Adams County clerk resigns over role in data breach

One month after being accused of maleficence regarding a data breach that impacted Adams County, Wis., earlier this year, County Clerk Cindy Phillippi has resigned.

Phillippi’s resignation came the day before the county board, which has been investigating the breach since it was made public in August, was expected to vote to remove her from office, reported the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune. Instead Phillippi and County Board Chairman John West signed a document that stipulated Phillippi had indeed conducted herself in a manner that required her removal, noting that while she could defend her actions to the board it’s best for the municipality if she resigned.

Phillippi’s resignation does not go into effect until Dec. 31, 2018 and she will remain on paid leave of absence until that date, the Rapids Tribune reported.

Phillippi had become the focal point in a county board investigation into the data breach that impacted more than 250,000 country residents. A WXOW news report in August stated Phillippi allegedly gained unauthorized access to confidential county computer records and used the information to create unauthorized checking accounts, delete records, gain unauthorized access to the Health and Human Services building, released confidential information to a former employee and mislead those investigating these actions.