Scott agrees to review of computer hard drives

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Morgan County Commission approved a request from Revenue Commissioner Amanda Scott to authorize a computer expert to examine the hard drives of two computers in her office. The request was made on condition that she is allowed to observe the procedure and destroy any information taken from the hard drives after it is reviewed.
The request was approved by a vote of three-to-one at an adjourned meeting on Jan.18. Voting in the negative was District 4 Commissioner Stacy George.
Scott said she would hand carry the hard drives to Wade Morgan at Alabama Forensic Data Services in Birmingham in order to save a $395 travel expense fee and use her discretionary fund to cover the cost. District I Commissioner Jeff Clark estimated the cost would run between $400 and $500.
In a work session that preceded the meeting, Scott’s attorney Jerry Knight reminded the governing body that Scott offered to turn over the hard drives to Morgan for viewing on Dec. 22.
George was not present at the work session.
Subsequently, Morgan collected hard drives from 19 county-owned computers, including those of all five members of the commission, and carried them to Birmingham for viewing. Those of Scott, Sheriff Greg Bartlett, now retired Probate Judge Bobby Day and Adonis Bailey, chairperson of the Morgan County Board of Registrars were not included.
When asked if she wanted to include her computer as a part of Scott’s request, Bailey told the commission she didn’t mind her emails being examined as long as the law is being followed and voter information is not jeopardized. She also indicated she would want to accompany the hard drive to Birmingham and be present when it is viewed. But when asked if she would be willing to pay to have it done, she said she didn’t have a discretionary fund.