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"Sea-Tac security chief, others removed in shakeup"
Friday, May 7, 2004
Sea-Tac security chief, others removed in shakeup
By Steve Miletich
The Seattle (WA) Times
Four top security officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were
removed from their positions today amid an internal review into management
problems by the Transportation Security Administration.
Robert Blunk, the airport's federal security director, was replaced by a
temporary director, Ken Kasprisin, who has held the same job at Minneapolis
International Airport. Kasprisin will continue in the job until a new acting
director is named at Sea-Tac.
Also removed were Robert Coleman, the deputy federal security director and
second in command; Melvin Jackson, assistant federal security director for
screening; and Jackson's deputy, Nick Zambito.
Blunk and Coleman were ordered to report to TSA headquarters in Washington,
D.C., pending completion of the review. Jackson and Zambito were placed on
paid administrative leave until the review is done.
TSA spokesman Nico Melendez declined to discuss specific reasons for the
sweeping changes, except to say that they were made to provide the best work
environment for Sea-Tac's screeners.
A Seattle Times story last year detailed problems within the agency,
including overworked employees, understaffed checkpoints, shortcuts taken by
screeners, high turnover rates and supervisors' not following standard
procedures.
In January, the TSA said it was looking into screeners' claims of widespread
problems, including allegations that one manager accepted money from
employees in exchange for helping them win promotions.
Melendez called that inquiry a separate, ongoing investigation unrelated to
today's actions.
The TSA, established in 2001, oversees the screening of passengers and
baggage at the nation's airports.
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