Sentence Reduced For Cooperating With The Government Against Others Involved

A TSA agent who had pleaded guilty of participating in a theft ring which stole large amounts of cash and valuables from travelers at Newark Airport has been sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years probation.

The Star-Ledger of Newark reports that Al Raimi received the reduced sentence because he cooperated with government officials by wearing a recording device and helping to catch his supervisor and another person involved in the operation. District Judge Jose L. Linares told Raimi that he was "on his way to jail today," but because he had put himself at some risk and provided useful information by wearing the wire, his sentence was reduced.

USA Today reports that the three stole money and other valuables from bags as passengers cleared security at Newark. Raimi had said he had paid off supervisor Michael Arato, who allowed the thefts to continue. Arato, who according to MyCentralJersey.com also admitted to stealing from passengers, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in June. Both he and Raimi must pay over $24,000 in restitution to their victims.

FMI: www.tsa.gov