HB 11 is step in right direction

To the editor:

I completely disagree with the Opinion page article “Proposed law would delete case history” (editorial, April 5). This editorial originally appeared in the April 1 edition of the Juneau Empire. It is very important for Alaska law to have a system that could delete minor case histories as indicated in House Bill 11, sponsored by Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-Fairbanks.

One of the major reasons to support this bill is simple: employment and job applications. With the Internet, background checks have become a big problem both in our state and nationally. Job placement firms are rejecting applications simply if they find a minor legal case history e.g misdemeanors. Nationally, this is especially problematic for people who, during their youth, did stupid things but have matured to responsible adults with families.

Even some felonies should be deleted after a period of time. The classic case is the political felony of G. Gordon Liddy of Watergate fame. Apparently, Liddy would not talk to government prosecutors, so they threw him in jail and gave him a felony on his record. I think we can all agree that Liddy is a good person. There is no reason for him to be listed as a felon. Please call or write to your representatives to support House Bill 11. It is a step in the right direction.

Doug Bartko

Palmer

Editor’s note: Watergate co-conspirator G. Gordon Liddy was convicted in federal court of burglary, conspiracy and illegal wiretapping, after he helped organize and direct the break-ins at Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building in May and June 1972. The crimes and subsequent attempted cover-up eventually led to the August 1974 resignation of President Richard Nixon.