Reposted from wikien-l - was posted there by mistake! A single felony conviction is different from multiple felony/other criminal convictions. It also depends on what the crimes are - some crimes obviously have profound implications against the character and judgment of an individual. Even if that isn't the case here, and it may not be, giving a ex-convict a fresh start is different from hiring them to operate your company. I'd like to agree with what someone else wrote - assume good faith is a principle of life that is included in policy at Wikipedia only because cynicism has become such a habit, particularly in the United States. I know I have difficulty adhering to that principle, especially concerning public figures, but I try! Thanks to Mike Godwin for clearing up that he and the Foundation are prevented from commenting in detail. Perhaps, though, you can answer some general questions? * Does the Foundation perform criminal background checks on prospective new hires at any level of responsibility? * If it does not, can this be explained so that we understand your reasoning on why it is unnecessary? * If it does, has it always? * Have you considered a general policy of informing the community prior to the anticipated publication of news concerning Wikipedia, when you have knowledge that would allow you to do so? Perhaps these are questions that the current Board and counsel are unable to answer as well, but they are governance issues that might impact future elections to the Board. Nathan