The state Department of Taxation announced today that it has placed several workers on administrative leave without pay this week, following the discovery of an internal security breach of the department’s tax database.

The breach was found during an audit of the department’s security systems and internal controls this year, department officials said. The incidents occurred at least as far back as 2008 and were referred to the state Attorney General’s office for investigation, they said.

The department said it would not issue further statements because of the pending investigation. The Attorney General’s office was not available for comment tonight.

Donalyn Dela Cruz, spokeswoman for Gov. Neil Abercrombie, said the breach was an "internal matter" and "preliminarily, there is no need for the public to feel that their information has been breached."