Jackson Free Press

This is an intriguing story today in The Clarion-Ledger. A federal investigation has found that criticism of the Jackson-Evers airport security, reported in recent months by The Clarion-Ledger, "are without merit," that found no "disciplinary action warranted."

An investigation into security practices at the Jackson-Evers International Airport has found no wrongdoing on the part of Mississippi Federal Security Director Larry Rowlett, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday. Despite Rowlett's sudden reassignment, TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said the agency's investigation into the airport found criticism of security practices there to be unfounded. "The allegations were found to be without merit and no disciplinary action warranted," Koshetz said in a prepared statement. "The investigation determined that the standard operating procedures that govern TSA operations were and are being followed in Jackson, Miss."

Bill Gillam, a former TSA screener at the airport who was interviewed as part of the investigation, expressed disbelief at the statement.

"You're kidding, right?" he said. "That leaves me almost speechless. They are obviously, purposely overlooking and pretending that the proof I gave the investigators was not there."

Gillam was one of a dozen current and former airport workers who told The Clarion-Ledger about security problems at the airport, including that TSA supervisors cheated at undercover tests of airport security by tipping off screeners.

Last month, The Clarion-Ledger published accounts by TSA screeners that they received regular briefings in advance of supposedly covert tests of security procedures. These workers also told of dangerous items that were allowed into secure areas of the airport as a result of a lax attitude by TSA managers toward following federal procedures.

Earlier this year, TSA officials acknowledged that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton was allowed to board several commercial flights with his personal firearms. In January, TSA officials in Washington issued a memo to local TSA officials ordering that Melton no longer be allowed to fly armed.

Previous Comments

ID

89540

Comment

Does this mean that another lawsuit is looming by others who have been "unfairly" charged with wrongdoing? The CL escaped by the hair on their chiny chin chin so to get involved into the reporting of issues that they can not evidence or defend is just plain stupid!

Author

justjess

Date

2006-10-26T13:55:17-06:00

ID

89541

Comment

Something must have been wrong because they transferred that guy out of there the other day! This is a sweep under the rug... Terrorists everywhere are going to be flooding smaller airports like Chattanooga, Louisville, Jackson as word spreads that security corruption concerns abound at these smaller airports. I hope this guy can sleep at night is we are attacked through an airport again.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-10-26T14:06:53-06:00