Inspector General Report Alleges Several Employees Bribed Officials to Pass Security Training Program
In Letter, Casey Says Allegations Call Into Question Pennsylvanians’ Safety, Full Accounting Required
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called for a full accounting from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the wake of an Inspector General’s report that alleges several employees bribed officials to pass security training at the Philadelphia International Airport.
In his letter the TSA’s Administrator, John Pistole, Casey called on the TSA to fully account for how the bribery scandal occurred and provide Congress with detailed information on what steps are being taken to prevent such scandals in the future.
“Immediate steps should be taken to reassure the public and make certain this never happens again,” Casey said. “Countless travelers pass through Philadelphia International Airport every year, and those travelers and the airport deserve to know that the individuals hired by the TSA to provide security have been fully trained.”
In November, allegations surfaced that security officers hired by the TSA bribed officials to pass security training, and now a new report by the agency’s Inspector General has provided additional evidence that bribery took place. Casey said that new allegations in the Inspector General’s report are cause for serious concern and make clear that adjustments should be made to prevent bribery in the future.
The full text of Casey’s letter to the TSA can be seen below:
June 16, 2012
Mr. John S. Pistole
Administrator
Transportation Security Administration
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Dear Mr. Pistole:
I am writing with great concern over the recent Inspector General investigation which found that several TSA employees at the Philadelphia International Airport were involved in a bribery scandal. According to the IG finding, “a training instructor responsible for administering annual proficiency exams was found to have accepted payment from TSA security officers to ensure passing grades.”
This alarming development calls into question the TSA protocols for ensuring that TSA employees are of the highest caliber and maintain strict safety standards. The safety of my constituents is my highest priority. In addition to prosecuting those responsible in this bribery scandal, I request that you provide a full accounting of the measures taken by the TSA to ensure that incidents like this do not happen in the future.
Thank you for your commitment to the safety and security of the people of Pennsylvania. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
