State employees fired after giving personal info to Montana lawmakers

HELENA — Montana health officials fired two state employees for turning over personal information, including Social Security numbers, of scores of childcare providers to three state legislators, according to documents and interviews with people involved in the terminations.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services officials recently confirmed that the employment of the two workers was terminated last fall after internal checks discovered the unauthorized release.

The data included personal information of 185 childcare providers taking part in an early childhood service program, according to letters sent by department director Richard Opper in February and March to the three legislators, Rep. Tom Burnett, Sen. Roger Webb and Sen. Bob Keenan.

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"It's a very serious issue," said department spokesman Jon Ebelt. "It's a violation of public trust."

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/state-employees-fired-after-giving-personal-info-to-montana-lawmakers/article_6cd98790-5d9c-5c28-8c0f-46946dd996f9.html