Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel February 14, 1979 (Assertion of State Secrets Privilege in Civil Litigation)

February 14, 1979

79-14 MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LEGAL COUNSEL,

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Assertion of State Secrets Privilege in Civil

Litigation

This responds to your request for the views o f this Office regarding two

questions: (1) whether properly classified information qualifies for nondis­

closure in civil litigation on the basis o f the privilege for state