Wednesday, October 03, 2001
Logan Security Boss Is Tossed
Switched to seaport after Boston hijacks
The man in charge of security at Logan Airport when terrorists hijacked two planes was fired yesterday — but put in charge of security at Boston's harbor instead.
Acting Gov. Jane Swift unveiled new security for Logan Airport yesterday, including replacing Chief of Security John Lawless with State Superintendent Col. John DiFava.
"That two of those planes took off from Logan Airport is particularly painful for us," Swift said.
Lawless, who was appointed in 1993 as the Massachusetts Port Authority's head of public safety, came under increasing scrutiny after the hijackings of American Flight 11 and United Flight 175. The two planes smashed into the World Trade Center.Lawless defended his credentials in the days after the attack. He said preliminary findings suggested the hijackers had boarded the flights without violating security measures. "We are being blamed for things over which we have no control," he said then.
Lawless is a former police officer who was appointed to the $130,000 a year job by then-Gov. William Weld. He had been Weld's chauffeur.
The port authority has long been criticized as a dumping ground for political appointees. Swift herself got a job with the agency from Weld in 1996 after she lost a race for Congress.
Lawless was reassigned yesterday to oversee security at the Port of Boston.
DiFava, a law enforcement officer with 26 years of experience, will serve in the new role for 45 days while a committee studies what steps Logan must take to improve security.
Swift is proposing $26 million for public safety this year as a result of the attacks.
I smell at least two oders on this type of deal --- One is kickbacks, and Two is Ghost Payroll. Hopefully they'll be brought out by someone with Credentials.