U.S.

Department of Labor

Wage and Hour Division

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 7M40
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone Number: (404)893-4525
Fax Number: (404)893-4524

August 2, 2016
Sent via Email: prjblest@gmail.com
Mr. Paul Blest
Indy Week
227 Fayetteville Street
Suite 105
Raleigh, NC 27601
RE: FOIA Response Letter 806545
Jackson Farming Company CID 1766523
Dear Mr. Blest:
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request dated June 08, 2016. Specifically, you requested a copy
of the case narrative and final conference findings for the DOLs investigative file regarding Jackson Farming Company
CID 1766523.
The Southeast Region performed an electronic search of the Wage & Hour Investigative Support and Reporting Database
(WHISARD) we found one investigative case file for Jackson Farming Company CID 1766523.
We are informing you that the investigation with Jackson Farming Company CID 1766523 is currently an open and/or
ongoing investigation Under Exemption 7(a) and therefore we are withholding 415 pages of the investigative case file.
There are no public domain documents to release.
Exemption 7(a) applies to records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes when production of such law
enforcement records or information could reasonably be expected to interfere with "enforcement proceedings." Thus, the
exemption is temporary in nature, and does not permanently exempt records from disclosure. Exemption 7(a) does
apply, however, as long as the relevant proceedings remain pending or are prospective. Proceedings are considered to be
pending or prospective until completion of all reasonably foreseeable administrative and judicial proceedings. We have
been informed that the law enforcement proceedings for which these records have been compiled have not yet been
completed.
We will be able to release records and information from the case file if you submit a new FOIA request after our
investigation is complete and no further enforcement action is contemplated, but please keep in mind that some of the
information withheld today may also be protected from disclosure under one or more of the other FOIA exemptions
provided in 552(b).
It is the Labor Department's policy to disclose information to the maximum practicable extent. The records responsive to
your request have been reviewed and had it been determined that the public interest underlying the exemption would not be
frustrated by waiving the exemption, the exemption would have been waived.
Do to our delay in process your request there are no fees associated with processing this request. Please keep in mind that
you may incur processing fees for similar FOIA requests in the future.
Since your Freedom of Information Act request has been denied for the reasons cited above, you are advised of your
right to appeal my decision. You may file an appeal of our response determination with the Solicitor of Labor within 90
days from the date of this letter. You may send you appeal via e-mail to FOIAAppeals@dol.gov, via regular mail to the
Solicitor of Labor, Division of Management and Administrative Legal Services, Room N-2420, U.S. Department of

Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210 or via fax to (202) 693-5538. Appeals submitted to any
other address will not be accepted. The appeal letter, envelope, e-mail subject line, and/or fax cover sheet should be
clearly marked Freedom of Information Act Appeal.
Next, your appeal must state in writing the grounds for the appeal, as well as supporting statements, arguments, a copy of
your original/revised request, and a copy of this letter. The e-mail, fax and office are monitored only on during normal
business hours (8:30AM to 5:00PM, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday). Appeals posted after normal
business hours will be deemed received on the next business day.
Sincerely,

June Wheeler
Southeast Government Information Specialist for

Wayne Kotowski
Disclosure Officer