Ex-DNR Officer Strikes Plea Deal In Data Breach

ST. PAUL (AP) — A former Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officer accused of looking up private driver's license data for thousands of people has struck a plea deal.

Forty-nine-year-old John Hunt of Woodbury entered an Alford plea Tuesday to misconduct of a public officer, unauthorized computer access and unlawful use of private data.

Hunt's plea means he maintains his innocence but concedes there is likely enough evidence to find him guilty.

He was charged with eight counts, all misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. The plea agreement won't be final until Hunt is sentenced March 24.

Hunt, a former manager in the DNR's enforcement division, was charged with making about 19,000 searches into driver's license data over the past five years.

The DNR fired Hunt in January 2013.

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