Investigations

On December 4, 2020, a criminal complaint issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia charged Brian Booth with mail fraud for disclosing confidential information. On December 7, Booth was arrested in his office at FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

 

Booth allegedly sent letters to multiple foreign embassies offering information on pilots, whose certificates FAA had revoked, that Booth characterized as terrorists seeking to cause harm to those countries. Booth allegedly sent the letters in exchange for financial compensation and political asylum. One letter from Booth to the Embassy of China was returned to him and purportedly opened by Booth's girlfriend who contacted law enforcement.

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.