"Top airport inspector resigns amid theft allegations"

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Top airport inspector resigns amid theft allegations
The Associated Press


NEWARK, N.J. -- A high-ranking cargo inspector has resigned his post at
Newark Liberty International Airport amid allegations he stole several
T-shirts from a nearby office building. 

Wayne R. Winkler, 44, lead screening manager at Terminal B, resigned after
being served with termination papers by the U.S. Transportation Security
Administration, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Tuesday. 
 
Winkler was suspended with pay, estimated to be at least $64,000 annually,
in recent months while the TSA investigated the theft allegations. 

The newspaper reported that Winkler had been caught on a surveillance video
taking T-shirts atop a vending machine in a TSA office building. 

A federal security director at Newark airport said the inspector "resigned
to pursue other interests." Attempts to reach Winkler by telephone Tuesday
were not immediately successful. 

About 15,000 passengers have filed complaints with TSA about items missing
from their luggage, which the agency prohibits passengers from locking. 

Aviation security inspector jobs like Winkler's are among the most coveted
in the TSA, with stable work hours and nearly double the salary of
entry-level screeners. 

Winkler was only one of three TSA inspectors at Newark airport whose duties
solely focused on inspecting cargo for explosives and other contraband.

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