We all know times are tough, but this week’s Icarus Award nominees remind us that crime doesn’t pay. From two sticky-fingered TSA agents to a bankrupt airline to a potentially grave-digging tourist, see this week’s crimes and misdemeanors and vote for the guiltiest party.
Stranded with Spanair
Last Friday, Spanish airline Spanair abruptly announced that it was ending operations–not at some indefinite point in the future, but right then and there. Over 20,000 passengers who held tickets to over 220 flights the airline were abandoned with no instructions on how to seek reimbursements. Despite the fact the Catalonia government had given the airline over €150 million, it was unable to stay afloat. Now instead of receiving money, the Spanish government is considering fining the airline €12 million for ceasing operations and thereby violating aviation regulations. Of course, how they expect the bankrupt airline to pay is another story…
Dirty Diaper Debacle
Not a crime of the law but perhaps a crime of parenting occurred this week on a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Darwin when a passenger attemped to flush an extremely smelly diaper in the toilet. According to a statement from the airline, passengers complained about the odor, which “unfortunately turned out to be a very smelly nappy dumped in the fwd toilet.” Following procedure, the plane made an emergency landing in Mount Isla. The passengers were transferred to a new plane and the original plane was thoroughly checked before continuing its journey with the passenger’s luggage.
Campaign Finance Suitcase Reform
Mexican political rivalry is centering around a state official’s suitcase found with $1.9 million at a central Mexico airport. This find does little to allay fears that organized crime or illegal campaign funding will influence the July elections. The money is suspected to come from the Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). In theory a state official claims he was using the money to make a hurried payment for legitimate consulting services. However, the National Action Party called that explanation “an insult to the intelligence of Mexicans.” Currently the government, which is made up of members of the National Action Party, has said it will not return the money until PRI government of Veracruz removes any suspicions about it.
Tweet and Trash
President Obama may be working to attract foreign visitors, but the department of Homeland Security is keeping a close eye on who’s coming in. Two UK tourists, Leigh Van Bryan and Emily Bunting, were intercepted upon arrival in Los Angeles as a direct result of their tweets. The offensive tweets suggested they would “destroy” America (a British euphemism for hard partying) and would dig up Marilyn Monroe’s grave (a quote from a Family Guy episode). The tweeting Brits were questioned for five hours, held in jail for another 12 and then flown back to London.
Sticky-Fingered Security
Two TSA agents are making the headlines for pocketing the finds from their security checks. In Dallas -Fort Worth, Texas, a screener was arrested on suspicion of stealing eight iPads. Clayton Keith Dovel worked in the “resolution room” where check luggage is screened. Police found Dovel, who is currently on administrative leave, when a stolen iPad was electronically located in his home. Then in New York’s JFK International Airport, TSA Agent Alexandra Schmid is accused of taking $5,000 in cash from a passenger’s jacket on the security conveyor belt on February 1. Surveillance video places the agent with the cash and taking it to the bathroom where it may have been passed to an accomplice. Though the money has yet to be recovered, Schmid has been charged with grand larceny.
Taxable Rewards won last week’s Icarus Award. Check out more nominees in our Icarus Award section. Vote for this week’s worst offender in our poll.
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By Lily J Kosner for PeterGreenberg.com
Related links: USA Today, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Daily Mail, Hollywood Reporter, WFAA
