...unless you Federalize:
(original Star-Tribune story)

Sonia Pitt, who skipped recovery efforts after the bridge collapse, is now working for TSA.

By PAUL MCENROE and TONY KENNEDY, Star Tribune

Sonia Pitt, the MnDOT emergency response executive fired for taking an unauthorized, state-paid trip to Washington during the Interstate 35W bridge disaster, is now working for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Pitt, 44, of Red Wing, confirmed Wednesday that she is working for Homeland Security's Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) at its headquarters in Arlington, Va. Her job title is "Transportation Security Specialist." Pitt declined to discuss her job responsibilities, her length of employment with the federal agency or her salary.

"All inquiries go through my attorney, same as always," Pitt said.

TSA regional spokesperson Carrie Harmon would provide only Pitt's job title and say that she was hired in May. That was six months after she was fired from her Minnesota post for unprofessional conduct, travel improprieties and misuse of state resources.

After the bridge collapse Aug. 1, Pitt didn't return to Minnesota for nearly two weeks, even as emergency officials struggled to recover the bodies of 13 people killed in the disaster.

Subsequently, three top MnDOT managers were reprimanded and one was suspended for lax oversight of Pitt.

Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles opened an investigation into Pitt's activities after Star Tribune stories on her actions and found that she was a "belligerent, aggressive" employee who abused her position and billed the state for thousands of dollars in excessive compensation for airfare, hotels, mileage and personal cell phone calls.

Pitt's letter of discharge states she engaged in activities that violated MnDOT's ethics code and was involved in "activities that cannot withstand public scrutiny without embarrassment. ... do not safeguard the public trust in the integrity of MnDOT, and undermine public trust in the Department."

And people wonder why I avoid flying.