Data goofs preceded theft / State seeks accountability in inspector's report
Source: By Mark Niquette, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH (OH), Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:51 AM
E-mail exchanges among state officials about the theft of a computer backup tape containing sensitive personal information are clear: That material was not supposed to be on the tape.
....... State leaders are looking to a report by Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles, expected Friday, to address lingering questions about the incident affecting more than 1.2 million Ohio individuals, businesses and other groups with Social Security numbers or other information on the tape.
........ Meanwhile, Strickland confirmed yesterday that his office has discussed trying to hold financially accountable outside contractors who worked on the new system if it is proven they were significantly responsible for not securing the data.
........ Sylvester said the state has paid $63.8 million of the $158 million cost of the new system to outside contractors since 2001, with $48.6 million going to Accenture.
Accenture corporate spokesman Peter Soh said company officials "regret that the whole incident happened and any negative impact it could have on the citizens of Ohio."