Former worker accused of destroying files

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A former Union Township secretary-treasurer is accused by state police of destroying files in the township’s computers.

State police in New Castle are alleging that Sally Byler, 62, of Avalon Drive, destroyed the files when she was allowed to retrieve her personal belongings after a January meeting, in which she was dismissed.

“Felony charges have been approved by the Lawrence County district attorney,” a state police report says.

Police said Byler destroyed 207 files and programs, many of them critical to day-to-day township operation.

She also locked the computers with a password that only she knew and refused to tell the township what it was, police said. The township had a professional service unlock the computers, and the damage was discovered, police said.

“A very detailed report describing the damages was prepared after a thorough analysis of the hard drives was conducted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Investigative Bureau,” the report says.

Byler could not be reached Wednesday.

Byler was secretary-treasurer in 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007.