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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Selectric II who wrote (36861)	2/3/2004 11:12:16 PM
From: Skywatcher	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89467

Here's ANOTHER feather in the cap of HOMELAND SECURITY! I feel SO much safer.... Company that provided security at airports accused of bribery, hiring criminals Tuesday February 3, 4:54 pm ET By Jeffrey Gold, Associated Press Writer NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) -- A security company with contracts to protect New York-area airports, bridges and tunnels has been charged with paying bribes to get work and hiring dozens of employees with criminal records. Haynes Security Inc. and its president, John D'Agostino, were charged with theft, bribery and conspiracy in an indictment announced Tuesday. Among the allegations: Haynes paid more than $1,000 in August 2001 for repairs at the home of a Continental Airlines manager in return for consideration for a contract at the Newark airport. No charges were brought against any Continental employees. The security company was also accused of failing to submit employee fingerprints to police as required by law. Since 1999, Haynes has held $12 million in annual contracts to provide security at Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York, as well as the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the George Washington Bridge. Those contracts are now under review. "We need to ensure the highest level of safety, security and service," said Pasquale DiFulco, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the facilities. Haynes no longer handles airport passenger screening, which is now overseen by the federal Transportation Security Administration. But the company's unarmed guards still provide security in other parts of the airports, including patrolling parking lots and checking the identification of vehicles entering runways. Haynes lawyer Seth T. Taube said the company has cooperated fully in the investigation. "This is nonsense. The state is desperate for political corruption cases, and this is their way of squeezing Haynes Security to make up stories about politicians," Taube said. Investigators said Haynes hired 27 convicted criminals -- who are barred from holding security posts -- to work at the airport and for the state's largest utility, Public Service Electric & Gas. After learning of the investigation, the company sent thousands of fingerprints to state police for review, authorities said. Also indicted was Benjamin R. Riggi, a former PSE&G manager was accused of accepting a $7,500 bribe in 2002 to approve Haynes' contract with the utility. Riggi has an unpublished number and could not immediately be reached for comment. Haynes provided security at the utility's Newark headquarters, and for workers at street-repair sites. haynessecurity.com CC