FIA-25-0008 - In the Matter of Dustin Slaughter

On December 6, 2024, the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) granted a Freedom of Information ( FOIA) appeal filed by Dustin Slaughter (Appellant) from a determination letter issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Public Information (OPI). DOE determined that there were no records responsive to the Appellant's search. The Appellant challenged the adequacy of the DOE's search. After reviewing the appeal, OHA concluded that the DOE had not met its burden to show that it had conducted a search reasonably calculated to uncover responsive documents. Accordingly, the Appellant's appeal was granted, and the matter was remanded to OPI to conduct a new search. (OHA Case No. FIA-25-0008)