Jan 9, 2008 By Amy Zalar 3 min read

An investigation is under way regarding possible tampering with a computer that was taken out of the Fayette County Courthouse by former controller Mark Roberts and later returned. Roberts, who lost his bid for re-election to Sean P. Lally, took a computer out of his office on Friday, the last day of his term. The computer was returned Sunday after Roberts gave it to a controller’s office employee.

Roberts said Tuesday that the computer hard drive crashed on Friday and he attempted to get it repaired. He said he took the computer home after no one came to repair it by 8:30 p.m. Friday. Roberts said he gave the computer to an employee in the controller’s office, who returned it to the courthouse on Sunday night after he was unable to get it repaired.

County Detective Lawrence Curry said Tuesday that state police are examining three computer hard drives taken from the controller’s office on Monday.

By the end of the day on Monday, one of the hard drives had been examined, Curry said, but police still had two more to examine.

Sheriff Gary D. Brownfield said one of the hard drives went to a computer used by Roberts and the other two drives were from computers used by other office staff.

“State police will be able to determine if anything was tampered with,” Brownfield said.

The issue of alleged computer tampering arose during Monday’s special county commissioners meeting when Franklin Township resident Geraldine “Jerri” Mazza asked what happened at the courthouse involving the controller’s office.

“Rumors are out there,” Mazza said.

Lally confirmed the investigation is ongoing.

“I will take a hard line on this behavior,” Lally said.

Commission Chairman Vincent Zapotosky said he initially spoke with Brownfield on Friday because he was concerned about potential damage to the computer system. Zapotosky said he believed there was a security risk but Brownfield said any action would require a resolution by the commissioners. Brownfield is in charge of courthouse security.

Zapotosky said he has concerns about protocol regarding security at the courthouse and said he wants a clarification about the security policy.

Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink said during Monday’s meeting that she took steps to make certain to protect the county equipment.

“I’m very clear on who is responsible,” Zimmerlink said.

Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites said he also had discussions on Friday with Brownfield about the issue.

According to a memo from Zimmerlink to Lally written on Monday, Roberts informed Jeremy S. Burnworth of Creative Computer Concepts in North Union Township on Friday regarding repair of a hard drive that had crashed. Zimmerlink suggested at that time not removing the hard drive and instead recommended to Brownfield that he keep the computer until Lally could decide what to do with it on Monday when Lally took office.

The investigation began on Monday.

In a related matter, two employees of the controller’s office were let go Monday by Lally. The unidentified employees were hired in the past few months and had not yet completed their 90-day probationary period, according to county human resource director Jennifer Cline of Felice Associates.

“The controller exercised a contractual right in no longer requiring the services of two employees that were within their probationary period,” Cline said.

As an elected official, Lally is in charge of personnel decisions for his office.

Lally could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.