Militia May Have Breached Federal Employee Data on Refuge Computers

Oregon Public Radio, while inside the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge compound, observed the militants interacting with computers that can only be accessed with employee ID badges.

The incident coincided with the militia’s refusal on Jan. 8 to leave the facility, which they have illegally occupied since Jan. 2.

LaVoy Finicum, a member of the occupying group’s security team, accidentally led the radio station into the computer room.

“After Finicum realized he shouldn’t have allowed OPB to access the room, he quickly picked up lists of names and Social Security numbers by the computers, and hid government employee ID cards that were previously in plain sight,” the radio station reported.

Shortly after, one of the militant leaders, Ryan Bundy, walked into the room. 

When asked about the computers, Bundy denied any of the work spaces had been touched.  

“We are cognizant that the individuals in the refuge would have access to files, and things like refuge equipment,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jason Holm said. “We’re working with the FBI to mitigate any risk (to employees).”

According to KOIN 6 News, because the militia potentially compromised personal information on employees — including home addresses -- some workers have been advised to temporarily move elsewhere.

“There is not a stated threat,” one source said. “This is out of an abundance of caution.”

Several employees told officials they have been confronted by self-identified militia members while grocery shopping, running errands and just trying to lead their day-to-day lives.

Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Megan Nagel told KOIN 6 it was a combination of the data breach along with other considerations, including the public confrontations and the ramping up of rhetoric online, that led officials to take action that could guarantee the safety of their employees.