NC DMV chief’s phone could listen to calls

RALEIGH, N.C. — A published report says North Carolina’s former Division of Motor Vehicles commissioner had telephone equipment installed that would let them eavesdrop on calls to any phone line at the agency’s headquarters.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that the technician who installed the equipment testified about the system before a federal grand jury.

Current DMV commissioner Mike Robertson said FBI agents interviewed him about wiretapping that might have occurred at the agency before his arrival.

It is a felony under state law to intercept phone calls without a warrant if neither person in the conversation knows the monitoring is taking place.

George Tatum, who resigned as DMV commissioner in 2007, did not respond to phone messages and an e-mail seeking comment Friday.

Information from: The News & Observer

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