Utah identifies 2 allegedly behind immigrant list
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah officials said Friday they have identified at least two state workers who apparently accessed confidential documents to create a list of 1,300 purported illegal immigrants that was mailed to law enforcement officials and the news media.
Gov. Gary Herbert said the employees work for the Department of Workforce Services, which administers food stamp programs and other public benefits. The employees have been placed on administrative leave.
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The Utah attorney general's office also will investigate and decide whether to file charges.
Intentionally releasing a private record in Utah is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If someone stole such a record, it could be prosecuted as a felony with a penalty punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Herbert said accessing the list and distributing to federal immigration authorities could also be a violation of federal law.
The list contains Social Security numbers, birth dates, workplaces, addresses and phone numbers. Names of children are included, along with due dates of pregnant women.
Cox said most of the people on the list are there because their children are receiving
benefits.
What a scary violation of personal information! I don't care what reasons the people had - this needs to be prosecuted.
