BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -
The
embattled former commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco
Control was released on his own recognizance by a federal judge Tuesday morning.
Murphy
Painter was not required to post any bond, but must promise to return to court
when needed. Painter is accused of using his power and access to spy on people,
mainly women. Painter will be free throughout his trial, with some supervisions.
He
surrendered his passport and had to remove an extensive gun collection from his
house. His next appearance will be in one week.
This
was the 59-year-old's initial appearance in federal court Tuesday morning for a
hearing after being indicted on computer fraud, making false statements and
aggravated identity theft by a grand jury on May 23.
Painter appeared
before Magistrate Judge Stephen Riedlinger at 11 a.m.
The Office
of the State Inspector General said it investigated Painter for nearly five
years following a complaint from a former ATC employee.
Inspector
General Stephen Street said Kelli Suire claimed Painter was stalking her. He
said investigators later found Painter used state and Federal Bureau of
Investigations databases to get personal information about Suire and her
attorney, Jill Craft.
US Attorney
Don Cazayoux said if Painter is convicted of the above charges, he could face a
maximum of 82 years in prison and fines up to more than $12 million.
The indictment
alleges Painter made false statements to FBI agents. He is accused of using law
enforcement databases for "non-official criminal justice purposes."
The indictment also claims Painter exceeded his authorized access and obtained
person identification information on several people throughout the area.
Investigators
said between February 25, 2005 and August 13, 2010 Painter abused his power,
mostly looking for personal information about females in the New Orleans,
Gonzales and Baton Rouge areas.
Painter
resigned from his position as head of ATC in August 2010. Shortly after,
allegations surfaced that he conducted illegal criminal background checks.
Copyright 2012 WAFB. All rights reserved.
Murphy Painter
