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Newark security staff had crime records-prosecutor
Newark, Feb 04: A New Jersey company charged with corruption could have jeopardized security at Newark Airport outside New York City by employing 27 people with criminal records there, prosecutors said.
Newark, Feb 04: A New Jersey company charged with corruption could have jeopardized security at Newark Airport outside New York City by employing 27 people with criminal records there, prosecutors said.
A grand jury indicted Haynes Security Company, its president John D'Agostino, 50, and his wife and company CEO Carol D'Agostino, 48, on corruption charges involving bribery, theft and conspiracy over five years starting in 1999.
''The outcome of the alleged illegal activity had the potential to jeopardize security at Newark Airport,'' state attorney general Peter Harvey said yesterday.
He said there was no direct connection between the case and any security lapse at the airport on September 11, 2001 -- a plane from Newark was one of four hijacked in coordinated attacks by Islamic militants that killed nearly 3,000 people.
''A few of these workers did overlap on September 11 but we cannot tie at this point any conduct by these individuals to any of the September 11 events,'' Harvey said.
The indictment said Haynes had more than 12 million dollars in contracts with the port authority of New York and New Jersey and Continental Airlines for Newark Airport security.
It said there was a pattern of bribes, theft and conspiracy by company officers in security contracts. They failed to fingerprint thousands of personnel or send fingerprints and background checks to police as required by law.
Harvey said investigators found 27 people with criminal records working at Newark for Haynes.
He said the airport, which handles about 33,000 flights and 2.5 million passengers a month, had improved safety since the attacks led to nationwide tightening of security.
''Obviously, there is more work to be done, but we needn't be unduly alarmed,'' Harvey said.
The grand jury also indicted Benjamin Riggi, 51, a manager of Public Service Electric And Gas Co.
He is accused of accused of accepting 7,500 dollars in a purported loan from Haynes -- that was never paid back -- in exchange for giving favorable reports about Haynes' performance.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 150,000 dollars each if convicted. Bureau Report
''The outcome of the alleged illegal activity had the potential to jeopardize security at Newark Airport,'' state attorney general Peter Harvey said yesterday.
He said there was no direct connection between the case and any security lapse at the airport on September 11, 2001 -- a plane from Newark was one of four hijacked in coordinated attacks by Islamic militants that killed nearly 3,000 people.
''A few of these workers did overlap on September 11 but we cannot tie at this point any conduct by these individuals to any of the September 11 events,'' Harvey said.
The indictment said Haynes had more than 12 million dollars in contracts with the port authority of New York and New Jersey and Continental Airlines for Newark Airport security.
It said there was a pattern of bribes, theft and conspiracy by company officers in security contracts. They failed to fingerprint thousands of personnel or send fingerprints and background checks to police as required by law.
Harvey said investigators found 27 people with criminal records working at Newark for Haynes.
He said the airport, which handles about 33,000 flights and 2.5 million passengers a month, had improved safety since the attacks led to nationwide tightening of security.
''Obviously, there is more work to be done, but we needn't be unduly alarmed,'' Harvey said.
The grand jury also indicted Benjamin Riggi, 51, a manager of Public Service Electric And Gas Co.
He is accused of accused of accepting 7,500 dollars in a purported loan from Haynes -- that was never paid back -- in exchange for giving favorable reports about Haynes' performance.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 150,000 dollars each if convicted. Bureau Report