FEMA Argues Privacy in Shielding Claims Records

· Story link

The Federal Emergency Management Agency told a court in Florida that it is withholding the names of people who received federal hurricane damage funds after the state’s four 2004 hurricanes because their right to privacy outweighs the public’s interest in knowing how the money was spent – despite evidence, including grand jury indictments, of widespread fraud in doling out the many millions. FEMA made the claim in a brief contesting a suit brought by three Gannett newspapers in Florida. (9/20/05)