Gov’t Passport scandals widen: Smith joins Clinton, Obama and McCain as high-profile victims

By Matthew B. Zeidman

WASHINGTON (Hollywood Today) 3/27/08 – First celebrities had to worry about their medical records being compromised, and now it’s their passport histories. Following last week’s revelation that State Department workers improperly peaked at presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain’s travel files, the Associated Press reported Wednesday that late actress Anna Nicole Smith’s information was also suspiciously accessed.

Officials originally learned the profiles had been compromised by electronic security flags which were raised whenever a high-profile individual’s files were accessed. None of the government employees or contractors found perusing the presidential candidates’ information had authorization to do so and have reportedly been disciplined or fired. Analysts believe tighter security measures for important individuals’ records will be implemented in the wake of these breaches.

It is not yet clear if Smith’s files were accessed before or after her February 2007 death in the Bahamas of a drug overdose. This recent violation of celebrity privacy follows a scandal earlier this month, when it was revealed curious UCLA Medical Center workers looked at pop singer Britney Spears’ medical records without consent.