LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Following the arrest of Konnech CEO, Eugene Yu, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey says her office will no longer be using a Michigan-based election software seller who faces allegations of poll worker personal data theft.
“(W)e only want to assure all City of Detroit residents, in particular our poll workers who work with us on Election Day, that the integrity of our process remains unquestioned and that all employee data remains secure,” Winfrey said according to The Detroit News.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, Yu’s company offered local governments including Detroit and Los Angeles election logistic software. After there was word of an alleged data breach, Detroit decided to stop using the company’s material.
Yu’s attorney Mark Kriger said that he had been working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on a separate issue before recent allegations. Kriger said that Yu was not aware of any data being stored in China.
“We don’t think there is any probability of conviction,” Kriger said. “In fact, I don’t understand how embezzlement dealing with names is even legally a crime under the embezzlement law.”
Konnech does not have access to Michigan voter data or election data according to Michigan Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Jake Rollow.
While under investigation by LA County, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has received reports of violations in Michigan law and is not investigating Yu, says AG Nessel’s spokeswoman Amber McCann.
Konnech also had dealings in Georgia, which prompted a response by the DeKalb County Elections Board. On Oct. 10 it will be hosting a special meeting via Zoom and include a section for question and answer from the public.
As of Thursday morning, Yu was granted a bond arrangement by District Court Judge Donald Allen in which he had to send in a check of $100,000, wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) tether, relinquish his passport, and self surrender to California authorities on or before Oct. 14 unless an extension was granted.
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