Opinion ID: 755736
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wyoming Bar

Text: 55 Major Gowan also contends that the Air Force is liable for Elder's informing the Wyoming Bar of the court martial charges. The district court again held that the charges were public knowledge, but it also held that Elder's actions were not intentional and willful, and thus Major Gowan could not recover. However, we need not decide whether Elder's actions were intentional and willful. See Knox, 124 F.3d at 1362 (court of appeals may affirm on any ground supported by the record). To recover for a violation of § 552a(b), Major Gowan must also show that the Air Force's disclosure had an adverse effect on him. See 5 U.S.C. § 552a(g)(1)(D). Major Gowan himself informed the Wyoming Bar of the court martial charges without knowing Elder had already done so. Consequently, Elder's providing the same information (even though before Major Gowan did so) could not have had an adverse effect on Major Gowan. Cf. Kline v. Department of Health & Human Serv., 927 F.2d 522, 524 (10th Cir.1991) (A later release of information previously known does not violate the Privacy Act.).