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Staten Island DMV Worker Accused Of Misusing Customer Information To Get Date

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A worker at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles on Staten Island has been arrested for allegedly trying to use the computer system at work to get a date.

Peter Grosseto, 29, is accused of improperly accessing state computers to obtain personal information about a DMV customer who was being served by another representative, according to the New York State Inspector General's office.

Investigators said Grosseto used the information to call the woman at home. He allegedly used DMV computers three different times to access the woman's personal information.

Grosseto allegedly pretended to be a DMV quality assurance representative when he called the woman, but later admitted he had really called to ask her for a date, the Inspector General's office said.

"This defendant set aside any semblance of professionalism and illegally accessed State resources to satisfy his own interests and harass a customer with unwelcome advances," Inspector General Leahy Scott said in a news release. "I will not tolerate any government employee's violation of the public trust or violation of any citizen's privacy and dignity."

"There is no responsibility we take more seriously at DMV than safeguarding the personal information of our customers," DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan said in the release. "When personal information is compromised, we take swift action - especially when a DMV employee is involved. In addition to his arrest, DMV has also suspended Mr. Grosseto from work without pay to ensure he can no longer abuse his position."

Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said Grosseto had abused his position.

"Mr. Grosseto is charged with violating the public trust for his own selfish gains, and my office will work to ensure that he is held accountable for his crimes and that the public safety is protected," McMahon said in the release.

Grosseto has been charged with computer trespass – a felony – along with official misconduct. He has been arraigned in Staten Island Criminal Court.

He has also been suspended without pay from the DMV.

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