Babeu: It’s time to bar convicted felons from County Government employment
Trust in government is important to any democracy. As the people charged with running government on a day to day basis, government employees must be especially trustworthy and honest in their jobs so as to enable government to maintain that trust.
Government employees at every level, be it public safety employees, administrators, or clerks, have been entrusted with duties and powers that make integrity especially important.
Yet, unfortunately, here in Pinal County that trust has been breached recently when convicted felons have been hired by our County Government.
Over the last year, two convicted felons hired by Pinal County Government have been arrested and charged with crimes extending directly from their employment by the County.
County Recorder Laura Dean-Lytle hired a convicted felon Albert Robbs, immediately upon release from prison to work in the County Recorder’s office. Despite a background that should have given any reasonable person pause before placing them in a position of trust, the County Recorder’s office placed Robbs in a position that gave him access to Pinal County residents’ checking account numbers, credit card information, and yes, even social security numbers. It’s not surprising he was subsequently arrested and indicted for identity theft and assisting in a criminal syndicate.
Robbs was stealing checks submitted to the recorder’s office and then turning them over to one of three accomplices (Larry Garcia) as payment for drugs. The other two accomplices were indicted for forgery, aggravated identity theft, possession of dangerous and narcotic drugs for sale, and fraudulent schemes and artifices racking up nearly $100,000 in retail purchases.
In the Pinal County Superior Court, another convicted felon was hired as a Bailiff. Royzelle Williams, had served nine years in state prison for theft, possession and sale/distribution of drugs. He also was hired upon his release from prison. Just last week, he was arrested, booked and charged with accepting bribes in exchange for attempting to influence the outcome of cases before the Superior Court.
These situations serve as strong examples of why we should ban the hiring of convicted felons. Leaders in our government have knowingly hired convicted felons, who have used their public offices to commit serious crimes. Hiring officials allowed their personal relationships or other considerations color their judgment when it comes to hiring decisions. That’s why I believe Pinal County must have a policy that prohibits the hiring of convicted felons.
Every time an incident like those mentioned above occurs, a piece of the hard earned trust that our honest employees have earned from residents is lost. The good work done by our government employees is needlessly called into question by the bad deeds of people like this.
Our county employees and residents deserve better.
It’s time for the County Board of Supervisors to pass policy changes that prohibit the hiring of felons. Furthermore, I believe that Pinal County employees in sensitive positions should routinely have their backgrounds checked to help ensure we do not unknowingly have convicted felons working in these positions.
The residents of Pinal County deserve honesty and integrity from County Government. Changing our policies to prohibit the hiring of convicted felons and instituting routine background checks for employees in sensitive positions are two common sense changes we should make to help further these goals.
Respectfully,
Paul Babeu, Sheriff
Pinal County, Arizona
Comments
7 Responses to “Babeu: It’s time to bar convicted felons from County Government employment”
Leave a Reply
When there are so many deserving people out of work, why is the county hiring convicted felons? It doesn’t make any sense. It’s like being rewarded for committing a felony!
looks to me people are waking up to the law. whats the use in making laws and punishing people for there crimes, when they have paid there dues you turn your backs on them. There is a reason that x-con return to crime, its the system. Once a person has completed there time you go on and lable them a felon, if they will wear this for life whats the use in doing the time.I am sure you would like all felons to be hung, do you think that would stop crime??? lol How do you expect a felon whos paid there dues to act when you look down on them. Its good to see some people are trying to help x-convicts, just not sure why they picked these 2. I believe that if your a felon and you have done your time you should have your record cleared, or if you become a felon you should have to give your life because thats just what they steal from you when you become one
There is nothing wrong with putting felons in government positions. They would do better in there than the professional liars and cheats that occupy these positions anyway. You have two options:
1. Pass laws that protect felons’ rights to employment in any job, thus, decreasing criminal activity. 2. Wait until that person who was a felon has nothing to loose, because he/she can’t find a job to survive, knocks on your door, pulls out a weapon, and robs your stupid behind for not going along with option #1.
It doesn’t take rocket science people to realize that option #1 is more beneficial to society as a whole.
NO there shouldn’t be a bar on convicted felons being aloud to work in government employment. It may be the only employment that they will EVER be able to obtain. It may also save you, the people, from getting robbed so frequently as it occurs today.
There has to be a balance here. This issue is not a black & white topic. There are certain offenses that require more supervision or continued connection with the system. But to just through the label out there or be pre-judice against anyone who has broken the law and paid their due to society is a very dangerous situation. That is a good way to create desperation for what you are now labeling as a minority.
You may want to open your mind about this.
Maybe I can make up a site that has all the law enforcment officials that have broke the law, it might be quite long. Its a shame that people need to make other people inferior. I commend the county for hiring these people, even thought they did do wrong, then are getting what the deserve more time in prison. Thats what this is all about punishment and forgiving once they have served there time. Would our lord not do the same?
It seems all the people who are for Felons in government jobs use the idea it is either that or they return to crime. I don’t have a government job and I’m not a criminal. NO felon should work in government. There are plenty of other careers out there without the need to become violent and commit crimes. There should be a 2 strike law if they commit a felony a second time they have proven beyond doubt they belong in prison FOREVER. The oney who TRUELY learn their lesson can get a job elsewhere. Government jobs should go to people who have proven their worth by not commiting crimes in the first place. Yes.. all government isn’t lawful and have their flaws in that area, but why make it worse?
I am unfortunately a convicted felon. I did something very wrong and regret what I did everyday. Since being convicted I have obtained two master’s degrees, have not had so much as a ticket since then (almost six years since my arrest, almost five since conviction). I have been shunned by every company where I have applied to with the exception of one small business who didn’t conduct background searches. I am working very hard to ensure that I never step outside of the law ever again, yet everytime I apply to a job the only thing anyone ever sees is that conviction, no one sees that I am a disabled vet or the fact that I have done good work in my life. I’m not trying to get pitty, I just want an opportunity, whether in government or civilian job doesn’t matter to me.