Last fall, the AOL mailed propaganda to East pilots. East pilots were outraged at the unauthorized use of their personal information. President Cleary then approached Doug Parker to conduct an investigation.
In November, the Company acknowledged that passport information was included in the database used to distribute the mailing. Due to this acknowledgement, and as a result of the Company's failure to respond to requests for information, President Cleary notified the TSA and FBI of the security breach. In January, the FBI appointed an investigator to the case.
The Company revealed that John Scherff, who at the time held the position of Assistant Chief Pilot, had obtained the information later given to Leonidas. The Company scheduled a disciplinary hearing, excluding USAPA. When USAPA insisted on being a party to the hearing (in accordance with the Association's contractual rights) the Company cancelled the hearing.
In late March, Doug Parker contacted President Cleary to inform him that Social Security numbers were also included in the stolen database, and that two additional pilots were being investigated: PHX Vice Chairman Eric Ferguson and PHX Captain Ken Holmes (former ALPA R&I Chairman).
In summary, John Scherff provided to First Officer Ferguson and Captain Holmes a list of East pilot names and personal information, including addresses, passport information and Social Security numbers. They in turn used the information to benefit the Army of Leonidas.
Before proceeding, Mike Cleary asked PHX Reps Roger Valez, DDR Patrick O'Neill, and David Braid if they are registered officers of Leonidas. Valez and O'Neill stated that they are members of AOL. President Cleary suggested that they voluntarily remove themselves during the AOL discussion. Neither Valez nor O'Neill agreed to leave the meeting prior to the continued discussion of the AOL issues.
Consequently, the Board passed a resolution, based on the USAPA Constitution and Bylaws' Section IX, to exclude Leonidas members Velez and O'Neill from the Leonidas identity discussion due to a clear conflict of interest. Following passage of the resolution, Valez and O'Neill nonetheless declined to leave and a recess was called.
OUCH! MM!