RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The City of Richmond’s Department of Finance is under scrutiny once again after an employee desk sweep uncovered dozens of unprotected checks. This following a wave of transparency issues concerning city hall.
While some are guilty of hoarding empty water bottles or soda cans on our desks at work, clutter becomes a bigger deal when peoples’ private information is on the line.
“Our policy is that your desk must be clean, period,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney at a press event Tuesday.
This stern reminder comes after a recent audit revealed employees with the City of Richmond’s Department of Finance left about 30 taxpayer checks unprotected on their desks.
“Residents trust us — have entrusted us with their information and our protecting of this information remains our top priority,” Mayor Stoney explained.
This privacy violation magnified already-heightening concerns of transparency and distrust in Richmond. Just a few weeks ago, 8News learned the City suspended five employees’ purchasing cards .