Opinion ID: 493881
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 33 When an agency makes an adverse determination, such as a refusal to hire, and the determination is based on a record that is not maintained with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is necessary to assure fairness, the aggrieved individual has a cause of action for damages. 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552a(g)(1)(C) & (g)(4). The issue here is whether section (g)(1)(C) also creates a civil remedy when the agency maintains a challenged record that is the basis of an adverse determination made by another party. In the present case OPM maintained a record on appellant, yet it was the agencies receiving the record provided by OPM that made the adverse employment decisions. 34 OPM contends, and the district court agreed, that the structure and legislative history of the Act compel the conclusion that section (g)(1)(C) in essence reads as follows: When an agency fails to maintain a proper record and consequently an adverse determination is made by that agency, an individual may bring a civil action. Brief for Appellee at 25-29. On this reading, appellant's damage action against OPM must necessarily be dismissed. Appellant argues on the contrary that the Act creates a cause of action against the agency that improperly maintains a record. The suit is conditioned only on a finding that a subsequent adverse determination is made, by that or any other agency, based on the record at issue. 35 In resolving this issue of statutory construction, we find that the plain meaning of section (g)(1)(C) and the structure of the Act authorize a damage suit against OPM. Because these traditional tools of statutory construction firmly indicate congressional intent, we have no need to consult the legislative history.