FAA Hearings on Passenger Misconduct

On May 31, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) filed a Motion for Protective Order, aiming to restrict the release of information that could identify potential witnesses, including the alleged victim and crewmembers, to anyone except the Respondent's counsel. However, this initial motion was orally denied. Following this, the FAA submitted a Renewed Motion on July 19, 2024, citing new evidence to support its request for a protective order. The FAA's Renewed Motion references an informal email from an ABC News producer to the FAA's attorney, dated July 18, 2024. The FAA contends that this email, along with ABC News' access to case documents, indicates that the Respondent is attempting to intimidate and harass the alleged victim, thereby causing undue burden on FAA witnesses. The agency argues that such actions could deter witnesses from testifying, which it claims constitutes specific harm to its interests. In response, the FAA's evidence suggests that the Respondent, Mr. Assadourian, has shared a litigation filing with the media that does not contain witness information. The media's interest in the case reflects a public demand for transparency. The FAA's assertions, however, lack sufficient evidentiary support, and the court has indicated that public access to litigation documents is a fundamental right, essential for educating the public and ensuring accountability in government proceedings. The FAA's belief that any media inquiry warrants a protective order appears misguided, as public access to judicial processes is a cornerstone of democratic governance.