11 Comments
User's avatar
earthkeeper photography's avatar

This seems to be an invitation into the dragon's den. Be cautious!

Expand full comment
Erin Marie Miller's avatar

Thank you! I had the very same thoughts.

Expand full comment
Paul Zickler's avatar

Yeah my initial response was maybe they wanted to "explain" the unredacted docs that suddenly showed up, which would've made it an opportunity. But then, as you say, with a lawsuit pending, meeting with them off the record at a "random" gathering sounds like a bad choice. I guess they can claim deniability by saying it was an open meeting that others were also invited to attend and had nothing to do with the case, but it smells fishy.

Expand full comment
Erin Marie Miller's avatar

Same! My first reaction was, "How convenient, I'm gonna check it out!" But then literally a second later, I was like, "Hmmm, wait a minute ..." I'm just going to do things the straightforward way, by reaching out to them directly when I'm ready. I'm nowhere near ready to do that yet, though. I'm literally overwhelmed with documents right now.

The thing that really weirded me out, though (beyond the specific agencies that would be at the event and their connection to McKinsey), was just that my email address was added to the governor's office's email list out of nowhere -- I definitely didn't sign up for it (I don't even know where someone would sign up for it?) and also didn't provide my zip code. It just felt like it was really out of left field.

Expand full comment
Paul Zickler's avatar

That's so bizarre. Thanks for keeping us informed on how it's all going. Good luck!

Expand full comment
Erin Marie Miller's avatar

Thank you!!

Expand full comment
DeeDee D's avatar

I see...

Expand full comment
DeeDee D's avatar

I get it. But it strikes me as an extended hand.

There is always tension between gov’t and journalists. If they were total jerks you’d be barred, not invited. (I.e. if tRump were reigning, you might be “disappeared” rather than invited.

It needn’t be combative. You’re just doing your job!

Good luck uncovering the Truth you seek. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Expand full comment
Erin Marie Miller's avatar

Maybe! I do still have pending FOIA litigation against MDHHS though, so my RSVP still has to be a no.

Expand full comment
DeeDee D's avatar

Sounds like a solid opportunity. Probably not a coincidence. Congratulations!

Expand full comment
Erin Marie Miller's avatar

Haha no, it's actually the government agencies I've been investigating for two-plus years, including one that I recently sued for public records, randomly inviting me to come meet them in person all together, at a location close to my house. It's definitely an opportunity, but there's not exactly a welcoming feeling to it on my end.

Expand full comment