Texas Lotto winner IDs compromised

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas Comptroller's office and the Travis County District Attorney is investigating a case where more then 27,000 Texas Lotto winners personal information may be compromised.

"A tip was given to us back in August," said Comptroller spokesman R.J. DeSilva. "That is when we began the investigation."

According to the search warrant, Joseph Anthony Mueggenborg, 39, was working at the Comptroller's office as an analyst when an investigator found an electronic folder on his state computer labeled "lottery." Upon further investigation, they found the names, social security numbers and other identifying information of more than 27,000 lottery winners and employees of the Texas Lottery Commission. Mueggenborg had previous worked at the Texas Lottery Commission.

"Just prior to leaving the Lottery, I indiscriminately copied all the files from the "My Documents" folder to a CD/DVD which I carried to subsequent jobs the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Comptroller's Office," said Mueggenborg in a statement to investigators.

Mueggenborg went on to say he copied that file onto his computer at the Comptroller's office for a possible future reference as a programmer at other state agencies.

The Texas Lottery Commission has sent out letters to all the victims, outlining what they can do to protect their credit. At this time, no arrest has been made and the investigation is ongoing.