To: Heads of State Agencies and Human Resource Directors

Subject: Falsification Of Civil Service Applications

Issue Date: December 2, 1994

On November 23, 1994 in Docket Number 10659, the State Civil Service Commission issued its opinion following the hearing of a public investigation of charges filed by the Department of Civil Service against a state classified employee. The Commission ordered a 45 work day (9 work weeks) suspension for an employee found guilty of falsifying two of his Civil Service applications (SF-10s) for promotions. Although the Commission concluded that there was cause to dismiss the employee, it did not do so because of his 16 years of unblemished state service.

Because truthful information is critical to the examining process, the Commission has adopted Rule 14.1(j), which reads, in pertinent part, as follows:

"No person shall make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating, form or report with regard to any application . . . or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing the impartial execution of the Article, Rules and regulations."

The Commission stated the following in this opinion:

"Let this decision serve as a warning to applicants for appointments and promotions in the classified service. Your signature on the application form is not a mere ornament. By your signature you are certifying that the information you have provided is truthful and complete. If you falsify your application, you will be dealt with harshly. If your certificate is meaningless, the state does not need your services."

We direct your attention to this opinion and urge you to give this information the widest circulation.

Sincerely,

Herbert L. Sumrall
Director