Arrest Police Pension Fund Official for Theft Of Cops' Private Data

ANTHONY GARVEY: Doubts thief viewed data.

The Police Pension Fund's Pension Telecommunications Director was indicted for stealing computer backup tapes with information from nearly 80,000 current and retired Police Officers from the fund's secure site in Staten Island on Feb. 21.

Anthony Bonelli, 46, was charged Feb. 28 with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny and computer trespass, according to the Staten Island District Attorney's office. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. He faces a maximum of 13 years in prison if convicted. He is expected to be arraigned on the indictment March 11, according to the Staten Island DA.

Unauthorized Visit

Police Pension Fund Executive Director Anthony Garvey said that Mr. Bonelli walked unauthorized into the Teleport building and took the backup tapes, which contain personal identifying information of Police Officers, including Social Security numbers, names, addresses, bank account data, medical history and medical treatment records. In the past, Mr. Bonelli had access to the building but that access had been revoked when he changed positions.

Mr. Garvey said the guard let Mr. Bonelli in when he should not have. Once inside, Mr. Bonelli can be seen on a security camera entering into a "cage-like room" but is not seen leaving because the surveillance video was disabled. "We found out he unplugged the camera," said Mr. Garvey.

This act could make Police Officers more vulnerable to identity theft. The Police Pension Fund stated on its Web site that those hired after May 2007 were not affected because that information is encrypted. Information on the identity of undercover agents was not jeopardized either because it is housed elsewhere. Letters were sent last week to nearly 80,000 affected cops.

Offer Free Credit Watch

There has been no evidence that any of the data was used, but a notice on the fund's Web site said it is offering a year of free credit monitoring to all members who apply by June 15. "Even though the property was recovered, we cannot assure you that the information was not compromised," a sample letter to members stated. Those enrolled will receive alerts if someone else tries to access their information.

Mr. Garvey said he did not believe that Mr. Bonelli was able to examine the information because he did not have the technology to view the tapes at his home when he was arrested, although he could have distributed the data.

The Police Pension Fund will review its security protocols, however, Mr. Garvey said not everything can be guarded against. He said the security company often says, "Listen, we can help with this, but we can't account for the human element—someone who is hell-bent on getting the data."

He did not know why Mr. Bonelli chose to steal the data, but speculated that there was a chance that he was going after Pension Fund employee data, which is also stored there, because of a grudge against a co-worker.

Those with concerns about the security of their personal information are urged to call the Pension Fund at 212-693-2699.