911 Operator Arrested in Rochester, New York for Computer Trespass

Rochester, New York, Mayor Robert J. Duffy announced Wednesday the arrest of former city employee, 911 operator, Nadire Zenelaj. An investigation was conducted by the city's Office of Public Integrity in cooperation with the Rochester Police Department, the New York State Police and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. Zenelaj was charged with multiple counts of computer trespass and official misconduct.

"We are looking at the many ways in which fraud can take place and taking the necessary steps to protect our citizens," said Mayor Duffy. "Unfortunately, there are individuals who think they can take advantage of their positions for unlawful purposes. We must stay ahead of these risks and be diligent in our insistence that city employees, as civil servants, are held to a very high expectation to carry out their duties with integrity."

The charges are based on the allegations that, while employed by the city as a 911 operator, the defendant, on multiple occasions, unlawfully accessed highly sensitive and restricted law enforcement and criminal records information for her own purposes and not related to any official business. It is further alleged that the defendant did access highly sensitive information pertaining to the terrorism watch list and obtained this sensitive information for personal reasons and not related to official business.

Zenelaj was terminated from her position in December, 2007 for various violations pertaining to unauthorized access of computer information and violations of the City of Rochester Ethical Standards of Conduct.