![]() Haak Could Face Jail Time & a Fine If Convicted ![]() but King said Haak’s current employment status was not available.Ĥ. We also asked whether Haak had moved to another commercial airline. Spokesperson Brandy King did not answer that question. Heavy reached out to the airline for clarification about whether Haak was fired or if he left on his own. Southwest says the airline did not learn about the accused indecent exposure incident until after Haak had already left the company. ![]() Southwest Airlines said in its prepared statement to NBC Washington that Haak was no longer an employee and that he had “departed the company” in 2020. Multiple federal law enforcement officials and sources confirm a former Southwest Airlines pilot is being charged with committing a “lewd” indecent act mid-flight from Philadelphia to Orlando in August. Haak Left Southwest Airlines in 2020 But It’s Unclear Whether He Was Fired Our corporate culture is built upon treating others with mutual respect and dignity, and the events alleged in this situation are inconsistent with the behavior that we require of our employees.ģ. Southwest Airlines takes all matters related to workplace conduct very seriously, with a well-defined policy and reporting process for harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims. The event was recently brought to our attention, and we’ve cooperated with the appropriate outside agencies as they investigate. The statement did not mention Haak by name: In a prepared statement to NBC Washington, Southwest suggested Haak had violated the corporation’s policy about how to act in the workplace. Southwest Airlines spokesperson Brandy King confirmed to Heavy via email that no flight attendants or passengers witnessed the interaction. A Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed to the Associated Press that “pilots were the only people aboard aware of the incident.” Michael Cunningham, who prosecuted the case.The exposure incident most likely occurred at the front of the plane or in the cockpit. ![]() Lenzner praised the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and Southwest Airlines for their assistance. As the plane continued its flight, Haak further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit, as the First Officer continued to perform her duties as an assigned aircrew member.Īcting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Haak admitted that, after the aircraft had achieved cruising altitude, Haak got out of the pilot’s seat, and while still in the cockpit of the plane, intentionally disrobed and viewed pornographic media on a laptop computer. Haak was assisted by a female First Officer who Haak had never met prior to that flight. Lenzner and Acting Special Agent in Charge Rachel Byrd of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.Īccording to Haak’s plea agreement, on August 10, 2020, Haak was the Captain, that is, pilot in command, of a flight traveling from Philadelphia International Airport to Orlando International Airport. The guilty plea and sentence were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Magistrate Judge Coulson also ordered Haak to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000. At the time of the crime, Haak was employed as a pilot with Southwest Airlines. Mark Coulson today sentenced Michael Haak, age 60, of Longwood, Florida, to one year of probation, after Haak admitted that he committed a lewd, indecent, or obscene act during a flight in which he was pilot in command.
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