10/24/2007

News / Bogus IDs said to fool scanners

Linked from: http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=632684&category=FRONTPG&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=10/24/2007

Written by: Jamed M. Odato

ALBANY -- Counterfeit documents have been getting through scanning machines that the Department of Motor Vehicles plans to use under Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to provide driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, according to a state government source familiar with the performance of the machines.
A DMV fraud unit at the Swan Street headquarters, running tests in recent weeks, found the scanners routinely declaring bogus ID documents as valid, the person said.


If the shortcomings with the technology aren't ironed out, such failures could be critical. Under the governor's program, undocumented immigrants would be allowed to get driver's licenses if they can produce other forms of identification, such as foreign passports or birth certificates.

The equipment has failed to recognize counterfeit U.S.-issued resident alien cards and bogus New York state driver's licenses with regularity, the state source said.

Even documents that look like forgeries are passing the tests, just six weeks before the licensing program is supposed to begin getting phased in.

"The machines are supposed to work; they don't," the source said.

Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for Spitzer, to whom DMV is referring all calls, was unable to confirm or deny the performance reports.

But a news conference at which DMV Commissioner David J. Swarts planned to demonstrate the technology has been postponed, she said.

The event was planned for today, with officials from the equipment company and representatives of the DMV investigations unit, according to the source.

The tests are being run through equipment provided by Viisage, which is affiliated with L-1 Identity Solutions.

A company spokeswoman said she would refer questions to an appropriate official but no one from Viisage contacted the Times Union. Givner said the company has provided various types of verification equipment to several states and federal agencies. She was unsure whether New York has received the same system as those of other Viisage customers. Spitzer has said DMV is creating a "first-of-its-kind in the nation" system where specially trained staff will verify the validity of various forms of ID from undocumented immigrants.

Viisage has a nearly $1.5 million contract with DMV that was approved Sept. 11, according to records at the comptroller's office. The contract is to develop a document authentication system and provide installation and maintenance services. The contract runs through Dec. 1, 2009.

A second component of the new technology for checking applications -- in which a machine compares a person's photo to see if duplicate IDs have been issued to that image -- appears to be working, the source said.

Asked if the documentation equipment has been found to work elsewhere, Givner said the contractor told the state there is no known independent analysis of performance.

"They do gather results directly from their clients," she said. "This data is used to plan future versions of their products and services to ensure they continue to meet the evolving needs of their customers."

While the performance tests have been under way at DMV, lawmakers at the Capitol have been blasting or defending Spitzer over his licensing policy, which was abruptly announced last month.

On Tuesday, Assembly Republicans denounced the program in speeches on the Assembly floor. Echoing similar remarks Monday by Senate Republicans, the 42-member Assembly minority complained the policy will lead to security breaches and allow terrorists to obtain official IDs. They also said the policy change is illegal.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo rejected that conclusion and said he is prepared to defend Spitzer's policy in court. A lawsuit has been filed by Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola, and Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco has threatened one.

Cuomo said Swarts "has determined that he has the ability to verify certain foreign source documents, such as foreign passports" and plans to enforce the new policy.

Assembly Republicans nevertheless pushed for amendments on unrelated bills to essentially kill the governor's initiative. They failed to get them to the floor. They also tried unsuccessfully to push a measure to protect county clerks who defy Spitzer's driver's license policy.

The Republicans were able to get several Democrats to join them in voting for the amendments, highlighting the divisions within the 108-member Democratic majority over the governor's plan. Several lawmakers said they've received calls from voters opposing the idea of giving people illegally in this country the chance to gain a driver's license.

"I'm reflecting my constituents," said Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, D-Rome, who joined the minority in the amendment votes. "I also don't like the way it was done."

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, arrived after the action. He said he was delayed because of travel interruptions on his return from Italy.




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