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N.J. Governor Criticizes Airport Security
by Chloe Albanesius
Security issues threaten the stability of Newark International Airport, New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey wrote in a Tuesday letter to the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
McGreevey expressed "serious concerns" about staffing levels and work conditions. Workers are "forced to deal with a system that is broken -- one that has resulted in compromise and cut corners," he wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.
The Democratic governor acknowledged that airport security is a "colossal" undertaking but said the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must ensure safety. "The fact that I, as well as many members of the New Jersey congressional delegation, reached out to TSA on several different occasions and received no response is not only extremely frustrating but it is simply unacceptable," he said. McGreevey called on Ridge to install video-monitoring equipment "so that a clear and concise record of all passengers and baggage exists."
In Iowa, meanwhile, the state's homeland security director will resign effective July 2. Ellen Gordon has accepted a position with the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Defense and Security. She has worked with the state's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division since 1986 and was appointed director in 2001. Gov. Tom Vilsack has tapped Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, to replace Gordon.
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Tuesday officially established the state's homeland security department. Previously, homeland security in Iowa was a joint effort among several agencies organized by the Oregon State Police. Beverlee Venell, commander of the Oregon State Police intergovernmental services bureau, will serve as director of the department.
And Homeland Security and the National Security Agency designated the University of Texas at Dallas as a center of excellence in information assurance education. The school joins 58 other universities in a project geared toward promoting careers and education in information assurance.
N.J. Nabs Predator; Nevada IDs Sex Offenders
New Jersey officials arrested a Monmouth County man Tuesday for sending pornographic material to a minor via the Internet and inviting to a sexual encounter an online contact who the man thought was a 14-year-old boy.
According to a criminal complaint, an undercover state investigator entered an Internet chat room reserved for sexually explicit chat and identified himself as a 14-year-old boy. He was subsequently contacted by Peter DiGiovanni, who allegedly performed sexual acts visible by Web camera and had sexually oriented conversations with the investigator. DiGiovanni faces up to 25 years in prison and a $325,000 fine.
In other news, the Nevada Public Safety Department on Tuesday launched a Web site that provides details on convicted sex offenders.
The database must contain the names, aliases, photographs, conviction information and zip codes of known sex offenders. The public will have access to offenders thought to have a high and moderate risk of committing more sex crimes but not those considered to be low risk.
Funding for the project was provided by the Children's Advocacy Alliance and by federal money.
Attorneys General Target Consumer Scams
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Tuesday obtained a court order to close a home-furnishing Web site accused multiple times of consumer fraud.
BeaverHome.com allegedly advertised its hardwood-flooring business on the Internet and accepted advanced payment for services but never delivered the merchandise. The state sued the company in 2002 after numerous complaints.
BeaverHome agreed to pay restitution, but the state did not receive the full amount. As a result, New York Supreme Court Justice Christopher Burns on April 7 found BeaverHome in civil contempt of court and ordered the owners to pay a $285,000 fine and place a notice on its Web site that it cannot accept advance payments.
Neal and Cole Martin did not comply, so the judge agreed to shutter the site this week.
In Vermont, Attorney General William Sorrell last week filed a fraud case against an online tobacco seller for distributing its product to a minor. The minor was working with the Liquor Control Department to test the company's security policies. Cyco.net admitted to violating the fraud statute and agreed not to sell tobacco products to any Vermont residents until it adopts policies that ensure it will not ship its products to minors.
Virginia consumers, meanwhile, received a warning from Attorney General Jerry Kilgore on Friday regarding yet another e-mail scam requesting personal information. An organization calling itself the International Credit Card Regulations Agency contacted Web users and told them that an "unauthorized third party" had used their credit cards at a fake Wisconsin business known as Lui's Watches Eau Claire and that the "agency" needed data to correct the mishap. Kilgore urged anyone who receives such a message to forward it to consumer@oag.state.va.us.
And North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Tuesday ordered a Florida business to stop violating the state's "do not call" list against unwanted telemarketing. North Dakota residents have received calls promising them government grants between $8,000 and $25,000 if they pay a $239 fee. "These bogus grant programs are designed to prey on elderly, handicapped or vulnerable consumers," Stenehjem said in a release.
New York Debuts Technology Center
New York Gov. George Pataki on Monday unveiled the new Infotonics Technology Center in Rochester as part of his $125 million Center of Excellence for Greater Rochester initiative.
"It will serve as a major vehicle for generating hundreds of millions in new investment and attracting up to 5,000 new high-tech jobs that will benefit Rochester's economy for generations to come," Pataki said.
The state provided $28 million for the center, and the federal government added $22 million more. Kodak, Corning and Xerox will donate about $45 million over the next five years and raise an additional $30 million in private donations.
Pataki also announced Monday that four New York universities will receive almost $3 million to attract top scientists. The Binghamton University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the State University of New York campuses at Albany and Buffalo will receive about $750,000 each.
Also on Monday, Washington Gov. Gary Locke signed an agreement with Microsoft to use technology to improve student achievement in the state. The five-year agreement is part of the software giant's new U.S. Partners in Learning program. Microsoft will provide $3 million for teacher training and to develop technology-based programs for at-risk students.
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