By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – An Illinois pilot involved in a friendly fire bombing in Afghanistan is suing the Air Force.
Maj. Harry Schmidt is accusing the Air Force of ruining his reputation by releasing a letter of reprimand.
The suit claims the military violated the federal Privacy Act by disclosing parts of his military record without his permission.
An out-of-court settlement kept Schmidt from being court-martialed for the bombing that killed four Canadian soldiers in April 2002. His lawsuit says Schmidt suffered damage to his reputation, mental distress, embarrassment and emotional trauma.
Schmidt filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Springfield on Friday. Schmidt's attorney, Charles Gittins, says the military also violated an out-of-court settlement agreement.