Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement From: Brad Racino Date: 6/12/20, 2J25 PM To: "Menzie, Christopher J." , "Butler, Cynthia C." , "Haas, David R. (VHASDC)" CC: Matthew Halgren Christopher, I have now asked four times for VA statements which were provided to another news organization. You are apparently unwilling to do that. You are also unwilling or unable to cite a VA policy that requires me to give detailed information about my forthcoming story in order to receive this statement. I am not asking you to help me ensure a story's accuracy –– I can't ask that until I have the statement. As to your concern about my not asking the VA to respond to my previously published piece: I certainly did ask that, published the entire VA response in the story and linked to it for all to read: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6932514-Cynthia-ButlerSan-Diego-VA.html Menzie, Christopher J. June 12, 2020 at 2:00 PM Last time you did not give us a chance to respond to any of the allegations in your piece. It is fair that as we prepare to engage with you that we know what your story is about. What do you have to lose by helping us help ensure accuracy? We look forward to hearing more about your story. From: Brad Racino Sent: Friday, June 12, 2020 12:33 PM To: Menzie, Christopher J. Cc: Butler, Cynthia C. ; Haas, David R. (VHASDC) Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement Christopher, As I've already mentioned, I am following up on this article we published last week: 1 of 4 6/23/20, 9:01 AM Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement https://inewsource.org/2020/06/04/san-diego-veterans-suicide-ketamine/ Can you please point me to the VA policy that states I must "walk you through a piece from start to finish" when requesting this type of information? Not providing me this information and instead insisting upon me giving you more detail could also now become part of the story. -- BRAD RACINO Senior Reporter & Assistant Director inewsource.org c. (845) 553-4170 t. @bradracino P.S. We want to hear from you! Take a brief survey to help us get to know you and the topics you want us to look into. Brad Racino June 12, 2020 at 12:32 PM Christopher, As I've already mentioned, I am following up on this article we published last week: https://inewsource.org/2020/06/04/san-diego-veterans-suicide-ketamine/ Can you please point me to the VA policy that states I must "walk you through a piece from start to finish" when requesting this type of information? Not providing me this information and instead insisting upon me giving you more detail could also now become part of the story. Menzie, Christopher J. June 12, 2020 at 12:08 PM Thanks, Brad. Just let us know the specific focus of your story and we’ll respond. Thanks. From: Brad Racino Sent: Friday, June 12, 2020 11:05 AM 2 of 4 6/23/20, 9:01 AM Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement To: Butler, Cynthia C. Cc: Menzie, Christopher J. ; Haas, David R. (VHASDC) Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement Respectfully Cynthia, no, I will not walk you through the focus of the story. This is a request for information from a government agency and there's no requirement that a reporter discuss what the story is about while reporting it. I don't know which other reporters you've worked with who have acquiesced to this type of request but as you have worked with me before, you know that is not something I will do. -- BRAD RACINO Senior Reporter & Assistant Director inewsource.org c. (845) 553-4170 t. @bradracino P.S. We want to hear from you! Take a brief survey to help us get to know you and the topics you want us to look into. Brad Racino June 12, 2020 at 11:05 AM Respectfully Cynthia, no, I will not walk you through the focus of the story. This is a request for information from a government agency and there's no requirement that a reporter discuss what the story is about while reporting it. I don't know which other reporters you've worked with who have acquiesced to this type of request but as you have worked with me before, you know that is not something I will do. Butler, Cynthia C. June 12, 2020 at 10:56 AM Hi, Brad. Can you provide more detail regarding the focus of your story? Ideally, just walk us through the piece from start to finish. From: Brad Racino Sent: Friday, June 12, 2020 10:36 AM To: Butler, Cynthia C. Cc: Menzie, Christopher J. ; Haas, David R. (VHASDC) 3 of 4 6/23/20, 9:01 AM Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Statement I don't have a publication date and the focus of the story is following up from our previous reporting regarding the VA and ketamine. Deadline is end of today. Hopefully it's not too hard -- I'm asking you to forward what you've already sent to ProPublica. Thanks -- BRAD RACINO Senior Reporter & Assistant Director inewsource.org c. (845) 553-4170 t. @bradracino P.S. We want to hear from you! Take a brief survey to help us get to know you and the topics you want us to look into. -BRAD RACINO Senior Reporter & Assistant Director inewsource.org c. (845) 553-4170 t. @bradracino P.S. We want to hear from you! Take a brief survey to help us get to know you and the topics you want us to look into. 4 of 4 6/23/20, 9:01 AM