Opinion ID: 770271
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether CARC is exempt as a government officer or employee

Text: 90 CARC argues that it is exempt from the definition of debt collector under 15 U.S.C. S 1692a(6)(C) because it is in effect acting as an `officer or employee of the United States or any State' pursuant to the Servicing Agreements with the City and the PWSA. Br. of appellees/cross-appellants in Nos. 99-3856 and 99-3857 at 44-45. Section 1692a(6)(C) provides: 91 The term [`debt collector'] does not include-- . . . (C) any officer or employee of the United States or any State 30 to the extent that collecting or attempting to collect any debt is in the performance of his official duties. 92 Like the district court, we reject this argument. The exemption expressly is limited to any officer or employee of the United States or any State. CARC is not an officer or employee of any government entity. The exemption does not extend to those who are merely in a contractual relationship with the government. See Brannan v. United Student Aid Funds, Inc., 94 F.3d 1260, 1263 (9th Cir. 1996) (This exemption applies only to an individual government official or employee who collects debts as part of his government employment responsibilities. USA Funds is a private nonprofit organization with a government contract; it is not a government agency or employee.) (emphasis added).