Leaked memo about possible data breach stirs controversy at Hamilton County Commission
UPDATE: David Sharpe has issued a statement to News 12 in response to the mayor’s comments on the leak of this potential data breach. He said, “I did not leak this memo, and I don’t know who did, but it’s clear that Weston is desperate to redirect people’s attention away from the incompetence and recklessness of his administration.”
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A report of a data breach is stirring controversy inside of Hamilton County Government.An article from the Chattanooga Times Free-Press claimed that a memo from the Hamilton County attorney’s office says that the financial information of 14,000 people may have been leaked in a data breach in July 2024.
However, the veracity of that claim, along with how that information was obtained, is causing frustration and anger among commissioners.
They held a lengthy legal meeting following Wednesday’s Hamilton County Commission session, in which Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp attended.
He described it as tense as he said, “But on a day like today, seeing a shouting match among county commissioners, that’s what we’re dealing with in our community.”
On this breach itself, the mayor says it’s under investigation, as is the leak which he says violates county policies pertaining to classified documents.
He said, “There’s an investigation that’s underway. I don’t think there has been confirmation of a breach, but what we do have confirmation of is a leak and continued unethical practices from the newspaper of record in our community.”
This is not the first incidence of a potential leak causing a leak within the county commission.
Back in October, a report that the cost of the Gateway School had doubled caused a similar situation, which was later not found to be accurate in an audit report.
Commissioner Gene-O Shipley asked, “Where are these leaks coming from? Somebody is leaking something to somebody. I called it out back there the other day. A week later and here we go again.”
This comes as a resolution is to be considered that would transfer the county’s risk management program out of the county attorney’s office, which sparked discussion on the article.
Back in October, a report that the cost of the Gateway School had doubled caused a similar situation, which was later not found to be accurate in an audit report.
This comes as a resolution is to be considered that would transfer the county’s risk management program out of the county attorney’s office, which sparked discussion on the article.
Commissioner David Sharpe said on that issue, “This is an incredibly important issue, one that carries significantly litigious consequences if not handled appropriately.”
Mayor Wamp says he questions the motives of Commissioner Sharpe and believes he had something to do with the leak.
“Even though this is a majority, conservative county commission, David Sharpe was put in charge of this HIPAA task force, only for his very close relationship with Joan Mclane to lead to leaked documents, and if that’s not what happened, it makes it really hard to explain that’s what happened when so many leaks have occurred between those two individuals,” said the mayor.
We did try to ask Commissioner Sharpe for his response to the situation after the legal meeting.
He said he could not speak on it due to possible pending litigation.
Mayor Wamp did add that if their investigation does turn up issues, they will reach out to potential victims.
