DA Bragg’s Office Continues to Deny AFPI FOIL Requests

New York City, NY — The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) said Tuesday that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has unlawfully withheld hundreds of public records despite repeated requests under New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).

AFPI first filed its FOIL request in September 2024 seeking records referencing terms including “Authentic Campaigns” and “Loren Merchan.” A year later, the DA’s office continues to prevent their release.

In court filings, AFPI argued the DA’s office previously acknowledged at least 720 documents responsive to the group’s request yet has produced only eight — all publicly available news clippings. The group said the office has cited vague and unsupported exemptions to another 67 documents, amounting to what courts have recognized as a “constructive denial” of records, but left hundreds more unaccounted for.

Jack Casali, associate attorney at AFPI, said the DA’s office has left the institute with no choice but to turn to the courts. 

“FOIL exists to ensure accountability and transparency in government,” Casali said. “For more than a year, the district attorney’s office has withheld documents it admits exist We’re going to get to the bottom of this and make sure documents are released in accordance with New York law.”