The City of Nanaimo is dealing with a breach of confidential information.
The entire a copy of a KPMG final report was leaked on social media Thursday. According to a city press release, the document was confidential and in camera and contains third-party information as well as personal information of individuals.
The city says it is ensuring “steps are being taken to recover the sensitive information” and that the breach has been reported to all appropriate authorities including the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
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The report was shared online by Robert Fuller, the brother of Coun. Gord Fuller.
Robert told the News Bulletin that he released the information because the government has a “duty” to release information in a timely manner, adding that there seems to be a lot of “supposition” and guessing as to what is going at the city. He said the city is leaking information “like a sieve.”
“My own personal thought was that the public does deserve to have the information in front of them, especially after KPMG did their audit and presentation in front of council at the finance and audit committee. Why this wasn’t included in it is beyond me,” he said.
He did not say how he acquired the report.
Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay said the breach is “significant” and confirmed the document released was a report done by KPMG for the city’s legal counsel and is held under “lawyer-client privilege.” He said the city’s chief administrative officer asked for the investigation and report.
McKay said the public should not be concerned about the level of usage of purchasing cards by city employees, but did say that the amount of personal expenses was abnormal. McKay said people should concentrate on the “more important” issue, which is the fact that someone leaked confidential information.
“This is a very sensitive document. We consider the people who are currently publishing it on their social media pages are publishers and they are being asked to remove it,” he said. “Failure to do so, we may take further legal action, up to and including potentially prosecution.”
The city did not respond to requests for comment.
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
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