Opinion ID: 406163
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Privacy Claim

Text: 42 Appellant's claim under the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(g)(1)(C), was dismissed by the district court because the court found that challenged statements in appellant's personnel file were neither disseminated to outside persons nor concerned matters outside the scope of employment. 43 The Privacy Act provision in question states: 44 Whenever any agency ... fails to maintain any record concerning any individual with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is necessary to assure fairness in any determination relating to the qualifications, character, rights, or opportunities of, or benefits to the individual that may be made on the basis of such record, and consequently a determination is made which is adverse to the individual ... the individual may bring a civil action against the agency, and the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction in the matters under the provision of this subsection. 45 5 U.S.C. § 552a(g)(1)(C). Appellant requested the district court to enter a judgment finding that ICA officials intentionally and willfully violated the Privacy Act in that they maintained inaccurate files concerning her performance which resulted in her dismissal. She sought damages, costs and attorneys fees and a grant of such other and further relief as may be just and equitable. A.A. A-33. Appellant now argues that the district court misconstrued her Privacy Act claim. Appellant says that she was not asserting an invasion of privacy claim; rather she was claiming that her personnel file contained inaccurate material on which subsequent adverse personnel actions were based. The government responds by stating: 46 No details were provided as to what in such document was deemed to be false, incomplete or inaccurate, nor is there any allegation as to kind or quantum of damages suffered as a result thereof, although actual damages sustained are prayed for. Appellant did not allege that she was not given access to said document upon request, that said document was ever disclosed to any person outside the Agency, or that the Agency failed or refused to correct any error in the document upon request. 47 Government's Brief at 43. 48 It is not entirely clear to us whether the district court's decision to dismiss Borrell's Privacy Act claim was based upon shortcomings in Borrell's pleading and proof or upon a misunderstanding of her cause of action. In short, the district court's findings on the Privacy Act-as well as the constitutional claims-fall short of the specificity requirements of Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. On remand, the district court should specify whether appellant satisfied her burden of pleading a prima facie claim under 5 U.S.C. § 552a(g), see Mervin v. Federal Trade Commission, 591 F.2d 821 (D.C.Cir.1978). If she did, the court should make specific findings about the accuracy and fairness of the challenged statements in Borrell's personnel file, and determine whether any inaccurate statement contained therein resulted in appellant's discharge. If so, the court should order the appropriate remedy under 5 U.S.C. §§ 552a(g)(2)(A) and (B) and 552a(g)(4), which may include costs, fees, damages and amendment of Borrell's record.