A post on Carbon County’s Facebook page last week is causing major headaches for officials after financial numbers were disclosed.

On Thursday, Jean Papay, register of wills, brought the issue to the commissioners, pointing out that Commissioner Chris Lukasevich posted a photo of a county-issued check on the Carbon County Commissioners’ Facebook page, complete with all financial information that wasn’t redacted.

The post in question, showing a $500,000 check issued to Lansford as part of the sale of the Carbon County railroad, was posted last Thursday following the commissioners’ meeting that approved the check be sent to the borough.

Papay said once she saw the post, she contacted various departments and the post was taken down Friday, the routing numbers redacted, and then the check reposted on Facebook.

At the time of the meeting, the check with the redacted routing and account number could be seen on the commissioners’ Facebook page.

“It’s a check that was given to Lansford with all of our information on it,” Papay said to Lukasevich. “Our routing number, checking account number and signatures. You posted that on Facebook. You jeopardized our county’s financials.” Showing a copy of the post that she printed out, Papay questioned just how many people on social media now have a copy of this information.

“This is a disgrace that our county has been jeopardized for fraud,” she said, noting that if an employee did this and not an elected official, they would have been reprimanded or fired.

Papay questioned what was being done to guarantee the county’s account wasn’t in jeopardy because of the post, adding that she understood only the county IT department, as well as Lukasevich had access to post on the Facebook page.

Treasurer Ron Sheehan said that the account has not yet been closed, but he was waiting for Mauch Chunk Trust Company’s response on how the county should move forward on this matter.

Sheehan pointed out that posting the check on social media allowed people to see what the county’s check design is, the bank that is used and the bank’s ABA number, the county’s account information and officials’ signatures.

“The person who posted this apparently failed Cybersecurity 101,” Sheehan said. “You never put bank information out on social media. In fact, they have countless pamphlets distributed telling you not to do that. … At this point, you really don’t know who is seeing it and what they might do with that information.”

He pointed out that approximately 7,500 checks are issued by the county annually to various vendors, but the difference there is these companies are trusted. On social media people get access who would normally not need to see the county’s checks.

“In this case, we put our information out there to potential millions. This information could be used or collected and sold and used later on down the road. This also puts our depository, Mauch Chunk Trust Company, at a certain level and risk and liability,” Sheehan said.

He said he spoke with the bank, which is now monitoring the account for any fraudulent activity until it can determine what the county’s next step should be. The bank could possibly recommend closing the account.

One thing that Sheehan pointed out was that while this was the county’s checking account, it was not the general fund, but rather a clearing account that is used to transfer money into from the general fund to pay various bills. This week, the county voted to transfer $721,700.97 into that clearing account to pay the necessary bills.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner, who said he doesn’t have access to the Facebook account, said that he feels all things that are posted on the Facebook page should first be reviewed and approved by at least two of the three members of the board, rather than just one commissioner.

He added that this post proved the downfalls of social media.

“It’s very bad that our county could be in jeopardy,” Ahner said. “I think something has to be done with our (social media) policies.”

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein agreed that posts should be approved by the majority of the board and the social media policy should be revisited. He also was in favor of closing the account if that is what Mauch Chunk Trust recommends.

County Controller Mark Sverchek voiced his concerns, noting that the signatures that weren’t redacted can cause the county problems, too.

“This is a serious lapse of judgment on behalf of Commissioner Lukasevich,” he said. “... It’s very unfortunate that this happened, concurrent with that, if it was me or the treasurer or another office holder, I’m confident that we would have been vilified by others in the county for doing that. I just think it’s important for the public to know that.”

The commissioners removed the post in question immediately following the meeting.

Lukasevich issues apology

Carbon County Commissioner Chris Lukasevich issued a statement Thursday evening regarding the post he made that brought into question the security of the financial information for the county.

“As I have done privately, I publicly apologize for my error in judgment when I posted on the Carbon County Commissioners’ Facebook page on the afternoon of 21 October, a low-resolution image of an unredacted county check issued from our holding account to the Borough of Lansford resulting from the sale of the County RR. The post was deleted and the County Treasurer notified MCTC to protect against any issue that could result from the unredacted information. No suspicious activity of any kind has been associated with any of the unredacted information.

“The purpose of the image’s posting, accompanied by text, was to bring positive and timely attention to the Board’s action in honoring its obligation to the Borough of Lansford and ensure the general public was similarly aware.

“Again, my apologies to the residents of Carbon County for this lapse in judgment demonstrated by not thoroughly redacting the posted information.

“Corrective actions taken include monitoring of the holding account, updating of the County’s social media policy and cyber-awareness training.

“I will continue to push for persistent and timely transparency in county activities, to include maximizing the potential of social media; however, the lessons of this experience will be incorporated into this passion.

“As always, I remain available to discuss this matter or any other matter of county interest. Simply call to the office at 570-325-3611 or my personal cell at 570-503-6780.

“With sincere regrets, Chris Lukasevich”