Former teacher files suit against Chicago Public Schools over mistaken release of Social Security numbers
A former teacher has filed a lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools (CPS), alleging that the mistaken release of more than 1,700 Social Security numbers has left him and other former employees vulnerable to identity theft. Mark Cohen, who is seeking to bring the lawsuit as a class action, said the error violated two state statutes and the privacy rights of the almost 1,740 former employees. Named as defendants are the school district, the Chicago Board of Education, and All Printing & Graphics Inc., a printing contractor that has apologized for mailing the data as part of a packet of health-insurance information sent to retirees and other former employees. The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Cohen and others have been "irreparably injured" by having their private data sent "with reckless abandon to unauthorized persons" and says the error "defies common sense in this age of identity theft" and "may be felt tomorrow or after many years have passed." It seeks a court order to force the defendants to pay an unspecified amount into a fund, which could then be used to compensate any former employees harmed because of the error. CPS officials have declined to comment on the suit but already had said they will offer credit protection help to former employees whose personal information was revealed. CPS sent an overnight letter to the former employees apologizing and offering advice on how they can protect themselves from identity theft and credit fraud.
Chicago Tribune
By Michael Higgins & Tracy Dell'Angela
[Full story]
[Editor’s Note: For background on the incident, see below.]
[NSBA School Law pages on release of information]