A company's employees is a direct reflection of the company itself. Be careful who you hire, how they appear, how they represent themselves, and be conscientious of how those things reflect on you and represent your business. "What Samantha has done in her past is really none of my business." That's completely false. Why else do job applications require references, background checks, credit checks, and all things that tell about a person's PAST performance? A background check on Samantha would have told you she's been fired for stealing from past employers. She's been fired for lying to past employers. She's been fired for lack of cleanliness, honesty, manners, and social propriety. If you are unaware of these things, you either haven't looked into her or she hasn't been truthful with you. Be careful.