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TagsBY ALICIA CRUZ
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
A security supervisor at Newark Liberty International Airport a New Jersey airport pleaded guilty Monday to stealing from travelers during security screenings, in addition to accepting bribes and kickbacks from a subordinate who pilfered money and other goods from passengers as well, WABC TV reported.
Michael Arato, 41, of Ewing, who was the security supervisor at Terminal B security checkpoint, admitted to federal prosecutors he allowed a subordinate to steal anywhere between $10,000 to $30,000 in cash from the carry on bags of mostly international travelers over a 13 month period of time, according to the Associated Press.
Officials launched an investigation after receiving several complaints from Air India's daily nonstop flight passengers who claimed money and other valuables were missing from their carry-on bags after the bags were hand-searched by TSA employees in Terminal B-3 checkpoint, according to NBCNewYork.com.
Footage from investigators video surveillance showed Arato shamelessly pocketing approximately $3,100 in kickbacks from the ruse, over a three-week period ending on October 5, 2010. The unidentified subordinate cooperated with federal investigators, which helped snag Arato following a five-week investigation, Reuters.com reported.U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said the unscrupulous TSA employees victimized mostly non-English speaking travelers, women of Indian descent and nationality, who were returning to their country after visiting the United States, according to ABC News.
Fishman told the Associated Press that during any given shift, Arato looted passengers for approximately $400 to $700. The fact that the two men focused on non-English speaking individuals was "especially offensive," said Fishman.
In a statement released immediately after Arato's arrest, TSA officials denounced the supervisors conduct and said, "TSA will continue to move swiftly and decisively to terminate any employee who engages in illegal activity on the job," the statement read.
"The unfortunate choices of a couple individuals should in no way serve as a reflection on the more than 1,050 security officers at Newark Liberty who conduct themselves with professionalism and integrity and do an outstanding job every day keeping the traveling public safe."
At his May 24 sentencing hearing, Arato faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, though the actual penalty may be less under sentencing guidelines.
