WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A whistle-blowing U.S. air marshal who was fired for challenging reductions in coverage is suing the government for abusing a security designation on documents.
Robert MacLean told The Washington Times the lawsuit was in response to what he called "vindictive retaliation" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that "makes agents unwilling to report gross mismanagement."
MacLean told Congress on July 29, 2003, that air marshals were only going to work flights less than 4 hours long to reduce costs. The testimony came three days after Homeland Security issued a warning that terrorists were planning more hijackings.
MacLean was fired but is challenging the use of the "Sensitive Security Information" label in court, the Times said.
Unlike classifications such as "secret" or "top secret," SSI is an administrative tool designed to protect information that might endanger air security but it has been criticized by the Government Accountability Office, which said it is overused and stamped on everything from official correspondence to such items such as going-away-party invitations, the newspaper said.
