Top TSA Officials at Spokane Airport Resign

    Dec. 17, 2004
    Three top Spokane International Airport federal security officials have resigned in the face of employee complaints and an inquiry by DHS

    Source AP Alert - Washington via NewsEdge Corporation

    SPOKANE, Wash. -- Three top Spokane International Airport federal security officials have resigned in the face of employee complaints and an inquiry by the Department of Homeland Security.

    The resignations Wednesday of security director David Kuper, screening director James Doster and screening manager Roy Fagan were for personal reasons, Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nico Melendez said, declining to elaborate.

    Dick Suekawa, a 27-year Secret Service veteran who directed TSA operations in Indianapolis, replaces Kuper as acting director. The TSA is a unit of the Department of Homeland Security.

    The resignations came after some employees filed a petition with TSA administrators alleging a hostile work environment and preferential treatment of certain workers.

    U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., sent a letter Oct. 19 urging officials in Washington, D.C., to give the matter attention.

    The employees' petition said airport security leaders intimidated workers and engaged in personal and unprofessional relationships with others.

    The resignations are not the first by TSA officials in Washington state. Top officials in charge of security at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were replaced last spring.