The Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk confirmed a breach involving personal information.
The clerk’s office said Monday that private citizens’ Social Security Numbers were “inappropriately” included on some criminal affidavits attached to public arrest warrants.
Those affected would be notified by the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office within 45 days. All victims would be offered one-year of credit monitoring and identity theft protection service.
“It is regrettable this information was made publicly available, and it absolutely should not have happened. We are looking into the scope of the breach including the Metro agencies and individuals involved, and will be relying on the services of a third-party vendor to help with the investigation. Our preliminary review indicates that only a small portion of the total affidavits contained confidential identifying information,” said Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry.
Metro Nashville became aware of the breach back on July 30. Officials said the Mayor’s Office took immediate action to address it.
“I want to make sure everyone understands that we are taking this very seriously, and we will take all appropriate steps to protect those residents whose personal information was made vulnerable,” said Mayor David Briley.
- On July 31, Metro Nashville Police reminded officers that social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other sensitive personal information should not be placed in an arrest warrant affidavit.
- On August 7, Judge Melissa Blackburn of the General Sessions Court issued an order that any arrest warrants including sensitive personal identifying information will not be signed by a Judicial Commissioner and will be sent back to the officer for editing.
- All affidavits connected to criminal record reports were removed from the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office website on August 3, 2018.
- A third party will review breached information to identify those persons impacted.
- Confidential personal identifying information will be scrubbed from all affidavits before being posted on the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office website.
According to a release, those affected were identified in affidavits because they were charged with a crime or they were an alleged victim of identity theft. Concerned residents should call the Criminal Court Clerk’s office for further information.
