Judge orders FDA to release documents

A judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered FDA on Monday to turn over documents related to the agency's surveillance of five employees suspected of leaking confidential information. The order covers all documents related to the "basis, inception, scope and duration" of FDA's surveillance, including documents authorizing the surveillance and any documentation demonstrating when and/or why the surveillance was initiated or terminated. The order includes records related to the "legality or appropriateness" of the surveillance and records on how FDA used the surveillance documents, including "any actual or proposed adverse personnel actions."

Judge James Boasberg said the agency has until Sept. 10 to turn over the documents. FDA must provide a list of the documents by Aug. 15. The National Whistleblower Center is seeking the internal agency documents under the Freedom of Information Act on behalf of current and former FDA employees. ...