AP Wire | 01/15/2007 | Stenehjem announces background check legislation: "A Barnes County jailer who is accused of murder and sexually abusing female inmates has prompted state officials to support criminal background checks for security guards, health care workers and other employees in sensitive jobs.
'Obviously, it's long overdue,' said Sen. Larry Robinson, D-Valley City, who called the proposed legislation 'aggressive and comprehensive.'
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and legislators who are sponsoring the bill - Robinson and Reps. Phillip Mueller, D-Valley City, and Kim Koppelman, R-West Fargo - held a news conference Monday to discuss the proposal.
They said it was prompted by the case of Moe Gibbs, a former Barnes County jailer who is facing a murder charge in the Sept. 13 death of Valley City State University student Mindy Morgenstern. At the news conference, Robinson wore a button with Morgenstern's photo on it.
Gibbs also is charged with sexually abusing female inmates while they slept at the jail. He has pleaded not guilty.
Gibbs had a criminal history before he worked as a jailer, and Stenehjem said present state law does not require criminal background checks for people who apply to be corrections officers."
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