Opinion ID: 319872
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the nature of the government report

Text: 2 The USDA report and the investigation which spawned it were stimulated by an RHA pamphlet, 'Studies in Bad Housing in America-- Abuse of Power.' Utilizing a method of case-history documentation, this RHA tract charged the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) staff with racial and national origin discrimination in arranging government loans under the Rural Housing Program in two counties in Florida. 3 The Office of Equal Opportunity of the USDA requested an investigation by the Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG). After investigation, the OIG concluded in a 150-page report that there was no substantial evidence indicating discrimination. 3 RHA's request for a copy of the investigation report was denied. Instead, OIG made public the 'Investigation Summary' and 'Statistical Data' sections of the report. Citing exemptions 4, 5, 6, and 7 of FOIA as valid justification for keeping the remainder confidential, the Government did not release the remainder of the report because the Government felt that its form-- detailed and intimate case histories of specified, named persons 4 -- was inappropriate for disclosure. The Government did indicate that the material would be disclosed to RHA if it produced written authorization for release from the particular individual involved in any section. 5 Rather than obtain such releases, RHA brought this FOIA suit. 4 The District Court, in considering RHA's motion for summary judgment, found that the report as a whole was not exempt from disclosure. However, the court recognized that there might be a need to delete details which would permit identification of the individuals involved. Consequently, the court ordered deletion of the names of applicants for loans, the names of those who complained to their Congressmen, those who were interviewed, attorneys, etc. Deletion of geographical references, applications for loans, and affidavits of applicants was likewise ordered. 6 5 USDA then filed a motion to clarify or amend the court's order. In support of the motion, USDA submitted an affidavit of the Inspector General, Nathaniel Kossack, explaining the Government's fear that the court order as framed would permit release of intimate details concerning persons who could be readily identified by those familiar with the situation, notwithstanding the deletions, thus exposing the individuals to embarrassment or possible reprisals. 7 The District Judge, without explanation, denied the government motion for clarification. 8 Pending appeal he granted a stay. 6