Va. Court Finds CIA Employee's Lead-Poisoning Claims Preempted by FECA

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -Privacy and other employment claims brought by a lead-poisoned CIA training instructor are preempted by the Federal Employees Compensation Act, a federal judge has ruled. Richards v. Central Intelligence Agency, No. 1:11-cv-784 (E.D. Va.).

Calling the case "troubling and tragic," Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia nonetheless dismissed the action brought by Franklin Richards against the CIA, saying in his Nov. 16 opinion that the FECA provides the exclusive remedy for any harm suffered by Richards.

Judge Trenga said the evidence showed that Richards was assigned to conduct …