U.S. joins lawsuit against firm that vetted Snowden

[Indi Guy]

Source: Reuters

The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it joined a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower against United States Investigations Services, the firm that vetted Edward Snowden who leaked documents about U.S. spying efforts. While the lawsuit is not about the firm's review of Snowden, it alleges that USIS failed to perform quality control reviews in connection with its background investigations.

The lawsuit adds to the pressure on the firm, which also cleared government contractor Aaron Alexis, who killed 12 people at the Navy Yard last month.

The firm has had a contract since 1996 to vet individuals seeking employment with federal agencies. Such background checks include investigative fieldwork on each application...

...The firm concealed the practice, known as "dumping," and improperly billed the federal Office of Personnel Management for the work, the DOJ said.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/30/us-usa-security-snowden-usis-idUSBRE99T17Z20131030

[MADem]

1. You get what you pay for. Contractors should not vet contractors.

That should be a position held by people who actually work for the US government, and who, after years of service, should expect and receive a pension for quality work. And their work should be vetted as well, and their performance monitored periodically, to maintain high standards.

[the_sly_pig]

2. They did a fine job with Snowden.

Government hired someone with a conscience. This prosecution of whistleblowers makes me puke.

[Indi Guy]

3. I'd be curious to see the job app; especially the part pertaining to...

...honesty & integrity. Maybe that's why he got hired.

[sendero]

4. This is what happens..

... and what any reasonable person would expect when you OUTSOURCE MISSION-CRITICAL FUNCTIONS TO A COMPANY WITH ALMOST NOTHING TO LOSE FOR DOING SHODDY WORK.

I'm just happy that in Snowden's case it worked to the country's benefit.

[Indi Guy]

5. Yeah...

...and just think how many times the opposite was true.