A concerned citizen’s letter to federal drug agents about possible corruption in a local sheriff’s department is considered a “record” to be protected from disclosure under federal privacy laws, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

With other federal appellate courts divided on the issue, the 2nd Circuit, in an opinion by Judge Jose A. Cabranes, chose to adopt the broadest definition of what is considered a record under the Privacy Act of 1974.