Philadelphia Inquirer
June 26, 2006

VA Can't Publicize Credit Offer To Vets

WASHINGTON - A federal judge temporarily has barred the government from publicizing its free credit-monitoring offer to veterans whose personal data was stolen and who wants to see if they might get a better federal offer.

Lawyers who have filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of the 26.5 million veterans and active-duty troops affected contend that accepting the government's offer could jeopardize their chance of winning more money in the privacy suit.

U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman in Kentucky scheduled a hearing for Friday to determine whether the Veterans Affairs Department should revise its offer. His order on the credit monitoring was issued late Friday.

--AP