Opinion ID: 611914
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adverse Effects

Text: Lofton claims that the delay adversely affected him because he was not able to present the allegations complained of in his confiscated civil rights complaint to the Colorado district court. However, Lofton filed his civil rights action in Colorado on April 10, 1990, before Lofton initiated his FOIA request in June 1990. The action was still pending at the time the briefs in this case were filed with the court of appeals. That case was not dismissed because of his inability to provide the court with the specific documents sought in his FOIA request. Lofton also alleged that he suffered emotional distress as a result of the delay. The D.C. Circuit has held that emotional trauma alone is sufficient to qualify as an adverse consequence under 5 U.S.C. § 552a(g)(1)(D). Albright v. United States, 732 F.2d 181, 186 (D.C.Cir.1984).