ATLANTA - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $3,300 fine for the Gainesville man who ran down an up-escalator at Atlanta's airport, leading officials to ground flights and evacuate up to 10,000 people.
The FAA found that Michael Shane Lasseter, 32, violated three sections of security regulations when he ran past two security guards at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport Nov. 16.
Lasseter told police he had left the airport's secure area to retrieve a camera bag and wanted to get back to his young son, whom he had left with an uncle at an airline gate.
Spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said Tuesday that the $3,300 is the maximum the FAA's regulations allow.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said at the time that Lasseter violated no federal laws because he did not board and airplane and the guards were not federal agents.
Lasseter was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct in Clayton County, where the airport is located.
Lasseter got a copy of the proposed fine by certified mail Dec. 10, Bergen said, and has until Thursday to respond by submitting written information or meeting with FAA lawyers to settle the fine.
If Lasseter disagrees with the fine, he can appeal to an administrative law judge at the Department of Transportation, she said.
Lasseter's lawyer, Robert Lipman, said he was unaware of the FAA fine and needed to consult with his client.
But he questioned the FAA's right to impose the penalty. ``At this point I'm in between astonished and amused,'' Lipman said.
Wednesday
January 22nd, 2025
1:08PM
