"Former security chief files whistleblower lawsuit against cargo carrier"

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Former security chief files whistleblower lawsuit against Amerijet
By Niala Boodhoo 
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel

  
The former director of security at Amerijet International Inc. has filed
a whistleblower lawsuit against the Fort Lauderdale-based company,
claiming he was demoted after reporting lapses at the cargo carrier.

Larry Bond's lawsuit, filed July 8 in Broward County Circuit Court,
claims he alerted officials to improper handling of hazardous materials
by ground personnel at Miami International Airport, among other
locations.

"He sent an e-mail and their response was extremely arrogant and they
immediately demoted him," said Bond's lawyer, Michael Moulis.

Amerijet President David Barrett said he had not yet seen the lawsuit,
but the company didn't fire people or demote people because of
whistleblowing.

"We don't fire people or demote people because they find out that we're
doing something wrong," he said, adding: "We run a very tight ship and
we work very hard to make sure our people are properly trained to handle
all kinds of cargo."

Barrett declined to comment further, saying he would have to see the
suit.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the
FAA was "aware of the allegations."

"We are investigating them," she said.

According to the complaint, after Bond sent the e-mail in June 2003, he
was demoted to the level of a pilot. That paid about a third what Bond
had been receiving as security director, Moulis said.

The suit seeks damages of at least $15,000 and charges that Bond has
suffered financial loss and damage to his reputation.

H.I.G. Capital owns Amerijet, which emerged from bankruptcy protection
three years ago.


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