The security company guarding checkpoints at two of the three airports where the terrorists hijacked their planes was fined US$1 million last year in connection with the hiring of employees with criminal records and inadequate training.
Atlanta-based Argenbright Security provides security at most of the biggest airports in the US, including Washington Dulles and Newark, New Jersey, where two of the four hijacked planes originated Tuesday.
Company President Bill Barbour said on Thursday that Argenbright handles passenger checkpoints, baggage and other services for American and United Airlines at Dulles and Newark. He would not comment on the hijacked flights.
The company also may provide services at Boston's Logan Airport but does not work for United or American there, Lott said.
The other two hijacked flights -- one American and one United -- originated at Logan.
Last year, Argenbright pleaded guilty to charges related to inadequate training, testing and background checks on employees who staffed checkpoints at the Philadelphia airport from 1995 to 1998.
The federal investigation found that Argenbright employees had backgrounds that included drug dealing, kidnapping, aggravated assault and theft.
A federal judge fined Argenbright US$1 million, the maximum.
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