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Gawker Set to Sue State Department After 'Preposterous Response' to Philippe Reines FOIA Request

Gawker now joins the Associated Press in suing the State Department for failing to fulfill their Freedom of Information Act requests.

John Cook, executive editor of Gawker, said the online publication will file its lawsuit Friday.

Gawker has one active FOIA request for the email correspondence between Philippe Reines and reporters from 34 news organizations. Reines is known for his colorful language and bullying nature towards reporters.

Cook said that Gawker had originally filed the request in 2011 and received notification that their request was a "preposterous response."

Cook also said that Gawker was told that the State Department never had any record of those emails taking place. Gawker never received the emails.

Gawker also learned of a plot that upper level State Department officials were shielding email communications from FOIA requesters.

Cook also said the publication had reported that Reines used a personal email address to conduct official State Department business but Cook was unsure whether those emails were ever turned over.

Published under: State Department