NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The Geo Group, Inc. ("Geo Group"), and Accurate Background, Inc. are accused in a new federal lawsuit of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA") during criminal background checks of Geo Group job applicants, the law firm Outten & Golden LLP announced today.
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Filed in New York federal court, the nationwide class action lawsuit on behalf of plaintiff Eric Keels, and all similarly situated applicants for employment with Geo Group, alleges that Geo Group and Accurate Background, Inc. failed to comply with the FCRA's notice requirements before taking adverse actions against job applicants and that Accurate Background, Inc. has failed to notify job applicants when it furnishes Geo Group with negative background check reports and to follow strict procedures to ensure the accuracy and completeness of those reports.
Mr. Keels, whose employment offer with Geo Group was rescinded based on a background check report, said, "I'm hoping to help ensure that Geo Group and Accurate Background, Inc. follow the law, so that people who want to come work for Geo Group have a fair chance."
Mr. Keels is represented by Outten & Golden LLP partner Ossai Miazad and associate Christopher M. McNerney. The legal team seeks to represent the proposed nationwide class of Geo Group, Inc. job applicants.
Ossai Miazad, of Outten & Golden LLP, said, "The FCRA provides important protections for employees and job seekers. Companies must comply with strict requirements before using background check information for employment purposes. Geo Group's practice of refusing to hire applicants without giving them a chance to review, let alone dispute or provide more information about, their background check results, deprives job seekers of their rights."
Christopher M. McNerney, of Outten & Golden LLP, said, "In addition to the FCRA, New York State's public policy is to encourage the employment of persons previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses."
Geo Group, Inc. job applicants who wish to report their experiences or learn more about the lawsuit should contact Ossai Miazad or Christopher McNerney at http://www.outtengolden.com/contact or visit http://www.outtengolden.com/geo-group-inc-background-check-lawsuit. The web page allows job applicants interested in learning about and protecting their rights to contact plaintiffs' counsel.
The case is "Eric Keels v. The Geo Group, Inc., and Accurate Background, Inc.," Case No. 15 Civ. 6261, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Media Contacts: Ossai Miazad and Christopher M. McNerney, Outten & Golden LLP, 212.245.1000, or email.