Opinion ID: 71499
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Adequacy of the Search

Text: As a threshold matter, we must first address whether the IRS's search for responsive documents was adequate. Santos v. DEA, 357 F.Supp.2d 33, 37 (D.D.C. 2004). An agency may demonstrate that it conducted an adequate search by showing that it used methods which can be reasonably expected to produce the information requested. Oglesby v. U.S. Dep't of Army, 920 F.2d 57, 68 (D.C.Cir.1990). In this case, the IRS relied on the Sheldon and Hines declarations to demonstrate the adequacy of its search. The Sheldon declaration states that the Oklahoma City Disclosure Office searched documents identified by the agent assigned to investigate Batton, as well as internal databases and systems of records to locate documents responsive to [Batton's] FOIA request. The [IRS] conducted the search based on the personal information provided by [Batton] in his FOIA request within the databases and systems of records available to the Disclosure Office. The Hines declaration lists the particular databases that were searched and explains that these databases contain the type of information requested by Batton. We conclude that, based on the Sheldon and Hines declarations, the IRS has demonstrated that it performed a search reasonably calculated to yield responsive documents. The IRS's search uncovered over 5,200 responsive documents using the personal identifying information contained in Batton's FOIA request. The Hines declaration states that the search was conducted using the available electronic databases, as well as paper documents and documents in the possession of the assigned IRS investigative agent. While Batton asserts that other documents may exist that were not located in the search, we must decide only whether the search was adequate. See In re Wade, 969 F.2d 241, 249 n. 11 (7th Cir.1992) (The issue is not whether other documents may exist, but rather whether the search for undisclosed documents was adequate.); Oglesby, 920 F.2d at 68 (There is no requirement that an agency search every record system.). We conclude that the Sheldon and Hines declarations sufficiently prove the adequacy and reasonableness of the IRS's search.