Home > 1997 Privacy Act Documents > Privacy Act: [ COMMERCE/DEPT-11] Candidates for Membership, Members, and Former Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees....Privacy Act: [ COMMERCE/DEPT-11] Candidates for Membership, Members, and Former Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees....
of others, disclose the identity or confidential sources, reveal
confidential information supplied by these sources and disclose
investigative techniques and procedures.
(3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) requires the publication of the
categories of sources of records in each system of records. The
application of this provision could disclose investigative techniques
and procedures and cause sources to refrain from giving such
information because of fear or reprisal, or fear of breach of
promises of anonymity and confidentiality. This would compromise the
ability to conduct investigations, and to identify, detect, and
apprehend violators.
(4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(I) requires each agency to maintain in its
records only such information about an individual that is relevant
and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required by
statute or Executive Order. An exemption from the foregoing is
needed:
a. Because it is not possible to detect relevance or necessity of
specific information in the early stages of a criminal or other
investigation.
b. Relevance and necessity are questions of judgment and timing.
What appears relevant and necessary when collected may ultimately be
determined to be unnecessary. It is only after the information is
evaluated that the relevance and necessity of such information can be
established.
c. In any investigation the Inspector General may obtain
information concerning the violations of laws other than those within
the scope of his jurisdiction. In the interest of effective law
enforcement, the Inspector General should retain this information as
it may aid in establishing patterns of criminal activity, and provide
leads for those law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing other
segments of criminal or civil law.
d. In interviewing persons, or obtaining other forms of evidence
during an investigation, information may be supplied to the
investigator which related to matters incidental to the main purpose
of the investigation but which may relate to matters under the
investigative jurisdiction of another agency. Such information cannot
readily be segregated.
(5) 5 U.S.C. 552(e)(2) requires an agency to collect information
to the greatest extent practicable directly from the subject
individual when the information may result in adverse determinations
about an individual's rights, benefits, and privilege under Federal
programs. The application of the provision would impair
investigations of illegal acts, violations of the rules of conduct,
merit system and any other misconduct of the following reasons:
a. In certain instances the subject of an investigation cannot be
required to supply information to investigators. In those instances,
information relating to a subject's illegal acts, violations of rules
of conduct, or any other misconduct, etc., must be obtained from
other sources.
b. Most information colected about an individual under
investigation is obtained from third parties such as witnesses and
informers. It is not feasible to rely upon the subject of the
investigation as a source for information regarding his activities.
c. The subject of an investigation will be alerted to the
existence of an investigation if any attempt is made to obtain
information from subject. This could afford the individual the
opportunity to conceal any criminal activities to avoid apprehension.
d. In any investigation, it is necessary to obtain evidence from
a variety of sources other than the subject of the investigation in
order to verify the evidence necessary for successful litigation.
(6) 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(e)(3) requires that an agency must inform the
subject of an investigation who is asked to supply information of:
a. The authority under which the information is sought and
whether disclosure of the information is mandatory or voluntary,
b. The purposes for which the information is intended to be used,
c. The routine uses which may be made of the information, and
d. The effects on the subject, if any, of not providing the
requested information. The reasons for exempting this system of
records from the foregoing provision are as follows:
(i) The disclosure to the subject of the investigation as stated
in (b) above would provide the subject with substantial information
relating to the nature of the investigation and could impede or
compromise the investigation.
(ii) If the subject were informed of the information required by
this provision, it could seriously interfere with undercover
activities requiring disclosure of undercover agents' identity and
impairing their safety, as well as imparing the successful conclusion
of the investigation.
(iii) Individuals may be contracted during preliminary
information-gathering in investigations before any individual is
identified as the subject of an investigation. Informing the
individual of the matters required by this provision would hinder or
adversely affect any present or subsequent investigations.
(7) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(5) requires that records be maintained with
such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is
reasonably necessary to assure fairness to the individual in making
any determination about an individual. Since the law defines
``maintain'' to include the collection of information complying with
this provision would prevent the collection of any data not shown to
be accurate, relevant, timely, and complete at the moment of its
collection. In gathering information during the course of an
investigation it is not possible to determine this prior to
collection of the information. Facts are first gathered and then
placed into a logical order which objectively proves or disproves
criminal behavior on the part of the suspect. Material which may seem
unrelated, irrelevant, incomplete, untimely, etc., may take on added
meaning as an investigation progresses. The restrictions in this
provision could interfere with the preparation of a complete
investigative report.
(8) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(8) requires an agency to make reasonable
efforts to serve notice on an individual when any record of such
individual is made available to any persons; under compulsory legal
process when such process becomes a matter of public record. The
notice requirements of this provision could prematurely reveal an
ongoing criminal investigation to the subject of the investigation.
Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1):
(1) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) requires that an agency make accountings
of disclosures of records available to individuals named in the
record at their request. These accountings must state the date,
nature and purpose of each disclosure of the record and the name and
address of the recipient. The application of this provision would
alert subjects of an investigation to the existence of the
investigation, and that such persons are subjects of that
investigation, information which if known might cause damage to
national security.
(2) 5 U.S.C. 552a (d), (e)(4) (G) and (H), and (f) relate to an
individual's right to be notified of the existence of records
pertaining to such individual; requirements for identifying an
individual who requests access to records; and the agency procedures
relating to access to records, and the contest of information
contained in such records. This system is exempt from the foregoing
provisions for the following reasons: To notify an individual at the
individual's request of the existence of records in an investigative
file pertaining to such individual or to grant access to an
investigative file could interfere with investigations undertaken in
connection with national security; or could disclose the identity of
sources kept secret to protect national security or reveal
confidential information supplied by these sources.
(3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(3)(4)(I) requires the publication of the
categories of sources of records in each system of records. The
application of this provision could disclose the identity of sources
kept secret to protect national security.
(4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) requires each agency to maintain in its
records only such information about an individual that is relevant
and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required by
statute or Executive Order. An exemption from the foregoing is needed
:
a. Because it is not possible to detect relevance or necessity of
specific information in the early stages of an investigation
involving national security matters.
b. Relevance and necessity are questions of judgment and timing.
What appears relevant and necessary when collected may ultimately be
determined to be unnecessary. It is only after the information is
evaluated that the relevance and necessity of such information can be
established.
c. In any investigation the Inspector General may obtain
information concerning the violators of laws other than those within
the scope of his jurisdiction. In the interests of effective law
enforcement, the Inspector General should retain this information as
it may aid in establishing patterns of criminal activity, and provide
leads for those law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing other
segments of criminal or civil law.
d. In interviewing persons, or obtaining forms of evidence during
an investigation, information may be supplied to the investigator
which relate to matters incidental to the main purpose of the
investigation but which may relate to matters under the investigative
jurisdiction of another agency. Such information cannot readily be
segregated.
Reasons for exemptions under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5):
(1) 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) requires that an agency make accountings
of disclosures of records available to individuals named in the
records at their request. These accountings must stated the date,
nature and purpose of each disclosure of the record and the name and
address of the recipient. The application of this provision would
alert subjects of an investigation to the existence of the
investigation and that such persons are subjects of that
investigation. Since release of such information to subjects of an
investigation would provide the subject with significant information
concerning the nature of the investigation, it could result in the
altering or destruction of documentary evidence, improper influencing
of witnesses, and other activities that could impede or compromise
the investigation.
(2) 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), (e)(4)(G) and (H), and (f) relate to an
individual's right to be notified of the existence of records
pertaining to such individual; requirements for identifying an
individual who requests access to records; and the agency procedures
relating to access to records and the contest of information
contained in such records. This system is exempt from the foregoing
provisions for the following reasons: To notify an individual at the
individual's request of the existence of records in an investigative
file pertaining to such individual or to grant access to an
investigative file could interfere with investigative and enforcement
proceedings; co-defendants of a right to a fair trial; constitute an
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy of others; disclose the
identity of confidential sources and reveal confidential information
supplied by these sources; and disclose investigative techniques and
procedures.
(3) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) requires the publication of the
categories of sources of records in each system of records. The
application of this provision could disclose investigative techniques
and procedures and cause sources to refrain from giving such
information because of fear of reprisal, or fear of breach of
promises of anonymity and confidentiality. This would compromise the
ability to conduct investigations, and to make fair and objective
decisions on questions of suitability for Federal employment and
related issues.
(4) 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) requires each agency to maintain in its
records only such information about an individual that is relevant
and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required by
statute or Executive Order. An exemption from the foregoing is
needed:
a. Because it is not possible to detect relevance or necessity of
specific information in the early stages of an investigation.
b. Relevance and necessity are questions of judgment and timing.
What appears relevant and necessary when collected may ultimately be
determined to be unnecessary. It is only after that information is
evaluated that the relevance and necessity of such information can be
established.
c. In any investigation the Inspector General may obtain
information concerning the violations of laws other than those within
the scope of his jurisdiction. In the interest of effective law
enforcement, the Inspector General should retain this information as
it may aid in establishing patterns of criminal activity, and provide
leads for those law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing other
segments of criminal or civil law.
d. In interviewing persons, or obtaining other forms of evidence
during an investigation, information may be supplied to the
investigator which relate to matters incidental to the main purpose
of the investigation but which may relate to matters under
investigative jurisdiction of another agency. Such information cannot
readily be segregated.
#.. COMMERCE/DEPT-13
#....System name: Investigative and Security Records--COMMERCE/DEPT-
13.
System location:
Departmental Office of Security, OS, Herbert C. Hoover Building,
Washington, DC 20230.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
Nominees, members, and former members of public advisory
committees, trade missions and export councils; employees, former
employees, and prospective employees; research associates; and guest
workers. Employees of contractors used, or which may be used, by the
Department on national security classified projects. Principal
officers of some contractors used, or which may be used by the
Department, principal officers and some employees of organizations,
firms, or institutions which were recipients or beneficiaries, or
prospective recipients or beneficiaries, of grants, loans, or loan
guarantee programs of the Department prior to May 9, 1980.
Categories of records in the system:
Name; address; date and place of birth; Social Security Number;
citizenship; physical characteristics; employment and military
service history; credit references and credit records; education;
medical history; arrest records; Federal employee relatives; dates
and purpose of visits to foreign countries; passport numbers; names
of spouses, relatives, references, and personal associates;
activities; and security; and suitability materials. This system does
not include records of EEO investigations. Such records are covered
in a government-wide system noticed by the Office of Personnel
Management and now the responsibility of the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission. For assistance contact the Privacy Officer
for the Office of the Secretary.
Authority for maintenance of the system:
Executive Orders 10450, 11478, 12065, 5 U.S.C. 301 and 7531-332;
15 U.S.C. 1501 et. seq.; 28 U.S.C. 533-535; 44 U.S.C. 3101; and Equal
Employment Act of 1972.
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including
categories of users and the purposes of such uses:
Information concerning nominees, members and former members of
public advisory committees may be disclosed: (a) To OMB in connection
with its committee management responsibilities; (b) to other Federal
agencies which have joint responsibility for advisory committees or
which receive or utilize advice of the committees; and (c) to a
Federal, state or local agency, private organization or individual as
necessary to obtain information in connection with a decision
concerning appointment or reappointment of an individual to committee
membership.
Information concerning (1) nominees, members, and former members
of trade missions and export councils; (2) current employees, former
employees, and prospective employees; (3) research associates; (4)
guest workers; (5) employees of contractors used, or which may be
used, by the Department on national security classified projects; (6)
principal officers of some contractors used, or which may be used, by
the Department; and (7) principal officers and some employees of
organizations, firms or institutions which are recipients or
beneficiaries or prospective recipients or beneficiaries of grants,
loans, guarantee or other assistance programs of the Department;--may
be disclosed to a private organization or individual as necessary to
obtain information in connection with a decision concerning the
assignment, hiring or retention of an individual, the issuance of a
security clearance, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a
license, grant or other benefit. Disclosure of information from this
system of records may also be made to commercial contractors (debt
collection agencies) for the purpose of collecting delinquent debts
as authorized by the Debt Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3718). See
routine use paragraphs in Prefatory Statement.
Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12): Disclosures may be
made from this system to ``consumer reporting agencies'' as defined
in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)), and the
Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)).
Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing,
retaining, and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
Paper records in file folders.
Retrievability:
Filed alphabetically by name.
Safeguards:
Other Popular 1997 Privacy Act Documents Documents:
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