Piercing the Veil of Secrecy: Litigation against U.S. Intelligence - Hardcover

Brookner, Janine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0890892210 ISBN 13: 9780890892213

Publisher: Carolina Academic Press, 2003

Synopsis

Piercing the Veil of Secrecy educates plaintiffs and lawyers on what they will face when litigating against U.S. intelligence and how to maximize their chances of success. The book explores the legal avenues that federal employees and their attorneys can use in civil actions against government agencies. It begins with the laws against discrimination that are enforceable against all federal entities if the plaintiff is a member of a protected category. This path is long and arduous, but prevailing means the government pays all reasonable attorney fees and compensatory damages. Tort claims against U.S. intelligence are another possibility, but, given the government's immunity to charges of libel and slander, a suit based on violations of a person's constitutional rights by individual federal agents acting under the color of law and/or violations of laws against conspiracy may be, if applicable, more feasible. Piercing the Veil of Secrecy also tries to broaden the myopic picture that legislators and judges often possess regarding plaintiffs who sue the government. It suggests administrative and procedural changes that Congress and the courts should consider in order to level the playing field, eliminate abuses and bring equity and justice into the process.

About this title

About the Author

Janine M. Brookner is an attorney-at-law in Washington D.C.

Review

"Anyone considering a career in U.S. intelligence would be well-advised to read this book." -- Legal Information Alert, Vol 23, Issue 1

Edition details

• Publisher: Carolina Academic Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0890892210
• ISBN 13: 9780890892213
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 200