State workers charged with using confidential data

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

State officials say three state workers misused confidential information about reported child abuse, including one who gave the information to a friend who stalked a girl he thought was his daughter.

The Inspector General’s office says the Office of Children and Family Services employees got the information from telephone tips alleging child abuse.

Investigators say one employee gave information to an acquaintance who then stalked a 14-year-old girl.

Another is accused of using the records to incriminate her estranged husband and the third of looking up information about a juvenile and a social worker in an ongoing family problem.

All are charged with felony computer trespass, as well as official misconduct and improperly disclosing confidential information, both misdemeanors. Their identities were not available this afternoon.