DHS Fusion Center Gets Request For Documents On Extremists, Decides To Hand Over Mind Control Docs Instead

from the here's-the-thing-you-didn't-ask-for-but-will-probably-enjoy-reading dept

Once you release a document to a public records requesters, it's a public record, whether you meant to release it or not. The person handling FOIA requests for the Washington State Fusion Center (a DHS/local law enforcement collaboration known more for its failures than successes) sent Curtis Waltman something unexpected back in April. Waltman asked the Fusion Center for records pertaining to Antifa and white supremacy groups. He did get those records. But he also got something titled "EM effects on human body.zip."

Instead of intel and assessments on local Antifa/white supremacists, Waltman found things like this:

And this:

The files did not appear to have been generated by any government agency, but rather collected from other sources who thought there might be some way the government could control minds using electronic stimulation or "remote brain mapping." Why the Fusion Center had them on hand remains a mystery, as does their attachment to a FOIA request containing nothing about electronic mind manipulation.

This inadvertent disclosure has led to more requests for the same documents. Only this time, requesters -- like Joshua Eaton of ThinkProgress -- are asking specifically for government mind control files. It appears the Fusion Center first thought about withholding some mind control docs, but somewhere along the line decided it couldn't pretend the documents that weren't supposed to be released hadn't actually been released.

An email chain in the release [PDF] to Eaton contains an apology from the staffer who accidentally sent Waltman the mind control files.

Good afternoon Gretchen, First of all I want to apologize the same way I apologize with my supervisor Lt Boyle and [redacted] I do not like to give excuses but I really sent this without intention when it was not responsive. I sent the original email to [redacted] with the attachments. I will try not make more mistakes…. Now, because of my error MuckRock sent another PDR. Sorry again for the situation and have great afternoon…

Gretchen (the Public Records Officer for the Washington State Police) tells the staffer not to worry about it. Apparently, sending the wrong files to requesters happens frequently, but otherwise, everyone is doing a great job, including the person who sent mind control files with a batch of extremist docs.

But that apology and forgiveness is preceded by the same staffer asking for another review of documents she already released to another requester, possibly in hopes of denying this release.

Erik, [redacted] told me if you could review this. Mudrock is claiming that DHS did created this. I think I was not supposed to release this but it was public. Can you help me what can I tell my Public Disclosure coordinator? Sorry for the inconvenience

No response from Erik is included in the document so one assumes the release went ahead without his additional input. Now this requester has a copy of this email chain, something pulled from an internet "mind control forum," and, inexplicably, the KKK documents released to Waltman in response to his FOIA request.

So, if you're looking to obtain public records but don't particularly care what records you receive, it appears the Washington State Fusion Center is a great place to try your luck.

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Filed Under: antifa, dhs, extremists, foia, fusion center, mind control, washington, white supremacists