San Diego’s Transportation Security Administration is seeing a shift of power within the department.
Michael Aguilar, former Federal Security Director for Lindbergh Field, announced his retirement last week amid rumors he was under investigation for misconduct.
Aguilar isn’t the only one to leave the TSA in San Diego. A source who did not want to be named for fear of retribution told NBC 7 that a handful of TSA officers were fired and two employees directly below Aguilar in ranking were apparently transferred to different locations.
Sources within the TSA told NBC 7 that someone had filed a complaint against Aguilar for a hostile work environment. The headquarters came to inspect the operation and from there she says everything "spiraled out of control."
TSA spokesman Nico Melendez would not comment or confirm an investigation, saying it was a personnel issue. Aguilar started working at the TSA in San Diego over a decade ago after serving as deputy commander in the Marine Corps.
The TSA sent NBC 7 this statement:
“San Diego International Airport Federal Security Director Michael Aguilar announced his retirement from federal service October 4, after leading the Transportation Security Administration for the past ten years at SAN. Ontario International Airport Federal Security Director Shannon Garcia-Hamilton will serve in an acting capacity, until a permanent replacement is named.”
A former colleague of Garcia-Hamilton's says the TSA brought her to San Diego to serve as a temporary fill-in for Aguilar. She says the TSA rotates employees to fill-in positions when needed.
