A former Hall County employee has been charged with intentionally corrupting the county government website and network for unknown reasons.

Paul Herriott worked for the county’s Management Information Systems Department, which provides computer network security and connectivity, for more than 10 years before his position was eliminated in June, according to county officials.

Herriott allegedly accessed the county government network on Oct. 1 without permission, knowing such use would interfere with its operability, according to authorities.  

He has been charged with one count of computer trespass.  

“A citizen reported a problem with a page on www.hallcounty.org, which was linked to a subsite that Mr. Herriott corrupted,” Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Nicole Bailes said. “We were the investigating agency and Herriott turned himself in at the jail once the warrant was obtained.”

It is unclear what his intent was or what information he might have sought.

Herriott was booked Monday and has since posted a $16,700 bond. He has not returned phone calls from The Times.

County spokeswoman Katie Crumley said administration could not comment while the investigation continues.

Herriott declined to comment and directed inquiries to his lawyer, Mike Weaver of the Weaver Law Firm in Gainesville. Weaver did not return calls for comment.