Press Release-I-05-041, NRC Bans Former Technician at Pennsylvania Company from NRC-Licensed Activities

Press Release-I-05-041: NRC Bans Former Technician at Pennsylvania Company from NRC-Licensed Activities

ML052170196
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/05/2005
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region I
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-I-05-041
Download: ML052170196 (1)

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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs, Region I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa.

Web Site: http://www.nrc.gov/OPANo. I-05-041August 5, 2005Contact:Diane Screnci, 610/337-5330Email: opa1@nrc.govNeil Sheehan, 610/337-5331NRC BANS FORMER TECHNICIAN AT PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY FROM NRC-LICENSED ACTIVITIESThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued an order to Stanley Pitts banning him frominvolvement in NRC-licensed activities for five years. Pitts had been employed by Professional Inspection and Testing Services, Inc., of Chambersburg, Pa. The company is licensed to possess and use radioactive materials in portable nuclear gaugesused to measure the moisture/density of soil or other materials. In April 2004, Professional Inspection and Testing Services officials informed the NRC thatthey could not locate a gauge and considered it stolen by an employee, Pitts, because he was the last to have used it. Police recovered the gauge about a week later in an apartment formerly occupied by Pitts. The NRC Office of Investigations conducted an investigation into the reported loss of thegauge. Investigators found that Pitts was in possession of the nuclear gauge for about 13 days when he was no longer employed by Professional Inspection and Testing and was not authorized by the company or the NRC to possess licensed material. In addition, investigators found that Pitts deliberately violated NRC requirements when he apparently stole and illegally possessed the gauge. In the order to Pitts banning him from licensed activities, NRC Deputy Executive Director forMaterials, Research, State and Compliance Programs, Martin J. Virgilio, said the deliberate violation of NRC requirements "has raised serious doubt as to whether he can be relied upon to comply with NRC requirements in the future."The order is effective immediately. Pitts and any other person adversely affected by the ordermay request a hearing within 20 days.