Burkhart v. Saxbe

OPINION AND ORDER

VANARTSDALEN, District Judge.

The primary issue before the court is whether John N. Mitchell is liable in damages to persons whose conversations were overheard during non-consensual telephone wiretaps that were authorized by him as “national security” surveillances in his capacity as Attorney General of the United States. The parties have filed cross motions for summary judgment and agree that there are no genuine issues of material fact in dispute.

The two wiretaps in question, one on the telephone of William Davidon, the other on the telephone of the Black Panther Party, were…