UNITED STATES
                          NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                      OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
                              WASHINGTON, DC  20555

                                  May 16, 1988


Information Notice No. 88-26:  FALSIFIED PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING RECORDS


Addressees:

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power 
reactors and all major fuel facility licensees.

Purpose:

This information notice is being provided to alert addressees to the falsifi-
cation of pre-employment screening records at nuclear facilities.  It is 
expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to 
their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar 
problems.  However, suggestions contained in this information notice do not 
constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response 
is required.  

Description of Circumstances:

In 1984, individuals working for a contractor at the Surry Nuclear Plant 
alleged that the contractor had encouraged them to provide false information 
on employment applications concerning their length of service in order to 
avoid the background checks that are needed to satisfy security screening 
requirements.  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Office of 
Investigations conducted an investigation of the activities of Powerplant 
Specialists, Inc. (PSI), Costa Mesa, California, who in a joint venture with 
Southwestern Engineering Company, Los Angeles, California, was modifying 
moisture separator reheater internals at both the North Anna Power Station and 
the Surry Nuclear Plant.  This investigation showed that in order to obtain 
unescorted access for its employees, PSI provided false certifications and 
supporting documentation, such as backdated employment applications and W-4 
Federal tax forms, to show at least three years prior employment with PSI. 

The false certifications would have led to exemption of these individuals from 
the screening requirements of the licensee's NRC-approved physical security 
plan implemented in accordance with 10 CFR 50.34(c).  

Discussion:

The NRC has issued IE Circular No. 78-17, "Inadequate Guard Training/
Qualification and Falsified Training Records," dated October 13, 1978; IE 
Information Notice No. 82-07, "Inadequate Security Screening Programs," dated 



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                                                                 May 16, 1988
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March 16, 1982; Information Notice No. 83-15, "Falsified Pre-Employment 
Screening Records," dated March 23, 1983; and NRC Information Notice 87-64, 
"Conviction for Falsification of Security Training Records" dated December 22, 
1987.  These documents alerted licensees to the possibility that contractors 
might submit falsified security records to meet licensee commitments to the 
NRC.

This information notice is intended to alert licensees to the potential prob-
lems associated with falsified employment records and the attendant risk to 
site security.  Audits required by 10 CFR 73.55(g) and associated security 
plan commitments are intended to provide assurance that records are accurate 
and complete.  Licensees currently employing PSI or similar contractors who 
will conduct the pre-employment screening should be aware of the potential for 
record falsification and the need for appropriate audits.  Licensees are also 
encouraged to notify the NRC of any instances of the use of falsified 
screening records they may discover.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical 
contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional 
office. 




                              Charles E. Rossi, Director
                              Division of Operational Events Assessment
                              Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contact:  Dick Rosano, Office of Enforcement
                    (301) 492-0740

Attachment:  List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
.                                                            Attachment
                                                            IN 88-26 
                                                            May 16, 1988 
                                                            Page 1 of 1

                             LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
                            NRC INFORMATION NOTICES 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Information                                  Date of 
Notice No._____Subject_______________________Issuance_______Issued to________

88-25          Minimum Edge Distance for     5/16/88        All holders of OLs
               Expansion Anchor Bolts                       or CPs for nuclear
                                                            power reactors. 

88-24          Failures of Air-Operated      5/13/88        All holders of OLs
               Valves Affecting Safety-                     or CPs for nuclear
               Related Systems                              power reactors. 

88-23          Potential for Gas Binding     5/12/88        All holders of OLs
               of High-Pressure Safety                      or CPs for PWRs. 
               Injection Pumps During a 
               Loss-of-Coolant Accident 

88-22          Disposal of Sludge from       5/12/88        All holders of OLs
               Onsite Sewage Treatment                      or CPs for nuclear
               Facilities at Nuclear                        power reactors. 
               Power Stations 

88-21          Inadvertent Criticality       5/9/88         All holders of OLs
               Events at Oskarshamn                         or CPs for nuclear
               and at U.S. Nuclear                          power reactors. 
               Power Plants 

88-20          Unauthorized Individuals      5/5/88         All holders of OLs
               Manipulating Controls and                    or CPs for nuclear
               Performing Control Room                      power, test and 
               Activities                                   research reactors,
                                                            and all licensed 
                                                            operators. 

88-19          Questionable Certification    4/26/88        All holders of OLs
               of Class 1E Components                       or CPs for nuclear
                                                            power reactors. 

88-18          Malfunction of Lockbox on     4/25/88        All NRC licensees 
               Radiography Device                           authorized to 
                                                            manufacture, 
                                                            distribute, and/or 
                                                            operate radio-
                                                            graphic exposure 
                                                            devices. 
_____________________________________________________________________________
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit