Conservative Classifieds

Add Some Zip to Your Web Site! Have your own web site? Pick up a web sticker to direct your readers to information on legislation, congressional votes, candidates, elections, and more! Just choose your favorite sticker, and copy the code for easy installation.

E-mail this story to a friend Have comments? Send them to the editor. Printer Friendly Version Subscribe for Free!

Page 2 of 2

Obama's files were compromised on three occasions -- Jan. 9, Feb. 21 and March 14. By the time senior officials were made aware, the two contract employees for Stanley had been fired and a TAC employee was disciplined, officials said.

Just this week, Stanley won a five-year, $570 million government contract extension to support passport services.

The department's internal computer system ''flags'' certain records, including those of high-profile people, to tip off supervisors when someone tries to view the records without an appropriate reason.

McCormack said an early review of the incidents points to workers' ''imprudent curiosity'' more than something more sinister.

But ''we are not dismissive of any other possibility, and that's the reason why we have an investigation under way,'' he said.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey said the case has not yet been referred to the Justice Department for investigation, and indicated prosecutors were likely to wait until the State Department's inspector general concludes that inquiry. But Mukasey did not rule out the possibility of the Justice Department taking an independent look.

It was not clear whether the employees saw anything other than the basic personal data such as name, citizenship, age, Social Security number and place of birth, which is required when someone fills out a passport application.

The file also includes date and place of birth and address at time of application. Agency officials said the files generally would not list countries the person has traveled to.

---

AP Business Writer Dan Caterinicchia contributed to this report.

>> Back -- Page 1 2

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

++ Discuss this topic in The Forum

This page has not been rated.