SALT LAKE CITY — A woman under investigation for allegedly using a state database to create a list of purported illegal immigrants has sent a letter to the media questioning whether the government is prepared to handle natural disasters.
In a letter to the Deseret News, Teresa Bassett also asks for information about emergency preparation and disaster planning.
"For example, after the Katrina tragedy, I have become somewhat skeptical about the role of the federal government in supporting any major disaster that may occur in the country," she wrote. "I am also really not all that confident about how the state government and my own local government will be involved in helping during a serious disaster!"
The letter is dated June 20, and the envelope is postmarked July 21.
Reached by telephone Monday, Bassett said that due to the circumstances, she was advised not to talk about anything. But regarding emergency planning, she did say, "Maybe when this is over, we can talk about it, because I really want to get back to that."
Bassett worked as a computer analyst in the Utah Department of Workforce Services, where state officials say two employees breached a database to gather personal information, including addresses and private health data, to compile a list of 1,300 Utahns purported to be illegal immigrants. The list was distributed anonymously earlier this month to law enforcement and news media under the name Concerned Citizens of the United States, with demands that those listed be deported. It contained birth dates, addresses and phone numbers, had the due dates of several pregnant women and listed Social Security numbers used by many and the names of many children.
A state government official confirmed last Thursday that Bassett is one of the employees under investigation.
In her one-page typed letter, Bassett wrote that she has been interested in all aspects of emergency management for many years. She wants to know what the newspaper's role would be in a disaster scenario. "Would you be the ones that actually get the information or instructions from the appropriate government agency or other news source and then get it to us and whatever you tell us to do, we can assume would be from the authorized source?" she wrote.
Bassett also requests names of groups or organizations that might respond to emergencies and tell her how the media would be involved.
e-mail: romboy@desnews.com