http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Nov/11262003/utah/114498.asphttp://www.sltrib.com/2003/Nov/11262003/utah/114498.asp Hatch says he's 'shocked' at hacking of files
By Christopher Smith
The Salt Lake Tribune
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who has made cracking down on the theft of digital files over computer networks one of his crusades, said Tuesday that he was "shocked" that a member of his own staff hacked into Senate Democrats' protected files on the computer network of the Senate Judiciary Committee he heads.
"I am mortified that this improper, unethical and simply unacceptable breach of confidential files may have occurred on my watch," Hatch said in a hastily called evening news conference that diffused mounting criticism by Democrats that he was downplaying and delaying the probe of leaked memos written by Senate Democrats about judicial nominee confirmation countermeasures.
"Each senator has an expectation of receiving confidential, candid advice from his or her staff members," Hatch said. "There is no excuse that can justify these improper actions."
Hatch announced that a member of his staff has been placed on leave with pay after an internal investigation found the staffer had improperly penetrated the protected digital files of Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts on a shared computer server used by the Republican and Democratic members and staff of the committee. Hatch said the staff member denies releasing the memos to the news media, but that "preliminary interviews suggest that a former majority committee staff member may also have been involved." He declined to name either staffer and could not say if criminal charges might apply.