Ex-County Worker Pleads Guilty to Data Breach on Lawmakers

HASTINGS - A former Dakota County employee has pleaded guilty to violating Minnesota's data privacy laws.

Thomas Berry pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor Thursday. Berry was charged with forwarding an internal report about two state lawmakers who were found in a romantic encounter in a park last summer.

Republican Reps. Tara Mack of Apple Valley and Tim Kelly of Red Wing were cited Aug. 25 by a park ranger who said he saw them making out in a car.

The charge alleged Berry improperly accessed and shared a document with details about that incident.

Defense attorney Phil Villaume says Berry will serve a year of probation and pay a $345 fine.

Berry worked for the Dakota County Water Resources Department. He resigned from his job after being charged.