TSA Workers Admit to Stealing Thousands From Passengers

They're supposed to keep airline passengers safe. But two TSA screeners in New Jersey did just the opposite, say Justice Department officials, and facilitated a crime ring that cheated screened passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport out of between $10,000 and $30,000.

According to a Justice Department release, Michael Arato, a 41-year-old TSA supervisor, admitted yesterday he accepted bribes and kickbacks from an employee who stole money regularly from passengers during security screenings. WNYW explains how the process worked:

Prosecutors say Arato permitted a worker he supervised to steal between $10,000 and $30,000 in cash from travelers' bags over a 13-month period. In exchange, the subordinate would give a portion of the money to Arato. The subordinate, who was not named, cooperated with the federal investigation that led to Arato's arrest in October.

Surveillance cameras caught Arato accepting over $3,000 in bribes during a single three-week period.

He pleaded guilty to the charges against him and faces 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced on May 24.