Updated on: March 31, 2026 / 5:09 PM EDT / CBS News
Washington — The inspector general for the National Archives and Records Administration concluded that the improper release of Rep.-turned-gubernatorial-candidate Mikie Sherrill’s largely unredacted military records during last year’s New Jersey governor’s race resulted from human error, not a political motive.
Investigators found the Freedom of Information Act request that led to the disclosure had been properly filed. The failure occurred later in processing: an Archives technician released the records in error and did not follow established escalation protocol. The probe found no evidence the release was politically motivated.
Sherrill and other Democrats had suggested the disclosure looked coordinated with her Republican opponent and allies of the Trump administration. Sherrill ultimately defeated Jack Ciattarelli in the governor’s race. The Office of the Inspector General opened the inquiry days after CBS News reported that the Archives had released Sherrill’s records to Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Ciattarelli.
The documents released included Sherrill’s Social Security number, home addresses for her and her parents, life insurance information, performance evaluations and a nondisclosure agreement related to classified information. The release raised concerns under the Privacy Act of 1974 and FOIA.
Mark Sheridan, lawyer for the Ciattarelli campaign, said the IG finding vindicated the campaign and urged Sherrill to release records about her role in a 1994 Naval Academy cheating scandal. A Sherrill spokesperson criticized the probe, saying the Trump-era Archives “investigated itself” and that its conclusion “has zero credibility,” and reiterated that sensitive personal information was recklessly released.
CBS News began reporting on Sherrill last year amid questions about the 1994 Naval Academy incident, in which more than 100 midshipmen were implicated in cheating. Sherrill has said she was not accused of cheating but was punished for not reporting classmates; she graduated and served in the Navy.
CBS News obtained the IG report after filing a FOIA request to the National Archives. The investigation confirmed CBS’s earlier reporting and stated, “No evidence was developed during the investigation indicating the disclosure was politically motivated.”
The IG found the technician handling De Gregorio’s request should have notified a supervisor and escalated the review because the request involved a member of Congress. The technician, whose name is redacted in the report, admitted the mistake and said it was likely “caused by being distracted and not focusing entirely on the task at hand.” Supervisors proposed the technician’s removal for neglect of duty on Dec. 16, 2025; the employee retired instead of facing termination.
Following the incident, the National Archives implemented new practices aimed at improving reliability and accuracy for sensitive records and FOIA requests, including training and directives to prevent similar errors.
De Gregorio told CBS News he felt vindicated, saying he filed the FOIA request to determine whether Sherrill had been truthful about her service and encouraging citizens to use FOIA to hold officials accountable.
The release and subsequent reporting had ignited a political uproar last year, with both campaigns exchanging legal threats and negative ads. The IG report closes the investigation into motive but highlights procedural failures at the Archives that allowed the sensitive disclosure.
