Peach Tree Times

The Mayor of Peachtree City, Kim Learnard, recently revealed on Facebook that the personal data of thousands of Peachtree City and Fayette County residents who passed away between 2020 and 2023 has been breached. This includes unredacted birthdates and social security numbers, affecting potentially up to 4,000 families. The breach was tied to a group that included City Council members Clint Holland and Mike King during a recent City Council meeting on Oct. 19.

"I pride myself in transparency in government leadership, so I want the most updated and accurate information to be shared with our citizens. In our City Council meeting Oct. 19, City Council publicly discussed the fact that personal data of thousands of Peachtree City and Fayette County residents who passed away between 2020 and 2023 has been breached. The breached files contain personal information of the deceased, including unredacted birthdates and social security numbers. As many as 4,000 families may be impacted by this breach," said Kim Learnard.

Learnard countered Clint Holland's recent assertion about the public nature of this information in her Facebook post: "City Council Member Clint Holland stated in a recent editorial that this information is a matter of public record. This is false. Personal information of this nature is considered “vital records” and access is restricted by state statute. Georgia OCGA 31-10-25, OCGA 50-18-70 and OCGA 50-18-72 detail security required under state law for vital records."

According to Learnard's Facebook post, residents worried about their loved ones' compromised data are urged to contact city hall while an investigation into the incident takes place within the City Council.

In conclusion to her statement on Facebook, Learnard offered a link for residents to check if their loved ones' data might have been compromised along with providing access to sixteen documents revealing communications related to the breach, involving emails from council members Holland and King.

A report by WSB-TV quotes an official statement from Peachtree City: "The City of Peachtree City is aware of the situation. We can confirm that the breach of personal information did not originate from city offices. We are currently reviewing the situation to determine our next steps.”

According to the Peachtree City website, the city's governing authority is vested in its Mayor and five elected City Council members who each serve 4-year terms. Despite being elected at large, these council members are also mandated to be residents of Peachtree City. Currently serving are Kim Learnard as Mayor, alongside council members Phil Prebor, Mike King, Clint Holland, and Frank Destadio.