Audit: Wash. caregivers failed background checks

OLYMPIA — Nearly two dozen people who failed criminal background checks were allowed to work with developmentally disabled clients in Washington state. State auditors released their findings Wednesday, saying that some businesses hired the 23 caregivers even though they had past legal problems involving assault, theft, drug charges, abuse and financial exploitation. Officials said it wasn’t clear whether the caregivers had unsupervised access to the clients but assumed it happened in some cases. Auditors say the state does not have the staff to review the results of all background checks. The state has responded to the audit, saying it is working to conduct background check training for service providers, reviewing background check compliance and updating policies.