Authorities Investigate Senior Screeners in Luggage Theft Case

Authorities at New York's LaGuardia airport are investigating whether a federal supervisor allowed screeners to harvest Rolex watches, Gucci bags and laptop computers from luggage.

In August 2004 three screeners at LaGuardia and another at JFK International Airport were arrested after Continental Airlines reported a spike in passenger complaints over missing items in April 2004 and screeners were caught on video stealing goods.

The four men have now waived their right to a grand jury indictment, fuelling rumours that they are to testify against more senior officials who may have been involved in the thefts. Since late 2001 the Department for Homeland Security has paid USD1.6m in compensation to passengers who have reported damaged or missing luggage, reports the New York Daily News.