Top officials unaware pipeline security operated illegally

Source: Associated Press


James Macpherson and Blake Nicholson, Associated Press
Updated 4:09 pm, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s governor, top law officer and military leader all said Wednesday they were unaware that a private security firm hired by the developer of the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline has been operating illegally in the state without a license.

North Dakota’s Private Investigative and Security Board first notified TigerSwan in September it was unlicensed, and in December rejected its application, citing the alleged criminal history of the company’s president.

Despite that, TigerSwan remained an integral part of the pipeline developer’s security operation and assisted law officers. Internal company documents published by online news outlet The Intercept last month make references to planning and communication with law enforcement, the placing of a company liaison in the law enforcement joint operations center, and a meeting with the state attorney general’s office’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation “regarding video and still photo evidence collected for prosecution.”

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the state’s top law enforcement officer, said he did not “recall being made aware” of TigerSwan’s involvement or lack of a license.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Board-Pipeline-security-company-operated-without-11252894.php