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Report: DHS caseworker used state data to help boyfriend repo cars

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Illinois

* From a press release…

Acting Executive Inspector General Thomas Klein today discussed the findings of an OEIG investigation into improper use of government records at the Department of Human Services (DHS). The investigation, made public today by the Executive Ethics Commission, found that DHS Caseworker Laroddica White had improperly used government databases to assist her boyfriend with his private business.

“State employees may not use confidential information from State databases for their own benefit,” said Acting EIG Klein.

DHS Caseworker Laroddica White was responsible for determining eligibility for benefits, among other duties. In order to fulfill her duties, she had access to confidential databases containing DHS client information, including social security numbers and current addresses. The OEIG found over two dozen instances where Ms. White accessed the database to obtain information to assist her boyfriend with his private business, ML Enterprises, a vehicle repossession company. After Ms. White provided confidential information to her boyfriend, his business used the information to repossess the vehicles of DHS clients.

“Ms. White took advantage of her State employment for her own private benefit, and she used confidential information against the interests of DHS clients,” said Deputy Inspector General Joshua I. Grant, who supervised the investigation. “Her actions violated the public trust.”

The OEIG recommended that Ms. White be terminated. DHS concurred and initiated termination proceedings. Ms. White resigned from DHS prior to the conclusion of those proceedings.

Ugh.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 8:59 am

Comments

Both Ms. White and the boyfriend need to be arrested, charged and convicted. This kind of stuff throws the whole system on it’s ear. It just causes people with little trust to have even less. Ugh…is right.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:03 am
How did they even discover that was happening? That’s terrible.

Comment by QCLib Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:32 am
When the state has files that info will be stolen and used.

Comment by ANON Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:49 am
Resigned ???.. where are the police ,Attorney General to arrest , this ex employee??

Comment by better days Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:55 am
Some of these investigations can be dubious, with punishments not fitting of the crime. The ==beer tickets== or ==lunch== investigations, for example.

This is not one of those.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 9:57 am
This does go on way too often. I’ve heard of similar situations, the employee was reported and nothing was done. Hopefully this will send a message……

Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:10 am
Criminal charges need to be filed, and this woman should be in jail for a long, long time. If no laws were broken, then new ones dealing with disclosure of confidential government information need to be created pronto.

Comment by Andy S. Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:26 am
Unfortunate and harmful incident. Has to be found out and punished when it occurs. But happens occasionally at all levels of government, including in police departments, and in private industry too.

Comment by walker Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 10:59 am
And without being convicted she’s going to get any pension benefits accrued.

Comment by Midway Gardens Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 11:36 am
Why is the Ethics Office handling instead of States Atty?

Comment by D.P.Gumby Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 12:06 pm
++“Ms. White took advantage of her State employment for her own private benefit, and she used confidential information against the interests of DHS clients,” said Deputy Inspector General Joshua I. Grant, who supervised the investigation. “Her actions violated the public trust.”++
I call this identity thieve - and Ms White and her boyfriend should be arrested for it. People like this give all state workers a bad rap!

Comment by Mama Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 1:12 pm
1. Prosecution.

2. Felony conviction.

3. Loss of pension benefits.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Jun 29, 15 @ 4:53 pm