U.S. Joins Lawsuit Against Firm that Vetted Snowden

Photo Credit: Reuters/Jonathan ErnstThe U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it had joined a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower against United States Investigations Services, the private firm that vetted Edward Snowden before he leaked documents about U.S. spying efforts.

While the lawsuit is not about the firm’s review of Snowden, it alleges that USIS failed to perform quality control reviews in connection with its background investigations. It was originally filed in Alabama more than two years ago.

The government’s decision to join the lawsuit adds to building public pressure on the firm, which is the U.S. government’s biggest contractor for investigations of potential employees. The firm also vetted Aaron Alexis, the technology contractor who killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard last month.

A USIS spokeswoman said the firm was cooperating with the government’s investigation and had replaced its leadership and improved its controls since they first heard of the allegations last year.

The firm has had a contract since 1996 to vet individuals seeking employment with federal agencies. Such background checks include investigative fieldwork on each application.

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