FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
FINAL DECISION
Docket #FIC 1996-512
August 13, 1997
In the Matter of a Complaint by Kenneth C. Lewis, Complainant
against
Patricia Wilson-Coker, Regional Administrator, North Central
Region, State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services and
Commissioner Joyce A. Thomas, State of Connecticut, Department of
Social Services, Respondents
The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on June 12, 1997, at which time the complainant and the respondents 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 § 1-18a(a), G.S.
2. It is found that by letter dated August 12, 1996, the complainant requested that the respondents provide him with a social security card or a copy of his social security number (hereinafter "requested record"). The complainant enclosed a completed Application for a Social Security Card in his August 12, 1996 request.
3. Having failed to receive the requested record, the complainant, by letter dated August 30, 1996 and filed on September 4, 1996, alleged that the respondents violated the Freedom of Information ("FOI") Act by denying him the requested record. The complainant requested that civil penalties be imposed upon the respondents.
4. It is found that the respondents first became aware of the complainant’s request in January 1997 upon their receipt of notification from the Commission that the complainant had filed this appeal.
Docket #FIC 1996-512 Page 2
5. It is found that the respondents neither issue social security cards, nor maintain a copy of the complainant’s social security card. However, the respondents maintain the complainant’s social security number in their computer stored records.
6. It is found that once the respondents became aware of the complainant’s request, they immediately searched their computer stored records and located the complainant’s social security number, which they promptly provided to him.
7. It is also found that an Application for a Social Security Card is properly directed to the Social Security Administration.
8. It is concluded that the respondents did not violate § § 1-15(a) and 1-19(a), G.S., because immediately upon becoming aware of the complainant’s request they promptly provided the complainant with the requested record.
9. Accordingly, the request for civil penalties is denied.
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.
Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of August 13, 1997.
__________________________
Doris V. Luetjen
Acting Clerk of the Commission
Docket #FIC1996-512 Page 3
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:
Kenneth C. Lewis
c/o Annie Rice
29 Deerfield Court
East Hartford, CT 06108
Patricia Wilson-Coker, Regional Administrator, North Central
Region, State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services
3580 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06120
Commissioner Joyce A. Thomas, State of Connecticut, Department
of Social Services
25 Sigourney Street
Hartford, CT 06106
__________________________
Doris V. Luetjen
Acting Clerk of the Commission
fic1996-512/FD/tcg/08221997