Judicial Watch, Inc. v. Rossotti, Charles

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge TATEL.

TATEL, Circuit Judge:

Appellant, a non-profit organization, argues that it qualifies for a fee waiver under the Freedom of Information Act because disclosure of the requested documents regarding a conflict-of-interest waiver received by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service would serve the “public interest.” The district court thought appellant’s request too “general and formulaic” to satisfy FOIA. We disagree. Following Congress’s directive that FOIA’s fee waiver requirement be liberally construed, and finding appellant’s request…