DMV Clerk Arrested for Accessing Personal Motor Vehicle Records

ALBANY, NY (04/11/2008)(readMedia)-- A State Department of Motor Vehicles employee was arrested and fired Friday after he admitted accessing state DMV files to get personal information about a woman he wanted to date.

Lincoln Dwarika, 38, of Schenectady, was charged with official misconduct after a female state worker complained that Dwarika approached her at a state parking lot and wished her “Happy Birthday.” Dwarika said he found her birth date by running her vehicle plate through his DMV computer terminal. The woman told State Police she was “creeped out” by their interactions and decided to file a complaint.

Dwarika, a clerk who joined DMV in July 2007, was still a probationary employee and was immediately fired. Dwarika was arraigned in Albany City Court and released on his own recognizance. Judge William Carter issued a temporary order of protection to the alleged victim.

The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, along with the New York State Inspector General’s office. The investigation is continuing.

Commissioner David J. Swarts of the State Department of Motor Vehicles said, “The conduct of our associates who use their positions to improperly access personal information from our files is completely unacceptable. It violates the public trust and will not be tolerated. I applaud the swift efforts of the DMV Investigators, in cooperation with the State Police and the State Inspector General’s Office, to identify and apprehend the employee in question.”

"Using one's public position to access confidential information for personal use is unlawful. This swift action demonstrates that violations of this kind will be prosecuted," Acting New York State Inspector General Dennis E. Martin said.

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