Information Notice No. 85-69: Recent Felony Conviction for Cheating on Reactor Operator Requalification Tests

                                                           SSINS No.: 6835 
                                                            IN 85-69       

                                UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                    OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555

                               August 15, 1985

Information Notice No. 85-69:   RECENT FELONY CONVICTION FOR CHEATING ON 
                                   REACTOR OPERATOR REQUALIFICATION TESTS 

Addressees: 

All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license (OL) or a 
construction permit (CP). All NRC licensed reactor operators and senior 
reactor operators. 

Purpose: 

This information notice is being issued to reemphasize the importance of 
integrity in the reactor operator licensing process and to emphasize the 
seriousness of the issue by mentioning the recent felony conviction and 
civil penalties resulting from cheating on reactor operator requalification 
tests. It is expected that recipients will review this information for 
applicability to their facilities and consider actions, if appropriate, to 
preclude a similar problem from occurring at their facilities. No specific 
action or written response is required. 

Description of Circumstances: 

In November of 1984, a former supervisor of operations at Three Mile Island 
Unit Two was found guilty in the United States District Court, Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania on two felony counts involving violations of Title 18, United 
States Code, Sections 1001 and 1002. The former supervisor, who was an 
NRC-licensed operator, had submitted as his own work examinations which had 
been substantially done and prepared by someone else. The examinations were 
submitted in 1979 as part of the operator requalification program. The 
former supervisor was sentenced in March 1985 to 2 years probation, 400 
hours of community service, and a $2000 fine. 

In addition to the individual felony conviction, the licensee (General 
Public Utilities Nuclear) was previously fined $100,000 because the NRC 
holds licensees responsible for the actions of their employees. The licensee 
also was assessed $40,000 in civil penalties for cheating by other 
individuals on licensee-administered quizzes and mock examinations. 

Information Notice No. 84-11 was issued to highlight concerns with 
inaccurate qualification records and deficiencies in reactor operator 
training programs at other facilities. 



8508130160 
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                                                           IN 85-69       
                                                           August 15, 1985 
                                                           Page 2 of 2    

Discussion: 

General Public Utilities Nuclear has taken the following actions in regard 
to their reactor operator training program to prevent recurrence of licensed
operator requalification problems. 

1.   The various individuals were disciplined relative to their level of 
     involvement in the cheating problem. 

2.   The licensee implemented new examination security procedures to prevent
     recurrence of cheating. 

3.   Through letters and interviews, senior management repeatedly emphasized
     to all employees their policy that cheating would not be tolerated and 
     could be the basis for termination of employment. 

Applicants, operators, and plant staffs should be aware of the importance of
accurate and complete records. NRC will not tolerate cheating or other 
falsification of records. 

No specific action or written response is required by this information 
notice. If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the 
Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional office or this office. 


                                   Edward L. Jordan Director 
                                   Division of Emergency Preparedness 
                                     and Engineering Response 
                                   Office of Inspection and Enforcement 

Technical Contact:  J. C. Stewart, IE
                    (301) 492-9061

Attachment: List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices