NEW YORK COMPUTER CONTAINING GROUND ZERO RESCUE WORKERS DATA STOLEN FROM MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTERNew York City - CrimeStolen laptop has WTC rescue workers data


BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA
STAFF WRITER

September 29, 2005


Police Wednesday night were looking for a disgruntled worker who allegedly stole a laptop computer from Mount Sinai Medical Center that contains personal and medical data for Ground Zero rescue workers.

Malcolm Mitchell, 27, has been on the lam since the July 10 theft, police sources said. Detectives have not been able to find him at any of his last four known addresses, sources said.

Mitchell allegedly stole the computer after he was fired by his company, a subcontractor hired for a painting job at the hospital.

The laptop belongs to the World Trade Center Monitoring Program, which follows about 11,000 Sept. 11 responders, including about 1,000 police officers and firefighters.

No names are on the computer, according to authorities, but the files, which are password protected, contain Social Security numbers and dates of birth that could be used to commit identity theft.

Leslie Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Mount Sinai, said officials believe the thief was more likely interested in selling the computer, not accessing the data.

Still, Stephen Levin, a director for the monitoring program, sent out a letter of caution to participants.

"All the information was coded," he said in the letter, "but someone with sophisticated computer abilities might be able to access this information."

Levin also suggested that participants obtain their credit reports, with the program covering any costs for a year.

Police and fire officials said there is no indication that any program participant has reported having his or her identity stolen.