Chertoff Group

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After serving as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff founded a security consulting firm, The Chertoff Group, which services clients in both the private and public sector. [1] Wall Street Journal describes the firm as: "The Chertoff Group, based in Washington with offices in New York, said it will advise clients on a range of security concerns, including cyber security, terrorism, fraud, border protection and supply-chain security. The firm also plans to offer consulting services on mergers and acquisitions in the security field, as well as due diligence support." [2]

Rapiscan and Body Scanners for the U.S. Government

Recently, Michael Chertoff has been publicly advocating for the installation of body scanners in U.S. airports after the December 2009 airplane bombing attempt. However, Chertoff is not disclosing his personal interest in advocating for these scanners. [3] "Mr. Chertoff should not be allowed to abuse the trust the public has placed in him as a former public servant to privately gain from the sale of full-body scanners under the pretense that the scanners would have detected this particular type of explosive," said Kate Hanni, founder of FlyersRights.org, which opposes the use of the scanners." [4]

The main provider of body scanners to the U.S. government is Rapiscan, a client of the Chertoff Group. [5] "Chertoff's advocacy for the technology dates back to his time in the Bush administration. In 2005, Homeland Security ordered the government's first batch of the scanners -- five from California-based Rapiscan Systems." [6]

References

  1. Casey Wooten,"Chertoff Talks Security Sector Investment,", "Houston Business Journal," March 11, 2010.
  2. Cam Simpson,"Chertoff to Form Risk-Management Firm,", "Wall Street Journal," March 26, 2009.
  3. Kimberly Kindy,"Ex-Homeland Security Chief Head Said to Abuse Public Trust By Touting Body Scanners,","Washington Post," January 1, 2010.
  4. Id.
  5. Id.
  6. Id.