The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s former chief security officer knew two people he hired in 2011 had criminal backgrounds, an inspector general’s report has revealed. Once others in FEMA found out, the two were fired.

What about the official who hired them? FEMA will say only that he – or she – is the former chief security officer. It will not even identify the person. Neither will the inspector general. Nothing was said in the IG’s report about punishment.

It might be acceptable for FEMA to hire people with criminal backgrounds for some jobs. But in security? No way.

Abuse of the public’s trust occurs regularly in Washington. Often, it costs millions of dollars. No one can tell what the effects are on, say, services to victims of disasters.

Most of the time, the officials guilty of misconduct are slapped on the wrists and allowed to stay on the federal payroll. Often they do not even suffer pay cuts.

No wonder many Americans have lost all faith in government.