June 20, 2008
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in conjunction with the State Police, Inspector General's Office and Albany County District Attorney's Office today announced the arrest of a DMV employee who is being charged with multiple counts of misconduct for accessing personal information through the DMV database. Through the efforts of DMV Investigators, based on a complaint received earlier this week, they were able to quickly identify the individual and execute the arrest.
"I applaud the swift efforts of the DMV Investigators who identified and apprehended the employee in question, which prevented further abuses. The conduct of our associates who illegally access personal information is completely unacceptable," said DMV Commissioner David J. Swarts. "The Department constantly reminds its employees that it is illegal to disclose or use personal information in any unauthorized manner. It violates the public trust and will not be tolerated."
Guy Rivers, 38, of Albany has been charged with five felony charges related to computer crimes and five misdemeanor charges for official misconduct. Rivers, who has been a state employee with the DMV since 2005, will be arraigned in Albany County Court and has been suspended pending disciplinary action.
"While the vast majority of state employees adhere to their responsibility to safeguard official data, appropriate action will be taken against those who do not," New York State Inspector General Joseph Fisch said.
Albany County District Attorney David Soares said, "Improperly accessing information is illegal, and we will continue to prosecute those who engage in similar conduct. I commend the DMV investigators for their swift action to hold this individual accountable for his actions and ensure that there was no further breach of information."
The investigation conducted by the DMV Division of Field Investigation and State Police, along with the New York State Inspector General's Office and the Albany County District Attorney's Office, is continuing.
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