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Back in September, I wrote about an American Airlines flight attendant who was being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over a “potential criminal act” on American Airlines flight AA1441 from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). A hidden camera was allegedly found in the First Class lavatory after a young girl used the restroom. Last month, I provided an update saying that the flight attendant has been arrested and additional insidious acts had been discovered. Now, American Airlines is asking a judge to drop the federal lawsuit and saying that it’s not liable for crimes of its employees.
CNN reported last month that Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, NC had been arrested in Lynchburg, VA and charged with one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor. Four more videos were found on Thompson’s Apple iCloud account all depicting children in the same lavatory, but on different flights.
At the time, reports said that the camera was discovered after a teenage girl went to the lavatory on flight 1441. Thompson apparently stopped her before she went into the restroom by saying that he had to wash his hands. He went in, came out, and allowed her to enter. After she left, he went back into the lavatory.
WCNC Charlotte is now reporting that lawyers representing the girl’s family said American Airlines “knew or should have known” that Thompson was a danger. The suit also claims that Thompson’s fellow crew members allowed him to destroy evidence when confronted by the girl’s family. We’ll have to wait and see if a judge grants this request to dismiss.
Anthony’s Take: When purchasing a service (like a flight) there is a reasonable expectation of safety and privacy. Thompson’s employer, American Airlines, should not be able to just walk away because the corporation did not actually commit the crime. Let’s see what this judge thinks.
(Image Credits: Lewis & Llewellyn LLP and Lynchburg Adult Detention Center.)
(H/T: View from the Wing.)
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