Traverse City Record-Eagle

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February 12, 2010

City manager allegedly violated privacy act

By ALEX PIAZZA

GRAYLING -- A local city manager is accused of a misdemeanor crime after authorities said he revealed the Social Security numbers of more than 20 people without their permission.

Grayling City Manager David Thayer was arrested around noon Thursday and released on personal bond. He faces 24 counts of violating the Social Security Number Privacy Act.

Thayer allegedly provided Dee Maybury, a Grayling City Council member, with a document that contained the names and Social Security numbers of 24 local residents who failed to pay city income taxes. Maybury's name allegedly was on that list.

"You know that you don't relinquish stuff like that, and he did anyway," said Crawford County Sheriff Kirk Wakefield.

Wakefield contends Thayer gave the document to Maybury in hopes she would step down from the council.

Thayer, Grayling's manager since 2006, refused to comment and referred questions to city attorney Gerard Brabant.

"He didn't even look thoroughly through it," Brabant said. "It was completely inadvertent that Social Security numbers were even there."

An individual must "knowingly and intentionally" release Social Security numbers in order to violate the Social Security Number Privacy Act.

"His position is, 'I didn't even know it was there,'" Brabant said. "He was really upset about it."

Maybury was elected to the Grayling City Council in November and her term expires in November 2011. She could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Karl Schreiner said he is aware of the allegations, but refused to comment on whether Thayer will be disciplined.

The charge is punishable by up 93 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

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