BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — “Damage control" is being done at the Space Coast Regional Airport after two long-time employees resigned under theft allegations believed to be years in the making.
- Workers accused of stealing airport property, scrapping metal for cash
- The two workers were forced to resign, says TICO Airport Authority
- Currently, no criminal charges have been filed
Thursday, Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority Board members were informed of the internal investigation involving stolen property and scrapping metal for cash.
Monday, two employees were forced to resign, and the fallout of how much taxpayers are “out” may never be known.
"It seemed to be rampant enough, that it was absolutely items that you would have gotten in the day-to-day at the airport authority," TICO Airport Authority CEO Michael Powell told members this morning.
Some of them heard for the first time the details of an internal investigation revolving around two facilities’ department employees.
Staff says over the past few months, they received a credible report from another employee that the pair was taking work tractors home on weekends for personal use.
"Folks borrowing airport authority equipment, bringing it back," added Powell. "The possibility of over-purchasing items that didn't go to a particular project."
Other allegations involve the workers scrapping copper and other metal, including a tractor sold as scrap for $600back in 2004, and two more tractors also scrapped over the years.
Staff says when they questioned the employees where the scrap business is, they said they couldn't remember the name.
Plus there are accusations of buying auto parts that didn't appear to fit an airport authority vehicle.
Frustrated investigators found very little of a paper trail.
"We did have the ability to prevent this from happening," says Milo Zonka, TICO Airport Authority Board Member. "And it happened anyway. And then they were allowed to occur for many years."
"We have employees who decided when they thought we were through using something, it was okay for them to use," Jerry Sansom, TICO Airport Authority Chairman told Spectrum News. "Maybe take (them) home, and even sell for their own benefit. And that's just not right."
The board discussed installing security cameras, better inventory monitoring, and getting law enforcement involved.
At this point, no criminal charges have been filed.
The TICO Airport Authority oversees Space Coast Regional Airport and Arthur Dunn Airpark, both in Titusville, and the Merritt Island Airport.