Trooper Accessed 182 People's Information
Department Of Safety Won't Release Names Of Individuals On List
POSTED: 4:15 pm CDT August 19,
2008
UPDATED: 11:02 pm CDT August 19,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- An investigation into a state trooper has found that he accessed background information on 182 people.
Video: Trooper Placed On Leave After InvestigationBut Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Mike Walker said on Tuesday the list accessed by Lt. Ronnie Shirley doesn't include any elected officials or political figures.The department won't release the names of those individuals on the list, but Walker said it included two journalists and one country music personality.Lawmakers had said they wanted to see the full list of people that Shirley accessed.Officials have interviewed Shirley, but Walker declined to say what they discussed. However, he speculated the officer may have been driven by "nosiness."Most of the information accessed by Shirley is available to the general public, though some records like those kept in the Department of Corrections database, are not.Shirley has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.Though the investigation into Shirley began in the spring, few knew about it until last month when the story began circulating in the media.The Department of Safety said they will continue the investigation into Shirley and would not turn it over to an outside source."I have total confidence and faith that we can conduct this investigation, and we will," said Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell.Gov. Phil Bredesen said he doesn't believe the information was part of a bigger political plot."I think it's just somebody who has some time on their hands, which is a problem in its self, who is doing this kind of thing to show that he had access or to answer a question about somebody," said Bredesen.However, Republican Party Chair Robin Smith is skeptical of the governor's response."The facts that are involved could impact very drastically the outcome of this November's election, so we're not talking about an internal affairs matter of impropriety. We're talking about strong allegations that cross both party lines," said Smith.Safety officials said they will call all 182 people and let them know that their personal information may have been jeopardized.
Video: Trooper Placed On Leave After InvestigationBut Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Mike Walker said on Tuesday the list accessed by Lt. Ronnie Shirley doesn't include any elected officials or political figures.The department won't release the names of those individuals on the list, but Walker said it included two journalists and one country music personality.Lawmakers had said they wanted to see the full list of people that Shirley accessed.Officials have interviewed Shirley, but Walker declined to say what they discussed. However, he speculated the officer may have been driven by "nosiness."Most of the information accessed by Shirley is available to the general public, though some records like those kept in the Department of Corrections database, are not.Shirley has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.Though the investigation into Shirley began in the spring, few knew about it until last month when the story began circulating in the media.The Department of Safety said they will continue the investigation into Shirley and would not turn it over to an outside source."I have total confidence and faith that we can conduct this investigation, and we will," said Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell.Gov. Phil Bredesen said he doesn't believe the information was part of a bigger political plot."I think it's just somebody who has some time on their hands, which is a problem in its self, who is doing this kind of thing to show that he had access or to answer a question about somebody," said Bredesen.However, Republican Party Chair Robin Smith is skeptical of the governor's response."The facts that are involved could impact very drastically the outcome of this November's election, so we're not talking about an internal affairs matter of impropriety. We're talking about strong allegations that cross both party lines," said Smith.Safety officials said they will call all 182 people and let them know that their personal information may have been jeopardized.
Previous Stories:
- August 19, 2008: Lawmakers Receive Unsolicited Private Info
- August 15, 2008: THP Concerned By Media Leak
- August 13, 2008: THP Official Accused Of Abusing Power
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