The above-captioned matter was consolidated for hearing with Docket #FIC 2014-157, also captioned Michael Aronow v. Executive Vice President, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center.  Both matters were heard as contested cases on December 16, 2014, at which time the complainant and the respondents herein appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.

     After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found and conclusions of law are reached:

     1.  The respondents are public agencies within the meaning of §1-200(1), G.S.   

     2.  It is found that by email dated August 19, 2013, the complainant made a revised request to the respondents for copies of all emails sent or received by Dr. Jay R. Lieberman during a certain time period and all Microsoft word and PDF documents on Dr. Lieberman’s computers at the respondent Health Center during another stated time period. The complainant also requested a list of records that were excluded from disclosure.

     3.  It is found that, by email dated August 19, 2013, the respondents acknowledged the complainant’s request. 

     4.  It is found that, by email dated December 13, 2013, Dr. Scott Wetstone of the respondent Health Center, suggested to the complainant that, in light of the complainant’s other FOIA requests, a narrowed request would expedite disclosure.  By email dated December 16, 2013, the complainant agreed to exclude a few categories of records from the scope of his request. The complainant also testified and it is found that, following this email exchange in December 2013, there was no further activity concerning his August 19, 2013 records request until he filed his complaint.

     5.  By notice of appeal dated and filed March 17, 2014, the complainant appealed to this Commission, alleging that the respondents violated the Freedom of Information Act by denying his request for the records. Generally consistent with the finding in paragraph 3, above, but differing on the exact day in December 2013, the complaint included a sentence stating: “I have also not received any correspondence related to my request since December 19, 2013.”

     6.  Section 1-206, G.S., provides in relevant part:

     7.  By letter dated June 5, 2014, the Commission notified the complainant that his correspondence received on March 17, 2014, described in paragraph 4, above, would not be scheduled for a hearing because the complainant had not filed his complaint within thirty days of the alleged violation pursuant to §1-206, G.S.  The Commission also informed the complainant that no further action would be taken on the complaint at that time.  However, if he nevertheless wished to pursue his complaint, the Commission requested that the complainant provide a written response within two weeks’ time. 

     8.  Subsequently, by email dated June 12, 2014, the complainant submitted a response to the Commission’s June 5, 2014 correspondence, described in paragraph 6, above. The June 12, 2014 email stated that Dr. Scott Wetstone had not responded to the complainant’s inquiries since December 13, 2013.  It also included the contradictory statement: “This March 17, 2014 complaint listed the date of the violation as March 17, 2014, which is within 30 days of the alleged violation.” However, the June 12, 2014 email does not contain specific information regarding whether the complainant was denied access to records within thirty days prior to the filing of his complaint. 

     9.  The Commission has consistently held over many years that a complaint must be filed within thirty days of a denial deemed by statute. Docket #FIC 2012-538, Lee Smith v. Superintendent of Schools, Middletown Public Schools; and Middletown Public Schools; Docket #FIC 2012-538, Ismael Hernandez III v. Chief, Fire Department, City of Bridgeport. See also, in the context of an alleged meetings violation, Docket #FIC 1995-416, Gwen Fremlin v. Kathy Neth, Ellen Berk, John Lavagnino, Francine Leniston, Jerry Ryan, Edward Asvazadourian, Robert Maloney, Don Torre, Cindy Taylor, Linda Shine-Wise, and Candlewood Isle Tax District Board of Directors. Moreover, the Courts have recognized the importance of statutory denial. Sedensky v Freedom of Information Commission, HHB 136022849S, Superior Court, Judicial District of New Britain, November 25, 2013, p. 8; Gallagher v. Freedom of Information Commission, CV 93 053 15 14, December 5, 1994, p. 6.

    10. It is concluded that the filing of the complaint on March 17, 2014 was more than sixty days past the denial of the complainant’s request that is deemed to have occurred on December 20, 2013, four business days following the complainant’s December 16, 2013 renewed request.

     11. It is therefore concluded that the complaint was not timely filed within the time required to confer jurisdiction on the Commission pursuant to §1-206, G.S.

     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:

     1.  The complaint is dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its special meeting of February 4, 2015.

__________________________
Cynthia A. Cannata
Acting Clerk of the Commission

PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-180(c), G.S., THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF EACH PARTY AND THE MOST RECENT MAILING ADDRESS, PROVIDED TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION, OF THE PARTIES OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

THE PARTIES TO THIS CONTESTED CASE ARE:

Michael Aronow
Orthopedic Associates of Hartford
85 Seymour Street
Suite 607
Hartford, CT  06106

Executive Vice President, State of Connecticut, University
of Connecticut Health Center; and State of Connecticut,
University of Connecticut Health Center
c/o Jeffrey M. Blumenthal, Esq.
Assistant Attorney General
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT  06030-3803

____________________________
Cynthia A. Cannata
Acting Clerk of the Commission

FIC/2014-156FD/cac/2/4/2015