Calgary 911 Dispatcher Penalized for Illegally Sharing Police Intelligence with Gang Affiliates
A former senior emergency dispatcher in Calgary has admitted to breaching Alberta’s freedom of Data and Privacy (FOIP) Act,resolving her legal case without facing the full extent of criminal charges related to unauthorized dissemination of confidential police data.
Case Overview and Charges Faced
Marian Buonincontri, 59, who worked as a senior 911 operator from may 2013 until January 2023, was originally accused of breach of trust, computer fraud, and mischief tied to misuse of police information. Instead of contesting these serious allegations in court,she pleaded guilty to three counts involving improper collection,use,or disclosure of personal information between March 2022 and january 2023.
Legal Resolution and Penalty Imposed
The sentencing judge accepted a joint suggestion resulting in Buonincontri being fined $30,000-$10,000 per violation. This plea agreement under FOIP legislation led to the dismissal of all other criminal charges against her.
Extent and Methodology Behind data Breach
While employed at Calgary’s emergency communications center with authorized access to sensitive databases containing personal details on individuals involved in active investigations,Buonincontri exploited this privilege by capturing over 200 screenshots from protected police systems using her own smartphone.
Screenshots as Key Evidence Unveiling the Violation
The breach came to light after law enforcement seized mobile devices from two men arrested during separate drug trafficking operations linked with prominent local gangs-the FK group and Self-reliant Soldiers. These images included confidential information such as names, addresses, and license plate numbers connected to persons under inquiry by Calgary Police Service (CPS).
Ties Between Leaked Data and Organized crime Networks
The stolen intelligence was reportedly shared with rival gang members vying for dominance within Calgary’s organized crime landscape. the Independent Soldiers have origins in British Columbia but maintain meaningful influence locally; meanwhile the FK gang has been associated with multiple violent crimes including shootings throughout the city.
Findings From Law Enforcement Search Warrants
- domenico Loiacono-linked with Independent Soldiers-was apprehended on extortion and trafficking charges; his phone contained CPS database screenshots that triggered deeper investigation into internal leaks.
- A month later Steven Mark was arrested during another drug-related probe; his device also held similar unauthorized images tied to FK gang activities.
- CPS traced all suspicious database queries found on these phones exclusively back to Buonincontri between April and December 2022.
Consequences for Public Confidence & Security Measures
This episode exposes critical weaknesses within law enforcement data protection systems when trusted employees abuse their privileged access.It highlights ongoing challenges faced by agencies nationwide working tirelessly to safeguard sensitive intelligence amid rising organized crime threats-in Canada alone gang-related violence surged nearly 20% over recent years according to public safety analyses.
“This security breach not only jeopardized active investigations but also put lives at risk by perhaps revealing informants or undercover officers,” stated an insider familiar with CPS operations.
Status After Investigation Closure
Buinoncontri was placed on administrative leave early last year once suspicions arose during initial inquiries into data leaks. Her guilty plea brings resolution for prosecutors demanding accountability while reinforcing strict compliance with privacy laws governing conduct within public safety roles.
