Capps Staff Members to Undergo Background Checks

In the wake of a fatal accident involving one of her aides, Rep. Lois Capps is changing the hiring procedures for members of her staff.

Raymond Morua is in the Santa Barbara County jail accused of murder, drunk driving and other related charges in the hit-and-run death of a popular young Santa Barbara woman. At the time of the accident, he was a member of Rep. Capps’ staff. Morua was fired within days of the incident.

Mallory Rae Dies was 27 years old. She was taken off life support after suffering severe head injuries as she was struck while crossing Anacapa Street.

The Congresswoman’s office released the following statement Friday afternoon:

Following the recent tragedy involving a former staffer, Congresswoman Lois Capps pledged to review her office’s hiring and vetting procedures.

While the Congresswoman’s hiring practices of interviews and reference checks were in line with standard House procedures, she has decided to implement stronger requirements and is now working with U.S. Capitol Police to conduct criminal background checks on every new employee hired by her office going forward. This will come in addition to the standard process of interviews and reference checks.

Additionally, current employees of her offices will also undergo criminal background checks by the U.S. Capitol Police. All of these background checks will consist of a criminal check based on name, date of birth, as well as physical identifiers, including fingerprints.

As she has said previously, the Congresswoman expects allthose who work for her and on behalf of the people of the Central Coast to behave responsibly and professionally at all times, without exception. These new procedures will help ensure that this is the case.