A Transportation Security Administration employee is being accused of attacking one of his co-workers with a box cutter during a fight, the agency confirmed on Tuesday.
The employees, who both work at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, were fighting over a sports bet, according to reports.
One employee is alleged to have used a box cutter during the fight to cut another one’s face.
{mosads}The TSA said in a statement that provided to The Hill that both employees are facing disciplinary action and legal consequences for participating in the fight.
“TSA is aware of the allegations against the individual employed as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” the agency said. “The employee is on unpaid, indefinite suspension pending the outcome of a law enforcement investigation.”
The incident was first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The paper said both employees were arrested for participating in the fight. The employee who was wielding the box cutter was charged with aggravated assault, and the other employee was charged with simple battery, according to the report.
TSA officials told The Hill that the employee who is accused of assault was authorized to carry a box cutter in the secure areas of the Atlanta airport.
But the agency said it “holds its employees to the highest ethical and professional standards, both on and off the job.
“TSA has zero tolerance for misconduct and takes appropriate action when allegations are substantiated,” the agency said.