Jeffrey Evagues, a former FAA air traffic controller at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, on July 22 pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, N.Y., to wire fraud as part of a scheme to fraudulently alter his and an associate’s time and attendance records. A federal grand jury in December indicted Evagues and another former controller, charging each with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Evagues admitted he and his accomplice gained access to the FAA's Cru-X system and altered labor distribution reports to reflect additional overtime, nightshifts, holidays and Sundays that they never worked. Evagues also admitted he took vacations or sick days and altered records to make it appear he was on duty.

As part of the plea agreement, the court will mandate at sentencing that Evagues pay $235,466.98 in restitution. Evagues retired shortly after his arrest in November 2014.

Controller staffing levels and overtime costs in the New York area were a major source of friction dating back to 2006 when the FAA and the controllers' union were negotiating a contract renewal.