Case: Agent’s Declaration Overrides Need for Vaughn Index in FOIA Request (S.D. Fla.)

Motion to compel Vaughn index in FOIA case denied where IRS’s response by declaration of revenue agent sufficient to provide information leading to exemption reasoning, a district court held. Taxpayer in his FOIA request seeks information regarding personnel records of IRS employees working on his private letter rulings. A Vaughn index is “a detailed index showing justification for withholding each document.” The court noted that the agent’s declaration provides similar information that the creation of a Vaughn index is not needed. The court did grant Taxpayer an extension of time to respond to the government’s motion for summary judgment. [ ...