Two Transportation Security Administration employees have been fired after they allegedly set up a system to allow a male screener to pat down attractive men going through security at Denver International Airport, authorities said.
The employees were not identified, and there will be no criminal charges because no victims have come forward, according to a police report.
Denver Police got involved in March, after a tipster brought it to the attention of the TSA in November, which conducted an investigation and contacted police.
The male screener would give a signal to a female employee when a male passenger arrived that he thought was attractive, and she would falsely enter the sex of the passenger as female, so the machine would report an anomaly that triggered a pat down of a passenger’s groin, police said in a report.
She told the TSA investigators she did this for the other officer at least 10 times in the past, according to the report.
A TSA investigator observed the scheme in action at 9:25 a.m. on Feb. 9, when he saw a screener give a signal to another and then pat down the passenger’s groin and buttocks using the palms of his hands, which is forbidden by TSA rules, according to the police report.
"These alleged acts are egregious and intolerable," the TSA said in a statement. "TSA has removed two officers from the agency."
The Denver District Attorney’s Office said that because the passenger who was patted down, who the TSA believes was flying with Southwest Airlines, hasn’t come forward it could not file charges in the “unlawful sexual contact” case. The case is still being reviewed for other possible charges, a spokeswoman for the DA’s office said Tuesday.
"All allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated by the agency. And when substantiated, employees are held accountable," the TSA said.
IN-DEPTH
- TSA Agent Hails 'Hero' Deputy Who Shot New Orleans Airport Attacker
- Hundreds of Airport Security Badges Lost or Stolen
- 'Devastating' Security Breach: Ring Smuggled Guns on Planes
Editor's note: Due to an incorrect statement from the TSA, an earlier version of this story said two other employees were taken off screening duties pending an investigation.
