The U.S. Postal Service handed GOP opposition researchers ex-CIA officer's private federal security application

Abigail Spanberger, the Democrat challenging Rep. Dave Brat (R) in Virginia's competitive 7th Congressional District, wants to know how a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) obtained her security clearance application. On Wednesday morning, BuzzFeed News had an answer: The U.S. Postal Service handed over an unredacted copy of the extensive, invasive form in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from conservative opposition-research group America Rising. America Rising then gave the file to the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC, as the CLF told The New York Times.

Releasing someone's SF-86 application, BuzzFeed notes, is "a highly unusual, and perhaps unprecedented, move."

According to documents viewed by BuzzFeed News, America Rising requested Spanberger's entire civilian personnel file from the National Archives' National Personnel Records Center on July 9, the NPRC forwarded the request to the USPS, and the USPS gave America Rising her entire file, including the SF-86, on July 30. America Rising CEO Joe Pounder told BuzzFeed it has submitted a "standard" FOIA request, adding, "Why the USPS disclosed certain information in response to the FOIA is for their response." He said Spanberger's objection shows she's trying to block "transparency." Spanberger says she found out the CLF had her file when an Associated Press reporter showed it to her.

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The SF-86 form includes the applicant's Social Security number, addresses and employment history, and any drug or alcohol use, among other personal information. "Someone at the USPS FOIA office is getting fired," FOIA and security clearance lawyer Bradley Moss told BuzzFeed. "SF86 paperwork is categorically privacy protected and to my knowledge has never been released through FOIA to a third party absent a privacy waiver." The USPS has not yet responded to BuzzFeed's request for comment.