The province’s Privacy Commissioner is recommending the City of Mount Pearl acknowledge it violated privacy laws in disclosing harassment complaint letters to the subject of those complaints.
The case is separate from allegations from former CAO Steve Kent that his privacy was breached through access to Facebook messages on a city-owned tablet.
The case in question is related to an ongoing investigation into allegations of harassment and bullying against Kent in his previous role as Chief Administrative Officer with the City of Mount Pearl.
(Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey, file photo.)
The issue brought to the Privacy Commissioner involved an alleged breach of privacy by the city in disclosing harassment complaint letters to the individual in question without the consent of the complainants.
Commissioner Michael Harvey concluded that the disclosure was made contrary to the privacy act.
He recommends that the city acknowledge the violation, review its policy and procedure and undertake privacy training for members of council.
Steve Kent resigned in June, and has filed a statement of claim against his former employer for constructive dismissal and breach of privacy for accessing Facebook messages on city-owned tablet.
Two Mount Pearl councillors, Andrea Power and Andrew Ledwell were dismissed by council for conflict of interest in the ongoing harassment investigation, while Mayor Dave Aker has temporarily stepped aside pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations against him made by Power.
View the report filed by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner at this link.
