Exclusive: TSA Workers Caught Using Drugs?

[sabra]

Source: CBS News

CBS Affiliate KCAL Reports Officials Found Video of Employees Taking Drugs at Party

(CBS) The Transportation Security Administration, already suffering from embarrassment after a man walked into a terminal unchecked at Newark's airport, now face allegations that its employees at Los Angeles International Airport were caught on tape using drugs, CBS affiliate KCAL reports.

The investigation began late last year when a TSA Agent was arrested for allegedly counterfeiting parking passes at the employee parking lot. In his house, police found a videotape. On it was an after hours party where other TSA agents were allegedly using drugs, reports KCAL's David Goldstein.

TSA sources say the tape was turned over to investigators. Each employee identified was ordered to take a drug test. TSA won't say how many, but each one who failed was fired, Goldstein reports.

Larry Fetters, the Federal Security Director at LAX says, "We don't tolerate drugs. We don't tolerate narcotics." He wouldn't talk specifics, but said the agency has random drug testing, and claims the employees would have been caught even without the video.

None of the employees was charged with any crimes. Even the TSA agent caught counterfeiting parking passes wasn't prosecuted because no one he sold to would come forward, notes Goldstein.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/06/national/main6061326.shtml?tag=stack

[WriteDown]

1. "TSA won't say how many, but each one who failed was fired, Goldstein reports."

These are government workers, but there is zero transparency.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Gee, another not so subtle way of preempting the formation of Unions? eom

[AlphaCentauri]

3. what could it be if those drugs were legal? n/t

[meow2u3]

4. They can still be held accountable for their behavior when under the influence

Drug use is still no excuse for criminal acts, whether drugs are legal or not--just like alcohol.