FBI looking into allegation by Verizon of sabotage as workers’ strike continues
Is this really necessary during a strike? Sheesh!
NEWARK, N.J. — Talks continued between Verizon and striking workers Thursday as the company enlisted the help of the FBI to look into alleged incidents of sabotage at some of its network facilities.
Spokesman Rich Young said the company, based in New York City, has discovered more than 90 acts of sabotage since the strike began last weekend. Young said wires had been cut in some places, causing the loss of phones and Internet service for residences and businesses.
Among the non-residential customers affected were a police department and a hospital, according to Michael Mason, Verizon’s chief security officer.
‘I consider that an unpatriotic act,’ Mason said. ‘These cuts aren’t just affecting a faceless, monolithic company.’
An FBI spokesman confirmed Thursday that the bureau is looking into the allegation.
‘Because critical infrastructure has been affected, namely the telecommunications of both a hospital and a police department, the FBI is looking into this matter from a security standpoint as part of our security efforts leading up to the 9-11 anniversary,’ Special Agent Bryan Travers said in an email.
A Communications Workers of America spokeswoman said in an email that the union doesn’t support illegal acts.