Catholic priest removed over sex abuse allegations is now a TSA supervisor
By Madison Ruppert
Editor of End the Lie
Surprisingly, a local mainstream media outlet in Philadelphia has conducted an investigation uncovering a quite disturbing history behind a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) supervisor named Thomas Harkins.
While this isn’t entirely flabbergasting given that an illegal alien worked as a security supervisor at an airport for decades and airport employees were hired without background checks, this is even more noteworthy since this is an actual TSA employee, not just an airport worker.
CBS 3 of Philadelphia’s so-called “I-Team” has uncovered that Harkins – who now holds what they call “a sensitive security post at Philadelphia International Airport” – was a Catholic priest at churches in South New Jersey until 2002.
The Diocese of Camden removed him from the position after they determined that he sexually abused two young girls and a new lawsuit filed by a third woman alleges that she was also victimized by Harkins.
Harkins now supervises the security checkpoint between Terminals D and E in Philadelphia International Airport through which many individuals pass, including children.
When the local CBS affiliate approached Harkins after his shift at the airport about the latest suit, he simply replied, “I have nothing to say.”
This new lawsuit, which was filed against the Diocese of Camden in federal court, accuses Harkins of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl a whopping 10 to 15 times from 1980 to 1981.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the victim of the alleged abuse and states that the abuse took place while Harkins was serving as a priest at Saint Anthony of Padua parish in Hammonton, New Jersey.
According to the suit, one sexual assault even took place in Harkins’ private bedroom at the rectory.
When Harkins was asked if the traveling public should be worried, he replied, “No, they shouldn’t be,” without explaining why any parent would be comfortable with an accused child molester potentially dealing with their children.
CBS 3’s Ben Simmoneau pressed Harkins, asking, “The public should not be worried with you in a position like this despite your past?”
“I have nothing to say,” Harkins said once again, obviously avoiding the question.
Harkins then walked into a restricted area thanks to his TSA credentials, preventing the reporters from following him.
“They should know who they’re hiring,” Karen Polesir, a Philadelphia spokesperson for the Survival Network of those Abused by Priests, said.
Given the sensitive nature of the position – at least if you believe there is a real terrorist threat facing the people of the United States – one would expect that the TSA would conduct a thorough background check and be well aware of the past of their employees.
How would they miss something as massive as multiple allegations of sexual abuse, against children no less?
“As the public, we are screened to our underwear getting on a plane, and yet they hire a man like that,” Polesir added.
Hilariously, the TSA attempted to explain away hiring an alleged pedophile by stating that Harkins’ title is “Transportation Security Manager, Baggage,” which means he mostly deals with luggage, not passenger screening.
Obviously the key word here is mostly.
“Sure, that’s his title. That doesn’t mean that’s where he stays, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fill other roles when necessary,” Polesir pointed out.
Indeed, such a conclusion seems quite obvious and logical.
We must also question the way in which Harkins obtained his Transportation Security Manger position. According to the frequently asked questions page on the TSA’s career section of their official site, there is a significant likelihood that Harkins did interact with passengers.
We read:
“Is it necessary to serve as a supervisor to become a Transportation Security Manager (TSM)?
No. There are two possible career tracks through which employees may move that lead to the TSM position. One track is through management and the other through technical programs such as the Bomb Appraisal Officer and Screening of Passengers by Observational Techniques Programs or a combination of these two tracks. Experience leading or managing people and/or programs is helpful if an employee is interested in management opportunities.”
Obviously he could have obtained the position either through management or the technical programs, but either way, an alleged pedophile was either leading other TSA employees or he was interacting with passengers.
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want such a character in any such position, regardless of the security implications.
According to the TSA, while they do put all employees through a criminal background check before they are hired, the fact that Harkins’ cases date back to 2002 prevented the cases from coming up.
A spokesperson stated that the Camden Diocese settled the first two sexual abuse lawsuits with Harkins’ accusers but has not reviewed the newest lawsuit.
I find this lapse, if you can call it that, to be wholly inexcusable, embarrassing and thoroughly shameful. How the TSA continues to be legitimate in the eyes of any American is completely beyond me at this point.
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Madison Ruppert is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist and researcher as well as the founder, owner, administrator and editor of EndtheLie.com. He has no affiliations with any government agencies, political parties, non-governmental organizations, or economic schools. He is available for freelance writing assignments and appearances or interviews in any format. He can be reached by emailing
They are probably recruiting people like this on purpose
To degrade and infuriate people
And to serve as an attack on Christianity
Its not hard to see whos running the TSA
An apostate Religion far removed from God
But who claims to represent him
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May 26, 2012 at 2:53 AM
Since when is Catholicism even remotely Christian? Last time I checked, if you were Christian you weren’t supposed to worship idols or call some old man the Holy Father. Catholicism is about as Christian as Mormonism, that is to say, it bears no resemblance to Christianity whatsoever.
Anyone can call themselves Christian and any religion can claim to be a sect of Christianity. Does that make it true? No.
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There were Christians before there was the Bible. The writers of the gospels were born and grew up in the Church communities of their time. The Roman Catholic Church is the same Church founded by those very first Christians. This makes the Catholic Church older than the New Testament, and Christianity more than the Bible. Perhaps whatever weird the Catholic Church does that is not grounded in the Bible is important to be a true follower of Christ.
yeah right, the attack on christianity is a myth, almost like buchanan winging on about the death of the greaet white european christian civilization overrun with third world people and faiths ooooo, htats a whole other kind of fear mongering,
organized religions and “faith” are tools of tyranny/manipulation, there are other more positive paths of spirituality
Not really what I mean’t
I agree with what you say Catholicism
What I’m saying is this type of behavior is reprehensible
And runs contrary to the Bible teachings of Jesus and the moral standards of Decency that True Christianity represents espouses and comes to expect from others which is then flouted and thrown in the face of the true believer to degrade insult and torment
Like it or not the Western World was built up on Christian standards
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May 27, 2012 at 6:04 PM
Yes of course it is reprehensible and does not reflect the teachings of Jesus, not to mention just common decency. However, if you expect Catholics to respect the teachings of Jesus you’re sorely mistaken. That was my point. I hate to offend the Catholics out there but this is just par for the course when you’re dealing with an institution like the Catholic Church. They’re just about as Christian as your average “Satanist.” Any “true Christian” would realize that Catholicism is an absolute joke and this type of behavior is just how they operate. Look at the countless cases of child molestation and the active coverup perpetuated by the upper echelons of the clergy. It’s no mistake that they just shuffle these disgusting individuals around in order to sweep their crimes under the rug. Essentially, my point is that you shouldn’t ever consider Catholicism and Christianity to be at all compatible or even related. Catholicism is antithetical to Christianity, plain and simple.
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So all the numbers that say rates of child molestation in other sects of Christianity are on par or even higher than those within the Catholic Church are just a joke? This is not a Catholic/Christian issue. It is a human issue. The fact that you use it as a ruse against the Cathoilc Church just shows your true colors. Jesus wouldn’t promote your point-of-view either. Far from it. Maybe you should look in the mirror next time before posting such uneducated drivel.
Twitter: endtheliedotcom
May 27, 2012 at 6:32 PM
Please show me those statistics. So Jesus would say the Catholic Church is right on the money with their idol worship and calling the Pope the Holy Father? Well thank you for making my Sunday quite hilarious!
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“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The first Holy Father. If you have that much of an issue with the semantics of “Holy Father,” then I don’t know what to tell you. Humans are humans and if you find fault with the Church that Jesus instituted because of semantics, then so be it. The whole idol worship argument just shows ignorance. It does not exist in the Catholic Church and never has. Educate yourself next time before commenting on something you know nothing about. If intercession = idolatry in your book, then that’s fine, but it’s an old and tired complaint that has no basis in the real practice of one’s faith (Christianity), be it Catholicism, Lutheranism, Evangelicalism, etc. Catholics do not worship the representative statues in any given church. If you think so, then you are sadly misinformed.
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No mistake here. Pedos take care of their own so the TSA would hire child molester priests. Just makes sense.
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May 27, 2012 at 6:48 PM
Can’t reply directly to your last comment for some reason, Eric, but it’s nice to see a Catholic who actually believes this stuff. However, I find your arguments nothing short of laughable.
You seriously think Jesus established the Catholic Church? You seriously think it’s not a problem to call a man with no more authority than the homeless guy down the street the Holy Father?
I’m just honestly amazed every time I find myself dealing with someone who can delude themselves as much as you obviously have. I guess good on you for being able to twist everything to fit your worldview. Personally, I’m unable to do such a thing.
Edit: I see you were unable to cite any statistics to back up your claim. Maybe you’re just still trying to find them but I’d love to check those out. By no means do I think pedophilia is restricted to the Catholic Church but if you honestly think that they have not made a concerted effort to cover up cases through settlements, transfers, etc. then you’re even more deluded than I previously thought.
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“We don’t see the Catholic Church as a hotbed of this or a place that has a bigger problem than anyone else,” said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “I can tell you without hesitation that we have seen cases in many religious settings, from traveling evangelists to mainstream ministers to rabbis and others.”
Seems to be someone pretty invested in the issue who agrees with my stance. Of course the Church has tried to cover up cases. So have other sects of Christianity. It is a HUMAN issue, not a Christian issue. The Catholic Church is the most organized sect of Christianity on this planet. It makes it that much easier to attach some negative to it as it is to attach some positive to it. On either end of the spectrum, the truth is probably closer to the middle. I never suggested that these horrendous crimes never occurred or deserve punishment. Talk about twisting something to fit your view!
Why do you think Jesus did not establish the Catholic Church? Are you contradicting the Bible? The Holy Father does not mean that the Pope is God. Far from it. Maybe that’s where you’re off. No Catholic thinks that the Pope is God.
You’re attempts to enter a dialogue/debate while suggesting other viewpoints are laughable show the superficial nature of your views. I’m being respectful, and you’re throwing out personal insults. If that makes you feel like you win the argument, so be it. It’s out there for all to see.
Twitter: endtheliedotcom
May 27, 2012 at 7:28 PM
That is not a statistic, just so you know. That is called a single quote from a single individual. At best, it is anecdotal.
I never said child molestation was a Christian issue. You continuously create statements which never existed in order to make your argument.
No, I do not think Jesus established the Catholic Church. Are you saying that every single Christian denomination other than Catholicism is contradicting the Bible? Quite a bold claim you’re making with very little to back it up. I’m sure you’ve hard the old “extraordinary claims…” adage, have you not?
I’m sorry you misinterpreted my statements but I’m not personally insulting you, I’m making an observation. According to standard working definitions, you would be classified as deluded. If you don’t agree, go take it up with the psychological community, not me.
I do not feel I’m winning anything, I didn’t begin responding to your comments in an attempt to “win” anything. To get a bit Freudian on you (I think Freud is a joke for the most part, mind you), you’re quite obviously projecting. Never did I say I was arguing with you, nor did I even hint at wanting to “win” anything. Your statements betray your true intentions and as you said, “It’s out there for all to see.”
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Yes, it is anecdotal and I regret using “statistics” in my initial response. However, it is a widely held view shared by many of those who champion the cause of such victims. I’m not sure you want to go on record as disputing their viewpoints.
What church did Jesus establish then? To where do all Christian denomination trace their initiation? All churches contradict the Bible, so I’m not sure where you’re going with that argument. The Bible contradicts itself, to be completely frank and honest, so contradiction may not be the best choice of words here. Again, I never made the claim you claim that I am making…additional twisting on your part.
You’re making an observation…a personal one, about me, which apparently now the psychiatric community has a say about. Wow…and you say I’m projecting? Please don’t reference Freud to me…the first thing I remember about my mother is her Sigmund Freud t-shirt. She’s a developmental psychologist. You’re setting up a classic Straw Man here.
In regards to my “winning” comment, I simply “projected” that you want others to take your word as fact and my word as misguided or “hilarious” or “deluded.” I chose to use the term “win” to describe that. If you choose another word, that’s fine. I’m not sure how you can claim to not be arguing with me. You’re taking up a dissenting opinion to that of my own. If you disagree with argue, then it’s a semantics issue, which isn’t something that’s worthy of being discussed in the current discourse.
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May 27, 2012 at 7:57 PM
““And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The first Holy Father.”
“Why do you think Jesus did not establish the Catholic Church? Are you contradicting the Bible?”
Both of these posts clearly indicate that you believe that Jesus established the Catholic Church. If you want to deny that, go for it, but your earlier statement, “It’s out there for all to see” is especially poignant on this subject.
“What church did Jesus establish then?” I’m not prepared to answer this as I am not part of any denomination, nor am I a Christian scholar, Biblical scholar, religious scholar, or anything of the sort.
I’d love to continue this “argument” as you continually characterize it but unfortunately I’m going live on the air in 4 minutes.
It was fun!
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Where did the Catholic Church start then, if it did not start with Jesus/Peter? Do you know the history? As you readily admit, you are not a Christian nor Biblical scholar, so why are you commenting on subjects you admit to not knowing much about, at least in a scholarly respect?
Again, a nice Straw Man you’ve set forth here. I wish you the best, I truly do.
Cheers!
LMAO! Eric just give up! You’re digging yourself deeper!!!
So, how much do the Vati-rats pay you to lie on the internet?
I’ve never been on this site before. I just came across it by virtue of a link here. I realize my posts will probably fall on deaf ears, considering I’m questioning the editor of this webpage. So be it. Stay classy and Christian with the LMAO though, Anonymous. Not my place to judge though…judgment on this Earth means very little.
You’re literally retarded. They CLAIM to be established by Jesus/Peter. Doesn’t mean they were. I can claim to be all kinds of things that you can’t disprove. That doesn’t make it true at all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church
You’re such a joke. When did I claim I’m Christian? Why are you trying to accuse people of strawmen when you’re the most guilty of building them?
It\’s funny how the Vatican can have the Popes personal secretary arrested so quickly for the crime of stealing some documents, and fail to bring even one of hundreds of priests to justice for sodomizing, molesting and having oral sex with children since the 1940\’s.I am a Catholic who does not go to church anymore because I was tired of putting money into the collection basket that was then being used to pay the abused victims of Catholic Priests who settled with attorneys, and no priests went to prison. Just shuffled around to other Diocese to molest more children.I\’m Done with with the Catholic Hypocritical Lies, they will fall upon their own swords.
Everyone, Eric is fucking retarded. Most Catholic scholars don’t even agree on that interpretation of Matthew 16: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dlaFL9rtyw
Yes, praying to saints IS idolatry! Read the Bible!!
Seriously Eric are you so crazy that you don’t even turn to the Scripture to back up your “belief”???
let me guess… Eric will not come back after he got wrecked by Madison and the rest of the commenters in this thread.
This is what happens when you try to defend heresy in the face of the TRUTH! Jesus is the Word, the Light, the Way, not your pope or any other creature! Wake up before you burn in eternal hellfire!
Eric: first of all, the fact that the Catholic church is the ONLY Christian church with child molesting scandals should tell you something. Yes, there are child molesters in other churches and in all walks of life but the Catholic church is by far the very worst. Ask yourself this: why does the Vatican continue to lie and cover up their child molesting? Instead, they blame the gays, which BTW, being gay has NOTHING to do with being a child molester. I understand your hesitation to believe this if you’re Catholic, but you really need to know the truth about your place of worship and what it stands for. The Catholic church has been the most evil “church” for the last 2,000 years, heck, they even supported the Nazis – actually, they still do, but that’s another story.