Jobs 'deceptive,' with 'questionable' character

The FBI has released a 191-page file on former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Gawker notes. The document actually dates back to 1991, when Jobs had long left Apple, but was being considered for an appointment to the President's Export Council in the George Bush Sr. administration. It also makes reference to an earlier bomb threat against Jobs, dating back to 1985.

Of special interest though may be comments on Jobs character, made by anonymous individuals interviewed by the FBI. "Several individuals commented concerning past drug use on the part of Mr. Jobs," one part of the file reads. "Several individuals questioned Mr. Jobs' honesty stating that Mr. Jobs will twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals," another segment says. "They also commented that, in the past, Mr. Jobs was not supportive of [redacted] (the mother of his child born out of wedlock) and their daughter; however, recently has become supportive." The comment is likely a reference to Chris Ann Brennan, who gave birth to Lisa Brennan-Jobs in 1978. Though he later changed his mind, Jobs initially denied being the father, claiming he was sterile. For about two years Chris had to raise Lisa while on welfare.

Jobs' honesty is a recurring point. "[Redacted] advised that he has been acquainted with Mr. Jobs since [redacted]. He characterized Mr. Jobs as a deceptive individual who who is not completely forthright and honest," the FBI goes on.

Another person, "no longer friends with Mr. Jobs," is described as feeling "bitter toward and alienated by Mr. Jobs based on his association with Mr. Jobs at ACI." Even though the person is said to consider Jobs "an honest and trustworthy individual," he calls Jobs' moral character "questionable."

"They further stated that Mr. Jobs has integrity as long as he gets his way," the FBI writes. A woman, meanwhile, was allegedly "reluctant to discuss the Appointee since she has questions concerning his ethics and his morality."

Gawker comments that it is relatively rare for such heavy amounts of derogatory background information to find its way into an FBI file. Jobs has come under public fire for his behavior many times, however. Fellow co-founder Steve Wozniak, for instance, has remarked that Jobs once took more than his fair share of money from an Atari assignment where Wozniak did all the work.

By Electronista Staff