ML19256B249

Forwards IE Circular 79-08, Attempted Extortion - Low Enriched U

ML19256B249
Person / Time
Site:	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Issue date:	05/18/1979
From:	Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Lahey R RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, TROY, NY
References
NUDOCS 7906080029
Download: ML19256B249 (1)

Text

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May 18, 1979 Docket No. 50-225 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ATTN: Dr. R. T. Lahey, Chairman Department of Nuclear Engineering and Science Department of Nuclear Engineering and Science Troy, New York 12181 Gentlemen:

The enclosed IE Circular 79-08, is forwarded to you for information.

If there are any questions related to the contents or intent of the Circular or its attachments, please contact this office.

Sincerely, Boyce H. Grier

- Director

Enclosures:

IE Circular No. 79-08 w/ attachments cc w/encls:

Dr. D. R. Harris, Facility Director Dr. S. E. Wiberley, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School 70060800A7

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.

20555 IE Circular No. 79-08 Date: May 18, 1979 Page 1 of 2 ATTEMPTED EXTORTION - LOW ENRICHED URANIUM

Background

In January 1979, a temporary contractor employee who was working at the General Electric plant in Wilmington, North Carolina, allegedly entered the plant and removed a drum containing two 5-gallon cans of low enriched uranium from the facility with the intention of extorting money for the return of the material.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an intensive investigation leading to the arrest of the employee on February 1, 1979.

All material was recovered and returned to the plant.

Discussion Based on preliminary information provided the NRC, the theft was allegedly carried out in the following manner:

On Friday, January 26, 1979, the subject worked the day shift.

At 10:50 p.m. the same day he drove back to the plant and entered with the night shift.

He showed his Florida driver's license at the entrance gate instead of his yellow contractor badge because it had a blue background similar to that on the picture badge which he thought was required to gain access to the area of the plant that he wanted to penetrate.

He had allegedly gained access using his driver's license on previous occasions.

Once inside the plant, the subject would have been guided by gates and fences into a parking area had it not been for the fact that one gate had been removed to allow installation of truck scales. He proceeded down the unprotected road to an area adjacent to the building he wanted to enter.

After the subject entered the building through a personnel door, he pro-ceeded to his normal working station which was the Chem Tech Lb and entered, using his own key.

In the lab he picked up his protective clothing, a two wheel cart used to move 55 gallon drums and a container used to ship chemicals.

The container could hold two 5-gallon cans. He then proceeded to a door leading up a stairwell into the radiation controlled area.

The door was nonnally locked even though not required by regulations; however, at this time it was slightly ajar due to malfunction of the locking mech-anism.

Once inside the door, the n his rotective clothin DUPLICATE DOCUMENT Entire document previously entered into system under:

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ANO N o.

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