AEGiS-AP: FBI, postal service join probe of HIV/AIDS list

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

FBI, postal service join probe of HIV/AIDS list

Associated Press - March 25, 2005

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The FBI and the U.S. Postal Service have joined the criminal investigation into the disclosure of the names and addresses of some of the 6,500 HIV/AIDS patients in Palm Beach County.

County Health Department Director Dr. Jean Malecki said Thursday that the FBI and postal inspectors have joined the police probe of two incidents in which a confidential list of names of those with AIDS or who are HIV-positive may have been used illegally.

Florida requires people who carry HIV to register for monitoring purposes. Disclosing the list is a crime.

A confidential list of about 6,500 HIV carriers was mistakenly e-mailed to about 800 county health workers in February. At least 16 people opened the e-mail. The list did not include addresses.

In early March, HIV-positive people on the county health department list received letters telling them to call an Indiana company to volunteer to help local families dealing with AIDS.

One letter said, "Your name appeared on a list of HIV-AIDS patients for Palm Beach County."

The Indiana company, which does electronic billing for doctors' offices, had no knowledge of the letter and told callers to contact the health department.

Malecki and other health officials have said they do not believe the mailing letters came from the e-mailed list because the original did not include addresses.

"The FBI and U.S. Postal inspectors have the resources to trace DNA on the envelopes from this mailing," Malecki said. "We're hopeful that they can find out who did this. It's really a despicable crime and has terrorized some of the people on the list."

Another investigation by the state Health Department's inspector general into the original e-mailing of the list continues, Malecki said.

050325
AP050336

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .