Betrayed by the System: Honorably Separated Army Veteran Fights Back After Privacy Breach

Former Army Soldier Brings Lawsuit under the Privacy Act Seeking Justice for the Illegal & Unlawful Dissemination of Documents Within His Official Military Personnel File.

In a new federal lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia files against the Department of the Army for violations of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, a former Army soldier fights back. The case tells the story of a decorated Army veteran whose confidential military records were unlawfully accessed and weaponized in a personal dispute, leading to profound personal and economic harm.

The plaintiff, a former Staff Sergeant honorably discharged after nearly a decade of service, had earned multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and three Army Achievement Medals. His Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), protected under federal law, should have remained confidential. Instead, a tangled web of misconduct ensued: through illicit access by a member of his former unit, personal records including an official photograph stamped “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY” were leaked to his estranged former girlfriend who was unaffiliated with the military. Those records were then used maliciously during court proceedings to shame and discredit him.

This filing asserts that a current Army Staff Sergeant deliberately obtained and shared these records without consent or legal justification, violating the core tenets of the Privacy Act. A subsequent Army investigation confirmed the breach, yet the Army withheld details of disciplinary action against the violator, citing “privacy concerns,” a bitter irony, considering the veteran’s rights had already been severely violated.

At stake is not merely personal redress. This case seeks to hold the Army accountable for systemic failures in safeguarding service members’ records. The complaint demands monetary damages for emotional and financial injuries, the correction of inaccurate or derogatory records, and legal fees, but more critically, it serves as a bellwether to ensure federal agencies uphold their sacred trust to protect those who have served.

What This Filing Means for the Defendant

The Department of the Army must now answer for its breach of duty under the Privacy Act. The lawsuit challenges not only the actions of the individuals involved but also the Army’s systemic inability to prevent, detect, or properly respond to the unauthorized disclosure of protected information. A successful verdict could force greater transparency, reform, and accountability within military record-keeping systems.

Correcting a Deep Wrong

Beyond personal vindication, this legal action seeks to affirm a basic principle: that those who serve their country should not have their private histories weaponized against them. Through this suit, the plaintiff demands that the government right this wrong, restoring dignity, enforcing accountability, and strengthening privacy protections for all service members.

About the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon:

The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC, based in Washington, D.C., is a nationally recognized military and federal employment law firm. With decades of experience defending service members and federal employees, the firm brings unparalleled dedication to safeguarding the rights, careers, and reputations of those who serve our nation.  The firm previously won the right of servicemembers the right to sue in Cummings v. Department of the Navy and In re: Sealed Case, Mr. Sheldon won the right for National Guard members to sue under the Privacy Act-even if the member is under state orders.

Contact Us: Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC
100 M Street SE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20003
militarydefense.com
Phone: (202) 546-9575

Error and Injustice Reversed in Clearing CDL Driver’s Mistaken Record in National Driver Register

Law Offices of David P. Sheldon Secures Clearance for Professional Driver Wrongfully Suspended Due to State Record Error

Washington, D.C. – The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC, has successfully resolved a critical driver’s license suspension case on behalf of a Pennsylvania resident whose professional livelihood was threatened by an unfounded suspension recorded in Tennessee.

The plaintiff, a professional driver, was wrongfully flagged in the National Driver Register due to a decades-old Tennessee violation record that did not belong to them. Despite clear evidence that they were not the driver who had failed to appear in Tennessee court or pay the related fine, the error caused the suspension of their driving privileges and blocked the renewal of their Pennsylvania CDL driver’s license.

The wrongful suspension jeopardized the plaintiff’s ability to drive commercially, causing significant and unjust hardship, including the loss of income opportunities and disruption to their professional life.

Through tenacious legal advocacy, the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC worked directly with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Williamson County Juvenile Court, and Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT). After a detailed legal review, Tennessee officials formally reversed the erroneous suspension and cleared the plaintiff’s driving record, allowing the plaintiff to regain their full commercial and personal driving privileges.

“Our client was unfairly burdened by an error that had real, damaging consequences on their ability to work and provide for themselves,” said David P. Sheldon, founding attorney. “No individual should have to suffer career-altering setbacks due to bureaucratic mistakes. We were proud to stand up for our client, correct the record, and restore their rights.”

The firm remains committed to defending individuals who face unfair or erroneous government actions, when administrative errors interfere with livelihoods, security, and personal rights.

About the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC:
Located in Washington, D.C., the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC specializes in military, federal, and administrative law. The firm has earned national recognition for defending service members, veterans, and civilians against injustice in administrative and court proceedings.

Contact:
The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC
100 M Street SE, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20003
Phone: (202) 546-9575
www.militarydefense.com

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship.