Barack Obama's passport records 'improperly' viewed
Barack Obama's passport was inappropriately viewed
Also In The News
|
David Beckham is almost certain to win his 100th England cap in Paris next week after being recalled to Fabio Capello's squad to play France. |  |
Friday, 21, Mar 2008 09:03
The US state department has confirmed two contract employees have been fired and a third disciplined for inappropriately looking at presidential hopeful Barack Obama's passport file.
The department is investigating whether the motives were political, senior officials said.
State department spokesperson Sean McCormack said it is the department's initial view that this was "imprudent curiosity" on the part of these three separate individuals.
The viewings were in three separate locations on three separate dates - January 9th, February 21st and March 14th.
The state department said it is checking to see what information the employees could have accessed on the file.
"And did they do anything with it? That is a matter that we are having investigated," Mr McCormack added.
Patrick Kennedy, under secretary for management, said the matter was dealt with at the office level where the incidents occurred by the office-level supervisors, who took immediate steps but did not inform senior figures.
"I will fully acknowledge that this information should have been passed up the line," Mr Kennedy said.
The state department said the computer system flagged up the inappropriate viewings.