The information technology contractor for Woodland will analyze two laptops that were allegedly taken by former city employees to determine whether they stole the personal information of more than 2,000 utility account holders in the city.
A news release sent last week by Woodland Mayor Will Finn stated the city became aware of a potential theft of electronic information on Aug. 23 that included information that contained names, addresses, account numbers and meter IDs.
The city attorney, IT contractor and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office were immediately contacted after the incident, stated the release.
“This investigation also revealed the unauthorized taking of two laptops purchased and owned by the City of Woodland,” stated the release. “The City of Woodland attorney was able to retrieve the initial document that began the investigation.”
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office contacted two former Woodland employees at their residential addresses in the county on Oct. 19 and retrieved the missing laptops.
The former employees who were not named in the release had worked with the city for over 32 years and over 12 years, stated the release.
“The City of Woodland IT contractor will be analyzing the laptops to determine if additional sensitive information had been taken,” stated the release.
