Fired Pawlenty Administration DoT official now working for Homeland Security

[Minnesota Raindog]

Sonia Pitt, a Minnesota Department of Transportation executive in Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration who was fired for taking an unauthorized, state-paid trip to Washington during the Interstate 35W bridge disaster last year, is now working for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Tim Pawlenty is a leading contender for McCain's vice presidential pick.

Pitt, 44, of Red Wing, MN, confirmed Wednesday that she is working for Homeland Security's Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) at its headquarters in Arlington, Va. Her job title is "Transportation Security Specialist.'' Pitt declined to discuss her job responsibilities, her length of employment with the federal agency or her salary.

"All inquiries go through my attorney, same as always,'' Pitt said....

... Minnesota Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles opened an investigation into Pitt's activities after Star Tribune stories on her actions and found that she was a "belligerent, aggressive'' employee who abused her position and billed the state for thousands of dollars in excessive compensation for airfare, hotels, mileage and personal cell phone calls.

Pitt's letter of discharge states she engaged in activities that violated MnDOT's ethics code and was involved in "activities that cannot withstand public scrutiny without embarrassment. ... do not safeguard the public trust in the integrity of MnDOT, and undermine public trust in the Department.''

More here:

http://www.startribune.com/26126214.html

[loveable liberal]

1. well, at least she is out of Minnesota and somewhere where...

she can not ....harm us.....anymore..... Oly Chit!! The republican oath of loyalty guarantee's well paid employment??? Where can I get some of that action??!!! I can be stupid and vitriolic with some assistance!

[Minnesota Raindog]

2. And now she's been sacked by Homeland Security

Doesn't say much for Homeland Security's background checks. Speaks volumes about BushCo's Reward-the-Incompetent system...

http://www.startribune.com/local/26145699.html

Department of Homeland Security has fired Sonia Pitt, the former MnDOT emergency response executive who lost her state job for failing to return to Minnesota in the days after the I-35W bridge collapse.

Pitt was hired two months ago to work in Washington as a security specialist for the agency's Transportation Security Administration.

TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said that the latest termination was based on information that MnDOT sent to the federal agency Thursday at TSA's request. The TSA opened an investigation into Pitt's hiring in May about two weeks ago.

Howe said she couldn't comment on the reasoning behind Pitt losing her $89,920 job, but said the information MnDOT sent "corroborated our investigation.''

:bounce: