Eric Holder Writes to Lawmakers on Uber's Behalf

Former U.S. attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. has written to lawmakers on behalf of Uber to argue against the use of fingerprint-based background checks as they mull how to regulate ride-hailing service drivers.

A letter from Holder making the case that fingerprint checks are an unfair way to screen job candidates and potentially discriminatory was sent last week to lawmakers in New Jersey and Chicago.

Holder’s firm advises the company on safety matters, and Uber asked him to write the letter, company spokesman Craig Ewer said. Uber and rival Lyft, both based in San Francisco, pulled out of Austin last month after voters decided against overturning city requirements requiring the checks.

New Jersey lawmakers are debating two different bills to regulate the industry. A state Assembly measure includes the fingerprint rule, while a state Senate version would not require it.

Chicago’s proposal would require ride-sharing drivers to get a chauffeur’s license and undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Holder wrote that because of deficiencies in the FBI’s database, fingerprint checks can prevent people from getting jobs even if they were never convicted of crimes. He said requiring fingerprint checks can discriminate against minorities.