COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State University says a background check on a janitor who shot two supervisors didn't reveal a criminal record, even though he had spent five years in prison.
The university released a background check Wednesday compiled last fall on Nathaniel Brown. He fatally shot a supervisor Tuesday morning at a maintenance shop, injured another and killed himself.
Prison records say Brown had a criminal history that included about five years in prison on a charge of receiving stolen property. He was released in 1984.
Ohio State said it hired an outside vendor to conduct the background check. The report by OPENonline LLC said it found no criminal records on Brown.
A statement was issued by OPENonline Wednesday afternoon. It read, in part:
"OPENonline conducted a pre-employment background check on Mr. Nathaniel Brown at the request of the university following standard industry practices, including compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, EEOC guidelines, and the laws of the State of Ohio.
"When the background check on Mr. Brown was completed, no reportable records were found.
"Since the time of the original screening, a Department of Corrections record dating from 1979 has been identified that may be associated with Mr. Brown.
"There is a discrepancy between the date of birth reported by Mr. Brown and used for his pre-employment screening and the Department of Corrections record that has recently come to light.
"Applicants with a criminal past have been known to provide incorrect date of birth information. Public records sometimes contain errors as a result of data entry errors.
"OPENonline is working with Ohio State and the Department of Corrections to determine the facts in this case."
Investigators said Brown's motive was revenge after being terminated from OSU after a poor performance review.
Under the university's background check policy, not everyone is required to have a background check. Background checks are required for top-level management at the university level (university president, provost, deans, etc.), as well as those holding certain responsibilities like child care or public transportation or certain access points.
Other departments have the right to conduct background checks at their discretion.
It's unclear how much OSU checked previous employment, work history and personnel files.
In the background check policy, applicants are required to self-disclose criminal convictions. NBC 4 learned that Brown did not disclose his conviction on the application.
OSU President Dr. E. Gordon Gee answered questions regarding the incident Wednesday. He said the university is planning to re-evaluate its background check policies.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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