Trooper Accused of Making Background Checks-Cindy Carter

An alleged abuse of power within the Department of Safety exposes the personal information of 182 people.

Officials say that's the number of people they know of whose information was allegedly researched by a state trooper.

That trooper, Lieutenant Ron Shirley, made headlines a few years ago for allegedly fixing a ticket for Deputy Governor Dave Cooley.

Right now Lieutenant Ronnie Shirley is off the job.

Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell says Lt. Shirley is on administrative leave until they can figure out why he allegedly used state computers to access the personal information of 182 people.

Mitchell says, "We've had a number of people within the department review the names of all the individuals. To our knowledge, there re no public or elected officials on this list."

Commissioner Mitchell won't release the names on the list but does confirm two journalists, a few state and Department of Safety employees, and one country music celebrity are on it.

Colonel Mike Walker with the Tennessee Highway Patrol says, "There's still a lot of looking into this data that has to be done. We have those names and we have started interviewing those people but its going to take some time."

Col. Walker says Shirley allegedly checked out the personal records through a department web portal that offers access to a variety of criminal justice databases.

He says Shirley looked over the files pertaining to things like driver license information and vehicle registration.

So far, they have no proof Shirley made any criminal background checks.

Governor Phil Bredesen says, "This has the flavor, so far of someone who was just nosy and was showing off the access he had on the list. Sometimes doing a favor for a friend in the department."

Favors, malice, or just plain nosy, Lt. Shirley's actions still anger many who aren't convinced some of the alleged fact finding wasn't politically motivated.

Democratic State House Majority Leader Gary Odom is not comfortable with the Safety Department's internal investigation.

Rep. Odom says, "I think its important for public confidence that an outside agency conduct this investigation."

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith agrees.

Smith says, "We want swift and independent investigation. This is not a matter of Democrats or Republicans. We stand with Gary Odom on this matter."

But Commissioner Mitchell says his department is up to the task of checking out what happened.

Michell says, "I have total confidence and faith that we can conduct this investigation and we will."

There are concerns that some of the personal background information authorities say Lt. Shirley had access to appeared at the office of Representative Glen Casada.

Casada says the information dealt with a current Republican candidate for a house seat.

There is not proof this candidate, who he will not name, is on Shirley's list, but Casada does question the timing of it.

Trooper Accused of Making Background Checks-Cindy Carter