Opinion ID: 494572
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Intra-Agency Disclosure

Text: 12 Closely related to Reuber's position on Section 552a(e)(1) is his assertion that HHS violated one of its own regulations, which imposes a general prohibition on internal distribution of documents. The regulation in question 38 authorizes intra-agency disclosure of an individual's records only when he consents in writing 39 or when the disclosure is made [t]o those officers and employees of [HHS] who have a need for the record in the performance of their duties. 40 Because NCI officials on the original distribution list of the reprimand letter made copies thereof for other concerned NCI employees, 41 Reuber insists that he is entitled to damages under the regulations. 42 13 Reuber's argument depends upon establishment of one of two propositions. He could have attempted to show that the NCI officials on the original distribution list had no need for the letter, in which event further dissemination to other NCI employees would have constituted a violation. 43 We have already approved, however, the District Court's conclusion that these NCI officials did have a work-related need for the letter, 44 and subsequent distribution would not be deemed unlawful on that account. 14 Alternatively, Reuber might have demonstrated that although the initial distribution was proper, the NCI employees who additionally received the letter did not themselves have any legitimate need for it. We have searched in vain for support on this point by Reuber. He makes the general assertion that the letter was not relevant or necessary to any NCI function, and NCI employees had no need for it, 45 but we can find no indication of any individual NCI staff member to whom release was improper. Reuber's claim must fail on this account as well. 46