The FBI established this classification June 14, 1977, to document the FBI's response to litigation arising from civil suits and administrative claims filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act. These cases include suits against present or former employees of the FBI, the FBI itself, or the U.S. Government. Claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act involve an allegation of a negligent or wrongful act on the part of FBI personnel. Claims under 31 USC 224 (b), also maintained in this classificaiton, involve no negligence or wrongdoing but arise whenever inury, damge, or loss of property occurs through an intentional act performed in the line of duty. The largest categories of actions and claims filed under this classification comprise the following: (1)claims against the government resulting from auto accidents involving FBI vehicles, (2)Freedom of Information and Privacy Act suits by persons seeking access to FBI records, (3)suits by prisoners against the FBI for unlawful actions, and (4)suits by individuals or organizations alleging infringement of rights in the FBI's conduct of internal security investigations (e.g., COINTELPRO operations). Prior to 1977, civil actions and claims were filed under classification 62, and any suit arising from a Freedom of Information or Priviacy Act (FIO/PA) request was filed with the request under classification 190. claims under Federal Tort Claims Act resulting from accidents involving FBI employees and vehicles were filed in the "accident file with subs for the Field Office" under classification 66; other Federal Tort Claims Act cases not involving FBI personnel were maintained in classification 120. the 197 classification was established for administrative convenience in locating materials. All closed or pending cases as of 1977 remained in their previous file classificaiton, but new cases were assigned to classification 197.
