FBI background check for AUSA position Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have to submit to a background check for an AUSA position. I have no arrests or convictions. No drug use. And no foreign ties. The worst they will uncover is that I have viewed porn on the Internet. Is this anything to worry about? Will it be viewed as a character flaw or reflecting on poor moral turpitude or something like that?

[rad lulz]

m

[encore1101]

Yes, because we live in the 16th century puritanical era.

[haus]

Suggested reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Edgar_Hoover

[Anonymous User]

Thanks. I figured the same could be said of the agents doing the background check, but you can't blame me for being paranoid.

[owlofminerva]

Nothing to worry about. The basic FBI check for these types of positions are really just looking for criminal behavior and really isn't much more than checking out your criminal record and maybe some interviews of references and the like. The only time "character" traits like this really MIGHT be an issue is a position with a top secret clearance that requires a polygraph on character (as opposed to a counterintelligence polygraph). Those positions are typically only when you are looking at a job with one of the intelligence agencies or an FBI agent.

[dreakol]

describe in detail the porn you watch

[Carter1901]

describe in detail the porn you watch

[rtb2008x]

Yes, because we live in the 16th century puritanical era.

hahaha

hahaha this user was banned for anon abuse

[hmlee]

No. The background checks focus on criminal behavior, drug use, your general traits as a person, and uncovering any lies that you might have made on your application / in the background check forms.

[Coprolalia]

FBI background checks are database only. It takes 5 minutes.

If that's all it is, you're fine. Even for a secret or top secret clearance, which require personal investigations, you should be fine. Just don't worry and be consistent.

They can't check your internet use. They're not set up for it. The release might make it look like they can, but they don't have the manpower.

You have nothing to worry about.

Edit: grammar.

[haus]

FBI background checks are database only. It takes 5 minutes.

If that's all it is, you're fine. Even for a secret or top secret clearance, which require personal investigations, you should be fine. Just don't worry and be consistent.

They can't check your internet use. They're not set up for it. The release might make it look like they can, but they don't have the manpower.

You have nothing to worry about.

Edit: grammar.

Historically this has been true. Although there has been an interest in doing more to monitor activity of various sorts. PBS recently ran a story about some types of expansions that are being considered (sadly sort on juicy details, but I think it sheds a light on the direction that the government intends to go).

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/us- ... learances/

[Anonymous User]

I'm also submitting to one of these and I'm curious about whether their background checks involves your tax returns. I normally use tax software to file my returns and I'm sure I've made mistakes, especially when it comes to guessing figures I don't have solid data for (such as total charitable donations). Would these be an issue?

Should I take all my documents to H&R Block and have them prepare an amended return?

[owlofminerva]

Failing to pay taxes is a deal breaker, but I doubt they're going to go digging beyond what the IRS has determined. If the IRS accepted your returns, and hasn't audited you or thrown up any red flags, I can't imagine there'd be a problem. I'm sure honest errors aren't what they're concerned about. But that's just a guess.

Agreed--I had a Top Secret and I can assure you that they weren't looking into the fine details of my tax returns. If you have been flagged by the IRS or audited, or have had wage garnishments, those things will be an issue for you. This is simply not a thing. As somebody above wrote, a background check for the run-of-the-mill position requiring one really is nothing more than checking databases to see if something comes up and not probing into the miniscule details of your life. Believe me, there are FAR too many investigations going on at any one point in time that there simply is not enough time and resources to go into this level of detail--especially outside of positions requiring an actual security clearance.

[patrickd139]

Failing to pay taxes is a deal breaker, but I doubt they're going to go digging beyond what the IRS has determined. If the IRS accepted your returns, and hasn't audited you or thrown up any red flags, I can't imagine there'd be a problem. I'm sure honest errors aren't what they're concerned about. But that's just a guess.

Agreed--I had a Top Secret and I can assure you that they weren't looking into the fine details of my tax returns. If you have been flagged by the IRS or audited, or have had wage garnishments, those things will be an issue for you. This is simply not a thing. As somebody above wrote, a background check for the run-of-the-mill position requiring one really is nothing more than checking databases to see if something comes up and not probing into the miniscule details of your life. Believe me, there are FAR too many investigations going on at any one point in time that there simply is not enough time and resources to go into this level of detail--especially outside of positions requiring an actual security clearance.

To expand on the bolded part of this answer: being audited in and of itself is no big deal. Adverse examination results, esp if the IRS asserts civil or (for sure criminal) fraud penalties, are what you should be worried about.

The IRS literally selects some individual returns for routine audits at random. No need to worry about that type of thing if you didn't really, royally screw up (or fail to file /pay).

[anon168]

I'm also submitting to one of these and I'm curious about whether their background checks involves your tax returns. I normally use tax software to file my returns and I'm sure I've made mistakes, especially when it comes to guessing figures I don't have solid data for (such as total charitable donations). Would these be an issue?

Should I take all my documents to H&R Block and have them prepare an amended return?

Making mistakes, even of the grossly negligent type, on a tax return will not present a problem for an AUSA background check. The two flags, really the only flag, regarding tax returns is failing to file them and/or failing to pay your taxes due (which sometimes for some people is the same thing).

Flubbing a tax return by guesstimating numbers is what 99.9% of the people do -- either knowingly or not.

Heck, Timothy Geithner -- you remember him, right? Big shot at the IRS?. That dude flubbed his tax returns, and in front of Congress palmed off the mistake to Turbo Tax (Turbo Tax!) and still got confirmed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKVxGlkPRlo

Rest easy my friend.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for all the answers, guys! I feel a lot better.