Return to Article: OPM tightens rules blocking criminals from federal work

By Karen Rutzick krutzick@govexec.com January 18, 2007
  • 20776

    Block criminals from federal work? Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Why is this even an issue? I went through a background investigation to get my job in 1979. What has changed since then? If people choose to commit crimes and break the law, they have to live with the consequences of their actions, which include (among other things) not being able to work for the federal government. It's all about personal responsibility.

    Case closed!

    GovExec.com reader Posted January 24, 2007 11:46 AM
  • 20758

    Ain't goin to happen! If we got rid of all the crooks, there would be too few left in government! Look at the mess in the White House - Rove, Libby, The VP, and throughout the staff. Likewise, only Congressional members put money in a deep freeze, travel on unnecessary trips paid by us and steal from the post office.

    We cannot get rid of the crooks in the government! We do not even send them to jail!

    taxpayer Posted January 24, 2007 7:03 AM
  • 20727

    If it smells like crap and it looks like crap, guess what, it is! In our present day society, one in seven people have been in jail and one in 30 are on probation. What kind of odds are there that someone next to you has been involved in some kind of "crime." Our society is way too litigious. This is just another example of the two-caste society we have become. No, I do not want an axe murderer sitting next to me, or making decisions on the level that affects my family, but anytime you let OPM and their minions start dabbling in the gene pool, you can bet the results will be for segregation of the "Lesser Lots in Lot," at their discretion.

    Civil Slave Posted January 22, 2007 5:41 PM
  • 20713

    Tightening the rules may seem like a good idea. But, if the new Congress starts cracking down on the internal misdoings in various federal agencies at various management levels, won't OPM be forced to rescind the rules just to prevent a mass exodus of managers?

    Most of the federal workforce is aware that management treats federal rules and regulations more like suggestions than the lawful means of carrying out government business. OPM isn't exactly a shining example either.

    The way things are going with the new personnel rating system, you may only be able to attract new workers from prisons and, possibly, mental institutions. So, tighter rules may hurt OPM more than they help.

    Robert M. Posted January 21, 2007 7:32 PM
  • 20703

    I reckon the Beltway will become the National Ghost Town and be placed in the Historic Register.

    GovExec.com reader Posted January 19, 2007 11:10 AM

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OPM tightens rules blocking criminals from federal work
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