Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ahern to Retire- But Will the Cronyism, Sex-rings and Security Gaffs End
After three decades of service to the federal government, Jayson Ahern will be leaving the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency with the blessing of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano. “Jay has led CBP and we have benefited from his wisdom…Jay has demonstrated remarkable leadership and service to our nation,” the DHS Secretary explained.
There are many who disagree with that statement. Once the story unfolds “service” will have a different meaning. Speculation and allegations surround the retirement of Ahern. Even though his career was marred with indiscretions he continued to move up the chain of command. Many who have worked with him throughout the years believe the retirement comes as the ‘writing is on the wall’ and a quiet departure will lead to greater opportunities without scandal.
In fact, scandal has long been documented in public detail and the fallout has followed Ahern and others in Miami (and elsewhere) for years. That, in and of itself is not anything new, but the result of this internal corruption and sexual antics have left a nation open to security breakdowns.
Ahern says of his retirement, “the agency is filled with strongly committed and dedicated professionals whose responsibility is to secure the homeland…Over the remaining weeks; I will undoubtedly recall numerous highlights, accomplishments and challenges that we have shared.”
Let’s look back at Ahern’s career in the CBP and see what kind of legacy he will be leaving to his successor, Alan Bersin, an Obama appointee.
A number of top CBP officials have long been ensnared in sexual misconduct allegations and when it comes time for punishment it has been the whistleblowers who find themselves in trouble. Unfortunately this is not the exception, but a tried and true rule, a pattern that continues to be practiced each day in the Department of Homeland Security.
Sex, Lies, and Videotapes
The tale of sexual misconduct has been well documented by the Miami Herald (going back a decade), and in very graphic details in online blogs. Customs officers describe a hostile work environment initially within an elite group of Miami inspectors who successfully fought against the cocaine trade only to end up with dubious sexual scandals attached to their resumes. Indiscretions like drunken skinny dippy, strip ‘pornopoly,’ on-the-job drinking, obscene phone calls and various sexual-aids placed in co-workers mailboxes follow Ahern like a proud badge of honor.
Numerous CBP supervisors were implicated in these activities and a pattern of promotion could be counted on each time these extra-curricular activities took place. This is hardly a gratifying solution for those who are on the receiving end of these non-wanted sexual innuendos.
Content in the series of articles in the Miami Herald went unchallenged and included many names like Ahern and Tom Winkowski. A CBP email highlighted some of these transgressions. Internal e-mails and internet postings point out the numerous sexual indiscretions in the Miami and Los Angeles/Long Beach ports, each port director, Ahern and Winkowski merely swapped locations while keeping the same job.
It must be noted that their official biographies at the CBP website show a similar career track, and that both are married. Sources and peers report that the transfer was the “discipline” though in reality both officials and others received promotions, too, and it’s alleged managers are told to cool the activities for a while until things blow over.
“There were many stories of ‘sexual misconduct while on duty’ among managers and the story was that this is how inspectors were getting promoted in record time,” an internal email read. Discussions about a sex-ring were perpetuated throughout Customs in both ports.
The context of an internal employee email (subject: Chapter 7, Sex, lies, and videotapes) contained sexual encounter after encounter. Employees getting caught both on and off duty with their pants down or their skirts up were commonplace within Legacy Customs and continue to this day much to the chagrin of many employees.
Many cases of sexual harassment were brought against both males and females, including one filed in Florida, where Ahern was named as part of a sex ring in Miami – yet no dismissals of employment occurred, while participants continued to be promoted at the fastest rates. A few short suspensions (for a very insignificant amount), and temporary details to headquarters were the punishment for what seems like a business as usual behavior within the government agency.
Employees who did not want to partake in the sexcapades quickly tried to transfer to other ports. And once word got out they refused to partake in sex games they were ostracized within CBP. One employee referred to the feeling in an email, “It is a very eerie feeling to have to work among sexual predators that seem to want to always be in your space for no reason.”
Employees point to other acquiescent behavior occurring in the office with no attempt to disguise the vulgar language.
“Arthur Gainer was having sex with any female at work that he could. We have heard Arthur Gainer make sexual innuendos to other females while at work and we were standing right there,” the email continued. “This thing is that they all cover up for each other and lie for each other at every level whenever they are caught in the act.” Talk of sexual favors and orgies was a company staple and a ‘regular thing’ especially when there was a ‘going away party.’
The email continues to explain that the sexual “conduct has become a part of the organizational culture of the Customs Service. Because this type of culture is perpetuated and fostered from the highest levels of the agency the new employees who unknowingly are targeted by these sexual predators do not have a chance of justice when they are reporting these acts of misconduct in the mistaken belief that the agency administrators share the same values of integrity that they do.”
Another key player Ray Kelly, New York Police Commissioner, and former Commissioner of Customs knew all about the sexual shenanigans within CBP and like other superiors he continued to ignore the scandal. Kelly also held other positions within the industry of Dept of Treasury Undersecretary of Enforcement (including Customs, Secret Service, BATF, and others) 96-98 and Commissioner of U.S. Customs Service 1998-2000, begging the question; why did he do nothing about this unsavory behavior?
Subsequent top officials including former CBP Commissioners Ralph Basham and Robert Bonner were informed by CBP employees as well and also did nothing to put a stop to it. Meanwhile Ahern, Winkowski and countless others continued to be promoted to the highest positions in the agency.
The rank and file officers who didn’t engage in obscene behavior were left to do the job of many since much of this behavior took place while on duty, in government buildings and vehicles. Even though these employees were being caught on government cameras, walked in on by fellow officers at their offices with large glass doors or windows, nothing brought an end to the sexcapades.
However, employees who dared to fight the establishment on sexual innuendo were often taught a painful message. Constant berating, promotion denials (though qualified) and crappy, often humiliating details would await those who dared to say “no.”
Julia Davis Harassed by the Government She Wanted to Defend After 9-11
One woman bucked the norm and was subject to the wrath of the DHS- Julia Davis.
Officer Davis’ case landed in the courtroom and eventually she was able to expose the DHS and CBP outrageous behavior at the San Ysidro Port in San Diego, CA.
Davis joined CBP after the 9-11 attack on America in an effort to serve her country proudly (Davis is an immigrant). However, her enthusiasm and professionalism for her new law enforcement career turned to fear and anger when one of her Senior Supervisors at work, Kevin Crusilla, began to make inappropriate sexual advances. While harassing Davis, Crusilla continually reminded her that she was a probationary employee and during her first year of employment could be easily terminated at any time at management’s discretion.
At first Davis tried to quietly resolve the issue by asking other Supervisors and Port Directors to intervene without filing a formal complaint. She had no idea that her boss Crusilla was part of the “good ole boy” club and a close personal friend with the upper management. She naively counted on management to make the harassment stop, including Port Director William “Bruce” Ward, Assistant Port Director Orlando Chambers and Port Director Oscar Preciado.
Although Port Managers knew Crusilla had made unwanted sexual advances towards other women, Port Directors and the Crusilla friendship stopped any action against him. Officers at the Port knew that the system would retaliate against anyone reporting misconduct by the management. Davis, however, had no idea that the management was in a habit of attacking victims who dared to complain, instead of disciplining perpetrators. She would later discover that a victim of stalking, battery and harassment was subject to even greater danger by seeking protection from the agency.
DHS continued its harassment of the Davis household eventually using a Black Hawk helicopter and a couple of home invasions to break Davis and get her to stop with the sexual harassment charges. However, it would be DHS that would underestimate Davis and her willingness to fight for her God-given rights and the country she now called home.
In desperation Davis filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on May 10, 2003. Since the Department of Homeland Security was not taking any action to stop the harassment and to protect Davis from Crusilla’s harassment and stalking, she petitioned for and was granted first a temporary and then a permanent restraining order against Crusilla with the California Superior Court in Chula Vista, CA.
This would be her first legal victory against DHS, a company she admired and worked hard to be a part of. A final court decision was issued in September 2005, in the complaint of discrimination by former Customs and Border Protection Officer Davis against the Department of Homeland Security awarding her the amount of $225,000. The Judge ruled Davis established agency culpability of an egregious sort and has been awarded damages as well as attorney fees due to discrimination.
The Judge also ruled that no one could work under the conditions Davis was subjected to and said; “I find that based on the record in the case, complainant has established not only that the agency engaged in illegal conduct, but also that the conduct was intolerable to a reasonable person because it was especially humiliating and included unnecessary harassment. Secondly, I find that the complainant’s resignation was caused by, or in response to, the illegal treatment.”
In a statement Davis said, “This decision is an important step in safeguarding civil rights of federal employees and holding agencies accountable for failing to prevent and to timely curtail unconstitutional actions in the workplace.”
Unconstitutional indeed and something that happens throughout the United States at many ports of entry as confirmed by independent sources that shared their stories throughout all levels of government agencies.
Miami Customs District – Animal House with Badges and Guns
Take the Miami Customs District where a current employee and military veteran states she has never seen such corruption in her life. “When I started with the agency I was told by my superiors that I was nothing more than piece of meat and if I played my cards right I’d move up real fast.”
This didn’t sit well with the former military brat. “I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, everyone takes the same oath unfortunately not everyone takes their oath seriously.”
At the Customs agency ‘protect and serve’ take on a new meaning especially in light of the new world order that includes terrorism. When foreign nationals are entering the country it is important to make sure they harbor no ill will towards Americans and it is the job of the agents to figure this out.
One problem the Miami agency faces with the diversity of employees is hometown allegiance- meaning they are Americans second and home country first. This stereotypical nuance seems simple enough except when you are working America’s ports of entry, and where it is easy to let some things slide-to say compadres from Venezuela or elsewhere.
This Miami source says she’s seen this up close and personal. “I’ve witnessed many agents stamp passports as if these entrants had I-94s, which means they have green card status and allows them fewer restrictions upon entering the country.”
As a result some agents report this to supervisors, but they are told by the supervisor ‘to let it go’ and ‘don’t worry about it.’ “I’ve personally talked to people who have green cards who talk very badly to me when I start asking questions. For example, if they are male I asked if they are signed up for the Selective Service (a U.S. law) and the answers are horrible.”
“I hear, ‘I hate the U.S. I will never fight for you infidels, you deserve to die!’ At that point I take the person to secondary only to be told we have to kick them free.” Now to the average person you may take offence to a green card holder speaking of America in that manner. To an agent it’s their job to ensure no hostile people are entering into the country. “I take an oath to protect and serve, however my supervisors are not letting me do my job and I take that personally.”
Another excuse given to inspectors when they get unruly patrons in a Customs line is; “It’s racial profiling.” Looking back to Ft. Hood, Texas where the military let the political-correctness rule shine through and allowed a Muslim fanatic move up the highest military ranks even though he showed disturbing signs of hatred towards Americans and finally murdering 14 people (13 soldiers one of which was pregnant) in the name of Allah; something is broken.
When people are prone to this kind of behavior at ports of entry they are often struck away because of racial profiling and CBP agents have been told accidents can happen, if you don’t tow the agency line. “I want American people to wake up. We are being attacked from the inside out. National security has been gutted; it’s like taking an apple and putting a worm inside and allowing it to feast. The apple still looks tempting from the outside, but inside there’s nothing left.”
Even with all the problems facing the Miami Customs Office, insiders say there are ways to alleviate the corruption that has plagued the agency for decades. The dirty little secret in Miami is its whorehouse reputation. “I hope with Ahern’s retirement the Department of Homeland Security can clean this agency up. I’ve had personal experiences with fellow male coworkers who groped my private parts and tried to influence me to have sex, but I have more integrity and respect for myself. I’ve filed EEOC reports, complained and nothing has been done to address the situation,” says another agent who wished to remain anonymous for fear of workplace retaliation.
“The DHS needs to clean house and fire these people from start to finish because they are making a mockery of the U.S. legal system. National security is an illusion,” she says. “What security.”
Not one to just complain about the horrific working conditions in Miami the agent offered some suggestions for the incoming commissioner.
Many sources feel candidates for DHS require greater hiring standards and if the candidate has dual passports take their foreign passport away as a condition of employment. It is felt the agencies need to enforce conflict of interest, and put an end to fraternizing with foreigners, and firms such as airlines, cruise ship lines, and cargo companies without penalties of a transfer of authority. It is felt such actions will create loyalty to America.
CBP officials need to treat their employees with respect to earn the respect of their officers at all pay grades in order to rebuild morale and trust.
Fire the current internal and incompetent management regime that has been put in place by offering promotions through participation in the sex-ring and allow an independent agency to investigate the Customs agency.
The CBP agency should be more like the military. Customs at the ports of entry are the front lines to those persons, aircraft, ships, and other forms of transportation including cargo entering the country. Assign those employees from other countries away from their region or hometowns. This will take the temptation away to let people slide that are questionable and need to be detained for further questioning.
After interviewing several agents at different ports of entry, different agencies and different environments it has become critically clear DHS has some major problems. If these issues are not resolved quickly all the employees forecasted an ominous act of terrorism on the horizon. An anonymous agent summed it up best; “There is simply no connecting the dots between departments let alone agencies. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
Ahern’s Legacy
This brings us back to the retiring Jayson Ahern, and ultimately DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. Will she and incoming Commissioner Bersin do anything about internal on-duty misconduct, promotions earned solely for sexual activities, gross incompetence, all while they are supposed to be an agency with a key national security mission?
The impact of Ahern’s legacy outside the sex ring is contained in a memo dated September 2005 regarding Hurricane Katrina and the processing of illegal aliens- this memo was circulated within CBP employees. Illegal aliens only needed to utter Hurricane Katrina Relief it was their free pass to stay in U.S. without documentation or background checks. This was considered by some as the ultimate Disneyland free pass. Of course to this day New Orleans is known for its increase in crime, particularly in the areas where illegal aliens reside - significantly increased as reported by CNN.
Particular points of interest contained in the memo include; “The individual does not pose any known terrorist threat to the U.S.; the individual does not pose any immediate threat to the U.S. for criminal activity; and the individual is not likely to add to the illegal immigrant population in the U.S.” How one can gather this information without the benefit of a background check is beyond many CBP employees- they understood this was nothing more than granting “parole” or amnesty.
Ultimately, will Napolitano and DHS properly investigate CBP's sex-ring and the inappropriate conduct (including promotions) and put an end to it all? Will they begin terminating managers who retire with full benefits though their service has been less than honorable? Or will it be business as usual, meaning the internal terror continues against officers more interested in sex games, until our next 9-11 happens?
What is clear is that Jayson Ahern leaves a shameful legacy behind him. Napolitano claims Ahern has ‘led CBP and we have benefited from his wisdom.’ Let’s hope the incoming Commissioner does learn that the benefits of business as usual equals failure and wisdom can lead to courage and change.
This story will continue…
For more stories follow the links;
Corruption in Juarez connected to bridges
House of Death part one-a dozen murders;
House of Death part two-the cover up;
House of Death part three-keys to amnesty;
Comments
We have become a third world corrupt Government. Very sad. When crimes and corruption are rewarded, we are no better than Mexico. The next terrorist attack on American soil is just a matter of time.
This is one of the most breathtakingly inaccurate and irresponsible articles I have ever read. Your journalism professors (if you did go to journalism school) would be ashamed of you.
These allegations and innuendos were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated.
Old stuff, trotted out to impugn some excellent people. You should be more ethical and accurate.
The story is deeply disturbing but consists of true facts about the Agency! Jay Ahern should be terminated from federal service and imprisoned for his illegal acts under the color of law. Ahern has abused his office, violated human rights as well as rights of female federal officers. Remember, this is the same agency who had its second-ranked public affairs officer arrested as a pedophile, who was sending out inappropriate photographs of himself, while also holding up his DHS badge. Well written, well said. Let's see the stories as documentaries and on cable and national television for all "Lamplighters". Frank Serpico didn't tolerate it and neither did Julia Davis who was selected for two contrived and failed malicious and selective prosecutions in an attempt to discredit her and distract from the real stories of national security breaches and sexual harassment.
That Blackhawk helicopter being sent to Julia Davis home is only part of the story when Katrina victims were drowning due
I was the chief employee representative in Miami during the reign of terror sponsored by Ahern et al., and did manage to save a few careers while in the process getting some of the more egregious management crooks removed from the scene. A few years back, the Miami Herald was running a series of articles demonstrating the rewards of the wrong-doers and the punishments of the complainants. I sent a few of my files to the reporter at the time. I credit then-Commissioner Ray Kelly with finally forcing an early retirement on the leader of the pack (who, by this time, had been promoted to the chief officer in Tampa). But this was a few years after the fact. Many of the perpetrators still exist within the agency. I see no real change on the horizon. My gawd! Ahern was named acting commissioner? I am truly glad I retired 12 years ago.
Oops! I missed Peter Baish's comment below, and a further word becomes necessary. Peter, my boy, the charges were thoroughly investigated and in fact, given the EEOC awards to the employees, were indeed substantiated.The problem is/was that the perps were transferred to even higher positions. Nothing was ever done to them in terms of punishment.
Oops! I missed Peter Baish's comment below, and a further word becomes necessary. Peter, my boy, the charges were thoroughly investigated and in fact, given the EEOC awards to the employees, were indeed substantiated.The problem is/was that the perps were transferred to even higher positions. Nothing was ever done to them in terms of punishment.
Peter get a grip. All true, I worked for one of Jay's buddies and I felt the rath of being a whistle-blower after turning in a chief who was a pig, would pee in coffee cups, took a female officer to his home, then lied, (she is now an acting DFO-go figure). My gun was taken for 6 months, had to take psychological tests, threatened to have my house search, denied TDY's and promotions for years, while other color blind, womanizing, lying male jerks, some of who were promoted even though they failed the supv tests and went on to do stupid stuff like shut down an airport over a test x-ray, which was covered up. Ahern's legacy was to allow this in CBP, he should be ashamed. Heard the new port director in San Diego being transferred from Miami after sexual charges were filed, following in Jay's steps. Ahern and his buddies should have been fired after Miami, it has destroyed an agency, cost big bucks and hurt a lot of people. I'm glad I'm retired. Napolitino should clean house. It's time.
J. Ahern has covered many a crime and managers wrong doing in New Orleans. Just look at DFO Jim Hynes who promoted his lover and second in command while in New Orleans. Hynes lover was married to a CBP Officer before, during and after Katrina. During Katrina the CBP Officer discovered his DFO Hynes was having an affair with Mrs. Kim Felger (Hynes second in charge in the Port). J Ahern only moved Hynes to San Diego and then to Washington when the word came out about the affair. J Ahern covered up for Hynes and allowed Hynes to resign his position. Another example of the Good Old Boy Club.
As much as I would like to comment, why bother. Things will never change. Fortunately for me, Ahern's and his subordinates' personnel abuses backfired when I was "management enemy number one" at LAX and am now sitting pretty up, up and away immersed in mountains, trees, blue skies and nature. As I gaze across the meadows and the lake up at the moutain tops, I keep asking my wife and myself, "what did I do to deserve this?" Thanks, all!
The cancer still exists as former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert Bonner has been appointed to the DHS Security Council that protected Ahern as Acting Commissioner and his atrocities against women, fellow officers and I would not want to think what they have done to the average citizen. Sending a Blackhawk helicopter after their own officers to silence whistleblowers is outrageous. The new SYS POE Director is one of the same sexual predators from Miami. Who's in charge? No one! Who's paying for it all? Taxpayer's!
I exposed corruption at work in LAX in 2006. A few days later I was removed from normal duties, soon I was arrested. It's been almost 3 years and my date in an MSPB hearing is coming up. I have so many names, plus more, of the ones mentioned on this article that I will throw on the table to expose even more corruption in the agency. Its my turn.
Ms. Dvorak's investigative journalism will impact changes as she reports the truth and tables it with the politicians who are going to be looking to be re-elected. The DHS Committee has to investigate and purge these criminals from the ranks of the good men and women serving in law enforcement.
Thank you, thank you to Kimberly Dvorak for writing this insightful article. The allegations are astonishingly accurate.
This is to Peter, who some may know is a SAC in DHS. How would you feel Peter if another SAC, had an affair with the wife of one of your Special Agents in ICE. If that SAC were promoted to San Diego and then to Washington would you be pleased? Should the acting Commissioner J Ahern allow that SAC to resign or should J Ahern add the low life SAC to the "wall of shame". Oh I forgot a SAC, like a DFO is above "the wall of shame".
Inaccurate, inflammatory, tired, and old. This is just a regurgitation of really old news articles. Is the author really getting paid for the cut and paste? The man walking out the door did quite a bit for CBP. For those current CBP employees, take a look at your paychecks and say "thank you". For those of you who weren't fired and still work for the agency yet never made it to management, what about that GS-12 you will be getting? And that enhanced retirement? Again, a "thank you" is most certainly in order. If you are still hanging around crying about how you were wronged over the course of the last 30 years, please retire. Go find inner peace someplace else and get a life.
Some truths, some lies, but there is some truth to the games being played within the Agency. The links go as far as Washington DC to the even the smaller port of San Luis AZ where friends of Jay continue to gain and provide personal services, promotions and preferential treatment to their favorite female employees. Shameful but true.
So we owe Master Jay for our retirement and grade. Should we all bow and kiss his ring also.
To Pete Baish: Even this late in life you attempt to cover up the terrible inequities. Shame on you! Explain to us again the cover-up for William von Raab when he was caught in London trying to pickup a hooker. OOPS! She was a vice cop.
Explain to us how Don Watson was allowed to fake a stroke to get out of charges he drugged and sexually molested young Agents.
Explain to us what happened to Frank Gomez at LAX after he was caught twice picking up hookers. OOPS AGAIN! They were LAPD vice cops also.
Will the line employee, the journeyman under his rule, find leadership they can trust or another demigod?
and why does the port director in Miami get reassigned to San Diego? Google Chris Maston for more on the story. Hi Ron.
Since OFO and AMO are separate offices in CBP I find it difficult to believe a 'Hawk was sent to harass anyone. I have been with Customs since '91 and believe me the agency has suffered under DHS. In reality border patrol is in charge and that means it's only going to get worse.
MIA has always been known as a problem child.
USCS is the dirtiest animal in the Federal Government. No matter how you see it, as long as former USCS personnel are in charge, it will remain the devil's nest. Once other personnel, either from the different agencies or new CBPO or from the outside are hired in to replace key position holders, CBP will remain DHS fecal pile.
Thank you for your courage to report this, Kimberly - I hope to meet you and personally thank you someday! Anyone doubting that my house was raided with a Blackhawk helicopter and a Special Response Team, please do a search of the Blackhawk warrantless raid of the Davis residence and take a look at the video (comment area doesn't accept links and more footage is to be released soon) - this is the raid of my house in progress (not to mention CBP aircraft and 8 agents on the same day being sent to follow me and my family members, in vehicles and on foot). It's true, it happened and the truth will continue to be told until we see some change in positive direction, for the sake of good man and women of the federal law enforcement, in whom I will always continue to believe.
P.S. The video of the Blackhawk helicopter raid in question can be found on YouTube by using keywords listed in my last comment.
"The CBP agency should be more like the military."
This is a horible idea.
Lets say that 40% of people promoted in CBP are promoted due to sexual favors, 25% based on nepotism (YOU BETCHA!)- You want names? 20% based on intenal politics, that leaves a mere 15% based on merit alone. You mean to tell me that one of the largest agencies that embodies Vigilance as one of its core values is full of ignorant, undereducated-morons is reponsible for keeping an eye out for the rest of us? No wonder we are knee deep in our current immigration problems. What happened to those officers responsible for letting in the 19 911 jihadists? I bet you they all kept their jobs under some BS excuse and I betcha they all got some type of promotion.. Gee Thanks Customs. I know where my taxes are going.
To Customs is guilty the 9/11 hijackers were all issued valid US visas by the Depatment of State. It's not that simple.. For Immigration purposes they had the proper docs.
To Customs is guilty the 9/11 hijackers were all issued valid US visas by the Depatment of State. It's not that simple.. For Immigration purposes they had the proper docs.
TSA is no different than CBP, the agnecy doesn't fall to far from DHS. Only exception is that TSA doesn't have access to Black Hawks, but I could be wrong.
Miss DVORAK,
Just a few points.
1. Your description of the I-94 card was completely wrong. The I-94 card is a reciept which shows what class of entry a person was given and how long they can remain in the United States.
It in nothing like a GREEN CARD which is correctly called the Legal Permanent Resident Reciept Card.
A Legal Permanent Resident can live and work for the rest of their life in the U.S. and even become a U.S. citizen, however, they cannot vote and can be deported if convicted of a crime.
There are about 20 different classes of entry that use an I-94 card, with many, many variations of these classes.They range from a B2 visitor who cannot work and must leave at the end of 6 months to a NATO soldier here to help protect the U.S. to a diplomat who cannot even be arrested if they commit a murder (it has happened before) to a doctor doing cancer research.
2. CUSTOMS and BORDER PROTECTION is no worse than most government agencies. As ignorant and corrupt as th
A lot of truth in the story, some not as well. If there were more case references, as EEO complaints become public, then I would put more credibility to this. I do know that "friends of Jay" have made it quite far in their careers, and Jay had "Uncle Chuck" Winwood to protect him. Ms Dvorak also needs to look at the CBP basic academy in Georgia too. Ask for Uncle Art or his friend Darlene (sent to the academy because of complaints from the field), and how many couples get promoted, or have jobs created for them to stay there, while other good staff members who stand up to managers and do not lay down when falsely accused of things, are put out to pasture. Many of those academy managers have LA/Miami connections too. And wait, while other students are not allowed to use the phone, Jay Ahern's son was allowed to call Daddy whenever he wanted, and "graduated with awards" to boot. There are good people in CBP, just too many lousy managers.
To Dumb - read the 911 congressional inquiry transcripts. Some of the documents were altered. Its public knowledge, do some research before you type ;) then again you are Dumb.
To one of the victims (L.H.) posting. People who live in glass houses.....
Crimes in Customs/Miami?
Let's no forget about The strange death of U.S. Customs inspector David Berkofsky. I worked in Newark with David, he would never taken his life. The alledged murderer, Inspector José Marrero-Colon, is now a CBP Supervisor.
www.miaminewtimes.com/2004-07-01/news/the-question-that-won-t-die/
The Question That Won't Die
A mild-mannered U.S. Customs inspector is shot to death. Police call it suicide. Friends and family say that’s inconceivable.
The civilian Matthew Judd who video taped the Blackhawk helicopter raid on former CBP officer Julia Davis' residence on August 10, 2005 was found dead at his home several months later. At the age of 25, his death is only now being probed because on the unedited version of the footage (YouTube is edited - "Warrantless DHS Raid on Davis Residence)you can hear Mr. Judd exclaim, "They saw me!". OPR/IA agents Herbert Kaufer and Jeffrey Deal who were assigned by CBP Commissioner Robert Bonner and aided by federal Judge A. Howard Matz falsely indicted and maliciously tried to prosecute the Davises and now Kaufer, Deal and Matz are all defendants in litigation. Murder? Blackhawks? DHS? Customs is the oldest and most corrupt agency. Please keep the truth forthcoming!
i can not wait for it all to come out in NY
I have been promoted even while attempting to be demoted. I tried to get to a place which will better benefit me and my family only to lose this family.
I have tried to return to the field and cannot even in taking a demotion and willing to pay my own move and in all this I ask; HOW THE HELL CAN I GET INTO THIS CLUB?!!!!!!!
And now you want to allow Asylum seekers entry without detention, this was done before and failed. You think because you give someone a court day they will show up? Ridiculous, it’s a case of been there done that and now we are repeating our errors and once again contributing to the illegal population. Hey Usama, you have a new sleeper you want to start a cell; this is his way in!
QUote *** "hometown allegiance- meaning they are Americans second and home country first. This stereotypical nuance seems simple enough except when you are working America’s ports of entry..." ***
This appears as how all our leader have encouraged us US American to honor the US. Politics allows for Hyphenated Ameicans not true red, white and TRUE BLUE AMERICANS. It is like 2012 and our leaders already have their seats on the ark!
another cover up sicko sexual harassing Supervisor retiring finally! SH in Charleston
The sexual harassmnet in CBP is on going. And to the person who does not want to beleive that there are all these EEO Cases within CBP, you need to educate yourself about the EEO Process; only cases that go all the way to a Judge, get published. Cases which are settled, like mine are not reported. I chose to leave the Field Office where I was being mistreated and start fresh someplace else. The DFO is now gone, thank goodness, but many of the pieces of worthless managers and employees still remain. The male who started my complaint started in Miami and apparently learned that "No" does not mean know and followed up with the learned behavior of retaliation! Also, the latest piece of work from Miami has just been transferred to San Diego/San Ysidro POE to continue the Ahern Legacy. Until the media and Capital finally wake up to all the abuse within CBP all the corruption and harassment will continue. I could go on for days if someone was really willing to listen and do sometthing.
Wow! The name dropping amazes me in here, but let me jump on the bandwagon: Does anybody know about LAX Supervisor Greg Doss? He killed a South African man and a few days later he was safe and sound back at his old duty station in LAX. I guess it does pay to have a diplomatic passport. I wonder how much the govt' had to pay the family of the killed man to shut up?
On another note: sexual harassment is not just male to female oriented. I believe DFO A. Hinojosa out of Dallas, TX has a fantastic list and history when it comes to sexual harassment/sexual favors in exchange for promotion. Who wants to volunteer and come forward?
To Alafia River-Here Here...Spoken like a true offender!
Blah blah blah
Interesting defamation of character on a retiring civil servant and a slap at a law enforcement agency with a new administration coming in with different priorities such as health care "reform". I cannot help but wonder if the sources and driving force of this type of article is immigration rights groups, criminal elements that were stung under this man's watch or simply more whining from the pool of poor performing federal employees that cannot be fired because they have learned to abuse the EEO and workman's comp programs to avoid doing the work they were hired to do, thus continuing to be parasites on us hard working tax payers.
Since this article is more for sensationalism than news, I think it would be more "entertaining" to have the dirty laundry exposed of those blogging in to secretly trash this man.
Trash this man is right. Ahern and Customs are trash. A stence and a stain to the good men and women in federal service. Paid by taxpayer dollars and it is the ultimate insult when they are allowed to continue with immunity. There is a television series, "Whistleblowers - The Untold Stories" that will illuminate and showcase all of this and more. Your eyes won't lie with what you see and this corruption is going to be exposed. Mr. Ahern, Robert Bonner, Robert Skinner and cowardly co-harts will be showcased globally in every venue.
Just for the record, I worked in Miami for almost 4 years before I left for another duty station..and yes while some of those things mentioned make you wonder? Don't forget there about 90% of the remaining LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS there that love and respect there jobs and work very hard at keeping this country and you SAFE. This is one of those thankless jobs and we don't mind because deep down we all know that we are doing our part to never let another 9/11 happen again. This agaency is really not that much different then any other agency, we all have our bad apples and trust me their day of judgement is coming. Remember folks for every 1 bad person I can show you 20 outstanding officer's. Enough said!
Sorry America. The good CBP officers in Miami are far too busy trying to protect themselves from CBP management to have time to protect you from terrorist.
And those bad managers are not one trick ponies. You can add racial and ethnic discrimination to the list. Filing a complaint with the Federal employees' EEOC (it's separate from the EEOC for everyone else)is like grabing an anchor when you are drowning.
I once rode from Miami to Key West with three other CBP officers. Although there was lively conversation the entire trip only 22 English words were spoken, and I don't speak Spanish. That was not only unprofessional but unsafe. If we can't present a united front as Americans then foreign elements that mean us harm will simply divide and conquer.
This is the case with CBP (and possibly other DHS agencies). The rank and file non-sup officers and personnel are so busy walking on eggshells trying to avoid ALL forms of disciplinary actions while those who are well connected via sex-promotions, nepotism, cronyism and image-protection-favoritism are too busy hoarding up self-promotion keeping everyone else at bay who really does deserve a promotion based on merit.
Just look at the 9-11-12-13-14 and above former and current promotions list at LAX:
A. Pavich (drunk most of the time and unreported DUIS)- family promiton.
C. Gamez (provided childcare services to former PD Hinojosa).
T. Reis - Boston University network/nepotism.
C. Martel - current PD - directly linked to Ahern and Winkoswki.
should I go on?
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