AP file photo
TSA seeks to fire, suspend screeners
Probe at Newark Airport results in allegations of improper screening by 44 employees and managers.
The Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that it would seek to fire 25 employees at Newark Liberty Airport and suspend 19 others for improperly screening checked luggage.
The action comes as a result of an investigation involving hidden cameras in screening rooms last year. Eight employees already were fired in June in connection with the probe, the Associated Press reported. The new recommended firings and suspensions make this the largest disciplinary action in TSA's history.
"TSA holds all of its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards and has a zero tolerance for misconduct in the workplace, the agency said in a statement. "Accountability is an important aspect of our work and TSA takes prompt and appropriate action with any employee who does not follow our procedures and engages in misconduct."
TSA has more than 1,400 employees at Newark. The group of people the agency proposed to fire or suspend Friday includes both front-line screeners and managers.