Commission approves ABI probe, audit of e-mail records

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The Morgan County Commission is moving ahead with two motions that could lead to a criminal investigation and a state audit of e-mail messages sent or received by the county’s elected and appointed officials and their employees in recent months.
The first motion, approved Tuesday during a regular meeting, authorized Chairman John Glasscock to report e-mail irregularities to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation and request an investigation to determine whether any criminal offenses have been committed.
The second motion was offered by District 4 Commissioner Stacy George. It authorizes the chairman to request the state examiner of public accounts to conduct an audit of e-mail records to determine if they show evidence of gross political activity, personal business or pornography.
Both actions were taken at the end of the 35-minute meeting and received the support of all four commissioners.
George said he earlier contacted the ABI about the possibility of conducting a criminal investigation and was referred to the examiner of public accounts.
Glasscock said an investigation by the ABI would restore integrity and trust in county government.
“I agree this is a good idea but I think it’s a little bit too late,” George said.
In separate but related moves, the governing body authorized the removal and replacement of two e-mail hard drives in the Data Processing Department, pending the approval of Circuit Judge Steve Haddock. It was agreed that the hard drives should be placed in a safe in the computer room.
The commission acted on other matters as follows: