Uber Fined $8.9 Million In Colorado For Allowing Drivers With Felonies, Motor Violations To Work (jalopnik.com)

Uber has been fined by a Colorado regulator on Monday for nearly $9 million, after an investigation revealed that 57 people with criminal and motor vehicle offenses were allowed to drive with the ride-hailing company. Jalopnik reports: States across the U.S. have been considering laws to require additional background checks for individuals who drive for Uber and competitors like Lyft. In Colorado, the state's Public Utilities Commission investigated the company's drivers after an incident this past March, reported The Denver Post, when a driver dragged a passenger out of a car and kicked them in the face. The commission said it found 57 drivers had issues that should've disqualified them from driving for Uber, including felony convictions for driving under the influence and reckless driving, while others had revoked, suspended or canceled licenses. A similar investigation was conducted on Lyft, the Post reported, but no violations were revealed. An Uber spokesperson said the situation stems from a "process error" that was "inconsistent with Colorado's ridesharing regulations." The spokesperson said Uber "proactively notified" the commission. "This error affected a small number of drivers and we immediately took corrective action," the company said in a statement to the Post. "Per Uber safety policies and Colorado state regulations, drivers with access to the Uber app must undergo a nationally accredited third-party background screening. We will continue to work closely with the CPUC to enable access to safe, reliable transportation options for all Coloradans."

Comments

Felonies

[RazorSharp]

There's no incentive for someone, once convicted of a felony, to cease committing crimes when the only places that will hire them are Taco Bell and McDonald's. That's why our prison system doesn't reform people, it just makes them even worse criminals. The law should work the other way: it should be illegal to discriminate against people for past transgressions unless they clearly disqualify the individual, such as a child molester working at a daycare.

It would seem that something as basic as being an Uber driver should be available for most former criminals. I mean, I get the people who don't have drivers licenses are a problem, but why should you have a spotless record to be an Uber driver?

Re:Felonies

[duke_cheetah2003]

Nailed it. Felonies should not be a death sentence, but they are. You cannot find work, cannot vote, cannot participate in government. You're basically an outcast for the rest of your life. Best move to another country and hope your criminal record doesn't come along for the ride. Felony conviction in the USA is a permanent punishment. You will never have the same rights as a non-felon. Ever. Trust me on this one, I know, I am a felon, I did something stupid 30 years ago, and I'm still fucked over.

Re: Felonies

[aristotle-dude]

The problem is when violent criminals are in a one on one situation, where they could potentially use child safety locks to prevent a rider from leaving a vehicle. It's a high risk situation, as opposed to other service environments where others are around and it's harder to engage in violent behavior. I agree that criminal background checks are too often a disqualification for jobs, but this is a time where it makes some sense.

Again, not all felons committed violent acts. Perhaps, there should be a monitoring period for certain types of jobs and the right to refuse employment based on the job type? Some felons might actually be rehabilitated?

Re:Felonies

[duke_cheetah2003]

The problem is... pretty much every felony 'clearly disqualifies' you from pretty much every job. Violent acts, sexual assaults, and major thefts top the list of felonies, and I can't imagine any employer wanting someone who is known to solve problems with violence, might rape a co-worker, or might steal as an employee. I can see ignoring a DUI for a job that doesn't involve driving, though. Perhaps there are other obvious exceptions.

There are no exceptions. A felony conviction is a mark you carry to your grave. Doesn't matter to an employer, could be money laundering, or embezzling, or any other non-violent white-collar crime. Felony is a felony. There is no distinguishing between rapists and embezzlers and fraud. It's all the same. You're fucked, there's no exceptions. And as long as society continues to treat anyone who made a mistake as a permanent criminal.. it won't change. This is what society wants, criminals to be outcasts and never reintegrate into society in a constructive manner. It's almost like they want felons to keep to their criminal behavior, since all legitimate work is cut-off.

Knowingly writing a bad check is a felony, just as example of just how petty a crime can be to brand you as an outcast for life.

Re:Felonies

[mrbester]

If you cannot vote, you cannot participate in the democratic process. Why pay taxes, then? "No taxation without representation" was a corner stone of that little shindig that occurred 250 years ago.

Re:Felonies

[Uberbah]

That's kind of the point: their time is never completely served

So you are making the return to meth dealing the best option for the convicted meth dealer. Saner countries actually rehabilitate people, as opposed to the U.S. which prefers to be tough rather than effective on crime.

"Treat people like dirt, and they will be dirt. Treat them like human beings, and they will act like human beings."

they're not allowed to vote

Why. I've never seen anyone articulate a reason for why convicts shouldn't be able to vote while they're in prison, much less released from it. It's not like they don't have to pay taxes and be subjected to public policy. And what are they going to do anyway - pool their efforts and get Lex Luthor elected president?

they're not allowed to own a gun

That one at least makes some sense, at least for the convicted meth dealer. Doesn't explain why he shouldn't find a decent job working construction or working for FedEx, though.

Ooh, a fine!

[WillAffleckUW]

That will teach them.

NOT.

You want change?

Jail the Uber execs.

1st red flag: hired a federal prosecutor

[rmdingler]

Joe Sullivan, the recently dismissed chief of security and a former federal prosecutor (formerly employed by the Facebook) has been at the center of much of the decision-making that has backfired on Uber this year.

No Lee Iacocca, his reign begins to resemble a Marissa Mayer salvation.