Theft and misuse of state funds and property runs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. In some cases, the thieves and misspenders are state employees. But unless they are charged with a crime, there's little chance of finding out who they are.

It wasn't always that way. State agencies' reports of theft and misuse used to be public. The News & Observer cited them in a November 2002 report to illustrate the level of theft in state government, identify some of the people involved and show that some agencies were not filing the required reports.

Shortly after, State Bureau of Investigation Director Robin Pendergraph shut down access to such information. She ordered state agencies to fill out a one-page form that gives little space to describe what happened and avoids asking who was involved.

At the time, Pendergraph said state agencies complained about the information being public. Another SBI staffer said the agencies were concerned that some of the information was protected under the personnel law.

The N&O asked Attorney General Roy Cooper to review the decision, but he hasn't changed it. His spokeswoman said this month that he would not be available for an interview.