WTF!!!!! TSA workers stole $40k from baggage at JFK airport

[malaise]

http://channel6newsonline.com/2011/02/u-s-tsa-workers-stole-40k-from-baggage-at-jfk-airport/
<snip>

Two employees with the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) have been arrested and are facing charges after allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from checked baggage at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

WNBC-TV reported that Coumar Persad, 36, and Davon Webb, 30, are expected to each face felony charges of grand larceny, conspiracy and possession of stolen property. They are also expected to face a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct.

According to the channel, citing police and an unnamed TSA official familiar with the case, $39,980 was recovered from the homes of the suspects i connection with the investigation. The money is believed to have been from just one passenger's baggage.

"TSA has a zero tolerance policy for theft by employees. The disgraceful actions of a few should not reflect negatively on the approximately 50,000 TSA officers who work each day to keep the traveling public safe," said TSA spokesman Greg Soule.

[piratefish08]

1. Keeping us safe from TERRA!!!!!!!!!!!!

woo-hoo!

[LongTomH]

2. And is anybody surprised?

And does anyone think this is an 'isolated incident?' 'One Bad Apple?':eyes:

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. actually due to background checks etcetera

and the size of the work force, even if you have 1000 who are bad apples, it is still isolated.

I do not recall more than 100 of these incidents a year.

I guess since they are federal employees they are automatically bad, huh?

[Kennah]

3. It was Paris Hilton's purse

[RavensChick]

4. At least they weren't feeling up anyone in the strip

searches. Heaven knows what could've happened! :scared:

Besides, who carries around that much loot in a suitcase when it's very obvious somebody is gonna come across it and help themselves!!! Idiots! They need to be locked up for just being stupid!

[BlueCheese]

5. Obviously these guys need to be punished.

Curious, though: Who puts $40,000 in cash in their baggage?

[lapislzi]

8. Does it matter?

I would agree that it's not wise, but, I can't choose for others. People make unwise decisions every day, and the world turns. It's no justification for criminality.

[malaise]

11. Who saw it through the scanner?

Looks like they are looking for money

[BlueCheese]

14. No, it doesn't matter.

I'm just curious why someone would do that.

[immoderate]

19. Won't fit in a pocket.

--imm

[davidpdx]

6. If you do the crime, you do the time

These guys knew they had access to people's personal effects and were in a position of authority and took advantage of it.

[notadmblnd]

7. I din;t think you could take that kind of money on a plane without getting hasseled?

could be why they stole it? cause they thought the person wouldn't be able to report it, no?

[Zywiec]

10. I think the limit is $10K if you are leaving / entering the country. n/t

[underpants]

9. Two American wildlands: what happens to your bag and truckstops

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Ok while I do not condone stealing and these two

should face the music... please raise your hands... who packs valuables (as in real expensive toys) let alone cash in your check in baggage?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

18. That doesn't stop the TSA.

Most of what the TSA has stolen from me was pocketed right in front of me at the checkpoint in plain sight of their colleagues.

[spanone]

15. call me crazy, but i don't think i would check my cash with my luggage

[customerserviceguy]

17. I'm just lucky that a bottle or two of expensive wine hasn't been lifted from my luggage

My lady and I routinely come back with two suitcases each, all four filled to within a pound or two of the 50 lb. limit. We bring back some of the quality microbrews and delicious wines from the Pacific Northwest, and I usually always get one of those "we looked through your dirty underwear" cards that they stuff in the case.

One anal-retentive jackboot actually unwrapped and re-wrapped all eleven bottles of microbrew in one case, I know because I use a loose packing system of multiple plastic bags to provide some air cushion between the bottles. This fool actually completely unwrapped all of them, and when re-wrapping, gave each bag several twists at the top, reducing the cushion. Dipweed.

[flamingdem]

16. Do you want some X-RAYS with your defunding?

grrrrrrrrrr

[lovuian]

20. OMG that is what they are doing screening for MONEY

what a FARCE!!!!

[ncrainbowgrrl]

21. had sunglasses (oakleys)

stolen from me at DIA.

I was rather...well,,, :wtf:

[Canuckistanian]

22. Terrorism doesn't pay

But anti-terrorism seems to be a gold mine.

Just ask Michael Cherthoff.

[Liberty Belle]

23. I had jewelry stolen by TSA or airline employees in Montana. Airline did nothing.

I had bought the jewelry while in Montana on vacation. I had the receipts. My suitcase was opened and the jewelry stolen during a nonstop flight, so no question who should've been responsible.

The airline did nothing, and apparently the law provides consumers with ZERO recourse. You can't sue them or anything. You sign away alll your rights in the fine print on your ticket purchase. So they give their employees a license to steal, quite literally.

That same trip, I had over $40 worth of toiletries confiscated by TSA because I was unfortunate enough to be traveling when one of the bombing attempts overseas occurred and they changed the rules in the middle of my trip. I didn't know, and got my expensive face cream, cleanser, etc. taken away.

I really HATE TSA and the airlines. That did it for me. I haven't been on a plane since. If I can't get where I want to go by car, train, bus or boat, I just won't go.