State officials checking use of email for cheating website

HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania government officials are looking into whether state employees used state-owned computers or email to access an online website for people who want to cheat on their spouses.

Office of Administration spokesman Dan Egan said on Aug. 20 the agency was investigating to see if anyone violated the state's policy regarding the use of technology in connection with the Ashley Madison website.

Leaked data from the website has raised questions about whether public employees were using government resources to seek partners for extramarital affairs.

Egan says the state's policy prohibits the use of state computers or email to access sexual, pornographic or obscene material.

He says violations could result in discipline, including potential firings.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the city's information technology department is undertaking a similar investigation.