Largent questions putting Wilson in computer post

County Commissioner Michael Largent Monday expressed concern about the recent hiring of Esther Wilson to oversee the county’s computer systems. Information Technology Director Chris Nelson said last week she had hired Wilson to fill the newly created systems administrator position. Chief duty of the job is to oversee installation of county software packages like the New World accounting system.

Largent questioned the wisdom of putting someone who had been embroiled in a computer-related controversy in such a potentially sensitive position.

“We’re talking about issues of trust and integrity in IT,” said Largent. “She committed a crime.”

According to a sheriff’s report, Wilson hacked into an email account belonging to Largent to discover the source of an anonymous survey sent to the email accounts of county employees. The survey polled employees on the performance of the three county commissioners.

“There should be no issues of trust with me in that position,” said Wilson. “I never did anything wrong. All I did was try to help find out who sent this anonymous survey to county email addresses.”

No criminal charges were filed and Human Resources Director Kelli Campbell found Wilson did not violate any county policies.

“It’s all kind of a moot point, based on the HR investigation,” said Commissioner Greg Partch.

“Whether she violated a policy or not, she did commit a second-degree misdemeanor,” Largent contended during Monday’s meeting of commissioners.

“It all evolved from your poor judgment,” Partch said to Largent.

When employees began questioning the source of the survey, Wilson called Partch to offer her help in finding that source. Partch gave her the go-ahead to find the source, but has said he did not know she would do anything illegal.

“I’m a little suspicious that, after that, she’s essentially getting promoted,” said Largent.

The hire was made by Nelson. Wilson was one of two applicants for the position. Partch stressed it was Nelson’s decision solely to hire Wilson, and he was not consulted for input.

Campbell’s investigation found Wilson’s actions were not done using county time or resources, and the hacking was done “beyond the authorization of the county.”

“Did she or did she not access that email account?” Largent asked Partch.

“They did not press charges,” replied Partch.

Wilson, now the lone remaining employee in a finance department that was gutted last month, is also challenging incumbent Eunice Coker for county auditor.

Taking the new position, she said, will not affect her bid for the auditor’s job. She said, if elected, she would continue to serve as systems administrator until a new one is hired and temporarily serve as auditor and systems administrator if needed.

Nelson has not put forth a formal order to hire Wilson before the commissioners. She said she wanted to monitor the finance staffing situation, then figure out a start date.

At least two commissioners must sign the hire order for it to take effect.

O’Neill Monday expressed support for the Wilson hire.

“She’s going to be very competent and key in bringing New World up and running,” said O’Neill.

He added he did not think the hacking charges would cause employees to mistrust Wilson.

“There won’t be any mistrust when they sit down and look at it,” he said. “There hasn’t been any proof she did it.”

Partch noted Wilson, like all new hires, will be on a six-month probationary period.

Both O’Neill and Partch admitted they felt less trustful of Largent in the wake of the his anonymous survey attempt.