Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is under scrutiny by Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (MBCA) after it was revealed that a DNR employee had accessed about 5,000 driving and motor vehicle records without authorization. It has also spawned criticism of the agency from area residents.
The now former employee is being investigated by the MBCA. However, as of Wednesday morning no charges had been filed.
DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr is taking fire from critics of the agency that oversees the state’s natural resources — hunting, fishing, timber, waterways and lands. In a statement to the media, Landwehr said, “The agency is implementing additional employee training and looking into ways to monitor access to the data to ensure it doesn’t happen again.” One might call that closing the barn door after the cattle are out.
By the way, it is illegal for government employees to access driver license information without government authorization. Unfortunately, audits conducted by the state have found that “misuse is common and a number of public employees have faced discipline for it,” according to the Associated Press.
Dispatch readers have commented on the most recent invasion of privacy by the state agency, with many comments focusing on the agency’s leader.
One reader comment stated: “DNR corruption, what’s new. This is a taxpayer funded organization. They can start at the top with Landwher and Niskanen just for covering up the corruption.”
Another Dispatch website commentator stated: “This really needs outside investigation...no more ‘fox in charge of the henhouse.’”
If the DNR is a state agency that needs to be investigated thoroughly, I do believe the MBCA is the one agency that will dig deeply enough to determine the criminality involved in this most recent situation. However, if the DNR needs to have new leadership, then, as one blogger said: “Mark Dayton, the ball is in your court.”
This recent incident is something that needs to be scrutinized by the media and the people of the state in order to ensure a proper outcome.
Keith Hansen
Comments (3)
Add commentAnother reason the DNR shouldn't have our social security number
This is just another example of our government being irresponsible holders of data. Any private company would be sued for such a breach but the DNR basically says oops, sorry. This employee should be in jail.
When our government started to require us to provide our Social Security Number to get a drivers or hunting license, they should have greatly increased their data security. The 5,000 people could now easily be victims of fraud or identity theft. All the DNR said was to watch your credit. Private companies normally provide credit monitoring for some period if their data is breached. The DNR should do the same and the person who did the breach should be prosecuted, jailed and made to pay the cost of this service.
It is really time for the government to STOP using your SSN as part of your ID. The proliferation of this practice by both the government and private companies who have no legitimate reason for having it has caused this huge increase in identity theft.
STOP GIVING YOUR SSN TO PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE IT.
Start at the top
Mark Dayton. Do I need to say more? A political appointee again. The old buddy system again no matter what crooked politician is in charge. Dayton passed over a perfect choice to get the present fella that came from North Dakota and had specialized in Lizards.
You can't even get a quote on
You can't even get a quote on car insurance without giving your social security number but you MUST have car insurance.