AFR
The former Slater and Gordon executive listed as the owner of the Gmail account which sent an all-staff email containing sensitive salary data says she’s been wrongly accused and that the metadata in the message should make the real author of the missive obvious.
Mari Ruiz-Matthyssen, the firm’s interim chief people officer, also complained via her lawyers about the way the matter had been handled since it erupted on Friday and said she will be taking legal action against an unspecified party or parties.
Ruiz-Matthyssen’s statement was sent on Monday evening, hours after Slater and Gordon assured staff that no client data was leaked when the rogue email was sent last week. It was the first time she has publicly commented on the rogue email since its arrival triggered a crisis at the law firm.
“Since Friday morning, I have been wrongfully accused of sending a highly inappropriate email to Slater and Gordon staff and publicly vilified since that time,” she said in the statement.
“The manner in which this matter has been handled over the past four days has caused immeasurable damage and distress to me personally and professionally, as well as to my family.
“I did not send the email. A cursory examination of the email and its attachment [gives] a clear indication as to the likely identity of the sender. I have engaged lawyers and I am in the process of taking legal action.”
Ruiz-Matthyssen did not specify which party or parties had handled the matter badly or who she would aim her legal action against. The statement was sent on her behalf by her lawyer.
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