10 State Workers Fired over E-Mail

More state workers have been fired for mis-using their state e-mail. A statement issued late Friday announced 10 workers have been fired, another seven state employees have been suspended and 22 others have received written reprimands. According to the Department of personnel, “some” of the actions were taken in response to inappropriate e-mail, such as nude photos of adults and jokes that were either sexually-explicit or had racial andethnic overtones. Other workers were disciplined for excessive personal use of e-mail. State officials, including the Governor’s press secretary, refused to discuss the matter on the record. A news release indicated the sanctioned workers made up just point-zero-two percent of the total workforce in the state Executive Branch. Last week, officials announced four workers had been fired, and an investigation would be launched to determine if more workers were inappropriately using state e-mail accountsfor personal or profane use.