It seems that many governments, state and local, only start conducting background checks after some scandal makes the news. Then there are all the embarrassing consequences to say nothing of the liability issues. Of course the key to background checks is that you conduct comprehensive background checks, review them carefully, and pay heed to any criminal records or other red flags.
In the case of the D.C. Deputy Chief of Staff, there were some glitches. According to the DCIST,…”But what they missed is likely the problem. As you may recall, Pringle was brought on last week alongside new Chief of Staff Chris Murphy to give Gray’s administration new life. But it wasn’t but a few days before government watchdog Dorothy Brizill filed a complaint alleging that Pringle voted in the District’s September 2010 primary while living in Maryland. Pringle apologized for the error, and Quander told DePuyt that she’d be staying.”
There is now a new move to be sure D.C. employees are “sufficiently vetted.” Good move. Governments and public service agencies must satisfy the public trust. Anything less is a shirking of duties.
