Rep. Chaffetz raises concerns over census counters with criminal records

October 28th, 2009 @ 7:42am
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz wants to make sure the people knocking on doors for the 2010 U.S. Census are not hardened criminals.

The Deseret News reports Chaffetz and three other Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Census Bureau Director Robert Groves on Monday raising concerns about census employees with criminal records.

A recent Governmental Accountability Office study shows the Census Bureau may have accidentally hired 200 criminals.

The lawmakers wrote asking for "a commitment in writing" that "the Census Bureau will not hire anyone with any criminal record to be an enumerator" or any other position "that will interact with the public." (CLICK HERE to read the letter)

They're concerned that allowing people with criminal records to work as enumerators will lead to lack of public confidence and fear over safety and security.

The lawmakers also want a list of all employees with criminal records by Nov. 6 and policy on what crimes would disqualify potential employees.
[link to www.ksl.com]