Scientist Awarded $5.8M in Anthrax Lawsuit

This is crap.

A former Army scientist who was named as a person of interest in the 2001 anthrax attacks will receive $5.8 million to settle his lawsuit against the Justice Department. Steven Hatfill claimed the Justice Department violated his privacy rights by speaking with reporters about the case.

Settlement documents were filed in federal court Friday. Both sides have agreed to the deal, according to the documents, and as soon as they are signed, the case will be dismissed.

The deal requires the Justice Department to pay $2.825 million up front and buy Hatfill a $3 million annuity that will pay him $150,000 each year for 20 years.

The purpose of a settlement like this should serve two purposes.  The first purpose is to repay the victim for any real damages.  The second purpose is to punish the perpetrator. 

In this case, I highly doubt that the guy really had over $5 million in damages to satisfy.  And the punishment motive is moot when the government is the perpetrator because they are not spending their own money - they are spending ours.