Reality television show crew cleared in airport bomb scare

Apr 20, 2018 | 12:15 PM

NEWARK, N.J. — Prosecutors have dismissed all charges against a television crew accused of creating a false public alarm when one of its devices prompted a bomb alert at one of the New York area’s three major airports.

New Jersey prosecutors announced the decision Friday. Acting Essex County prosecutor Robert Laurino says his office couldn’t prove the nine people charged intended to commit a criminal act.

The creators of the CNBC reality show “Staten Island Hustle” say the crew was shooting an episode about a vacuum device used to compress luggage when it prompted the alert Jan. 18 at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The Transportation Security Administration says parts of the gadget were “indicators of an improvised explosive device.”