Human Error, Not Politics, Caused Leak of Sherrill’s SSN, Watchdog Reports
The National Archives mistakenly released sensitive military files during last year’s New Jersey governor campaign. The documents included largely unredacted material, such as a Social Security number and a parents’ home address.
Watchdog findings
The Archives’ Office of the Inspector General completed an investigation. The report was obtained by Filmogaz.com through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The investigation found the disclosure was inadvertent. The OIG blamed lapses in procedure and attention to detail rather than political motives.
What went wrong
A technician at the records center handled a FOIA request without escalating it. The OIG said higher-level review could have involved the Navy and a different release decision.
The staff member did not notify a supervisor as required. Supervisors later proposed removing him from federal service, and he retired.
Political context and reactions
The leak occurred amid a close campaign between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli. Sherrill is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a former Navy helicopter pilot.
Sherrill’s team criticized the investigation’s conclusions. Her spokesman said the review lacked credibility because it was conducted under the Trump administration.
Responses from opposing sides
Ciattarelli’s campaign said it bore no responsibility. Its attorney said the campaign did nothing wrong and urged Sherrill to disclose records related to a Naval Academy incident.
Campaign officials also said a surrogate filed the FOIA request independently while researching military service. They added the released 85 pages did not address the academy cheating matter.
Background: the Naval Academy controversy
The controversy centers on an Electrical Engineering final exam that circulated before it was given. More than 130 midshipmen from a class due to graduate in May 1994 may have seen the test early.
Investigators later expelled 24 midshipmen. Sherrill was investigated, and she says she did not cheat. She has said she was penalized for refusing to identify classmates.
Key details and implications
The OIG highlighted that the FOIA involved a member of Congress. That status should have triggered immediate supervisory review and consultation with the National Personnel Record Center.
The NPRC serves as the central repository for military and civil service personnel files. Had the request been escalated, the Navy likely would have advised on how to proceed.
Summing up
- The OIG concluded Human Error, Not Politics, Caused Leak of Sherrill’s SSN.
- Watchdog Reports found procedural failures and no evidence of political direction.
- The Archives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
