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State Worker Confesses in Utah List Case

Posted July 20, 2010 by Patrick Young, Esq.
Categories: Hate Watch

A Utah state worker has confessed involvement in the release of confidential information by creating a list of alleged undocumented immigrants. According to the Deseret News:

The Department of Workforce Services fired one — a temporary employee — on Tuesday, and filed an “intent to terminate employment” for the other.

[Utah] Gov. Herbert said the two employees conducted a “very methodical, thoughtful, very planned” invasion of databases “to get around security checks.” He said at least one had confessed.

DWS executive director Kristen Cox said, “Workforce Services’ staff members are carefully trained on the appropriate use and dissemination of private data as required by federal laws and regulations.”

“We carefully protect the personal information that we gather, and take very seriously breaches of that public trust. The list contained inaccurate information and undermines the need to maintain confidentiality and adhere to the due process rules of our country.”

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he is ready to begin an investigation immediately, as well as share findings with the U.S. Attorney for Utah because of the possibility that state and federal privacy laws were violated.

Tags : hate watch, utah

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