Ex-Kidnappers, Sex Offenders, Murderer Among Uber Drivers Picking Up Passengers, District Attorney Finds
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Uber drivers include ex-kidnappers, sex-offenders, and even a murderer, according to evidence gathered by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.
"We have come to learn that they have drivers who are convicted sex offenders, identity thieves, burglars, kidnappers, and a convicted murderer," District Attorney George Gascon said in a press conference Wednesday.
The DA is going after Uber becuase it says it is fooling the public by saying it has the best background check the law allows. But, because Uber doesn't take fingerprints, the company can't be sure the person is who he or she says they are, and can't find criminal records that are more than seven years old.
Uber didn't deny the DA's findings showing that the ride-sharing company has ex-kidnappers, sex offenders, and a murderer as drivers both in the Bay Area, and in the Los Angeles area.
Uber responded to the lawsuit in a written statement, saying "While we agree with the district attorneys that safety is a priority, we disagree that the Livescan process used by taxi companies is an inherently better system for screening drivers than our background checks. Meanwhile we continue to work on improving safety for riders and drivers before, during and after the trip."
Uber conducts background checks that go back seven years, which they say is up to industry standards.
The DA's office amended their lawsuit against Uber with evidence that came up during discovery of the case.
