Department ensures that its release of info rmation from the Department to members of Congress or to the media is consistent with law , includ ing the Privacy Act. As the Department's letter to Congress last night makes clear✓ this info rmat ion was provided in response to requests from several Congressional committees for accessto this information that was not subject to withholding exceptio ns. Notice and delivery of this info rmat ion was made to the lawyers for the parties and the relevant congressional committees in advance of public release. Further, prior to re lease, career off icials determined that the text messages could be released under both ethical and legal standards." Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202.6 16.0911 Cell: (b)( 6) Forinformation on office hours, access to media events, and standard ground rulesfor interviews, please click here. From: Jurecic, Quint a [m ailto:Quinta.Jurecic@washpost.com ] Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 2017 2:26 PM To : Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Comment on Strzok/Page texts Hi Ian, I've seen numerous commenters express concern over the Justice Department's decision to prov ide the press and Congress wi th text messages between Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. How w ould the Justice Department address critici sms of the decision as unusual or potentially politicizing of an ongoing inv estigat ion? Can I ask how the Office of Legislat ive Affairs came to obtain the text messages? Were the documents prov ided to the office by the Office of the Inspector General? Also, during this morn ing' s hearing, DAG Rosenstein stated that the Inspector General had planned to release a report in November but had been delayed. Do you know if the November report would have concerned the ent ire IG inv estigat io n into the handling of the Clinton email probe , or was it only concerning Strzok and Page's relationship? Thanks, Quint a DOJ-17-0577-G-000013 Document ID: 0.7.16060.58149 20180326-0072058 000014 Quinta Jurecic The Washington Post Office : 202 334 7330 eel l:[ijjjm DOJ-17-0577-G-000014 Document ID: 0.7.16060.58149 20180326-0072059 000015 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 1:03 PM To: Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA} Subje ct: Re: Strzok emails As the dag just testi fied, the IG approved the release. On Dec 13, 2017 , at 12:38 PM, "Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com wrote: " what kind of career officials approved release ? Did IG approve ? and if it is so non controversial why did you release material in what I hear was a somewhat sneaky way? Sent from my iPhone On Dec 13, 2017, at 12:20, Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) wrote: The Department ensures that its release of informat ion from the Department to members of Congress or to the media is consistent with la w, includ ing the Privacy Act. As the Department 's letter to Congress last night makes clear, th is informat ion was provided in response to requests from severa l Congress ional committees for access to this information that was not subject to withholding exceptions. Notice and delivery of this information was made to the lawyers for the parties and the relevant congress ional committees in advance of public release. Further, prior to release , career officials determined that the text messages could be released under both et hical and legal standards. On Dec 13, 2017, at 12:16 PM, "Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com wrote: " cool tks From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} [ mailto:Sarah.Isgur.Flores@usdoj.gov ] Se nt : Wednesday, December 13, 2017 12:12 PM To: Hosenball, Mark J. (Reuters} Cc: Prior, Ian ( OPA) Subject: Re: Strzok emails Statement coming On Dec 13, 2017, at 12:05 PM, "Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com '' wrote: DOJ-17-0577-G-000015 Document ID: 0.7.16060.58477 20180326-0072142 000016 I gather DAGjust told Congre ss th e Strzok emails wer e som e how approved for public release. By whom ? under what legal authority ? Did IG sign off on that ? Please advise. tks mh From: Hosenball, Mark J. (Reut ers) Sent: Wednesday, Decemb.er 13, 2017 11:28 AM To: 'Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)'; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Strzok emails htt p://www.businessinsider.com/ pete r-st rzok-page texts -mue lle r-russia -trum p-2017-12 So this story says that DoJ invited reporters to your offices yesterday night to give them access to private text messages exchanged between Pete r Strzok and Lisa Page. The story says that this material was originally obtained by DoJ as part of an investigation by Justice Department IG into how the FBIhandled its inquiry into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. Isn't it quite unorthodox , if not unethical or even illegal, for DoJ to deliberately make public or leak evidence collected in an IG inv est igation ? Who is it who ultimately authorized or instructed DoJ to allow journalists to see this evidence ? Was AG Sessions involve d ? Was the White House involve d or was anyone in the White House consulted ? We might be writing a story about this today so your quick response most welcome. Many thanks ind eed . mh AMR AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060.58477 DOJ-17-0577-G-000016 20180326-0072143 000017 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 12:55 PM To: (b) (6) Eh Lake Email Subjec t: FW: This is Eli Lake from Bloomberg View. Deadl ine query on text messages Yes. Off the record , I would note that we invited Chris Strohm who declined. On the record statement: The Department ensures that its release of information from the Department to members of Congress or to the media is consistent with law, induding the Privacy Act. As the Department's letter to Congress last night makes clear, this information was provided in response to reques ts -from several Congressional committees for access to this information that was not subject to ,vithholding exceptions. Notice and delivery of this information was made to th.e lawyers for the parties and the relevant congressional committees in advance of public release. Further , prior to release, c-areer officials determined that the text messages could be released under both ethical and legal standards . Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202.616.0911 Cell: For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rulesfor interviews, please click here. From : Press Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 201712:51 PM To: Prior, Ian {OPA) Cc: Pettit, Mark T. (OPA) Subject: FW:This is Eli Lake from Bloomberg View. Deadline query on text messages Thanks-tu From : Eli Lake(b) (6) Se nt: Wednesday , December 13, 201712:47 PM To: Press Subject: This is Eli Lake fro m Bloomberg View. Deadline query on text messages Business Insider is reporting that DoJ invited reporters Tuesday evening to view text messages the deparbnent was going to send to Congress between A Pete r Strzok and Lisa Page . Is th is acc ur ate? If so, why was th is done? What about th e due pr ocess ri ghts of Pa2:e and Strzok? On dea dline . Mv number is OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060 .57990 DOJ-17-0577-G-000017 20180326-00 7214 6 000018 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} Sent : We dnesday , December 13, 20 17 12:27 PM To: Zoe Tillman Subje ct: Re: Strzok texts Yes. On Dec 13, 2017, at 12:26 PM, Zoe Tillman wrote: Can DOJ confirm that the texts were provided to Congress on Tuesday? On Wed , Dec 13, 2017 at 10:33 AM, Zoe Tillman wrote: Roger that, thanks. On We d, Dec 13, 2017 at 10:24 AM, Flores, Sarah Isgur {OPA} wrote: To the hill. Not to repo rters. You'll notice whe n sourcing othe r outlets have said they "obta ined " them. If that doesn 't work for y' all, let me know. On Dec 13, 20 17, at 10 :03 AM, Zoe Tillman wrote: Thanks, can you explain what you mean in say ing we couldn't source them to DOJ? Several reports said the texts were "released " by DOJ. On Dec 13, 20 17 9:56 AM, "Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)" <5arah.1sgur.F1ores@usdoj.gov> wrote: We have a har d copy you can review at the office . You can't take them with you, take pictures , or source them (to doj or otherwise). Mark will be the one to work with on that. On Oec 13, 20 17, at 9 :53 AM, Zoe Tillman wrote: Good morning - ar e you providing the Strzok texts , or do I need to ask someon e else? Thanks, Zoe Zoe Tillman I Buz.z.FeedNews I Reporter 0 : 202-602-17051 M:- l@zoe tillman 1630 Connecticut Avenue NW, 7th Floor. Washington. DC 20009 DOJ-17-0577-G-000018 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .93285 20180326 -0072 156 000019 Zoe Tillman I Buz.zFeed News I Reporter 0 : 202-602-17051 M: -1@zoet illman 1630 Connecticu t Avenue NW, 7th Floor, Washington , DC 20009 Zoe Tillman I Buz:zFeecl News I Reporter 0 : 202-602-17051 M:1@zoetillman 1630 Connecticut Avenue NW, 7th Floor, Wa shington , DC 20009 AMR AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060.93285 DOJ-17-0577-G-000019 20180326-0072157 000020 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 20 17 12:12 PM To: Mark.Hosenball@thomsonreuters.com Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subje ct: Re: Strzok emails Statement coming On Dec 13, 20 17, at 12:05 PM, " Mark.Hosenba ll @thomsonreuters.com < Mark.Hosenbal l@thomsonreuters .com > wrote: " I gathe r DAG just told Congress the Strzok emails were somehow approved for public release. By whom ? unde r what legal authority? Did IG sign off on that? Please advise. tks mh Fro m: Hosenball, Mark J. {Reuters) Se nt : We dnesday, December 13, 2017 11:28 AM To: 'Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)'; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject Strzok ema ils http ://www .businessinsider .com/peter -strzok -page-texts -mueller -russia-trump -2017-12 So this story says that DoJ invited reporters to your offices yesterday night to give them access to private text m essages exchanged between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. The story says that this material was originally obtained by DoJ as part of an investigation by Justice Department IG into how the FBI handled its inquiry into Hillary Clinton ' s use of a privat e email server while she was Secretary of State . Isn' t it quite unorthodox , if not unethical or even illegal , for DoJ to deliberately make public or leak evidence collected in an IG investigation ? Who is it who ultimately authorized or instructed DoJ to allow journalists to see this evidence ? Was AG Sessions involved ? Was the White House involved or was anyone in the White House consulte d ? We might be writing a story about this today so your quick response most welcome. Many thanks indeed . mh DOJ-17-0577-G-000020 Document ID: 0.7.16060.58090 20180326-0072166 000021 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 20 17 12 :05 PM To: Marisa Schultz Subje ct: Re: text messages between Page/Strzok If it's an electronic release then we will. On Dec 13, 2017, at 12:04 PM, Marisa Schultz wrote: Any chance you can include me in potential future releases? Marisa Schultz New York Post Washington Bureau mar isa.s chultz @nypos t.com (b) ( 6) cell On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 11:59 AM, Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} wrote : The invite went to outlet s that have DOj badges. On Dec 13, 20 17, at 11:54 AM, Marisa Schultz wrote: Hey Sarah, Wante d to rea ch out to you regar ding the text messages release d last night to certain repo rte rs. Our readers at the New York Post are very much interested in this story - as you can probably tell by our past cove-rs. Any idea why we were exclu de d from a n invite to see the messa ges?: Best, Marisa Marisa Schultz New York Post Washington Burea u maris a.s chultz@nypost .com (b) (6) cell DOJ-17-0577-G-000021 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .93362 20180326 -0072 170 000022 Prior , Ian (OPA) From : Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : We dnesday , December 13, 2017 10:59 AM To: Dan iel Friedman Subject: RE: Statement on release of Strzok texts? yes Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202 .616.0911 Cell: (b) ( 6) For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rules for interviews, please dick here. From : Daniel Friedman [mailto:DFr iedma n@mot herj ones.com] Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 2017 10 :58 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subj ect : Re: Statement on release of Strzok texts ? Thanks. Are the texts share d the same as the ones the Hill got? I w as under impression Fox saw more t exts than w ere turned over to the Hill . From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday , December 13, 201710 :56 :04 AM To: Daniel Friedman Subje ct : RE: Statemen t on release of Strzok texts? From OOJ official: We often provid e information we give to Congressional committ ees to avoid any confusion. Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202.6 16.09 11 Cell: (b) ( 6) For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rules for interviews, please d ick here. From : Daniel Friedman [ mailto:DFriedman@motherjones.com ) Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 201710:SS AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Stat ement on release of St rzok t exts? Ian, L - A - - _ . _ _..____ N OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060 .57829 - •- - -- _ L ____ - r-..,,..,.,. , _ 11 _ ,.., ._ - _ I I DOJ-17-0577-G-000022 20180326 -0072 193 000023 uo you nave a statement you can snare on uuJ a11owmgsome reporters Page texts? Saw reference to that on twitter. to view .'.>trZOK/ Can I see them too? Thanks, Dan Friedman DOJ-17-0577-G-000023 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .57829 20180326 -0072 194 000024 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent : Wednesday, To: Natasha Bert rand Subje ct : RE: FW: DOJ invited reporters over to DOJ to view Strzok/Page texts December 13, 201710:39 AM Statement stands Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202.6 16.0911 Cell: (b) (6) For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rulesfor interviews, please click here. From : Natasha Bertrand [mailto:nbertrand@businessinsider.com] Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 201710:38 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: FW: DOJ invited reporters over to DOJ to view Strzok/Page texts Even amid an ongoing OIG investigation? On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 1035 A.t"\11, Prior, Ian (OPA) ,,-rote: From DOJ official: We often provide information we give to Congressional committees to avoid any confus ion_ Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Office: 202 .616.0911 Cell: (b) (6) For information on office hours, access to media events , and standard ground rules for interviews, please click here. From : Press Se nt : Wednesday, December 13, 201710:34 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA} Cc: Pettit, Mark T. (OPA) Subje ct: FW: DOJ invited reporters over to DOJ to view Strzok/Page texts Thank you -KJ AM OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.16060.58000 DOJ-17-0577-G-000024 20180326-0072196 000025 .-, VIU. 1,a l.a:u ,a DC:::l I.I 0 1 I U ( 111011\.V.J I UCI LI QI IY\'-"'UY:>II I C:::>:>11 1:llYC:I .wUII IJ Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 201710:26 AM To: Press Subject: OOJ invited reporters over to DOJto view Strzok/Page texts Hi there , I'm wondering what the DOJ 's rationale ,vas for inviting reporters over to view StrzoklPage texts on Tuesday amid the ongoing OIG inves tigaton. Thank you, Na tasha Natasha Bertrand Pohbcal Correspondent 631J17_8J09 ~N atas haBertrand Xatasha Bertrand Political Correspondent 63131' S-!09 '.@,NatashaBertrand Busmess Insider Busmess Insider DOJ-17-0577-G-000025 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58000 20180326-0072 197 000026 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} Sent : Wednesday, December 13, 20 17 10:25 AM To: Zoe Tillman Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA};Pettit, Mark T. (OPA} Subject: Re: Strzok texts To the hill. Not to reporters. You'll notice when sourcing other outlets have said they "obtained" them. If that doesn 't work for y'all, let me know. On Dec 13, 2017, at 10:03 AM, Zoe Tillman wrote: Thanks , can you expla in what you mean in saying we couldn 't source them to DOJ? Several reports said the texts were "released" by DOJ. On Dec 13, 20 17 9:56 AM, "Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA}" wrote: We have a hard copy you can review at the office. You can 't take them with you, take pictures, or source them (to doj or otherwise). Mark will be the one to work with on that . On Dec 13, 20 17, at 9:53 AM, Zoe Tillman wrote: Good morning - are you providing the Strzok texts, or do I need to ask someone else? Thanks, Zoe Zoe Till man I BuzzFeed News I Reporter 0 : 202-602-1705 I M: _ _I @zoetillman 1630 Connecticut Avenue NW. 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20009 DOJ-17-0577-G-000026 DocumentID: 0.7.16060 .57779 20180326-0072200 000027 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior , Ian (OPA) Sent : We dnes day, December 13, 20 17 9:54 AM To: Zoe Tillman; Flores , Sarah Isgur {OPA) Subje ct : RE: Strzok texts You can come he re to review Ian D. Prior Principa l Deputy Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Off ice: 202 .6 16.0911 Cell: (b) (6) For information on off ice hours, access to med ia events , and standard ground rulesfor interviews , p lease click here. From : Zoe Tillman [ma ilto:zoe .tillman@buufe e d.com) Sent : Wednesday , December 13, 2017 9:53 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA} ; Prior , Ian {OPA) Subje ct: Strzok texts Goo d mo rning - are you provi ding the Strzok texts, or do I nee d to ask someo ne else? Thanks , Zoe Zoe Tillma n I BuzzFeed News I Reporter 0 : 202-602-1705 1M: l@ z oetillman 1630 Connecti cut Avenue NW , 7th Floor, Wash ington , DC 20009 DOJ-17-0577-G-000027 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .58118 20180326 -00722 19 000028 Flo res, Sarah Isgur (OPA ) From : Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent : Tuesday, December 12, 2017 10:00 PM To: Chuck Ross Subje ct: Re: Strzok texts We provided to 5 committees on the hill. I don't have an electronic copy. > On Dec 12, 2017 , at 9:59 PM, Chuck Ross wrote: > > Hi Sara h, > > I'm trying to track down the Strzok text messages. I guess we were about the only outlet not to receive the release. I'm seeing it was through Rosenstein's office but was n't sure if this was a public release or a mass leak of some sort. > > Do you have any guidance? > > Thank you, > Chuck Ross > The Daily Calle r DOJ-17-0577-G-000028 Document ID: 0.7.16060 .92988 20180326-0072465