DoD: FOIA appeal filed on inadequate Gough email release
The Black Vault submitted an administrative appeal challenging the DoD's initial FOIA response. The appeal argued that a 12-page release could not represent all records given Gough's central role in UAP coordination.
Background
On April 29, 2021, The Black Vault formally challenged the Department of Defense's initial disclosure regarding communications of Pentagon spokesperson Susan Gough. The original release contained merely 12 pages suggesting only a private list subscription existed. The appellant contended this was incomplete given Gough's position as primary OSD contact for UAP inquiries and referenced an April 2020 press release. The appeal called for renewed searches throughout NIPR, SIPR, and JWICS classified systems. Following dialog with officials, the challenge was voluntarily withdrawn when the Department agreed to conduct a new comprehensive search, though fulfillment required over four additional years.