Documents / FOIA release
This FOIA release comes from the Department of Defense Freedom of Information Division. It answers request 24-F-0266 from John Greenewald of The Black Vault, and the response is dated March 21, 2024. It holds 26 partly redacted pages, including a January 8, 2024 AARO memorandum for record on repeated invitations to interview David Grusch, along with text messages, emails and authorization memos from DoD and ODNI. AARO concluded that Grusch had no intention of giving it information about his claims.
INTEL & SEC USA
(b)(6)
I (b)(6)
Subject: Re: Dave Grusch
All-I did speak with the DoDIG. They went on my behalf to the ICIG to request the classified transcript. Why? Because
Grusch gave NOTHING to the DoDIG and claimed the same thing he told you - that it was IC compartmented information
and they couldn't have it.
The ICIG declined to acquiesce to my request.
I am fairly confident I know what compartments he is referring to, because I did my job, but I cannot confirm 100% if he
doesn't come see me.
As DK points out, the SSCI could give me the transcript.
Sean
From: (b)(6)
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 5:41:46 PM
To: "Kozik, David A SES Op OUSD INTEL & SEC (USA)" (b)(6) "Kirkpatrick, Sean M HOE OSD
OUSD INTFI g SFC (I ISA) l I (" 6)
(b)(6)
Cc
(b)(6)
Subject: RE: Dave Grusch
Really helpful, Dave, thanks. Did not know that executive branch folks are in the same boat we are. Will urge Grusch to
come through Sean's portal.
From: Kozik, David A SES OSD OUSD INTEL & SEC (USA)
Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 5:36 PM
(b)(6)
(b)(6)
TO: (b)(6) Kirkpatrick, Sean M HOE OSD
OUSD INTEL & SEC (USA)
(b)(6)
(b)(6)
Subject: Re: Dave Grusch
(b)(6)
Weighing in— there's no way in heck that DoD and IC IG will give any third party raw information, ever. IG investigations
are a black box for a reason. The best Sean will get from them is a filtered report that the IG releases to everyone.
Bottom line: best COA is still for Mr. Grusch to speak to AARO per their confidential process (the one Congress directed
in law). If he doesn't,
I fear the best assessment you will ever get from AARO is a reflection of a reflection. FYI, Sean won't have an access
problem, ie he has no SAP/CAP restrictions— it's just the IG divide.
Of course, if he did speak to the intel committees, they could always provide their transcripts/notes to Sean for his
review.
My two cents.
VR
3 Not linked to a story yet.
FOIA release, cited by the archive. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 29 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.