FBI file on Steve Jobs notes drug use, tendency to distort reality

A decades-old file on Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs compiled by the the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notes drug use and a penchant for twisting the truth.

The file contained FBI interviews of Jobs and people around him as part of a background check on the Apple boss for a possible appointment by former President George H. W. Bush, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.

“Several individuals questioned Mr. Jobs’ honesty stating that Mr. Jobs will twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals,” the report released by the FBI said.

Several people commented on “concerning past drug use on the part of Mr. Jobs,” according to the file.

FBI files can be released to the public after the person it contains has died or when a request for it is made under the Freedom to Information Act.

Bloomberg said representatives of Apple and the FBI in Washington didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The FBI report does not appear to reveal anything new about Jobs. For example, Jobs had actually told biographer Walter Isaacson, author of the book Steve Jobs, about his taking the drug LSD. Job’s abrasive leadership style is also well known and there have also been numerous account in the media of Jobs’ “distortion field.”

Other highlights from the file were:

  • “Mr. Jobs has no close relatives residing in communist controlled countries.”
  • “Mr. Jobs alienated a of people at ACI as a result of his ambition.”
  • “(Redacted) at ACI, stated that during the late 1960s and 1970s, Mr. Jobs may have experimented with illegal drugs, having come from that generation. (Redacted) could not provided any further details concerning this matter. However (Redacted) is unaware of any current drug use by Mr. Jobs.”
  • “(Redacted) advised he is no longer friends with Mr. Jobs. He feels bitter towards and alienated by Mr. Jobs based upon his association with Mr.
  • Jobs at ACI. He characterized Mr. Jobs as an honest and trustworthy individual, however, his moral character is questionable.”
  • Two individuals who were acquainted with Mr. Jobs while they were employed by ACI, offered favourable comments concerning Mr. Jobs. They stated that he is strong willed, stubborn, hardworking and driven, which they believe is why he is successful. They further stated, however, that Mr. Jobs possesses integrity as long as he gets his way; however, they did not elaborate on this.”

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Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

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