The town clerk was arrested Monday and charged with knowingly disclosing protected motor vehicle information – including a vehicle owner’s name and address – to a person not authorized to the information.
Assistant Attorney General Lisa Wolford said Joan Joseph is being charged with one count for violating RSA 260:14, the Driver Privacy Act.
The DPA establishes that the Division of Motor Vehicle’s records are confidential.
Only certain people, including municipal motor vehicle registration agents, have access to the records, only for certain purposes under law.
According to a news release from the Attorney General’s office, Joseph allegedly obtained the information for a friend who wished to know the identity of a person who had a state registered plate number.
“We received the same notice, the press release,” select board chair John Jordan said during a regular meeting Monday. “We’re currently looking into it, we’re consulting our attorney and beyond that no comment.” Jordan said it is unclear how the town will proceed at this time.
The select board estimated that Joseph has been employed at the town for 8 to 10 years.
Wolford said particulars about how authorities became aware of the case cannot be discussed at this time.
“I can’t comment on the facts that led to the charge,” Wolford said in an email.
An arraignment in 8th Circuit District Division in Jaffrey is scheduled for December 5 at 8 a.m.
The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum possible penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234.