Reading Room Document

Legality of Proposed Executive Order Requiring Public Disclosure of Employee Financial Statements

The document is a memorandum opinion for the President's counsel regarding the legality of a proposed executive order requiring public disclosure of employee financial statements. The conclusion reached is that the President is prohibited from ordering public disclosure without the consent of the individuals involved. The document presents a detailed analysis of the application of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act to the proposed executive order, highlighting the potential invasion of privacy and the public interest in financial disclosure. The questions presented for review include the applicability of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act, as well as the permissibility of public disclosure under the routine use exception.

March 7, 1977