Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Legislative Branch Chief Legal Counsel G. Michelle Espino, Esq., arranged for a USB flash drive containing confidential records of Navajo veterans to be secured by the Farmington FBI Office Aug. 11 following concerns raised during the Aug. 10 regular meeting of the Health, Education and Human Services Committee.
“The Navajo Nation Council has taken action to protect the privacy and trust of our veterans,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley said. “Given the nature and apparent scope of the information involved, this potential data breach requires prompt and serious attention.”
Curley said the appropiater authorities will determine what happened, and then asses the potential impact and take steps to protect veterans whose confidential information may have been compromised.
During the Aug. 10 meeting, newly appointed Navajo Nation Veterans Advisory Council Commander Ryan Benally reported on the flash drive, which was discovered at a Farmington laundromat and reportedly contained sensitive records belonging to Navajo veterans.
According to testimony, the files reportedly included Social Security information, DD-214 records, identification documents, W-9 forms, financial assistance applications, direct-deposit information, and other personally identifiable information.
The flash drive was discovered by a Navajo veteran who remains anonymous due to concerns about potential retaliation. The veteran reported that he immediately notified the Office of the President and Vice President and the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration, but to-date has not received a response.
The veteran later reported the matter to Shiprock Veterans Organization Commander Demetria Simms, who informed HEHSC Chair Vince R. James. During the Aug. 10 meeting, James asked Benally to provide an update to the committee.
“The protection of our veterans’ confidential information has to be treated as a priority,” James said.“These veterans entrusted their government with personal records, and we have a responsibility to determine what happened, who was responsible, and what steps are necessary to protect every veteran who may have been affected.”
Following the report, James directed Espino to coordinate delivery of the flash drive to the FBI to mitigate potential impacts to Navajo veterans whose confidential information may be contained on the device.
The matter remains under review as appropriate authorities determine the nature and extent of the information contained on the flash drive and any potential exposure of veterans’ confidential records.
