Washington: FBI background interviews of some people who knew Apple founder Steve Jobs reveal a man so driven by power that he sometimes lost sight of honesty.
The newly released FBI interviews conducted in 1991 were part of a background check for an appointment to the President’s Export Council during George H.W. Bush’s administration.
The Commerce Department confirmed Thursday that Jobs did serve on the council during the first Bush administration.
One person told FBI agents the Apple founder’s enormous power caused him to lose sight of honesty and integrity, causing him to distort the truth.
Another person described Jobs to the FBI as a deceptive person — someone who was not totally forthright and honest and as having a tendency to distort reality in order to achieve his goals.
Running into 191 pages, the report on background check on Jobs was released by the FBI yesterday under the Freedom of Information Act.AP
The FBI has released decades-old file it kept on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, questioning his moral character by disclosing details on his reported drug use and ability to “distort reality.”
The file was prepared on the Apple founder as he was considered for a presidential appointment in 1991 during George H W Bush’s time in office.
Steve Jobs can distort reality and can go to any extent to achieve his goals, some of his friends told the FBI when Bush sought a background check on him.
Running into 191 pages, the report on background check on Jobs was released by the FBI yesterday under the Freedom of Information Act.
The background check was prepared by the FBI after Bush wanted to nominate him to the President’s Export Council.
The report based on extensive research and interviews of friends, neighbours and colleagues of Jobs, the FBI according to the files, recommended him for a position of trust and responsibility.
At that time Jobs had left apple and headed NeXT.
Jobs returned to Apple five years later when NeXT was bought by Apple.
“Basically an honest and trustworthy person, he is a very complex individual and his moral character is suspect,” FBI said in its report recommending him for the job.
One of the anonymous source described Jobs as a “deceptive individual who is not completely forthright or
honest,” adding he will “twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals”.
Several discussed the fact that Jobs fathered a child out of wedlock.
One of the respondents also said he was aware Jobs “used marijuana and LSD, while they were attending college.”
According to the FBI report, Jobs conceded this in an interview to the FBI on 13 March, 1991.
Jobs’ overall grade point average at Homestead High School, from which he graduated in 1972, was a 2.65 out 4.0.
Another individual told FBI that he considers Jobs to be a successful individual because he can delegate tasks to individuals.
Another individual told the FBI that Jobs could success in a political position, based on his method of operation and past record.
As such he recommended Jobs for a position of trust and responsibility.
Two individuals who were acquainted with Jobs stated he is strong-willed, stubborn, hardworking and driven, which they believe is why he is so successful.
One more individual described Jobs as an extremely intelligent individual, a true leader, who has made a
difference in the computer industry and given an opportunity will make a positive contribution on the national scene.
Agencies
