Officials are calling for more thorough background checks on teachers after the arrest of a Gilroy High School math teacher charged with nine counts of sex crimes with a 14-year-old girl. Morgan Hill resident Alberto Gomez Vicuna Jr., 32, was arrested Feb. 25 near his home after the girl’s parents told San Jose police that

The Government Accountability Office reports fraud and abuse helped boost Medicare spending on home health services 44% over five years as some providers exaggerated patients’ medical conditions and others billed for unnecessary services or care they did not provide. The GAO reviewed home care payments from 2002 to 2006, when spending reached $13 billion. The

New York state Lawmakers are now turning their attention towards  closing the legal loopholes that have allowed negligent hiring practices in nursing homes. Since 2007, the state Attorney General’s Office has charged more than 50 nursing home workers, including five in the Rochester area, for kicking, neglecting, tying up, stealing from or sexually abusing residents.

Controversy has arisen around the city worker in Wilmington, NC involved in a police chase last month after the revelation he has a lengthy criminal record.  City officials currently run criminal checks on potential employees based on the job title only.  They often hire people with prior records to help them earn legitimate money and

A state-wide review of mortgage loan broker license holders has revealed a number of convicted criminals as recipients, drugs dealers and gang members among them. The profession operates with minimal state oversight. The licenses give the ex-cons easy access to a client’s personal financial information, including bank account and Social Security numbers. More importantly, the

LA Metro officials say tighter hiring standards for bus operators could be in place as soon as May. Two recent incidents where Metrobus drivers were involved in crimes sparked a thorough review and proposal to amend existing loopholes. One of the drivers had an extensive record of violent felony offenses, including one in which a

North Charleston taxi inspector Ed Ott has taken on the mission of identifying taxi drivers with criminal records and getting the worst offenders off the road. This is part of a larger initiative to protect residents from unqualified and dangerous drivers, a growing problem in recent years. “They’re not out there to drive cabs,” Ott

In the wake of a $9,000 credit fraud crime committed by home health-care worker Laurie Ann Langyel in the name of her 89 year old client, Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal wants lawmakers to pass legislation requiring home health care agencies to conduct criminal background checks on their aides. His proposal would prohibit agencies

Boise Attorney Robert Aldridge is pushing for background checks of all prospective guardians to protect children from unnecessary domestic dangers. He cites the growing number of children who are being adopted by their grandparents after their parents fall into illicit drug use. Aldridge’s proposal would require guardians to be screened for felonies and drug-related activity.

The federally mandated Internet-based system, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing, which allows mortgage companies and loan originators to apply for and manage their licenses electronically, and gone online and into full effect. Loan originators are also required to pass a criminal background check and meet stricter professional licensing procedures. All states are required to join the program