Census Bureau Failed to Vet 2020 Count Hires, Employed Number of Criminals
The Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released controlled information from a 2020 audit of the U.S. Census Bureau. The 28-page report, which includes several redacted sections, revealed that the Census Bureau failed to adequately review new employees hired to complete the 2020 census, hiring individuals unsuitable for federal employment.
In preparation for the recent count, the Census Bureau offered 900,000 individuals’ temporary positions; however, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions, resulting in widespread complaints from employees. OIG found that this dysfunction led to inadequate background checks of applicants and a backlog of unresolved investigations.
According to investigators, at least 6,802 census employees were not properly adjudicated, resulting in individuals with significant issues working for the Bureau and, in some cases, contacting and engaging with households during the 2020 Census. In instances where adjudicators vetted employees, OIG found that they often failed to request documents needed to assess the severity of the issues raised.
Taking note of the critical role background checks play in protecting the nation’s interests and establishing trust in the federal workforce, the OIG points out: “The lack of oversight increases the risk of unknowingly allowing unsuitable individuals into positions of public trust, which could cause harm to the bureau.”
During the 2020 Census, many of the temporary workers primarily only had their identities verified and fingerprints taken. An estimated 15 percent of a 46-case sample required adjudication owing to criminal charges or recent termination—half of this selected group never received a proper assessment by Census Investigative Services (CIS), yet they served as enumerators and interacted with the public during field operations.
In one case, an applicant had more than 25 years of criminal charges, from felonious assault with a gun to domestic violence, however CIS did not pursue further information and failed to flag the applicant.
OIG urged Census to improve tracking of its backlog, evaluate staffing needs for handling it, ensure managers oversee adjudication procedures, and remove all unqualified employees from its rolls. Agency leaders agreed with the recommendations.
In response to the report, Census Bureau Director Robert Santos stated that his agency takes the background investigation process very seriously and that its pre-employment screening is thorough. Santos concluded, however, that the Census has begun to implement changes, such as ensuring two personnel security specialists review all unfavorable cases.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also investigated the agency’s hiring practices in 2009 and found that nearly a quarter of employees were onboarded despite their inconclusive or incomplete background checks. The OIG investigation indicates that virtually no changes have occurred since GAO’s audit 13 years ago.
