Employee Reprimanded Over E-Mail Hoax
E-Mail Circulates Around Nation
Franchell Plummer
Michael A. Stafford's Office
Harris County Attorney
2525 Murworth
Houston, TX 77054 Having Plummer's title attached to the e-mail was a big reason why it became such a big deal. "That did give it some credibility, making it seem legitimate and that was a big concern for us. It was not an authorized e-mail," said John Barnhill, the first assistant county attorney. Barnhill said that he's gotten calls from all over the country about the e-mail -- from as far away as Washington state and Washington, D.C. Everyone received an apology. "We regret that so many folks thought there was actually some validity to this," Barnhill said. "I just want to apologize to the public. I never meant to hurt or harm anyone," Plummer said. Plummer received a written reprimand since she used a county computer. She said that she will never again forward an e-mail, no matter how convincing it looks. Internet experts told News2Houston that most e-mail hoaxes deal with a common thread to hook people. In this case, the mail was used. The hoax also tries to convince the reader why it hasn't been reported on the news. Experts suggest that e-mails should not be forwarded until they are verified as fact. Urban Legend Web Site Information:
- Perfume E-Mail Explained As Hoax
- www.urbanlegends.about.com/
- www.cdc.gov/hoax_rumors.htm
- www.snopes2.com/
- www.netsquirrel.com/combatkit/
- www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
Copyright 2003 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.






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