December 3, 2007, Denver- An independent state audit of the Secretary of States’ office found no unlawful activity regarding the use of voter lists. Allegations of misconduct leveled by liberal bloggers lead the Secretary of State’s office to limit employee participation in partisan political activities.
“…We reviewed the private business records, personal and business emails, and other documentation related to the employee’s outside business for the period from when employment began in January 2007 through May 2007. We found no evidence that the business benefitted financially from the individual’s employment with the Colorado Department of State. ...” Audit Report Page 48.
“…, we reviewed the computer access logs for every entry into the master database from January 1, 2007 through May, 2007 and found no evidence that the individual in question or any other unauthorized users had accessed the master database during this period.” Audit Report page 51
An examination of State data access logs, bank transaction records, public and private e-mails and personal business records cleared State employee, Dan Kopelman, of any criminal wrongdoing.
“I have spent nearly 5 years as a Colorado State employee, the sole proprietor business was basically a hobby I started in 2003,” stated Kopelman. “The web page should have been taken down, I had literally not looked at it since updating it some time in 2005.”
The Department’s own investigation showed that during his employment with the Department of State, Kopelman:
- Did not have access to the Department of State’s voter registration data;
- Did not purchase voter registration data from the Secretary of State’s office while an employee of the Department of State; and
- Did not sell voter registration data.
As a result of the accusation, the Department of State implemented a policy that specifically prohibits “any employee who has direct or indirect involvement or oversight in elections, to include … Elections, Administration and IT Divisions…” from political activities that “Publicly endorse or oppose, or actively work for or against…” a partisan office, party, initiative or referendum. This includes contributions of any kind and holding any official position, including “attending precinct caucuses, assemblies or conventions.”
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