Alabama AG King Announces Arrest For Misuse Of Law Enforcement Data

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October 25, 2007 -- (MONTGOMERY) — Alabama Attorney General Troy King announced the arrest yesterday of a former employee of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, who is charged with misusing confidential law enforcement information. Christopher Maturi Jr., 54, of Prattville, surrendered at the Montgomery County Jail following his indictment.

The Attorney General's Office presented evidence to a Montgomery County grand jury on October 19, resulting in a 21-count indictment* against Maturi. Specifically, the indictment charges Maturi with:

• 11 counts of willfully obtaining or seeking to obtain criminal records through the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), under false pretenses that it was for an official law enforcement or criminal justice purpose, in violation of Section 41-9-601,punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000;

• Six counts of unauthorized use of a computer to obtain criminal records of individuals through the Law Enforcement Tactical System, which is the property of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(a), a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000;

• Two counts of willfully obtaining or seeking to obtain criminal record information through the National Crime Information Center, under the false pretenses that it was for an official law enforcement or criminal justice purpose, in violation of Section 41-9-601; punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000; and

• Two counts unauthorized use of a computer to obtain criminal records of individuals through the National Crime Information Center, which is the property of the U.S. Department of Justice, in violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(a), a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000;

"The LETS and NCIC systems are invaluable tools for law enforcement, and the information these networks contain is protected by law," said Attorney General King. "Access to this data is privileged and confidential, and it is a crime to use LETS or NCIC for any purpose other than a legitimate law enforcement or criminal justice purpose. It is essential that we maintain the honor and integrity of this vital data to protect the citizens of Alabama."

The case was investigated by Agent Robert D. Stuart of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Billingslea of Attorney General King's Public Corruption and White Collar Crime Division. Attorney General King also thanked Robert Oakes, an assistant executive director for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, for his assistance with the investigation.

*Note: An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: Alabama Attorney General