Two days ago, I wrote about a former New York State Archivist who was sent to jail for stealing hundreds of historic documents from his (now former) employer and sold them for his own profit. He served his time and was released. He then obtained a job working in the bookstore of a state-owned museum. Apparently the resulting publicity backfired. The Saratogian news web site reports that unnamed state officials insisted the former archivist be fired. His employment was terminated yesterday.
New York State Correction Law (Section 752) and Executive Law (Section 296) prohibit discrimination in hiring for prior criminal convictions unless:
- there is a direct relationship between the previous criminal offense(s) and the specific license or employment sought; or
- the employment would involve an unreasonable risk to property or the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
