U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy Sixth Floor 441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Telephone: (202) 514-3642 December 31, 2019 Austin R. Evers 1030 15th Street, NW, Suite B255 Washington, DC 20005 foia@americanoversight.org Re: DOJ-2019-005155 19-cv-2563 (D.D.C.) VRB:JMB:SJD Dear Austin R. Evers: This responds to your Freedom of Information Act request, dated and received in this Office on June 7, 2019, seeking records reflecting communications between the Offices of the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, John Durham. This response is made on behalf of the Offices of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. Please be advised that initial searches have been conducted and records responsive to your request have been located. At this time, I have determined that six pages containing records responsive to your request are appropriate for release with excisions made pursuant to Exemptions 6 and 7(A) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6) and (b)(7)(A). Exemption 6 pertains to information the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Exemption 7(A) pertains to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings. 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) (2018). 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. If you have any questions regarding this response, please contact Kuntal Cholera of the Department's Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch at 202-305-8645. Sincerely, Vanessa R. Brinkmann Senior Counsel Enclosures Subject: Location: Meeting: USA John Durham, Connecticut AG's Office Start: End: Mon 3/25/2019 1:30 PM Mon 3/25/2019 2:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); Levi, William (OAG); Nichols, Matthew (JMD); Gerritzen, David E. (JMD); Louton-Brown, Arlene (JMD) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Brian Rabbit and Will Levi Outside Attendees: USA John Durham – Email (b) (6) cell: (b) 1 (6) DOJ-19-0688-A-000001 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Thu 4/25/2019 9:00 AM Thu 4/25/2019 10:00 AM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); Moran, John (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme and USA John Durham   2 DOJ-19-0688-A-000002 - Subject: Location: Prep: (b) (7)(A) AG's Conference Room Start: End: Tue 4/30/2019 1:30 PM Tue 4/30/2019 2:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); (b) (6) (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Brian Rabbitt, Seth DuCharme, USA John Durham, AUSA (b)   (6) 3 DOJ-19-0688-A-000003 Subject: Location: Meeting with (b) AG's Office Start: End: Tue 5/14/2019 5:00 PM Tue 5/14/2019 7:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); (b) (6) (USACT); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Brian Rabbitt, Seth DuCharme, (b) (6) (6) and John Durham and John Durham 5 DOJ-19-0688-A-000004 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Wed 5/22/2019 1:30 PM Wed 5/22/2019 2:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Importance: High POC: Brian Rabbitt Attendees: Brian Rabbitt and John Durham   7 DOJ-19-0688-A-000005 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Tue 6/4/2019 4:00 PM Tue 6/4/2019 5:15 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); (b) (6) (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme, John Durham and (b) (6) 8 DOJ-19-0688-A-000006 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy Sixth Floor 441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Telephone: (202) 514-3642 March 31, 2020 Austin R. Evers 1030 15th Street, NW, Suite B255 Washington, DC 20005 foia@americanoversight.org Re: DOJ-2019-005155 19-cv-2563 (D.D.C.) VRB:JMB:SJD Dear Austin R. Evers: This responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated June 7, 2019 submitted to this Office as well as the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA), seeking records reflecting communications between the Offices of the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, John Durham. While processing your FOIA request, EOUSA referred nineteen pages to this Office for processing and direct response to you. 1 In addition, this Office has conducted a search for records responsive to your request on behalf of the Offices of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. With respect to the nineteen pages referred by EOUSA, I have determined that two pages containing records responsive to your request are appropriate for release with excisions made pursuant to Exemptions 6 and 7(C) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. ? 552(b)(6) and (b)(7)(C). Additionally, eleven pages containing records responsive to your request are being withheld in full pursuant to Exemption 7(A) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. ? 552(b)(7)(A). Exemption 7(A) pertains to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings. Additional exemptions, including Exemptions 5, 6, and 7(C), 5 U.S.C. ? 552(b)(5), (b)(6) and (b)(7)(C), apply to the pages being withheld in full. Exemption 5 pertains to certain inter- and intraagency communications protected by civil discovery privileges. Exemption 6 pertains to information the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Exemption 7(C) pertains to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy. Lastly, six pages referred by EOUSA were determined to be completely duplicative and have not been processed. Moreover, we have completed processing of an additional thirteen pages located pursuant to OIP's records searches. I have determined that twelve of these pages containing records responsive to your request are appropriate for release with excisions made pursuant to Exemptions 6 and 7(C) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. ? 552(b)(6) and (b)(7)(C). Additionally, one page is being withheld in full pursuant to Exemption 7(A) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 1 For your reference, the EOUSA tracking number assigned to this request is EOUSA-2019-003243. -2? 552(b)(7)(A). Additional exemptions, including Exemptions 6, 7(C), and 7(E), 5 U.S.C. ? 552(b)(6), (b)(7)(C), and (b)(7)(E), apply to portions of the page being withheld in full. Exemption 7(E) pertains to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which would disclose certain techniques or procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions. 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) (2018). 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. If you have any questions regarding this response, please contact Kuntal Cholera of the Department's Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch at 202-305-8645. Sincerely, r-12-e - Vanessa R. Brinkmann Senior Counsel Enclosures Durham, John {USACT) .om: ~nt : To: Cc: Subject: ~ (USAcn 2019 5:34 PM Horowitz, Michael E.(OIG); Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Durham, John (USACT); Blier, William M.(OIG) RE:Logistics Hi Michael: Thanks very much for making time to meet with us. Unfortunately, we have a conflict for late Monday afternoon. Would it work with schedules to meet early Monday afternoon or some time on Tuesday, except 1:30-2:30? -----Original Message----From: Horowitz, Michael E.(OIG) Sent: Friday, April 12, 2019 5:02 PM To: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Cc: Durham, John (USACT) >; \,_(USACT) Subject: RE: Logistics Seth, Adding Bill Blier to the email chain. How does late afternoon on Monday look for the 3 of you? Michael -----Original Message----- . From: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Sent: Friday, April 12, 2019 4:53 PM \._..;o: Horowitz, Michael E.(OIG) 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000001 .. ? Cc: Durham, John (USACT) (USACT) Vbject: Logistics Michael, thank you for your time this afternoon and the opportunity for me to explain what John and and I are working on. I understand that Monday or perhaps Tuesday would be the most convenient days for you to meet with us. If you would like to suggest some times, or permit us to, we will make every effort to adjust to your schedule. Best, Seth Sent from my iPhone 2 DOJ-19-0688-B-000002 Subject: Location: Meeting: John Durham, USACT AG's Office Start: End: Wed 6/26/2019 10:30 AM Wed 6/26/2019 11:00 AM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Brian Rabbitt, Seth DuCharme and Tim Shea Outside Attendee: John Durham, USA CT (Green Badge) 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000003 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Thu 7/11/2019 11:30 AM Thu 7/11/2019 12:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Brian Rabbitt, Seth DuCharme and John Durham 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000004 Subject: Location: Phone Call AG's Office Start: End: Fri 7/12/2019 10:30 AM Fri 7/12/2019 11:00 AM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Categories: Yellow Category - POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Brian Rabbitt and Seth DuCharme *AG will call USA John Durham; (b) (6) 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000005 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Tue 7/16/2019 4:30 PM Tue 7/16/2019 5:30 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme and USA John Durham 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000006 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Thu 8/1/2019 5:30 PM Thu 8/1/2019 6:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme and John Durham 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000007 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's office Start: End: Tue 8/6/2019 11:30 AM Tue 8/6/2019 11:45 AM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000008 Subject: Location: Phone Call with John Durham AG's Office Start: End: Fri 8/16/2019 4:30 PM Fri 8/16/2019 5:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Levi, William (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Categories: Yellow Category NEW TIME: 4:30 pm POC: Seth DuCharme Attendee: Will Levi *Mr. Durham will call Theresa at (202) 514-9755 to be connected. 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000009 Subject: Location: Meeting w/USA John Durham, CT AG's Office Start: End: Tue 8/20/2019 11:00 AM Tue 8/20/2019 12:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); DuCharme, Seth (OAG) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme Outside Attendee: John Durham, USA CT 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000010 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Tue 9/3/2019 5:30 PM Tue 9/3/2019 6:30 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) JMD) POC: Seth DuChame Attendees: Seth DuCharme, USA John Durham, (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000011 Subject: Location: Phone Call with USA John Durham (CT) AG's Office Start: End: Fri 9/6/2019 4:45 PM Fri 9/6/2019 5:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Categories: Yellow Category Importance: High POC: Seth DuCharme Attendee: USA John Durham (call Theresa's line at 202-514-9755) 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000012 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Thu 9/12/2019 9:30 AM Thu 9/12/2019 10:30 AM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme Outside Attendee: USA John Durham (CT) Green Badge 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000013 Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Thu 10/17/2019 11:00 AM Thu 10/17/2019 12:00 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT); (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) (JMD) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme, USA Durham, (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) 1 DOJ-19-0688-B-000014 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy Sixth Floor 441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Telephone: (202) 514-3642 Austin R. Evers 1030 15th Street, NW, Suite B255 Washington, DC 20005 foia@americanoversight.org June 19, 2020 Re: DOJ-2019-005155 19-cv-2563 (D.D.C.) VRB:JMB:SJD Dear Austin R. Evers: This is our third interim response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted to this Office, dated June 7, 2019, seeking records reflecting communications between the Offices of the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham. Previously, on December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, we provided you with two interim responses. At this time, I have determined that 106 pages containing records responsive to your request are appropriate for release with excisions made pursuant to Exemptions 5, 6, 7(A), and 7(C) of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. ? 552(b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(7)(A), and (b)(7)(C). Exemption 5 pertains to certain inter- and intra-agency communications protected by civil discovery privileges. Exemption 6 pertains to information the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Exemption 7(A) pertains to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings. Exemption 7(C) pertains to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 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) (2018). 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. If you have any questions regarding this response, please contact Kuntal Cholera of the Department's Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch at 202-305-8645. Sincerely, Enclosures VERSIGHT Vanessa R. Brinkmann Senior Counsel -o : (J_M_D_ ) ____________________ _ Subje ct: David Metcalf meeting Start : Wednes day, October 30 , 2019 10:00 AM End: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 11:00 AM Recurrence : (none) Meeting Sta t us: Accepted Organize r: - Required Attendees: Durham, John H. (JMD);(JMO); (JMD); (USACT); (JMO); IMO) : (JMO) 1(JMD); , (JMO); 1(JMO); - : David Metcalf (202) -305-0620 AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5120 DOJ-19-0688-C-000001 005155 -000002 Dur ham, John H. (JMD) Subject: David Metcalf Lot:ation: AM Start : Wednes day, October 30, 2019 10:00 AM End: Wednes day, October 30, 2019 11 :00 AM Recurrence: (none) Meet ing Status : No response re quired Organize r: Durham, Joh n H. (JMD) {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5116 DOJ-19-0688-C-000002 00515 5-00000 5 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Sunday , October 6, 20 19 2:32 PM To : I (USACT) Subject : Attachments : AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.7507 DOJ-19-0688-C-000003 00515 5-0000 31 Metcalf , David (ODAG) From: Metcalf, David (ODAG) Sent : Thursday , October 3, 20 19 11 :35 AM To: Durham , John (USACT) Subject : FW: Meet ing John, Just foll owing up her e . let me know if you have som e free time t o talk tod ay or tomo rrow . I'm pretty fre e both days. - David Metcalf From: Metca lf, David {ODAG) Sent: Monday, September 30, 2019 ll :45 AM To: Durham , John (USACT Subje ct: Meeti ng John, Let me know if you have some time t his afternoon or tomorrow to ta lk. Thanks David Metcalf Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General Office of the Deputy Attorney General 950 Pennsylv ania Avenue, NW, Room 4226 Washington , D.C. 20530 Office: (202) 305-0620 Cell:. Oavid.Metca lf2@usdoj .gov AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5115 DOJ-19-0688-C-000004 005155-000035 Metcalf , David (ODAG) From: Metcalf, David (ODAG) Sent : Wednesday, September 25, 20 19 11 :54 AM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subject : Meeting this week John, :. Do you have time fo r a brief phone call this afternoon? David Metcalf Counsel to the Deputy Attorney Genera l Office of the Deputy Attorney General 950 Pennsylvania Avenue , NW, Room 4226 Wash ington , D.C. 20530 Office: (202) 305- 0620 Cell:-. David.Metcalf2@usdoj.gov AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5202 DOJ-19-0688-C-000005 005155-000045 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) AM Subject: Meeting with Start: Tuesday, September 24, 20 19 2:00 PM End: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 2:30 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: No response required Organizer: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .7436 DOJ-19-0688-C-000006 005155-000055 Durham, John H. (JMD) AM From : Durham, John H. (JMD) Sent : Thursday , September 19, 20 19 2:17 PM To: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Subje ct : As discussed Atta chments : [Untitled] .pdf {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5130 DOJ-19-0688-C-000007 005155 -000066 Du rham , John (USACT) From: Durham, John (USACT) Sent: Monday , September 16, 2019 10:23 PM To : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Cc: 1(USACT) Re: Sorry I missed your call Subject: Roger. I' ll be in Command Center starting at 9:30 .o 9:00. A call before 8:30 or after 10:30 would work. will be at starting at Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 16, 2019, at 10:07 PM, OuCharme, Seth (OAG) wrote: > > > My ringer was off - talk in the morning? > > Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.12206 DOJ-19-0688-C-000008 005155-000083 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday, September 10, 20 19 4:48 PM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Tomorrow His schedule keeps chang ing - let me know when you can ta lk an d we can game it out Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643 .7315 DOJ-19-0688-C-000009 005155 -000096 Otus85, AG (OAG) Subject: Location: HOLD: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Show Time As: Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:00 AM Thursday, September 12, 2019 10:00 AM Tentative Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Not yet responded Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme and USA John Durham (CT) VERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5548 DOJ-19-0688-C-000010 005155-000097 Otus85, AG (OAG) Subject: Location: HOLD: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:00 AM Thursday, September 12, 2019 10:00 AM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Accepted Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme and USA John Durham (CT) VERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5545 DOJ-19-0688-C-000011 005155-000098 Me tcalf, David (ODAG) From : Metcalf, David (ODAG) Se nt: Thursday , September S, 20 19 7:19 PM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: RE: Test Nice to meet you. Would next Tues day work for me to come by? ---- Original Message From: Durham, John {USACT) Sent: Thursday, September S, 2019 4:42 PM To: Metcalf , David {ODAG) Subject : Test Test Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .13767 DOJ-19-0688-C-000012 005155 -000100 _ _(u_ s_A_cr_ )_____________________ From: I _ {USACT) Se nt : Friday, August 30, 2019 4:38 PM To : Ducharme, Set h (OAG) Cc: Durham, John (USACT} Subje ct: Re- are happy to switch to Thursday Yes, that should work well. Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 30, 20 19, at 4:03 PM, Ducharme , Seth (OAG) wrote: > > I think we shoot for early afternoon again - does 2pm work fo r you? > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Aug 30, 2019, at 1:42 PM I (USACT) wrote: >> >> Thanks very much. What time works best for them? >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Aug 30, 2019, at 1:38 PM, Ducharme , Seth {OAG) wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643 .10902 DOJ-19-0688-C-000013 005155 -000103 ---o1 (.JM - D) __________________________ _ 11111 Sent : (JMD) Thursday , August 29, 2019 4:10 PM To: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Subject : RE: reschedule Tuesday 's meeting From: Yes, that wou ld work. thanks From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2019 4:09 PM To: (JMD) Subject: Re: reschedule Tuesday's meeting 1 : are there any free investigators on you r team I'll talk to . If it's a problem for who could meet with them? Sent from my iPhone On Aug 29, 2019, at 12:58 PM,_ {JMD) >w rote: Seth: Can we move our meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 2pm to Thursday? We have a conflict with interviews. Thanks AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .9022 DOJ-19-0688-C-000014 00515 5-000104 Duc har me, Set h (OAG) From : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday , August 27, 20 19 5:53 PM To: Durham , John (USACT) Subje ct: Re: Automatic reply: Other matter Th is week? Sent from my iPhone On Aug 27 , 2019 , at 2:27 PM, Durham, John (USACT) > wrote: Just FYI, we had already called ove r to the FBI to set someth ing up. Sent from my iPhone On Aug 27, 20 19, at 5:25 PM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) wrote: I am curren tly out of the office, checking ema il pe riod ically . AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .7153 DOJ-19-0688-C-000015 005155 -000108 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth {OAG) Se nt : Wednesday , August 2 1, 20 19 8:52 AM To : Durham, John {USACT) Subje ct: Sent bios on high side Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.11270 DOJ-19-0688-C-000016 005 155-000161 Bryant , Err ical (OAG} From : Bryant, Errical {OAG) Sent : Tuesday, August 20, 20 19 10:43 AM To: Durham , John (USACT) Cc: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Subje ct: RE: lmportan oe: High Your meeting is at 11 From: Bryant, Errical {OAG} Sent : Tuesday , August 20, 2019 9:21 AM To: Durham , John (USACT) > Cc: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Subje ct: Imp ortan ce: High John, Can you make a 11:00am meeting today? Thanks E Errical A. Bryant Director of Scheduling United States Attorney General AM {I AN OVERSIGHT DocumentID: 0.7.643.7054 DOJ-19-0688-C-000017 005155 -000162 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday, August 20, 20 19 9:39 AM To: Bryant, Errical (OAG) Cc: Durham, John {USACT) Subject : Re: I spoke to his team we're good for 11 Sent from my iPhone DOJ-19-0688-C-000018 Document ID: 0.7.643 .7052 005155-000163 Watson , Theresa (OAG) From: Watson , Theresa (OAG) Se nt: Friday, August 16, 2019 1 :41 PM To : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Cc: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: RE: Call Call time moved to 4:30 pm. ---Original MessageFrom: Ducha rme, Seth (OAG} Sent: Friday, August 16, 20 19 1:15 PM To: Watson , Theresa (OAG) Cc: Durham, John {USACT Subject: Call Theresa did we schedule a call with John? He's goo d to go, just needs a time frame , thanks. Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .7030 DOJ-19-0688-C-000019 005155 -000168 Watson , Theresa (OAG) From: Watson , Theresa (OAG) Se nt: Friday, August 16, 2019 1 :22 PM To : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Cc: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: RE: Call Impo rt ance : High The AG is available at 5:00 pm (EST). Please call Thanks, Theresa ---Original MessageFrom: Ducha rme, Seth (OAG) Sent: Friday, August 16, 2019 1:15 PM To: Watson, Theresa (OAG) Cc: Durham, John (USACT) Subject: Call DOJ-19-0688-C-000020 Document ID: 0.7.643 .7028 005155 -000169 Otus85, AG (OAG) Subject: Location: Meeting AG's Office Start: End: Show Time As: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 3:00 PM Tuesday, August 13, 2019 3:15 PM Tentative Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Not yet responded Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); DuCharme, Seth (OAG (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) (JMD) - POC: Seth DuCharme Attendees: Seth DuCharme an (b) (6), (b) (7)(C) VERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5441 DOJ-19-0688-C-000021 005155-000170 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday , August 13, 20 19 2:13 PM To : I Subje ct : (USACT) Meeting this afternoon I hope you don 't have an early train Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .7015 DOJ-19-0688-C-000022 005155 -000171 _ _(u_ s_A_cr_ )_____________________ From: I _ {USACT) Se nt : Friday, August 9, 2019 6:44 AM To : Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Subje ct : Re: Got you r message thanks Ok, nothing urgent or new to report. Have a good day. Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 8, 2019, at 11:02 PM, Ducharme, Setn (OAG) > > Happy to ta lk in the morning nothing urgent on my end wrote: > > Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .12026 DOJ-19-0688-C-000023 005155 -000173 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Thursday , August 8, 20 19 1:39 PM To : I Subje ct : (USACT) Re: Whe reabouts Please give me a call when you get out thanks. Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 8, 20 19, at 9:05 AM, I (USACT) > wrote: > > I am at ,. If you need to reach me, please call > > Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.7008 . Thanks DOJ-19-0688-C-000024 00515 5-0001 74 Otus85 , AG (OAG) From : Otus8S , AG (OAG) Sent : Tuesday , August 6, 20 19 11:35 AM To: AGPD; Calendar, AG8S (OAG); Watson , Theresa {OAG); Ra bbitt , Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Su bject : Meetin g P0C: Seth Ducharme Atten~ees : Seth Ducharme AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID : 0 .7 .643 .9470 DOJ-19-0688-C-000025 005155 -000186 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday, August 6, 20 19 10:50 AM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Confirmed for 11:30 and primed I' m in anothe r meeting with him that suppose d to go until 11 :30 so I will look for you by Rabbitt's office in the main waiting a rea Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6999 DOJ-19-0688-C-000026 005155-000187 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday, August 6, 20 19 9:37 AM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: He has 15 minutes at 11:30 does that work? Please let me know ASAP Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643 .6997 DOJ-19-0688-C-000027 005155 -000188 Levi, W illiam (OAG) From: Levi, Will iam {OAG} Sent : Tuesday , July 30, 20 19 4 :09 PM To: Durham , John {USACT) Subject : FW: IMG_D017.jpg John, Bill asked me to send this along. He was pleasantly surprised to see yourformal portrait hanging in the carlton House Council Room. This reassured him that he had picked the right man for the job. He the refore asked me to send this along. I'm sure you already have this in your family collection. Best, Will WilliamR. Levi Counselor to the Attorne y General Office of the Attorne y General U. S. D epartment of Justice T: (202) 616 - 7740 M: William.Levi,a,usdoj.gov AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5269 DOJ-19-0688-C-000028 005155-000192 v-I. . - Vii; 35: GM .. an ?ilDocument ID: 0.7.643.5269-000001 005155-000193 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday , Ju ly 16, 2019 3:37 PM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Just confirming you notice you're on the calendar today Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6796 DOJ-19-0688-C-000030 005155 -000195 Watson , The resa (OAG) From: Watson, Theresa (OAG) Sent : Friday, July 12, 2019 10: 19 AM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct : AG Phone Call Importan ce : High Good morning, The AG would like to schedule a phone call today at 10:30 am, please let me know if you are available. I have your cell numbe r aThanks, There~ J. Watson Confidential Assistant to the Attorney General Office of the Attorn ey General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue , NW W ashington, DC 20530 (202 ) 514-9755 AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.7370 DOJ-19-0688-C-000031 005155 -000196 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt: Tuesday , Ju ly 2, 20 19 10:0 1 AM To : Durham, John (USACT) Cc: I (USACT) Subje ct: 2019-06-24 JDJ MM to Barr - DOJ re Durham Probe.pdf Attachments : 20 19-06-24 JDJ MM to Barr - DOJ re Durham Probe .pdf; ATT0000 1.txt AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6678 DOJ-19-0688-C-000032 005155 -000204 ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, MARYLAND CHAIRMAN ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONG RESS JIM J ORDAN , OHIO RANKING MINORITY MEMBER (!Congress of tbemlniteb $tates 1!;l ouseof ~epresentatibes COMMITT EE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM 2157 RAYBURN Ho use WASHINGTON, OFFI C E BUILD ING DC 20515-6143 MNOmY (202)225-5051 Mtt<<:lRfTY (202) 225-5074 http://overs19h1 .house.gov June 24, 2019 The Honorable William P. Barr Attorney General U.S . Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania A venue NW Washington , D.C. 20530 Dear Mr. Attorney General: We understand that you have appointed John H. Durham , the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, to conduct a comprehensive investigation of counterintelligence decision s made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the context of the 2016 presidential election. 1 As member s of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the 115th Congress, our oversight uncovered information about political biases and, according to FBI and DOI witnesses we interviewed, self-described "un usual" conduct surrounding the FBI's investigatio n of campaign associates of then-candidate Donald J. Trump (Russia investigation ). 2 We write to bring to your attention several areas of inquiry that we respectfully sugge st are worthy of further examination as part of Mr. Durham 's investigation. J. The evidence used and gathered in the FBI's investigation of four Americans as part the FBI's Russia investigation During the Committee's transcribed interview of former FBI Director Jame s Corney, he testified that the FBI "opened investigations on four Americans to see if there was any connection between those four Americans and the Russian interference effort . And those four 1 Adam Goldman , et al., Barr Assigns U.S. Attorney in Connecticut to Revi ew Origins of Russia Jnqui1y, N.Y. TIMES (May 13, 20 19). 2 See Jame s Baker Transcribed Interview 53, Oct. 18, 20 18 {"It was unusua l for me to be the recipient of inform ation directly from the public or a lawyer or anyo ne else about an allegation of a crime.") ; Bruce Ohr Transcribed Lnterv iew 43 , Aug. 28, 2018; see also Bruce Ohr Tra nscribed Interview 43 , Aug. 28. 2018 ; id. at 42 (Mr. Gowdy. Can you think of other instanc es in your caree r since 1991 where you made yourself part of a chain of custody? Mr. Ohr. Not -- I don't remember getti ng any other sticks or anything like that, so - "); id. at 31; INSPECTOR GEN., DEP'T OFJUSTICE,A Review of Various Actions by the Federal Bureau of Invest igation and Department of Justice in Advance of the 2016 Election, 329 (2018) ("we did not have confidence that [Peter] Strzok's decision to prioritize the Russia investigation over following up on [the C linton email investigation] was free from bias. "). pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000033 005155-000205 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 2019 Page2 Americans did not include the candidate. " 3 Neither the FBI nor the DOJ has confirmed the identities of these four Americans. Mr. Durham ' s investigation provides an opportunity for much-needed transparency and accountability around the FBI's investigations of these four Americans . We hope that Mr. Durham will examine all relevant details about the FBI's investigations of these four Americans, including the investigations' predication , initiation dates, evidence compiled, and sources used to investigate each of them. 2. The timing of Christopher Steele's initial FBI contacts and the initiation of the Russia investigation You have expressed skepticism about the stated timeframe for the FBI' s initiation of its Russian investigation. 4 Former FBI attorney Lisa Page testified to the Comm ittee that the FBI learned the basis for the Russia investigation on July 28 and formally opened it on July 31, 2016. 5 However, Fusion GPS president Glenn Simpson provided a different timeframe to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). He testified that Christopher Steele-who was retained by Fusion GPS, on behalf of Perkins Coie LLP and the Democrat Nat ional Committee (DNC), to obtain opposition research about Donald Trump-contacte d the FBI in early July 20 16.6 We hope that Mr. Durham will examine the timing of Steele's initial communications with the FBI about Donald Trump and all actions taken by the FBI before July 31, 2016, related to its Russia investigation. 3. How the FBI verified information in the Steele dossier before presenting it to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) Christopher Steele was the author of the collection of unverified and salacious reports (Steele dossier) used by the FBI to surveil at least one Trump campa ign associate, Carter Page. According to one FBI employee, the FBI relied on Steele's reporting so much that without it, it was only "50-50" that a court would approve the FBI's Carter Page Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant. 7 However, Director Corney testified that the FBI had not completed verifying Steele's reporting by the time it applied to surveil Carter Page in October 2016-in fact, Director Corney testified the FBI could not verify all of Steele's information even by May 2017. 8 If Director Corney knew that Steele's information was unverified, it is unclear 3 James Corney Transcribed Interview 24, Dec. 7, 2018 ; see id. at 58 ("And he also was one of the handful of people in the entire world who knew we were investigating four Americans who had some connect ion to Mr. Trump during the summer of2016."). 4 The Department of Justice's Investigation of Russian lnt e,ference with the 2016 Presidential Election : Hearing Bef ore the S. Comm. on Judiciary, I 16th Cong. 167 (May I, 2019) ("The position is the Trump-Russia investigation began in July (2016], but I do not know the answer.") (statement of William Barr, Att'y Gen., Dep't of Justice). 5 Lisa Page Transcribed Interview 41-42 , 48 July 13, 20 18 (Page: " .. . I think we learned about it on a Friday or Thursday ... .Gowdy: You learned about it on the 28 th? Page: Right. Thank you."). 6 Interview of Glenn Simpson 76-77, H. Perm. Select.Committee on Intel. (Nov. 14, 20 17). 7 Sally Moyer Transcribed Interview 162, Oct. 23, 20 18 ("Q If it did not have the Christopher Steele information in it, would it still have been sufficient from a probable cause standard ? Moyer. So I think it's a close call, like 50/50, 51/49. I really think it's a close call. There were others that I believed felt more strongly about it."). 8 James Corney Transcribed Interview 127-128, Dec. 7, 2018 ("Mr. Ratcliffe. Okay. Well, do you recall that, on numerous occasions subsequent to October 21st of 2016 , you, in your capacity as the FBI Director , referred to the Steele dossier as salacious and unverified ? Mr. Corney. Yes. I don't know that I was referring to all ofit. Maybe I AM C N PVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000034 005155-000206 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 2019 Page 3 why he signed a FISA application that incorporated it. In addition , it is unclear why, after acknowledging the Steele dossier information was unverified, Director Corney did not demand the information 's removal from Carter Page 's FISA application, or at least require the FBI to completely verify Steele' s information before submitting it to the FISC. The FBI claimed to have a verification proces s in 2016 to check Steele 's assertions. 9 Former Deputy Director Andy McCabe and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates apparently reviewed the Carter Page FISA application line-by-line before it was submitted to the FISC. 10 However , a State Department official who independently met with Steele in October 20 16 recounted how she immediately doubted the veracity of some of his assertions. 11 We hope that Mr. Durham's investigation will determine what the FBI's verification process of the pivotal Steele dossier entailed and how much of the information in the dossier was verified by the time the FBI applied to surve il Carter Page in October 2016. If the FBI was not able to verify all aspects of the dossier, Mr. Durham 's investigation should find all relevant facts about why an incompletely verifi'ed dossier was incorporated into the FISA application. 4. Whether the FBI conveyed Steele's bias against Donald Trump to the FISC Multiple witnesses testified to the Committee that the FBI was aware that Steele was "desperate" that Donald Trump not be elected president. 12 However , FBI assistant general counsel Sally Moyer testified that the FBI viewed this Steele sentiment as merely an "additional fact point of information" already known about Steele and not necessarily indicative of his bias. 13 The FBI has not disclosed whether it inform ed the FISC that Steele-the author of the dossier-was "desperate" that Donald Trump not become president. We respectfully suggest that was, but I had in mind some particular portion s of it that were salacious and unverified. Mr. Ratc liffe. But, again, your characterization of it was that it was unverified , even though you had verified it to the court? Mr. Corney. Well, it was coming to us from a reliable source with a track record, and it's an important thing when you're seek ing a PC warrant. But what I understand by verified is we then try to rep licate the source information so that it become s FBI investigation and our conclusions rather than a reliable source's. That's what I under stand it, the difference to be. And that work wasn't completed by the time I left in May of 2017, to my knowledg e."). 9 See Lisa Page Transcribed Interview 167, July 16, 2018 ("One of the other thing s you said sort of unverified , salacious. And so that's true, and I can't get into sort of the substance of what we did, but immediate ly, I mean as soon as we rece ived the reporting from Steele in mid-September , we set about trying to prove or disprove every single factual statement in the dossier. And so, and we had line level analysts who are super experts on Russ ia, try to pick apart each state ment and either try to prove its veracity or prove its inaccurac y. And to the best of my know ledge, we were never able to disprove any statement in it. So we were never able to say: There's a claim about X, and that is untrue. "); id. at 168 ("I'm talking about a separa te effort that was undertaken in order to try to verify for investigative purposes, not for purposes of the FISA , but a separate effort undertaken to try to validate the allegatio ns contained within the Stee le reporting."). 10 Trisha Anderson Transcribed Interview 217 , Aug. 3 I, 2018 ("The Deputy Direc tor was involved in reviewin g the FISA line by line. The Deputy Attorney General over on the DOJ s ide of the street was similarly involved , as I understood , reviewing the FISA applicat ion line by line."). 11 According to the official , Kathleen Kavalec , Steele conveyed to her a network of Russian assets were paid through the Russian consulate in Miami. Kavalec immediately commented in her notes afterward s, " It is important to note there is no Russian Con sulate in Miami. " Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kathleen Kavalec's Notes from Meeting with Chris Steel and Tatyana Duran of Orb is Security , 2 (October 11, 20 16). 12 Bruce Ohr Tran scribed Interview 124, Aug. 28, 20 I 8; Sally Moyer Transcribed Interview 156-57, Oct. 23, 2018. 13 Sally Moyer Transcribed Interview 156-57, Oct. 23, 2018 . R N PVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000035 005155-000207 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 2019 Page 4 Mr . Durham 's investigation should determine whether the FBI conveyed Steele 's manifest bias against Donald Trump to the FISC when it applied for FISA warrants to spy on associates of the Trump campaign. 5. Whether the FBI compensated Steele for his work as a human source There are open questions about whet~er and when the FBI compensated Steele. Both former Director Corney and former FBI attorney Lisa Page denied that the FBI compensated Steele for his work as an FBI human source , testifying that he was only reimbursed for expenses. 14 However , the FBI redacted the payment description s from the invoices he submitted for payment. 15 We hope that Mr. Durham ' s investigation will examine how the FBI compen sated Steele and if the FBI compensated Steele for anything other than operational expense s. 6. The timing and circumstances of Steele's termination as an FBI source According to internal FBI documents released pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, the FBI terminated Steele as a source in early November 2016 . 16 However , former Director Corney testified that he did not know "for a fact" that Steele had ever been terminated as a source. 17 We hope that Mr . Durham ' s investigation will examine the timin g and circumstance s of Steele 's termination as an FBI source. 7. The FBI's awareness that the DNC indirectly financed the Steele dossier Witness testimony and reports suggest that Marc Elias and Michael Sussmann of Perkin s Coie LLP, representing the DNC and the Clinton campaign , urged the FBI to target their politic al opponent , then-candidate Donald Trump. As reported publicly , the DNC financed the political opposition research that Steele presented to the FBI to predicate its surveillance of individual s associated with the Trump campaign. 18 The DNC did so through its attorney, Marc Elias, who hired Fusion GPS, which retained Steele to perform the research. 19 Former DOJ attorney Bruce Ohr testified to the Committee that he informed the FBI that Fusion GPS had been performing 14 Jame s Camey Tran scribed Interview 114, Dec. 7, 20 I 8; Lisa Page Transcribed Interview 166-167, July 16, 20 18. FD- I 040a (Jun e 14 , 2018), https://vault.fbi. gov/records-betw een-fbi-and- christopher-stee le/records-between-fbiand-christopher- steele-part-0 l- of-0 I/view. 16 FD- I 040a , 2, (June 14, 2018 ), https ://vault.fbi.go v/record s-between -fbi-and -christopher -steele/records-betweenfbi-and-chri stoph er-stee le-part-01-of-0 l /view ("C HS [Stee le] was used as a source for an online art icle. In the article, CHS revealed CHS' relation ship with the FBI as well as information that CHS obtained and provided to FBI. On Nov emb er 1, 2016, CHS confirm ed all of this to the handling agent. At that time, handlin g agent advised CHS that the nature of the relationship between the FBI and CHS would change completely and that it was unlikely that the FBI would continue a relationship with the CHS. Additionall y, handling agent advi sed that CHS was not to operate to obtain any in telligence whatsoeve r on behalf of the FBI."). 17 James Corney Transcrib ed Intervi ew 126 , Dec. 7, 2018 . 18 Adam Entous, et al., Clinton campaign, DNC paid f or research that led to Russia dossier, WASH.POST(Oct. 24, 20 17); see In re Ca1ter W. Page, A U.S. Person, FISA Ct., I, 15 n.8 (Oct. 2016) . 19 Adam Entous, et a l., Clinton campaign , DNC pa id fo r research that led to Russia dossier, WASH.POST (Oct. 24, 2017); Michae l Kranish, Clinton lawyer kep t Russian dossier proj ect closely held, WASH. POST (Oct. 27, 2017); Bruce Ohr Tran scrib ed Interview 124- 125 , Aug. 28, 201 8. 15 AM RI Al\i pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000036 005155-000208 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 2019 Page 5 opposition political research. 20 Howeve r, former FBI Director Corney denied knowing that Fusion GPS and Perkins Coie were working on behalf of the DNC , adding: "I don ' t remember ever hearing the name 'Fusion GPS' or the names 'Perkins Coie' or 'Co ie.' I don ' t even know how to say that word. I don't remember that. " 21 We hope that Mr. Durham 's investigation wi ll examine the FBI's awareness of the financial relationships between the DNC, Perkins Coie, Fusion GPS, and Steele. In addit ion, we hope the investigation will examine how the FBI evaluated Steele 's information in light of these political relationships and whether these matters were disclosed to senior FBI leadership. 8. The FB/'s receipt and use of information provided by Perkins Coie attorney Michael Sussmann Former FBI General Counsel James Baker testified that he received information from Sussmann concerning alleged communications obtained by "cyber experts" between a Trumpassociated business entity and a Russian bank. 22 Baker testified that he understood it was unu sual for the FBI's top lawyer to be a part of an evidentiary chain and sought to provide the information to the appropriate FBI agents. 23 However, Baker was uncertain whether the FBI followed standard procedures in documenting how it received the information. 24 We hope that Mr. Durham will examine the information that Sussmann provided to Baker and determine how Sussmann obtained the information. We hope Mr. Durham 's inve stigation will also evaluate whether the FBI followed evidentiary protocols in handling and processing this inform ation. 9. The FB/'s reliance on information from Christopher Steele-via Bruce Ohrfollowing Steele's termination as a human source The FBI used Christopher Steele as a confidentia l human source before terminating its relation ship with him on or around November 1, 2016 , after Steele leaked investigati ve detail s to the media .25 Following Steele's termination , DOJ attorney Bruce Ohr became the conduit 20 Bruce Ohr Transcr ibed Interview 124-125 , Aug. 28, 2018. Jame s Corney Transcribed Interview I 15- 116, Dec. 17, 2018. 22 James Baker Transcribed Interview 123, Day 2, Oct. 18, 2018 ("To the best of my reco llection , he told me that it had been obtained by some type of cyber experts, and I don't know who -- how they started their inquiry into this. But that is what he to ld me, that some certain cyber expe1ts had obtained information about some anomalous looking thing having, to my know ledge , nothing to do with the dossier."). 23 James Baker Transcribed Interview 54, Day 2, Oct. 18, 2018 ("I was aware of the fact that I was taking in evidence and wanted to quickly get it to agents as fast as I could."). 24 James Baker Transcr ibed Interview 52, Day I, Oct.3 , 2018 ("! can't remember if they did a 302 on the Sussman thing because they may have just recorded it, put the material into evidence, and have records with respect to that. He gave me material and that was put into evidence ."). 25 FD- I 040a, 2, (Jun e 14, 20 18), https://vault.tbi.gov /records-between-tbi-and-christopher-steele /records -betweentbi-and-chri stopher-steele-part-01-of-0 l/view ("CHS [Steele] was used as a source for an online artic le. In the article, CHS revea led CHS' relationship with the FBI as well as information that CHS obtained and provided to FBI. On November 1, 20 16, CHS confirmed all of this to the handling agent. At that time , handling agent advised CHS that the nature of the relationship betwee n the FBI and CHS would change completely and that it was unlikely that 21 AM RI Al\i pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000037 005155-000209 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 20 19 Page 6 through which Steele continued to provide information about President Trump to the FBI until November 2017. 26 Ohr testified that this arrangement was something he had never been a part of in his 27-year career with DOJ. 27 According to Ohr, Steele was communicating with him about the Russia investigation despite Steele 's termination from the case. However , the FBI still arranged to receive Steele 's information , through Ohr.28 The FBI even sought to meet directly with Steele after his termination as a human source .29 From our transcribed interviews, we know that several FBI officia ls- including Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bill Priestap-- traveled to London , where Steele was located , in December 2016 .30 In addition , Bruce Ohr' s wife, Nellie Ohr, a Fusion OPS contractor, gave Bruce a flash drive of research she had gathered related to then-candidate Trump in the hopes it would aid the Russia investigation. 31 We hope that Mr . Durham's investigation will examine the FBI ' s reliance on and use of information presented by Steele through Ohr and whether that arrangement adhered to appropriate FBI policies and procedures. We also hope Mr. Durham will determine the extent to which the FBI relied upon the flash drive from Nellie Ohr. The investigation should also review the itinerar ies of the FBI officia ls who traveled to London during this period , including who they met with and what they discussed . Without a complete accounting of this travel, questions remain about whether FBI officials obtained information about American citizens from allied intelligence services. We hope that Mr. Durham will also verify that the FBI was not utilizing our allied intelligence services to circumvent DOJ or intelligence community rules against surveilling American citizens. 10. The roles played by Joseph Mifsud, Alexander Downer, Stefan Halper, and Azra Turk George Papadopoulos , a low-level Trump campaign volunteer, had a series of unexplained meetings with foreign individuals soon after joining the Trump campaign in March 2016 . Papadopoulos stated that he received interest from three foreigners with connections to western intelligence services , Joseph Mifsud , Alexander Downer , Stefan Halper , and a reported covert intelligence officer , Azra Turk. 32 Papadopoulos 's interactions with these individuals allegedly served as the basis for the FBI initiation of the Russia investigation. 33 According to the Special Counsel ' s report , Mifsud, a Maltese college professor , offered Papadopoulos political the FBI wou ld continue a relationship with the CHS. Additionally , handlin g agent advised that CHS was not to operate to obtain any intelligence whatsoever on behalfofth e FBI."). 26 Bruce Ohr Transcribed Interview 233, Aug . 28, 2018. 27 Bruce Ohr Transcribed Interview 43, Aug. 28, 20 18 ("Mr. Gowd y. And you can't think of a single case where you inserted yourself into a chain of custody other than this one? Mr. Ohr . That's right.") ; see id. at 41 (Gow dy . "You've been with the Department since 1991? Ohr. Yes."). 28 See Bruce Ohr Transcribed Interview, Aug. 28, 2018. 29 Bruce Ohr Transcribed Interview IO1-102, Aug . 28, 20 18. 30 Lisa Page Transcribed Interv iew 130- 131 , July 13, 20 18; see Bil l Priestap Transcribed Interview 45, June 5, 20 18. 31 Bruce Ohr Transcribed Interv iew 10 1-102, Aug. 28, 20 18. 32 George Papadopo ulos, The Russia probe started with the spies who marked me, WALL. ST. J. (Apr. 17, 20 I 9); Jerry Dunleavy , Stefan Halper: The Cambridge don the FBI sent to spy on Trump, WA SH. EXAMfNER (April I 0, 2019) . 33 See SPECIAL COUNSE L ROBERTS. M UELLER, III , Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Pr esidential El ection, 89 n. 465, Vol. 1 (20 I9); see generally George Papadopoulo s Transcribed Interview , Oct. 25, 20 18. AM RI Al\i pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000038 005155-000210 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 20 19 Page 7 "dirt" on former Secretary Hillary Clinton in the form of hacked emails from the Clinton campaign. 34 Mifsud is reported to have affiliations with several western foreign and intelligence officials. 35 Papadopoulo s also met with Downer , an Australian diplomat , in London - a meeting that was arranged by Christian Cantor and Erika Thompson. 36 Papadopoulos also had meeting s with Halper and Turk , reportedly an intelligence officer who posed as Halper 's assistant. 37 In light of this information , we hope that Mr. Durham will examine these meetings , including the true identitie s about these foreign individuals and a complete accounting of the U.S . officia ls with whom they communicated. We hope that Mr. Durham's investigation will examine the roles , if any, these foreign nationals played in the FBI's Russia investigation and determine if the FB I was also utilizing them to circumvent any Justice Department rules surrounding surveilling Americans. We trust that Mr. Durham will also examine the investigative methods used by the numerous FBI lawyers and agents who investigated Papadopou los.38 11. Whether other federal agencies were involved in or aware of the FB/'s Russia investigation You have testified that there are strict rules to ensure that the intelligence community and law-enforcement agencies adhere to the law in counterintelligence investigations. 39 There is evidence that at least one State Department official , Kathleen Kavalec, met with Christopher Steele in October 2016. 40 In addition, text messages exchanged between then-FBI Deputy Director Andy McCabe and then-FBI attorney Lisa Page allude to coordinating efforts between then-Deputy Attorney Genera l Sally Yates and then-Deputy Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director David Cohen to prepare for a White House meeting at around the time the FBI applied to survei l Carter Page. 41 Reportedl y, emails reveal that former CIA director John Brennan 34 SPECIALCOUNSELROBERTS.MUELLER , III, Report On The Investigation Into Russian lnte1ference In The 2016 Presidential Election, 83, Vol. I (2019). 35 See Letter from Devin Nune s, Rankin g Member , H. Penn. Select Comm. on Intel., to Micha el Pompeo , Sec'y of State, Gina Haspel , Dir., Central Intel. Agency, Paul Nakasone , Dir., Nat'! Sec. Agency , Christopher Wray, Dir ., Fed. Bureau Inv. (Ma y 3, 2019); Larry Luxner , Maltese Official Raises Profile ofU.K. Diplomacy Academy , WASH. DIPLOMAT(Dec. 18, 20 14); Stephan ie Kirchgaessner et al., Joseph Mifsud: more questions than answers about mystery professor linked to Russia , THE GUARDIAN(Oct. 3 1, 2017) . 36 George Papadopoulos Tran scribed Interview 31-32, 36-39, 96, Oct. 25, 2018. Papadopoulo s alleged that Down er may have recordin g their conversation; Id . at 53. 37 Adam Goldman, F.B.l. Sent Investigator Posting as Assistant to Meet with Trump Aide in 2016, N.Y. TIMES(May 2, 20 19). 38 George Papadopoulos Transcribed Interview 3 1-33, 46-47 , 113-1 17, 158- 159, 20 I, 205-2 10, 214, Oct. 25, 2018. 39 Department of Justice Bu dget Request for Fiscal Year 2020: Hearing befor e the S. Comm. on Approp. , 116th Cong. (April 10, 20 19). 40 Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kathleen Kavalec's Notes from Meetin g with Chris Steel and Tatyana Duran of Orbis Security, 2 (October 11, 2016). 41 Gregg Re, at al., FBI clashed with DOJ over potential 'bias ' of source for surveillance warrant : McCabe -Page texts, Fox NEWS, March 22, 20 19 (Oct. 14, Lisa Page: "Apparent ly the DAG [Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates] now wants to be there, and WH wants DOJ to host. So we are setting that up ... . We will very much need to get [David] Cohen 's view before we meet with her. Better , have him weigh in with her before the meeting. We need to speak with one voice, if that is in fact the case ." Oct. 14, McCabe: "Thanks. I will reach out to David ."); see also text message from Peter Strzok to Lisa Page (Aug. 5, 2016 , 16:37:25) ("Went well, best we cou ld have expected. AM RI Al\i pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000039 005155-000211 The Honorable William P. Barr June 24, 20 19 Page 8 insisted that Steele 's unverified and biased repo1ting be included in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), a document that synchronized data from U.S. intelligence agencie s about Russia's election interfer ence. 42 Mr. Durham should establish the extent of Brennan 's reliance on Steele and determine whether other intelligence officials endorsed the information in the Steele dossier. We hope that Mr. Durham's investigation will also examine the involvement in and awareness of other federal agencies, includin g but not limited to the State Department , the CIA, and the White House or its Nationa l Security Cou ncil, in the FBI's Russia investigation. *** You testified to believing that "there is a basis" for a concern that "unauthori zed surveillance" or "spying" of Americans associated with President Trump's campaign occurred. 43 We agree. Although the vast majority of FBI and DOJ personnel are of the highest integrity , we too believe there "was probably a failure among a group of leaders there at the upper echelon [in the FBI]. " 44 We have a responsibilit y to examine DOJ's and FBI's investigative actions in the 20 16 presidential election to provide necessary transparency and accountability to re-instill confidence in our law-enforcement agencies. Your appointment of U.S. Attorney John Durham will assist us in this effort , and we hope that Mr. Durham 's investigation will examine the issue areas we have highlighted. Thank you for your continued leadership on this important topic. Sincere ly, Mark Meadows Ranking Member Subcommittee on Government Operation s cc: The Honorable John H. Durham , U.S. Attorney, Department of Justice The Honorable Michael E. Horowit z, Inspector General , Department of Justice The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Reform Other than Liz's quot e, ' the White Hous e is runnin g this."'); text message from Peter Strzo k to Lisa Page (Oct. 9, 2016 , 13:38: I!) ("Im just worried dcia gets it and goes direct with D and/or WH ."). 42 Greg g Re, et al., Dispute erupts over whether Brennan, Camey pushed Steele dossier, as DOJ probe into misconduct begins, Fox NEWS(May 15, 20 19). 43 Department of Justi ce Budg et Request/or Fiscal Year 2020: Hearing before the S. Comm. on Approp., I 16th Cong. (April I 0, 20 I 9) ("Well , I guess- I think spying did occur. Yes, I think spy ing did occur. ") (statement of William Barr , Att 'y Gen. , Dep't of Justice ). 44 Department of Justice Budget Requ est/or Fiscal Year 2020: Hearing before the S. Comm. on Approp., I 16th Cong. (Apr il 10, 20 I9) (statement of William Barr , Att 'y Gen. , Dep't of Justice). AM RI Al\ pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6678-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000040 005155-000212 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Thursday , June 27, 20 19 1 :27 PM To : I Cc: -. (USACT); (USACT) Durham, John (USACT) Subject: Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6659 DOJ-19-0688-C-000041 00515 5-000224 DuCharme, Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Thursday , June 27, 20 19 12:54 PM To : _ Subject: Check text thanks ,(USACT); I (USACT) Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6658 DOJ-19-0688-C-000042 005 155-000225 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday , June 25, 20 19 9:18 AM To : Durh a m, John (USACT) Subje ct: Bill all set Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6510 DOJ-19-0688-C-000043 005155 -000229 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday , June 25, 2019 8:50 AM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: You called it They cancelled my flight. Thank goodness fo r Amtrak . Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.65 11 DOJ-19-0688-C-000044 005 155-000230 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 7:07 AM To : Bryant, Errical (OAG) Cc: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Subje ct: Re: Meeting with JD Wednesday Yes, certainly. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 25, 2019, at 6:11 AM, Bryant, Errical (OAG}> wrote: John, Would it be possible for you to meet with the AG on Wednesday at 10:30am? Thanks Errical From: DuCharme, Seth (OAG) > Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 6:02 PM To: Bryant, Errical (OAG}> Cc: Rabbitt, Brian (OAG) >; Durham, John (USACT) ,v>>; Williams, Toni (OAG) > Subject: Meeting with JD Wednesday Errical, I know the AG wants to meet briefly with John before we go on travel, please let us know what might work, thanks. Seth D. Ducha rme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6509 DOJ-19-0688-C-000045 005155 -000231 Otus85 , AG (OAG) Subject : HOLD Meeting : John Durham, USACT Lot:ation: AG's Office Start : Wednesday, June 26, 2019 10 :30 AM End: Wednesday, Jun e 26, 2019 11 :00 AM Show Time As: Tentative Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status : Not yet responded Organizer: Otus85, AG (OAG) Required Attendees: AGP0; Calen dar , AG85 {OAG};Watson, Theresa (OAG}; Rabbitt, Brian (0AG); Durham, John (USACT) POC:Seth Ducharme Attendees: Brian Rabbitt, Seth Ducharmeand TimShea llote : Th is meeting is limited to the inv ited attendees only . You are not author ized to forward th i s inv itation without prior pe r mission of the OAG scheduling office. lf you bel ieve that t he invita t ion was received in error or that other individ uals sho uld be included, please contact the OAG schedu ling office . AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5389 DOJ-19-0688-C-000046 005155-000232 Bryant , Errical (OAG} From : Bryant, Errical {OAG) Sent : Monday , June 24, 20 19 6:38 PM To: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Cc: Rabbitt, Brian (OAG}; Durham , John (USACT); Williams, Toni (OAG} Subje ct: Re: Meeting with JD Wednesday Seth I think we can make 4 o'clock tomorrow work Errical A Bryant Director of Scheduling On Jun 24, 20 19, at 6:0 1 PM, Ducharme , Seth (OAG) wrote : DOJ-19-0688-C-000047 Document ID: 0.7.643 .9450 005155 -000233 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Saturday, June 22, 2019 11:24 AM To : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Subje ct : Re: Contact Thanks again Seth. Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 22, 2019 , at 11:12 AM, Ducha rme , Seth {OAG) wrote: > > > >> :> > > Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.11827 DOJ-19-0688-C-000048 005 155-000235 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Saturday, June 22, 2019 10:19 AM To : sducharme@jmd.usdoj.gov Subje ct : Fwd: Mr. Nardini Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message : From:, Date : June 22, 20 19 at 10:17 :32 AM EDT To: > Subject : Mr. Nardini SethDo you think there is a possibility the boss might have S minutes to talk with me over the weekend about the 2d Circuit vacancy? I understand things are starting to move at a decidedly faster pace . Thanks. Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643 .10932 DOJ-19-0688-C-000049 005155 -000237 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Thursday , June 20, 2019 11 :14 PM To : Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Subje ct : Re: Iris Roger. Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 20, 2019 , at 11:00 PM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) wrote: > > Yes > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jun 20, 2019, at 11:00 PM, Durham, John (USACT) >> >> Iris Lan? .> wrote: >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Jun 20, 2019 , at 10:53 PM, Ducharme , Seth (OAG) wrote: >>> >>> I encouraged her to rea ch out you for some advice about an area within your expertise. Hope that's ok. She may call you tomorrow. >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .10978 DOJ-19-0688-C-000050 005155 -000239 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Monday , June 17, 2019 8:38 PM To : sducharme@jmd.usdoj.gov Subje ct : Are you around for a quick ca ll (unre lated to Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .11838 DOJ-19-0688-C-000051 005 155-000242 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Thursday , June 13, 20 19 12:36 PM (USACT);Durham , John (USACT); To : Subje ct : Catching up today Is there a convenient time for me to call onllll perhaps better yet, stop by your place? Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643 .6447 DOJ-19-0688-C-000052 005155 -000243 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Monday , June 10, 2019 2:03 PM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subject: 2019 -6-10 DOJ Review of Intelligence Activities - Nadler.pdf Attachments: 2019-6-10 DOJ Review of Intelligence Activities - Nadler.pdf; ATT00001 .txt (USACT) FYSA AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6129 DOJ-19-0688-C-000053 005 155-000295 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legislative Affairs Office of the Assistant Attorney General Washington, D. C. 20530 June 10, 2019 The Honorable J enold Nadler Chairman Committee on the Judiciary U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Re: DOJ Review of Intelligence Activities Dear Chairman Nadler: This letter responds to your request for information relating to a review currently being conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice (Department) into certain activities involving the campaigns in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and certain related matters (Review). The Review is broad in scope and multifaceted, and is intended to illuminate open questions regarding the activities of U.S. and foreign intelligence services as well as non-governmental organizations and individuals. It is now well established that, in 2016, the U.S. government and others undertook certain intelligence-gathering and investigative steps directed at persons associated with the Trump Campaign. As the Attorney General has stated publicly at congressional hearings and elsewhere , there remain open questions relating to the origins of this counter-intelligence investigation and the U.S. and foreign intelligence activities that took place prior to and during that investigation. The purpose of the Review is to more fully understand the efficacy and propriety of those steps and to answer, to the satisfaction of the Attorney General, those open questions. Among other things, the Review will seek to determine whether the investigation complied with applicable policies and laws . Accordingly, the Attorney General has directed that a team (Review Team) led by John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, conduct the Review in order to better understand the activities leading up to and and relating to the counterintelligence investigation . On May 24, 2019, the President issued a memorandum concerning the Review, which directed that "[t]he heads of elements of the intelligence community . .. and the heads of each department or agency that includes an element of the intelligence community shall promptly provide such assistance and info1mation as the Attorney General may request in connection with AMERICAN pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6129-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000054 005155-000296 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler Page Two that review." As the Attorney General has stated publicly, he has consulted and is working in close coordination with other members of the U.S . intelligence community in conducting the Review . The Review is thus a collaborative , ongoing effort between the Department's Review Team and the intelligence community as well as certain foreign actors. In furtherance of the Review , and to ensure that it proceeds in an efficient and effective manner , the Review Team has requested that certain intelligence community agenc ies: (1) preserve all relevant records, (2) ensure the availability of witnesses that may be pertinent to the Review , and (3) begin identifying and assembling materials that may be relevant to the Review, consistent with the President's memorandum and federal law. These requests inevitably relate to sensitive information in the possession of the intelligence community. While the Attorney General has been granted the authority to declassify information in connection with the Review , it is of great importance to the Department to protect classified information by preventing the unwarranted disclosure of sensitive sources , methods , techniques and materials where such disclosure would endanger the personal safety of U.S. government employees or friendly foreign partners, haim U.S. national security interests, or compromise the ability of U.S. government agencies to conduct their important work to protect the American people. The Attorney General greatly appreciates the work of the women and men serving in the U.S . intelligence communi ty in carrying out their mission, as well as the assistance that our foreign intelli gence partners often provide , and has therefore directed the Review Team to work closely with the intelligence community to ensure that national security equities of the U.S. and its foreign intelligence partners are adequately protected in the course of the Review. During the Review, Mr. Durham will continue to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Connnecticut. The Review is being conducted primarily in the Washington , D.C. area by Mr. Durham and a number of U .S. Attorney's Office personnel and other Department employees . The Department has made existing office space in Washington available for this work. Mr . Durham's Review will be funded out of the U .S. Attorneys Salaries and Expenses appropriation. The Attorney General looks forward to obtaining a better understanding of the critical period leading up to the 2016 presidential election, which to date has not fully been examined . As the U.S. approaches another election season , it would be most prudent to timely draw upon the lessons learned from our recent history , and to apply them responsibly and effectively to protect the interests of the American people , within the bounds of sound judgmen t and the rule of law. We appreciate your support to that end. AMERICAN pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6129-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000055 005155-000297 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler Page Three Please do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any additional questions or concerns . ~~ cc: ~ m~E.Boyd Assistant Attorney General The Honorable Doug Collins Ranking Member AMfRCAN pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6129-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000056 005155-000298 Duc har me, Set h (OAG) From : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Wednesday, To: - Cc: Durham, John {USACT) Subje ct: Re: call June 5, 20 19 6:06 PM (JMD) 10-4 standing by Sent from my iPhone On Jun 5, 2019 , at 6:04 PM {JMD) . wrote: We will call your desk number. John, I will call you and then conference in Seth. From : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 6:03 PM To:(JMD) Subje ct: Re: call 5 mins Sent from my iPhone On Jun 5, 2019 , at 6:01 (JMD) wrote: Are you available for a call? Thanks AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5408 DOJ-19-0688-C-000057 005155 -000340 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Wednesday , June S, 20 19 2:53 PM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: letter Please let me know when you ' re next free to talk. I'll be in a s cif from 3 :30 - 4:00 Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6103 DOJ-19-0688-C-000058 005155 -000351 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Sent : Monday , June 3, 2019 5:21 PM To: AM (USACT) Cc: Durham, John {USACT) Subject: 20 190531 CMN Letter to Haspel.pd f Attachments: 20190531 CMN Lette r to Haspel.pdf {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6094 DOJ-19-0688-C-000059 005155-000363 ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ADAM B. SCHIFF, CAL IFORNIA CKAlRMAN DEVIN NUNES. CALIFORNIA RANKING MEMBER T,t,,OntY8EMilUE~. $T~ OsREClOIII: 1202) 22S- 7690 www .mtelligence.house .gov ~ermanent ~elect Ql:ommittee onJJntelligence 11.~ . 1!,om;e of l\eprersmtatibers May 31, 2019 The Honorable Gina Haspel Director Central Intelligence Agency Washington , DC 20505 Dear Director Haspel: President Trump 's May 23, 2019 directive to you and other heads of agencies to assist and produce information to Attorney General William P. Barr in support of his "rev iew of intelligence activities relating to the campaigns in the 2016 Presidential election and certain related matters " 1 represents a disturbing effort by the President and the Attorney General to politicize the Intelligence Community ("IC") and law enforcement, and raises grave concerns about inappropriate and misleading disclosures of classified information and IC sources and methodsfor politicalends. This action necessitatesvigorousoversightby the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence ("Committee"). In parallel with their effort to misrepresent the contents of Specia l Counsel Robert S. Mueller Ill's report, the President and Attorney General recently have engaged in a public campaign to further a conspiracy theory about the investigation of Russia 's interference in the 2016 election . The Special Counsel's report definitively establishes that the counterintelligence investigation was proper ly initiated based on credible information from an intelligence partner. 2 Yet the Attorney General has called into question, without evidence, the validity of the predication of what became the Special Counsel's investigation. 3 President Trump has denounced as a "coup" the Special Counsel's investigation , which conclusive ly documented Russia 's "systematic attack on our political system" during the 20 16 presidential election, the President Donald J. Trump, Memorandum on Agency Cooperation with Allorney General's Review of Intelligence Activities Relating to the 2016 Presidential Campaigns, May 23, 2019 , available at https :/ /www. wh itehouse. gov /presidential-actions /memorandum-agency-cooperation-attorney-generals-reviewintel l igence-acti vit ies-relati n g-2016-presidential-campaigns /. 1 2 Special Co unsel Robert S. Mueller Ill , Report on the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, Volume I, Washington D.C ., March 2019, p. 6. Caitlin Oprysko, " Barr forcefully defends DOJ probe into origin of the Russia investi gat ion ," Politico , May 17, 2019, available at https://politi.co /2MeJEot. 3 AMlf ICAr--.. .,OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6094-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000060 005155-000364 Trump campa ign's eagerness to accept foreign help and make use of it, and the Presiden t's mu ltiple attempts to obstruct the investigation. 4 With the May 23 directive, the President has concentrated in Barr 's hands sweeping authority to declassify or downgrade information or intelligence from the IC. Before exercising that authority, Barr is authorized - though not required-t o consult with the head of the originating IC element or other agency, and then only to the extent Barr deems such consultation to be "practicable ." 5 This approach threatens national security by subverting longstanding rules and practices that obligate you and other heads of IC agencies to safeguard sources and methods and prevent the politici zation of intelligence and law enforcement. 6 It is also unnecessary . A review of this nature by the Attorney General , or a U.S. Attorney, does not require such an unprecedented grant of authority over classified information and the potential disclos ure of sources and methods at the expense of the protection of our country's most sensitive information. Most pernicio usly, the directive seeks to enlist your agency in an effort by the President and the Attorney General to politicize the IC and law enforcement, to delegitimize a wellfounded investigation into the President , and to attack the President's political enemies. Moreover , the Attorney General apparently requested-and the President issued- this directive while the White House and the Department of Justice continue to stonewall congressional oversight and investigations, including some undertaken by this Committee, demonstrat ing a desire not only to shift the public narrative away from the President's misconduct, but also to undermine Congress's constitutional authority as a separate and co-equal branch of government. In the wake of the directive , the Committee will conduct rigorous , ongo ing oversigh t of your agency and others in the IC to ensure that the Attorney General does not abuse his new and sweeping authority. Congress , and this Committee, must serve as a check on this abuse of power to ensure that the IC can fulfill its lawful mission and law enforcement can conduct appropriately predicated investigations of powerful government officials without fear of retribution . The Comm ittee therefore requests , pursuant to your statu tory ob ligation 7 to keep the Committee fully and curre ntly informed of the IC's activit ies: 4 Remarks by Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, May 29, 2019 , available at hnps: // www.cnn.com /2019 /05/29/politics /mueller -full-remarks /index.html; Cheyenne Haslett, "Trum p repeats unsubstantiated claims of'coup' atte mpt after former FBI lawyer knocks them down ," ABC News, May 13, 2019, available at https://abcn. ws/2WcR I RT. 5 Memorandum on Agency Cooperation, ? 2. 6 See, e.g. !CD 700 ? E(2)(a) (obligating beads of IC agencies to protect sources and methods); !CD 203 ?? 0(6) (b), E(3)(a) (obligating heads ofIC agencies to implement IC Analytic Standards, including that analysis be " independent of po litical consideration"). 7 50 U.S.C. ? 3092. 2 AMERICAr--.. pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6094-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000061 005155-000365 1. An in-person briefing from you to explain what President Trump , Attorney General Barr, or their associates have requested and conveyed thus far to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the heads ofIC elements or other departments or agencies subject to the May 23 directive , regarding the Attorney General ' s "review of intelligence activities relating to the campaigns in the 2016 Presidential election and certain related matters " and/or implementation of the May 23 directive; 8 2. That CIA and the heads ofIC elements and other departments or agencies subject to the directive furnish to the Committee any and all documents , material , or information - regardless of form or classification-that are provided or made available to the Department of Justice for the purposes of the Attorney General's review; 3. That CIA and the heads of IC elements or other departments and agencies subject to the May 23 directive shall inform the Committee prior to any declassification at the Department of Justice ' s request or pursuant to the Attorney General ' s authority under the May 23 directive; and 4. That CIA and the heads of IC elements or other departments and agencies subject to the May 23 directive immediately notify the Committe e- and provide an assessment of the harms to national security-of any declassification that has been or will be made over IC objection. 9 I ask that you reply in writing to this letter and make arrangements for fulfillment of the requests set forth above by no later than 5 p.m. on June 6, 2019. Should you have any questions, please contact Committee staff at (202) 225-7690. Sincerely, Adam B. Schiff Chairman 8 This request includes , but is not limited to, a discussion regardin g the process for declassification pursuant to the May 23 directive. 9 By "over IC objection ", we mean: (1) without formal approval of the IC, including where the IC provides input to a decision ultimately made by the Attorney General or (2) under circumstances where the IC would not declassify the infonnation but-for the Department of Justice's interest or request. We expect to alter this definition upon receiving the briefing regarding, among other things , the process for declassification. 3 AMERICAr--.. pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.6094-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000062 005155-000366 Durham, John (USACT) From: Durham, John {USACT) Sent : Monday , June 3, 2019 2:08 PM To: Ducharme , Seth (OAG); Durham , John (USACT); Subject : RE: OLA Review Letter bcr 6.3.docx .USACT) Seth The letter looks good, although you need an extra space on page two, at the top, before the first full paragraph. John From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent: Monday, June 03, 2019 1:25 PM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct : OLA Review Lette r bcr 6.3.docx (USACT) > Current draft , still wo rking on it AM {I AN OVERSIGHT DocumentID: 0.7.643.11528 DOJ-19-0688-C-000063 005155-000368 ---o1 ) __________________________ (.JM-D _ 11111 (JMD) From : Sent : Friday, May 31, 20 19 5 :25 PM To: Duch a rme , Seth (OAG) Subje ct : Re: contact information Thanks . Sent from my iPhone On May 31, 20 19, at 5:14 PM, Ducha rme, Seth (OAG) wrote: No but I can prob a bly get it by Mo nd ay Sent from my iPhone On Ma y 31, 20 19, at 3:40 PM, (JMD > wrote : - !? Hi Seth: Do you have contact info rmation fo Thank you . AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5375 DOJ-19-0688-C-000064 00515 5-000 375 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Thursday , May 30, 2019 6:01 PM To : Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Cc: I Subje ct: (USACT) Re: Excellent. Sent from my iPhone On May 30, 2019, at 5:58 PM, Ducharme , Seth (OAG) > wrote: I just spoke to Monty Wilkinson and just got an update - looks likcouple of days. Not much left on the to do list. hould be all set in the next Seth D. Duch arme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .10988 DOJ-19-0688-C-000065 005155 -000388 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) From: DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Wednesday, May 29, 2019 4:15 PM To: Durham, John (USACT); Subject : I tried your cells (USACT) Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6040 DOJ-19-0688-C-000066 005155-000399 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth {OAG) Se nt : Wednesday , May 29, 20 19 11:24 AM To : Durham, John {USACT) Subje ct: Check text Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6036 DOJ-19-0688-C-000067 005155 -000401 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Tuesday, May 28, 2019 4:07 PM To : Durham, John (USACT); Subje ct : Available (USACT); My 4pm got cancelle d so I'm aroun d if/ when you need me. If I' m not at my desk I' m in the little SCIF down the hall. Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6021 DOJ-19-0688-C-000068 005155 -000416 Duc harme, Seth (OAG) AM From: DuCharme, Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday , May 28, 2019 2:12 PM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct : VC to DNI OCIA DIRNSA DIRFBI 24May19 (002).pdf Atta chments : VC to DNI DCIA DIRNSA DIRFBI 24May19 (002).pdf {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .6018 DOJ-19-0688-C-000069 005155-000419 RICHARD BURR. NORTH CAROLINA CHAIRMA'I MARK R. WAR~ER, VIRGIN IA. VICC CHAIRMAN O\ANNf FEINSTEIP..,CAllFORNIA JAMES E. RISCH, IOAHO MARCO RUBIO, FLORIDA SUSAN M COlllNS, MAINE ROY BLUNT , MISSOURI lO M COTTON, ARKANSAS JOHN CORNYN, TEXAS BEN SASSE, NEBRASKA RON WYOtN OREGON MAA.llN tiFINRJCH . NEW MfXICO ANGUS S . KlNO, J> wrote: Are you able to be over here later th is afternoon? Seth D. Ducharme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .11738 DOJ-19-0688-C-000076 005 155-000431 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) From: DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday, May 14, 2019 8:35 AM To : Durham, John (USACT) (USACT) Cc: Subject : Today I'm heading to meeti ng with Lasseter at 9:45, please let me know if you want to talk before that, otherwise I'll give you a downloa d afterwards. Hopefully back to my office from that meeting by a little after 11. Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5952 DOJ-19-0688-C-000077 005155-000437 Ducha rme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Monday , May 13, 2019 9:48 PM To : Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Tomorrrow Sorry it was hard for me to talk, John. I have a friend in from out of town. Look forward to talk ing to you in the morning. Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5941 DOJ-19-0688-C-000078 005155 -000438 Bryant , Errical (OAG) Bryant, Errical (OAG) From: - 1 Friday, May 10, 2019 4:41 PM Sent: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) To : Cc: Subject: (USACT);Durham , John (USACT) Re: Tuesday the 14th Good afternoon, We will plan on having the meeting on Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:00 PM. Should that change will reach out to you on Monday. Sent from my iPhone > On May 10, 20 19, at 3:06 PM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) wrote: > > Errical, the AG wants to meet with John and next week. I was thinking Tuesday afternoon would be ideal if we can fit it in somewhere. > > Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5926 DOJ-19-0688-C-000079 005155-000442 _ _(u_s_A_cr_) _____________________ From: I _ {USACT) Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 2:07 PM To : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Subje ct : Re: time to talk today Calling you now. Sent from my iPhone > On May 7, 2019, at 1:05 PM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) wrote: > > Just tried you. What's a good number? > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On May 7, 20 19, at 1:39 PM, (USACT) wrote: >> >> I am in - and can speak at your convenience. Just let me know. Thanks >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On May 7, 2019 , at 9:13 AM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) > wrote: >> >> Please let me know when 's a good time to catch up, thanks >> >> Seth 0. Ducharme >> Counselor to the Attorney General >> U.S. Department of Justice >> AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5896 DOJ-19-0688-C-000080 005155 -000449 _ _,u_sA_cr ....) ____________________ From: I {USACT) Sent: Friday , May 3, 20 19 11:01 AM To : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Cc: Durham, John (USACT} Subject: Re: catching up Ok. _ . Thanks Sent from my iPhone > On May 3, 2019, at 10:57 AM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) wrote: > >111111 1will call your cell and then try to conference in John > > Sent fr om my iPhone > >> On May 3, 2019 , at 10:14 AM, I (USACT) >> >> 11:00 works for me. Just landing at Bradley. Can you conference Thanks > wrote: me in or send a call-in number? >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On May 3, 2019 , at 9:56 AM, Durham, John (USACT) .> wrote: >> >> Seth>> >> Just finishing up w/ EARS Exit Review. How about 11:00? >> >> From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) > -1 >> Sent: Friday, May 03, 2019 8:57 AM >> To: Durham, John {USACT .>;- (USACT) >> Subject: catching up >> >>Anytime to talk briefly today? >> >> Also: AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643.11606 DOJ-19-0688-C-000081 00515 5-000 45 0 >> >> >> >> AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .11606 DOJ-19-0688-C-000082 005155 -000451 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Se nt : Friday , May 3, 20 19 10:2 5 AM To : I (USACT) Cc: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Re: catching up Yes will do Sent from my iPhone > On May 3, 20 19, at 10:14 AM I (USACT) wrote: DOJ-19-0688-C-000083 Document ID: 0.7.643 .5880 005155 -000452 Duc harme, Seth (OAG) From: DuCharme, Seth (OAG) Sent : Thursday , May 2, 2019 9:27 AM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct : Request from the Senate Atta chments : StreamDownloa de r.pdf FYSA AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5868 DOJ-19-0688-C-000084 005155 -0004 53 filnitrd ~rateseScnatt WASHINGTON , DC 20510 April 25, 2019 VIA ELECTRO NIC TRANSMISSION The Honorable William P. Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr, During your April 10, 2019, testimony before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, you stated that you are looking into the "genesis and conduct of intelligence activities directed at the Trump campaign during 2016." 1 You further stated that "spying did occur," and that you believe it is your obligation to look into the question of whether surveillance activities by the Federal Bureau of Investig ation (FBI) or other intelligence agenc ies were adequately predicated. 2 We share your concerns about these activities, and are troubled by the apparent unauthorized disclosures of surveillance efforts and other classified information during the same time period. We bring to your attention information that may assist your review. First, in the course of our oversight work we have reviewed certain text messages that may show potential attempts by the FBI to conduct surveillance of President-elec t Trump 's transition team. In text messages exchanged betwe en former FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok and former FBI Attorney Lisa Page, the two discussed the possibility of developin g "potential relationships" at a November 2016 FBI briefing for presidenti al tran sition team staff. Specifically, it appears they discussed sending "the CI guy" to assess an unnam ed person( s) "demeano r" but were concerned because it might be unusual for him to attend. A few weeks after the presidential election, Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page discussed the logistics for the briefing. Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page said the following: Strzok: Talking with Bi113 . Do we want Joe 4 to go with Evanina 5 instead of Charlie 6 for a variety of reasons? Page: Hmm . Not sure. Would it be unusual to have [sic] show up again? Maybe another agent from the team? 1 Gregg Re and Brooke Singman, Dems rage against Barr for backing claims of Trump campaign 'spying' by FBI, FoxNews (April 10, 20 I 9). Available at https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-rage-against-barr -for-bac king-claims-of-trumocamoaign-spying -by-lbi; Nicholas Fandos and Adam Goldman, Barr Asserts Intelligence Agencies Spied on the Trump Campaign, The New York Times (April 10, 2019). Available at httos://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/IO/us/polit ics/barr-trum ocamoaig n-soying.html; Philip Ewing, Citing 'Spying . On Trump, Barr Says He ls looking Into Origins Of Russia Inquiry, NPR (April 10, 20 19). Available at https ://www.npr.org/2019 /04/ 10/711852861 /citing-spying-on-trump-barr-says-he-s- looking-intoorigins-of-russ ia-inquiry . 2 Id. 3 "B ill" most likely refers to E.W. Priestap, former Assistant Director of the FBl ' s counterintellige nce division. most likely refers to Joe Pientka III, FBI Special Agent. 5 "Evanina" most likely refers to William R. Evanina, Director of the National Counterinte lligence and Secur ity Cente r. 6 At this time it is unknown who "C harlie" is. 4 "Joe" AMlf IC, pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5868-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000085 005155-000454 Attorney General Barr April 25, 2019 Page 2 of3 Strzok: Or, he's ''the CI guy." Same.might [sic] make sense. He can assess if thete [sic] are any news [sic] Qs, or different demeanor. If Katie's husband is there, he can see ifthere are people we can develop for potential relationships Page: Should I ask Andy 7 about it? Or Bi118 want to reach out for andy9? Strzok: I told him I'm sure we could ask you to make the swap if we thought it was smart. It's not until Mon so Bill can always discuss with him tomorrow. 10 The nature of these communications, and the precise purpose of any attempts to "develop relationships" with Trump or Pence transition team staff are not immediately clear. Were these efforts done to gain better communication between the respective parties, or were the briefings used as intelligence gathering operations? Further, did any such surveillance activities continue beyond the inauguration, and in the event they did, were those activities subject to proper predication? Any improper FBI surveillance activities that were conducted before or after the 2016 election must be brought to light and properly addressed. Additionally, we note that a number of news outlets have reported sensitive information related to the investigation into alleged Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. Those reports have revealed sensitive information focusing on the FBI sending informants to meet with Trump advisors; a warrant to surveil Carter Page; and the United Kingdom signal intelligence agency briefing former CIA Director John Brennan on alleged communications between Trump's campaign and Russian officials, among other things. 11 Notably, the Justice Department Inspector General's review of the Clinton investigation found "profound concerns about the volume and extent of unauthorized media contacts by FBI personnel..." 12 It appears the same happened during the Russia investigation. Leaks to the media about ongoing investigations undermine the ability of investigators to properly investigate. Moreover, sensitive leaks to the media while members of congress performing constitutionally mandated oversight are kept in the dark is unacceptable. 13 Accordingly, please contact our staff to schedule a briefing and answer the following no later than May 9, 2019: 7 "Andy" most likely refers to Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI. "Bill" most likely refers to E.W. Priestap, former Assistant Director of the FBI's counterintelligence division. 9 "Andy" most likely refers to Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI. 10 November 17, 2016, Strzok-Page Texts Part 2, p. 159, DOJ-PROD-0000325. Emphasis added. 11 Eli Lake, Focus on the Leaking, Not Just the Spying, Bloomberg Opinion (April 11, 2019). Available at https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-04~11/spying-did-occur-but-barr-should-also-focus-on-the-leaking. 12 A Review of Various Actions by the Federal Bureau oflnvestigation and Department of Justice in Advance of the 2016 Election at 429 (June 14, 2018). Available at https://www.justice.gov/file/l 071991/download. 13 For example, former Deputy Director McCabe was fired for making unauthorized disclosures to the media regarding the FBI's investigation into the Clinton Foundation and then lying about it. In addition, transcripts of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's phone calls with Russian Ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, were leaked. On February 15, 2017, the Judiciary Committee requested information from the Justice Department and FBI relating to that leaked information. On March 15, 2017, the FBI provided a briefing about the FBI's Russia investigation which answered a few of the questions posed by the Committee, but most were not. 8 pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5868-000001 DOJ-19-0688-C-000086 005155-000455 Attorney General Barr April 25, 2019 Page 3 of3 1. Please describe the nature and extent of your review of FBI surveillance of the Trump Campaign, President-elect Trump's transit ion staff, Vice Presidentelect Pence's transition staff, President Trump ' s staff, and Vice President Pence's staff, including your efforts to determine whether that surveillance was adequately predicated . 2. How many counter-intelligence briefings were provided to the Trump and Pence transit ion staffs prior to Inauguration Day? Please list the dates, all agencies involved , and each official that represented those agencies at the briefings. 3. Many of the FBI employees involved in these activities are no longer employed by the federal government. How will your review obtain information needed from these individuals? 4. Will you commit to providing the results of your review once completed? 5. What steps have you taken to investigate whether DOJ or FBI officials had unauthorized contacts with the media during the Russia investigation? We anticipate that your written reply and most responsive documents will be unclassified. Please send all unclassified material directly to each Committee. In keeping with the requirements of Executive Order 13526, if any of the respons ive documents do contain classified informatio n, please segregate all unclassified material with in the classified documents, provide all unclassified information directly to each Committee, and provi de a classified addendum to the Office of Senate Security. Although our Comm ittees comp ly with all laws and regulations governing the handling of classified information, they are not bound , absent prior agreement, by any handling restrictions . Should you have any questions, please contact Joshua Flynn-Brown of Chairman Grassley's Finance Committee staff at (202) 224-4515 or Brian Downey of Chairman Johnson's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee staff at (202) 224-475 1. Sincerely, ~ Ji.4Charles E. Grassley Chairman Senate Finance Committee AMERICAr--.. pVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5868-000001 ommittee on Homeland and Governmenta l Affairs DOJ-19-0688-C-000087 005155-000456 Du rham , John (USACT) From : Durham, John (USACT) Se nt: Tuesday , April 30, 2019 7 :27 PM To : Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Subje ct : Re: contact info Sethnd I will check our - in the morning . JHD Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2019, at 12:40 PM, OuCharme , Seth (OAG) > wrote: I sent you both emai ls from my OAG I also have When you get a chance , please let me know if they came through ok, and please send a PDF of the : (or I can find a way to get a hard copy). Thanks . See you soon. Seth 0. Ducharme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .11036 DOJ-19-0688-C-000088 005155-000459 Duc har me, Set h (OAG) From : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday, Apri l 30, 2019 9:08 AM To: Durham , John (USACT); - Subje ct: Call this morning (USACT) Are you free fo r a call this morning? Seth D. Ducharme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Departmen t of Justice AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Documen t ID: 0.7.643 .5761 DOJ-19-0688-C-000089 005155 -000460 John Durham From: John Durham Se nt: Wednesday, April 24, 20 19 10:27 AM To : Subje ct: Attachments : AM VoiceMessage. wav {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5757 DOJ-19-0688-C-000090 005155 -000465 John Durham John Durham Tuesday, April 23, 2019 12:40 PM From: Se nt: To : Subje ct: Attachments : AM VoiceMessage. wav {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5752 DOJ-19-0688-C-000091 005155 -000468 DuCharme , Seth (OAG) Fro m: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Se nt : Monday , April 22, 2019 3:34 PM To : I Subje ct : (USACT) Re: you free for a call today? Thanks ! I am just start ing a meeting but hopefully won't go long Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 22, 2019, at 3:32 PM, I {USACT) > > Yes. I amCall at your convenience. Desk no. Is .> wrote: or cell > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Apr 22, 20 19, at 3:27 PM, Ducharme, Seth (OAG) > wrote: > > > > Seth 0. OuCharme > Counselo r to the Attorney Gene ral > U.S. Department of Justic e > AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .13188 DOJ-19-0688-C-000092 005155-0004 74 Duc har me, Set h (OAG) From : Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Sent : Thursday , April 11, 2019 3:40 PM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Re: Sample Thanks very much I'll talk to you soon. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 11, 2019, at 3:28 PM, Durham , John (USACT) > wrote: SethAttached a re JHD AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5303 DOJ-19-0688-C-000093 005155 -000900 Duc har me, Seth (OAG) From : DuCharme, Seth (OAG) Sent : Wednesday, To: Durham, John (USACT) Subje ct: Meeting time/Place April 10, 20 19 12:43 PM John, we can start in my office in 5127 at 1pm, and then I reserved a room for us in the Justice Command Cente r, which we can use. See you soon. Best, Seth Seth D. Ducharme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5240 DOJ-19-0688-C-000094 005155 -000908 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme, Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday, April 9, 20 19 8:05 PM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subject : Re: Support on It all depen ds on when his hearin g co nclu des . Hope fu lly he's back from the hea ring around the same time we're wrapping up, and then we can just walk down the hall and present him with our plan aro und 3. Maybe earlier if we're rea dy. Thanks for you flexibility. Se nt from my iPhone On Apr 9, 20 19, at 6:1 1 PM, Durham, John (USACT) > wrote: Absolutely. Do you have an idea as to what t ime would be convenient for him? From : Ducharm e, Seth (0AG) Sent : Tuesday, April 09, 2019 5:48 PM To: Durham , John (USACT) Subje ct: Re: Support on John, can you plan to stick around for awhile after ou r meeting tomorrow afternoon so we can talk to th e AG? Sent from my iPhone > wrote: On Apr 3, 2019, at 6:13 PM, Durham, John (USACT} SethMight you have time in the next couple of days to chat on the phone for a few minutes? If so, let me know what might be conven ient t imes for you. (Oh, and than ks for reach ing out !) JHD From: Ducharme, Seth (0AG) DOJ-19-0688-C-000095 005155-000909 John , the AG has made me aware of the -that you are working on with him, and he asked me to provide you with my support and assistance. - Best, Seth Seth D. Ducharme Counselor to the Attorney General U.S. Department of Justic 202514 9665 AM RICAN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.12011 DOJ-19-0688-C-000096 005155 -000910 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) AM Subject : Meeting with JD, USA D CT Lot:ation: 5127 Start : Wednesday, End: Wednes da y, April 10, 2019 3:00 PM Show Time As: Tentative Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status : Not yet responded Organizer: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Required Attendees: Durham , John {USACT}; {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5216 April 10, 2019 1:00 PM USACT) DOJ-19-0688-C-000097 005155-000911 Duc har me, Set h (OAG) From : Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Thurs day, April 4, 20 19 9:20 AM To: Durham , John (USACT) Subje ct: RE:Support on John, this was me ant to go out last night but my email was down. I am fre e to talk this morning up until about noon , th e n flexibl e much late r in the day . Seth From : Ducha rme , Set h (OAG) Sent: Thu rsday , April 4, 2019 6:47 AM To: Durham , John (USACT) Subject: Re: Support on v> Yes - tomo rrow is pretty open fo r me as of now up to noon , so if tomo rro w morning wo rks fo r you , I will try to keep it clear Otherw ise Friday afternoon Se nt from my iPhone On Apr 3, 2019, at 6:13 PM, Durham , John (USACT) wrote: DOJ-19-0688-C-000098 Document ID: 0.7.643.52 11 005155 -000912 Watson, Theresa (OAG) Subject: Location: Canceled: Meeting: AG's Office Start: End: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:30 PM Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:30 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Not yet responded Organizer: Required Attendees: Watson, Theresa (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Importance: High POC: Brian Rabbitt Attendees: Brian Rabbitt USA Attendees: John Durham, USA CT VERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5230 DOJ-19-0688-C-000099 005155-000913 Bryant , Err ical (OAG} From: Bryant, Errical {OAG) Sent : Saturday , March 30, 20 19 8 :50 AM To: Watson , Theresa (OAG); Durham , John (USACT) Cc: -- Subject: RE: Scheduling Time with Attorney General Barr (USACT) Good morning John, Your meeting with the AG has been scheduled fo r Tuesday, April 2 at 2:30pm. Thanks for your flexibility and have a great weekend. Erriea l A. Bryant Director of Scheduling United States Attorney General From: Watson , The resa (OAG) Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 6:53 PM To: Durham, John (USACT) > Cc:-(USACT) >; Bryant, Errical (OAG) Subj ect : Re: Scheduling Time w ith Attorney General Barr Hello. Our Scheduler will respond ASAP. On Mar 29, 2019, at 6:17 PM, Durham, John (USACT} wrote : Ms. Watso nA short while ago Atto rney General Barr asked me to schedule a visit with him for some time next week. Would it be possible to set up a meeting for next Tuesday , April 2nd ? I could be there any time in the morning, afternoon or evening that would be convenient to the Attorney General. Thank you fo r your help in this matter. John H. Durham U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut AM ------- {I AN OVERSIGHT Docume nt ID: 0.7.643.5950 /,-,. LL , __ \ DOJ-19-0688-C-000100 005155-0009 14 \ UTTICe J (M obile) AM RICAN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .5950 DOJ-19-0688-C-000101 005155-000915 Otus85, AG (OAG) Subject: Location: Canceled: Meeting: AG's Office Start: End: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:30 PM Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:30 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Accepted Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) Importance: High POC: Brian Rabbitt Attendees: Brian Rabbitt USA Attendees: John Durham, USA CT VERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5226 DOJ-19-0688-C-000102 005155-000916 Otus85, AG (OAG) Subject: Location: Meeting: AG's Office Start: End: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 2:30 PM Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:30 PM Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Meeting organizer Organizer: Required Attendees: Otus85, AG (OAG) AGPD; Calendar, AG85 (OAG); Watson, Theresa (OAG); Rabbitt, Brian (OAG); Durham, John (USACT) POC: Brian Rabbitt Attendees: Brian Rabbitt USA Attendees: John Durham, USA CT VERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5938 DOJ-19-0688-C-000103 005155-000917 Bryant , Errical (OAG} From : Bryant, Errical {OAG) Sent : Saturday, March 30, 20 19 7:13 AM To: Watson , Theresa (OAG) Cc: Durham, John {USACT);(USACT) Re: Scheduling Time with Attorney Genera l Barr Subje ct : Hello John I will take a look today and send you an invite. Errical A Bryant Director of Scheduling On Mar 29, 20 19, at 6:53 PM, Watson, Theresa {OAG) wrote: Hello. Our Scheduler will respond ASAP. On Ma r 29, 2019 , at 6:17 PM, Durham, John (USACT) AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .10269 wrote : DOJ-19-0688-C-000104 005155 -000918 Bryant , Errica l (OAG} w/ USA John Subject : HOLD: Meeting Lot:ation: AG's Office Start : Monday, March 25, 2019 2:00 PM End: Monday, March 25, 2019 2:30 PM Show Time As: Tentative Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status : Not yet responded Organizer: Bryant, Errical (0AG) Required Attendees: AGP0; Calen dar, AG85 {0AG}; Watson, Theresa (0AG); Rabbitt, Brian (0AG); Durham, John (USACT) POC:Will Levi Attendees: Will Levi OutsideAttendees: John Durham,USA ; Durham, Connecticut (cell) Hote : This meeting is rimited to the invited att endees only . Yo u are no t auth o r ize d to forward th is im1itation w it hout pr ior permiss ion of the OAG schedu ling office. H yo u bel ieve thatthe invitat ion was re ceived in error or that other individuals shouJd be included , pJease cont act the OAG scheduling offic_e , AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643.5156 DOJ-19-0688-C-000105 005155-0009 19 Ducharme, Seth (OAG) From: Ducharme , Seth (OAG) Sent : Tuesday , August 20, 20 19 10:35 PM To: Durham, John (USACT) Subject : Fwd: The surreal life of George Papadopoulos - The Washington Post (USACT) Interest ing read Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From : Date : August 20, 2019 at 10:04:06 PM EDT To: Subject : The surreal life of George Papadopoulos - The Washington Post https://ww,.,v.wa shingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/05/20/ life-of -geor ge -papadopoulos/ feature/the-surre a l- Sent from my iPhone AM {I AN OVERSIGHT Document ID: 0.7.643 .7055 DOJ-19-0688-C-000106