http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp?subject=35 The 10 most recent releases on the U.S. DoT OIG web site related to Aviation Security en-US webmaster@oig.dot.gov (OIG Webmaster) http://www.oig.dot.gov/images/dot.gif http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp?subject=35 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1881 We issued a report on the results of our review from a referral made by the 9/11 Commission staff regarding certain inaccurate statements made by FAA officials regarding their notifications to DOD during the September 11 hijackings. Our investigation included examining whether FAA officials knowingly made any false statements. In brief, we did not find evidence to conclude that FAA officials knowingly made false statements, purposely omitted accurate information from any statement, or intentionally failed to correct an inaccurate statement after becoming aware of it. However, during our investigation we discovered that three FAA executives did not act to correct an erroneous FAA response to a Commission Question for the Record (QFR) after learning it was inaccurate. As a result, we have recommended to the FAA Administrator that FAA correct its QFR response and consider appropriate administrative action for two current executives. Our other recommendations to the Administrator include enhancing FAAs capability to respond to and report on hijacked or suspicious aircraft. Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1881 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1800 On May 1, Robert L. Burke, a former air traffic controller employed by Serco Management Services, Inc. (Serco), was charged in connection with a string of bombings on March 24,2006 in Grand Junction, CO. A Colorado grand jury returned a sevencount indictment charging Burke with possession of an unregistered destructive device, property damage by use of explosives, and possession of a dangerous weapon in furtherance of a crime of violence. Burke allegedly placed five improvised explosivelincendiary devices at the residences of one FAA employee and four former Serco coworkers. Three of the devices detonated (with no physical injuries resulting) and two were disarmed. Burke was dismissed from Serco in 2004 after reportedly making threatening statements to Serco employees. The ongoing investigation, led by the FBI and BATF, includes the DOTOIG, Grand Junction Police Department, the Mesa County Sheriffs Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation with assistance from FAA and the Grand Junction Fire Department.Note: The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Mon, 01 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1800 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1645 On August 25, Jorge L. LeivaLopez, a former employee of Triad International Maintenance Corporation (TIMCO), was sentenced in U.S. District Court in WinstonSalem, NC to four months time served, two years supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 for falsifying an Immigration Employment Eligibility Verification document (Form I9) to reflect that he was a U.S. citizen. Having those with fraudulent identity documents working or on near critical aviation infrastructure is an unacceptable risk to public safety. LeivaLopez worked as a noncertificated mechanic. He was detained in March 2005 under a largescale arrest operation of alleged illegal aliens, and is one of 13 TIMCO employees prosecuted. LeivaLopez pled guilty in May 2005 to one count of making false statements on Form I9. Deportation proceedings are underway. This investigation is being conducted with DHSICE and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1645 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1636 On August 10, Harold J. DeGregory, Jr., president of H&G Import Export (H&G), Ft. Lauderdale, FL, was arrested and charged in an eightcount indictment with conspiracy to transport and smuggle in air commerce property containing HazMat, specifically radioactive Iridium192, from the United States to the Bahamas. Investigation disclosed that on multiple occasions, DeGregory, an FAAcertified pilot, transported Iridium192 in H&G aircraft between Ft. Lauderdale and the Bahamas, and failed to identify the HazMat cargo on export and import documents, in violation of federal statutes. Iridium192, an isotope used in industrial radiography, poses public health risks if not properly handled. Neither DeGregory nor H&G are licensed, trained, or certified to handle or transport radioactive HazMat. This ongoing investigation is being conducted jointly with DHSICE, with assistance from FAA. Note: The charges contained in the indictments are allegations and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1636 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1614 Our office, the Social Security Administration (SSA) OIG, and U.S. Attorney Offices in California, with considerable assistance from FAAs Western Pacific Region Flight Surgeon and Chief Counsel offices, conducted an initiative to identify and prosecute egregious cases of certificated pilots who falsified FAAs "Application for Airman Medical Certificate", by not disclosing medical conditions they claimed in obtaining SSA disability benefits. Fri, 22 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1614 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1590 On June 22, three former employees of Triad International Maintenance Corporation (TIMCO) were sentenced in U. S. District Court in Greensboro, NC on charges related to immigration document falsification. Martin Cuevas Freitas received five months in prison. Jaime Millan Erices and Jorge Arturo Chacon each were sentenced to time served of three months. The three were arrested in March 2005 as part of a largescale arrest operation of alleged illegal aliens. Having those with fraudulent identity documents working on or near critical aviation infrastructure is an unacceptable risk to public safety. Freitas and Erices admitted to altering their visas to falsely indicate that they were authorized to work in the United States. Chacon, an FAAcertified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, falsified an Employment Eligibility Verification document by stating that he was a citizen of the United States. Following completion of their sentences, all three will be deported to their countries of origin, but Chacons A&P certification, obtained while he was legally in the United States, will not be revoked. This investigation is being conducted with DHSICE and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1590 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1578 On May 31, Adonisio Hungwe pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, NC to altering his social security card in order to gain employment at Triad International Maintenance Corporation, an FAAcertified repair station. Hungwe, an FAAcertified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, was arrested on March 8, 2005 under a largescale federal arrest operation of alleged illegal aliens. Hungwe admitted to altering his social security card by obliterating a printed restriction on the card that the social security number was valid for … work only with Department of Homeland Security authorization. He remains in custody pending sentencing, scheduled for September 22, 2005. Hungwe will ultimately be deported due to an expired visa. Because he was legally in the United States when he applied for his A&P certificate, FAA does not plan to revoke it. This investigation is being conducted with DHSICE and the Social Security Administration. Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1578 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1557 On May 3 and 4, Alvin F. Cruz, Edwin A. AlarconDiaz, and Jorge L. LeivaLopez each pled guilty to making false statements for possessing or representing altered or fraudulent social security numbers. The three are among 27 employees of either Triad International Maintenance Corporation (TIMCO), Greensboro, NC or contract labor companies which supply workers to TIMCO who were detained on March 8, 2005. Although none of the three held FAA certifications, subsequent investigation found that they were in the United States illegally and had falsified immigration and identification documents. Sentencing for the three individuals is scheduled for August. The ongoing investigation is being conducted jointly with DHSICE and the Social Security Administration OIG. Wed, 04 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1557 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1519 In a major law enforcement operation involving DOT OIG, the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration and the FBI, 27 alleged illegal aliens were arrested all employees of contract labor companies which supply workers to Triad International Maintenance Corporation (TIMCO), Greensboro, NC. Those arrested (from countries including Sudan, Chile, Peru, and Laos) were charged with administrative violations of immigration law and will be placed in deportation proceedings. Three of the 27 hold FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certifications.At this time, there is no reason to believe that any of the individuals were involved in or planning any terrorist activity, but having those with fraudulent identity documents working on or near critical aviation infrastructure poses an unacceptable risk to public safety. TIMCO is fully cooperating in the ongoing investigation. Note: As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct. Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1519 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1466 Felicia Settles of Washington, DC was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Greenbelt, MD, to one year imprisonment and ordered to pay $82,000 in restitution following her guilty plea on June 14 to forging and trafficking identity cards. Between April 2000 and May 2001, Settles and Robert Clark, a former Headquarters FAA contract employee, illegally obtained the personal information of at least 28 FAA employees and 4 others. Clark and Settles used the stolen information to create false identification cards and obtained fraudulent lines of credit without the victims knowledge. The financial loss is estimated at approximately $362,496. Clark pleaded guilty on November 5 in U.S. District court in Greenbelt, MD to a single count of trafficking and using unauthorized and counterfeit access devices. Sentencing for Clark is set for February 11, 2005. Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=1466