Federal prosecutors charged 11 people yesterday with the theft and sale of more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers from at least nine U.S. retailers in what they said was one of the largest and most complex hacking and identity theft cases ever brought. Read more…

Oklahoma’s district court judges are sealing thousands of court cases and documents — mostly because attorneys simply asked them to. Read more…

So which Rodney E. Miller was the real one?

Was it the chief operating officer who joined Hollywood’s Memorial Regional Hospital eight months ago, after receiving glowing reviews from his old bosses? Read more…

An increasing number of criminal records found among employees is attributed to employers conducting more thorough investigations on the candidates they hire, claims a recent report by Staff Patrol, a provider of employment background screening services for both commercial clients and individuals. Companies are also scrutinizing a larger percentage of their staff, including contractors and temporary employees. Read more…

This is a good idea, however, what is the library going to do if the volunteer and/or applicant has recently come from out of state? The Illinois State Police check will not cover any crimes outside of the state of Illinois. The library might want to add the use of an outside private company to conduct these checks when they arise. Read more…

Every so often I like to go looking around and find the absolute best and most useful information sources available on the Internet. Since the Internet is in a state of constant change it stand to figure that information sources will be as well. Below, you will find MY list of the best information sources available today. Read more…

The victim of a violent crime in a Gainesville Wal-Mart parking lot is suing the global corporation for damages in a trial that started Monday, alleging the company negligently hired a teenager with a history of violence.

The case draws into question the hiring practices of the nation’s largest retail chain.

Tiffany Simmons, 19, took the stand today at the Alachua County civil courthouse, recounting an ordeal that took place almost two years ago when she approached a Wal-Mart cart collector looking for her cell phone. Read more…

This just goes to show that it is very important to include education verification during the employment screening process.

Scores of people in Maryland, Virginia and the District are on a list compiled by federal investigators of more than 9,600 people who might have purchased fraudulent high school diplomas and college degrees, including some who appear to work in government and the military. Read more…

Are drug screens legal? Recently, I overheard a conversation at a meeting where two people were discussing the legality of pre-employment drug screens. Are they legal? Yes. Are they necessary? Absolutely. Pre-screening or background checks are necessary to make sure that employers make the right decision for their businesses. Read more…

Lansing, this time. Just a few days ago, we issued a story on this blog concerning over 1900 child care workers who had slipped through the cracks in the hiring processes. Four of those had received their certificates and checks while in prison. Now, according to WILX, a child care worker who has been convicted of molesting a 13 year old girl has triggered the Department of Parks and Recreation to review the background checks they perform. According to the report, the current system of checks is done by the local police department. Admittedly, they know it is possible for someone to fall through the cracks, usually with things such as minor as traffic offenses. The director says all precautions are taken, but obviously did not work in this case. There is an even more alarming twist to this story. The station that reported the story ran a poll asking those with children in camps if they knew whether or not the camp their child attends performs background checks on potential workers. The results are astounding. Over 73 percent of those who answered admitted that they did not know if the camps attended by their children use criminal background checks! Don’t make this grievous mistake. Remember, as parents, you are the last line of defense in most cases. It’s your right to ask if the employee screening process uses an extensive, reputable criminal background service company.