FIA-24-0036 - In the Matter of Dustin M. Slaughter

On July 17, 2024, the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) denied a Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA) appeal filed by Dustin M. Slaughter (Appellant) from a determination letter issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge Office (ORO). The Appellant submitted a FOIA request seeking copies of all records communications between Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick of ORO and the Department of Defense Public Affairs Officer, Susan Gough. The Appellant challenged the adequacy of ORO's search. After reviewing the appeal, OHA found that ORO undertook searches in locations reasonably calculated to uncover records of communications and developed search parameters and search terms reasonably configured to produce records responsive to Appellant's FOIA request . Accordingly, the Appellant's appeal was denied. (OHA Case No. FIA-24-0036)