Alleged Corruption At Port Of Miami Could Threaten Security
Authorities Investigating Alleged Laxness, Selling Of ID Cards
POSTED: 7:18 pm EST March 19, 2004
UPDATED: 7:34 pm EST March 19, 2004
MIRAMAR, Fla. -- To work at the Port of Miami, you need a port ID card. To get one, you have to pass a criminal background check.
But officials tell NBC 6 they're concerned that some of these identification cards may have been improperly issued or even sold.
"It appears to be that there was a corruption at the port," said James McDonough, director of the Florida Office of Drug Control.
Despite an increase in security measures after Sept. 11, 2001, NBC 6 has learned that officials are investigating whether identity cards -- required to access the Port of Miami --were improperly issued to port workers.
According to law enforcement sources, about 130 IDs were allegedly handed out without the necessary fingerprint checks, and perhaps a dozen or more IDs were given to people with active felony warrants.
"If access to the port was sold through a matter of corruption, it is egregious, it is heinous, it's disgusting," McDonough told NBC 6.
McDonough said he is concerned the ID cards may have been sold for profit, threatening security at the port.
"It looks to me that we have the high possibility that people who were trusted with the law, who were trusted with the ability to secure our ports, sold that trust for profit," said McDonough, who oversees port security statewide. "If that pass, in fact, allows a terrorist to get onto the port, that is a repulsive outcome. We shouldn't allow such things."
Several local, state and federal agencies work together to provide and implement security measures at the port. One of those agencies, the Miami-Dade Police Department, confirms that Sgt. Glenda Wingard, who was in charge of the port ID unit, was reassigned last month because of an internal affairs investigation.
"There is an investigation regarding some practices of the seaport identification office, and she was removed as a result of this investigation," said Major Eleasa B. Thompson, of the Miami-Dade Police Department.
In 1999, Thompson was disciplined for improperly issuing a port ID to her son. But port officials did not think it was enough of an incident to be of concern.
"It was felt at the time it was an isolated incident. Administrative action was administered," Thompson said.
Miami-Dade police say security at the port is paramount.
”Action will be taken, modifications will be made and we will hold our employees accountable for their actions up to and including criminal charges," Thompson said.
NBC 6 was unable to reach Wingard for comment.
As a result, the state is putting into effect a new streamlined system for ID cards. All 14 deep-water ports across the state will soon use the same identification card to gain access to the ports.
nbc6.net
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