National News
Uber Driver Arrested Debate Over Background Checks Continue
October 09, 2015 posted by Steve Brownstein
The city (Austin, TX) is set to talk about more background checks in October as an Uber driver was arrested in Pflugerville. 55 year old Michael Olu-Wehuje is charged with unlawful restraint. According to an arrest affidavit he dropped off an 18 year girl at a place in Pflugerville while working as an Uber driver.
Then he picked her up at the same location as she requested a ride home. However, the affidavit says he took her to his apartment instead. The arrest report says the girl feared for her safety and went inside when police say he locked the door behind them. At some point the arrest report says she convinced him to take her to a gas station to get money from an ATM.
That's when she was able to call 911. Olu-Wehuje declined to comment Sunday. "I don't feel comfortable talking about it now because I have a lawyer," Olu-Wehuje said. According to Williamson County records, Olu-Wehuje had a previous arrest for theft under $500.
That may not show up under a typical Uber background check. "You can't have any convictions of any serious crimes over the last seven years," Uber driver Anthony Nguyen said. Nguyen says that includes no DWI's, felonies and you can't be on the sex offender registry.
He also says Uber can cancel any driver's account immediately. "They don't tolerate any bad behavior from any drivers," Nguyen said. However, Nguyen says Uber does not do fingerprint background checks. That's something taxi cabs and limousine companies do have to do in Austin.
"It's just something that needs to be done," Austin limousine association president Ed Herndon said. "It's all about public safety and these men and women are just picking up people and it's about safety." Herndon and Nguyen both talked in a mobility committee hearing in early September.
The city is debating adding stricter rules for Uber, like adding those background checks. Herndon said it would level the playing field. Nguyen says it's not cost effective and may push out these Transportation Network Companies.
"If the city imposes a background check, you can probably guarantee Uber and Lyft won't be in Austin anymore," Nguyen said. The committee will meet again on October 7. Committee member Don Zimmerman said Sunday this arrest of Olu-Wehuje should be brought up in the hearing. He also questioned the need for more city regulations.
