A Port Authority supervisor at New York City’s Kennedy Airport is facing criminal charges after allegedly taking bribes and breaking security protocol by allowing Qatari planes to park overnight during the UN General Assembly, it was announced on Wednesday.
According to a criminal indictment filed in Queens County, New York on Wednesday, 54-year old Marlene Mizzi accepted “numerous benefits” from an employee of a concierge service employed by Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the UN, and, in exchange, “would unilaterally grant exceptions” to security rules which state that foreign state aircraft must depart JFK within two hours of arrival during the UN General Assembly, and forbid them from staying overnight.
The indictment noted that the “benefits” included free limousine rides and meals, as well as a watch and other items, some of which were delivered personally to the airport by representatives of foreign governments.
“We have zero tolerance for those who violate the public trust for personal benefit,” Attorney General Barbara Underwood said in a statement. “As we detail in the indictment, the defendant used her position at the Port Authority for personal gain, accepting gifts and benefits from individuals working for foreign governments in exchange for special treatment.”
Mizzi and the second defendant, 58-year old Staten Island resident Joseph Jourieh, face up to four years imprisonment if found guilty of the charges.
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