Port Authority No Longer Vets Airport Vendors for Mob Ties



The New York Post today reports that the Port Authority no longer runs background checks on businesses applying to operate at area airports, a policing campaign begun 25 years ago.

Critics tell the Post this could lead to a "Mafia resurgence."

One insider told the newspaper that the PA "quietly ditched its long-standing corruption-fighting tool that required background checks on new businesses and their principals before they could operate at JFK, La Guardia, or Newark airports."




Presumably another (or is it the same) insider further noted: “This will lead to bad outcomes. It’s an open invitation for organized crime figures to once again do business at our airports."

The PA police issued an internal memo on Oct. 16 that noted it was "abruptly canceling all vetting protocols. PAPD Superintendent Michael A. Fedorko noted: "Such background checks are not required by applicable law or regulation. Accordingly, effective immediately, such background checks are hereby eliminated.” 

To stop mob-connected companies from operating in the airports, one PA lieutenant and several detectives "carefully reviewed paperwork and conducted in-person interviews on about 100 new companies annually."

Protocol also required a revetting of previously approved firms and senior executives whenever PA contracts were renewed.

While about 5 percent of applicants were disqualified, sources said the probes had a “deterrent effect" by causing some entities not to even apply, knowing they wouldn't pass muster.

The vettting process could take several months; businesses apparently started complaining, the source told the Post.

The protocols were implemented "to safeguard the integrity of airport businesses permitted to interact with millions of travelers each year."

We have to wonder if this was a cost cutting effort aimed at a handful of PA law enforcement officials.

In 2011, news reports revealed that dozens of rank-and-file Port Authority cops were earning more than $200,000 due to overtime.

According to NBC New York, one sergeant earned $115,394 in overtime that year, bringing his total pay to $265,059, higher than the salaries of "most Port Authority executives."

Paul Nunziato, of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, blamed the exorbitant overtime pay on the PA itself, saying his union had been pressing officials to hire more officers for years.

We're trying to contact sources at the PA and PAPBA.

Comments

  1. Good news for LCN,i guess the budget cuts to fight OC to help fight terrorism are going to help them.

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  2. They never got out if the bussiness those applying had clean back grounds and the state didnt have the money to investigate the paper trail that was done properly anyway. They can.t prove were a envelope went when it.s a cash bussines. Good for the mob. But the truth be said u still have to have people with a work ethic who get up at 5.00 in the morning prep the food and keep the the carts clean for health issues. This generation of kids and mob misfits can.t even wipe there own ass chew gum at the same time. Let alone run a bussiness where u gotta get up in the morning and look some what presentable. This is the mommy and Daddy Generation. If Mom and Dad don.t do it for them it doesn.t get done this generation is clueless

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  3. My post is strictly based on Pa and city laws in phila. As for my opinion on the New Generation i would think thats pretty obvious across the country. Philly

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