Air Marshal Silenced by Administration
The current Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), Thomas D. Quinn, continued his witch-hunt campaign by silencing an outspoken Federal Air Marshal leader by placing him on administrative leave
LEWISBERRY, PA (PRWEB) October 15, 2004 -- On October 13, 2004, the current
Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), Thomas D. Quinn, continued
his witch-hunt campaign by directing two FAMS supervisors to go to the home of
an outspoken Federal Air Marshal leader and place him on administrative leave.
Both supervisors arrived in the evening at the home of the air marshal
and ceremoniously seized his government issued weapon and identification in
front of his wife and six-year old autistic son. The supervisors then informed
the air marshal that he was being placed on administrative leave for sending an
e-mail from his personal computer to other Federal Air Marshals on their
personal e-mail accounts –– all of whom are members of the Federal Law
Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
The air marshal's e-mail
discussed an article published in the October 18, 2004 edition of People
magazine entitled “A Day in the Life of an Air Marshal”, in which another
Federal Air Marshal voluntarily disclosed to a reporter in great detail,
sensitive and tactical information regarding operational procedures and
protocol.
The charge against the air marshal alleges that he directed
disparaging remarks in his personal e-mail message towards the other air
marshal, who had recklessly disclosed sensitive information in the magazine
article.
The Federal Air Marshal placed on administrative leave has
always been a strong advocate regarding aviation and passenger safety issues. By
placing this air marshal on administrative leave, Director Quinn has succeeded
in grounding an air marshal who has earned a reputation as being both an
outstanding advocate and impeccable Federal Air Marshal. As a leader and
representative of FLEOA, he has repeatedly, and without success, attempted to
advise Director Quinn of the many safety concerns currently being expressed by
over 1,350 Federal Air Marshals –– all upstanding members of FLEOA.
But
Director Quinn has refused to meet with any representatives of FLEOA, and
instead has opted to publicly berate FLEOA members. Ironically, Director Quinn
is no stranger to disparaging remarks –– he has been publicly referring to his
own air marshals as unprofessional “fleas" and "pea brains" for many months now.
Since recently being directed to testify before the House Judiciary
Committee, Director Quinn has made it clear that he will punish any Federal Air
Marshal who continues to publicly speak out on air travel and passenger safety
issues. After FLEOA last week passed a resolution of "no confidence" in the
leadership abilities of Director Quinn, it is not surprising that Director Quinn
has now stepped-up his witch-hunt campaign to permanently silence all Federal
Air Marshals who bravely come forward to expose aviation security
lapses.
FLEOA National President Art Gordon declared that he will
continue to work closely with congressional committees who have been
investigating numerous air travel and passenger safety issues that Director
Quinn has continually failed to address during this entire
administration.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb168376.htm