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TSA screener pleads guilty to stealing $16,000

HONOLULU (AP) — A security screener, who acknowledged taking $16,000 from a checked bag he screened at Molokai Airport, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court.
Michael Gomes, 32, who was the only Transportation Security Administration officer on duty at the time of the Feb. 5 incident, admitted to the theft and surrendered $13,500 to Maui County police, officials said.

Gomes was scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 14 by Chief District Judge Helen Gillmor.

He could receive the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, U.S. Attorney Edward H. Kubo said.

In a separate case, two security screeners at Honolulu International Airport are to be sentenced July 17 after pleading guilty in March to stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of yen from the luggage of Japanese tourists.

Christopher Cadorna, 25, and Benny Arcano, 27, agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation after admitting they belonged to a group of TSA screeners who stole at least $20,000 from international travelers, prosecutors said.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/ ... ener_x.htm

NEVER CHECK ANYTHING OF VALUE!

TSA is a bunch of high school drop-outs, thugs, and thieves, basically people who were unemployed (or paroled) when TSA started hiring just about anybody.

Last trip, I had my suitcase locks cut, and so this trip I spent like $10 on these TSA-approved locks that they CAN open.

I just arrived in SJO and OF COURSE, those morons cut my locks.

It's not the money wasted, but their sheer stupidity that's so annoying. It's ok, the girls at ZB will make feel better.

Yep, just the way security was before 9/11. Now we have yet another giant useless bloated government bureacracy. I won't say any more as I know politics are a no-no topic on this forum.

Orange you know I don't even bother locking anything anymore. All valuables I carry on with me. Watch your bags at the X-ray machine, too.

Orange wrote:



Are you sure it was TSA While I have little doubt that they are idiots I have been using TSA locks for a couple of years with no problem. When I retrieve my bags they are locked but inside the bag is the TSA notice that the bag was opened and inspected.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

It was probably TSA.
The "ramparos" know you can open any plastic zipper with a ballpoint pen.

Hello Board Members

Irish Drifter has the right Idea

Myself, I take it one step further and buy plastice ties to secure my bags along with the TSA approved locks. At least you will know if someone went thru your bags during screening on your checked bags.

The 2 passengers who had ther money taken should have realized that it would have been much better to carry it on their person and if they are traveling with their wife or friends, split your money and put it in a secured envelope for them to hold for you.

Robert1Pag /Medic19