On the heels of yesterday’s news that the Transportation Security Administration would be firing eight security screeners for allegedly sleeping while on duty in Newark, it seems the agency is doing a thorough housecleaning job with the termination of eight U.S. Air Marshals. Investigators say they were drinking alcohol on a training day.

The TSA told The Associated Press the drinking happened at a restaurant in February and was reported to a website set up for employees to blow the whistle on inappropriate behavior. No one had to fly that day, but the TSA says drinking on the job is forbidden no matter what. Some of the marshals had service weapons on them at the time as well.

In a statement close to the one offered yesterday regarding the dismissal of the eight security screeners, the TSA said:

“TSA holds all of its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards and has zero tolerance for misconduct in the workplace,” said Nico Melendez, an agency spokesman. “TSA’s decision to remove the individuals involved in the misconduct affirms our strong commitment to the highest standards of conduct and accountability.”

Six other federal marshals are being suspended for not reporting the misconduct as well. All 14 involved in the investigation are out of the New York office, and all can appeal the decision except for a probationary employee who was terminated immediately.

TSA firing 8 air marshals in NY for drinking on training day [New York Post]

 

 

 

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