Monday, September 25, 2006
CONTACT: Barry E. Piatt
or Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551
Wyden, Dorgan Raise Security Concerns at Army Explosives Plant
Whistleblowers Allege Negligence, Deception by Security Contractor
(Washington, DC) -- After learning of disturbing allegations of lax security at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) are calling for an immediate investigation into the practices of Wackenhut Corporation, the private contractor responsible for security at the facility. The Holston plant produces explosives used in U.S. weapons systems, including the Sidewinder, Hellfire, Tomahawk and Javelin missiles. As one Army spokesperson has explained, “I think you can safely say if it goes boom, it comes from here.”
“I was very disturbed to hear of the alarming state of security at one of our nation’s leading explosives facilities. This is an invitation to disaster,” Wyden said. “If the contractor is not up to the job, it’s critical that the Army take the steps necessary to secure these weapons away from the hands of terrorists.”
“I think that we should all be alarmed by whistleblower reports that one of our country’s most sensitive explosive facilities has had its security breached,” stated Dorgan. “This does not speak well for our ability to secure key facilities after the events of September 11, and calls for a thorough investigation by the Inspector General.”
Current Wackenhut employees approached the Senators with serious allegations of systemic failures to secure the Holston plant. The accounts include unlocked buildings; the frequent discovery of holes cut into perimeter fencing; expensive, specialized equipment left unused; and civilians in rowboats gaining access to the plant by water. The whistleblowers also alleged that Wackenhut deliberately misleads government investigators during drills and inspections. During one inspection, it is contended that the contractor went so far as to represent an on-site mailman as a plain-clothes patrol officer.
Earlier this year, Senators Wyden and Dorgan requested that the Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigate allegations by Wackenhut whistleblowers of similar, serious security problems at the DHS Washington Headquarters. Soon after the request, Wackenhut was replaced by another contractor.
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