FRAUDULENT GOVERNOR LINGLE IMPERSONATOR REMOVED FROM ON-LINE CHAT ROOM

For Immediate Release: June 14, 2003

HONOLULU — A local Internet chat room has suspended the account of an online user who has been impersonating Governor Linda Lingle, and turned over all records to the state Attorney General’s office, which is investigating the matter.

Earlier this week, the Governor’s office was alerted of the unauthorized use of Governor Lingle’s name on The Honolulu Advertiser’s on-line discussion bulletin board.  The impersonator posted an unidentified number of fraudulent messages, and responded to other chat room participants using the Governor’s name.  The Honolulu Advertiser’s webmaster immediately suspended the impersonator’s account and removed all discussion “threads” from the on-line chat room.

“The Advertiser took immediate corrective action and was very cooperative in ensuring the impersonator and my name were removed from the discussion board,” said Governor Lingle, who emphasized she has never participated in The Honolulu Advertiser’s or any other on-line chat room discussion.  “Internet bulletin boards can provide a good forum for public discussion on various issues, but the anonymity also can result in fraud and deception.  I just caution the people who participate in on-line chat rooms to use their discretion, and to be aware of the legal ramifications of Internet fraud.”

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Contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-0034
 
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0034