Jim Maurer Claims He Was Ousted Over Security Concerns He Raised

Jim Maurer, the former head of security at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago says he was fired from his job because he raised security concerns, and has filed a lawsuit for compensation and reinstatement.

Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolina says Maurer was fired because he "physically attacked" one of her top aides, Ellen O'Connor. But Maurer claims that she made up the charge, going so far as to have O'Connor file a "false police report" because she wanted to get rid of him.

The Chicago Sun Times reports that Maurer claims that every time he brought up security issues, Andolina "didn’t want to hear about it. It all cost money. It interfered with their O’Hare Modernization Program. That’s all they care about.” He said O'Hare is the least secure airport in the country, and that the commissioners dismissed his concerns out of hand. He cited his efforts to convince Andolina to move a communications hub away from the terminal core as one example of suggestions that were disregarded.

But he said the largest issue is that private vehicles are allowed to park on the secure side of the airfield. Maurer said TSA has warned O'Hare twice about letting airline employees park in the northwest hangar area, but that the practice continues because the commission does not want to upset the airlines.

In his lawsuit, Maurer is asking for $2 million in damages for what he says was a "retaliatory discharge" and slander. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley dismissed Maurer's allegations out of hand, calling the former Chicago Police Department chief-of-patrol "disgruntled." He said O'Hare is a "good airport" and "perfectly safe."

FMI: http://www.flychicago.com/