Nov. 22, 2011
Statement from Fred Stock, President and CEO,
Jewish Community Services
305-899-1587

Yesterday, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) was shocked to learn about the arrest of an employee over allegations of identity theft concerning the personal information of 32 clients in the Holocaust Survivors’ Assistance Program. The employee in question has been suspended without pay, pending the outcome of the police investigation.  She has worked for JCS for nearly three years and, consistent with agency practice, she passed the required State of Florida Level 2 background checks necessary for employment.

JCS is cooperating fully with the United States Attorney’s office and local police. JCS professional staff has an extremely close relationship with its Holocaust Survivor population and has already begun notifying potentially affected clients and family members of this possible breach.  JCS will work with them to put measures in place to further protect their personal information through credit monitoring. JCS places a supreme value on its integrity and professionalism as a social-service organization, caring for its clients and ensuring their privacy.  As such, JCS’s main concern now is the well-being and security of those who may be at risk.

Service to the South Florida Jewish community has been at the core of JCS’s work for 91years. Its mission remains to treat each of the more than 30,000 people served annually with the utmost dignity.  The leadership of JCS is deeply concerned about this violation against its clients and the agency and will continue to work to resolve this matter expeditiously.

Distributed by:
Mark Sell/Ray Casas
Wragg & Casas Public Relations
305-372-1234 Cell: 305-206-5397
msell@wraggcasas.com