Opinion ID: 516487
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Scope of the Closure Order

Text: 15 Intervenors finally argue that the district court could not order the witnesses in the grand jury proceeding to refrain from discussing the substance of their testimony with outside sources. The Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 6(e)(5) make clear that the district court had the power to close the proceedings involving the subpoena issued to the University of Florida. See id. (Counsel or others allowed to be present at the closed hearing may be put under a protective order by the court.) (emphasis added). Although Rule 6(e) does not address directly the court's authority to restrain witnesses to grand jury proceedings from disclosing material connected to the proceedings, the district court had the power to do so pursuant to its authority to protect the integrity of the grand jury process. See generally Levine v. United States, 362 U.S. 610, 80 S.Ct. 1038, 4 L.Ed.2d 989 (1960); In re Swearingen Aviation Corp., 486 F.Supp. 9 (D.Md.), modified on other grounds, 605 F.2d 125 (4th Cir.1979). 16 Rule 6(e)(2) does not compel a different result. 3 The Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 6(e)(2) state: The rule does not impose any obligation of secrecy on witnesses. The practice at this point varies among the districts. The seal of secrecy on witnesses seems an unnecessary hardship and may lead to injustice if a witness is not permitted to make a disclosure to counsel or to an associate. This suggests that the Rule does not exempt witnesses from a secrecy obligation. Rather, the Rule does not of its own force impose such an obligation. See generally In re Grand Jury Proceedings, 814 F.2d 61, 69 (1st Cir.1987); In re Grand Jury Subpoena Duces Tecum, 797 F.2d at 681. 17 We hold that the district court had the authority to prevent witnesses from disclosing materials prepared for or testimony given in the grand jury proceedings or related proceedings. The district court found that the order was a compelling necessity. See In re Grand Jury Subpoena Duces Tecum, 797 F.2d at 681 (imposing secrecy obligation on grand jury witness upon showing of compelling necessity). If this order prevents disclosure of documents prepared and assembled independent of the grand jury proceedings, however, such as University records compiled in the ordinary course of business, it would be too broad. See Blalock v. United States, 844 F.2d 1546, 1551 (11th Cir.1988) (discussing Rule 6(e)(2)). We do not read the order as imposing such a sweeping obligation of secrecy on the parties and witnesses. The order only prohibits the University from disclosing materials prepared for, or statements presented in, the grand jury proceedings or proceedings connected to the grand jury investigation. 18 Naturally, in responding to requests for release of information, the University is obligated to avoid revealing the direction of the grand jury investigation. United States v. Phillips, 843 F.2d 438, 441 (11th Cir.1988); In re Sealed Case, 801 F.2d 1379 (D.C.Cir.1986). Additionally, the University may not disclose the names of individuals being investigated, or those who might be expected to testify before the grand jury, or any other secret aspect of the grand jury investigation. Phillips, 843 F.2d at 441; Standley v. Department of Justice, 835 F.2d 216 (9th Cir.1987); see generally Fed.R.Crim.P 6(e)(5), (6). Thus, the University may not respond to requests that would disclose protected information, such as requests for all documents prepared for, submitted to, or subpoenaed by the grand jury. Subject to the limitation that it may not reveal any secret aspect of the grand jury proceedings, the University can disclose information presented to the grand jury, Senate of Puerto Rico v. Department of Justice, 823 F.2d 574, 582 (D.C.Cir.1987), including actual materials presented. SEC v. Dresser Industries, Inc., 628 F.2d 1368, 1382 (D.C.Cir.) (en banc), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 993, 101 S.Ct. 529, 66 L.Ed.2d 289 (1980); see generally Blalock, 844 F.2d at 1551. 19 The district court could have written a less restrictive order. The district court is not compelled, however, to take the least restrictive means available to protect the secrecy of the grand jury proceedings during the pendency of those proceedings. See Blalock, 844 F.2d at 1550 n. 5 (The scope of judicial review is narrowest while there is an ongoing grand jury investigation. The courts' concern for grand jury secrecy and for the grand jury's law enforcement function is generally greatest during the investigative phase of grand jury proceedings.) (quoting S. Beale & W. Bryson, Grand Jury Law & Practice Sec. 10:18 (1986) (citations omitted)). Consequently, this order is not overly broad.