Alleged TSA imposter agent related to Hong Kong aristocracy

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KGO) -- An international banker who posed as a TSA screener and reportedly patted down female passengers at San Francisco International Airport has been revealed as the son-in-law of one of the most prominent families in Hong Kong.

"We don't care if somebody is the wealthiest man in the world or he's a transient with no home living here in Redwood City," said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. "Everybody gets treated the same in San Mateo County."

That was the San Mateo County DA's response when he learned that Eric Slighton was married to Hong Kong aristocracy.

Newspapers in Hong Kong just can't get enough of the scandal. It's on the front pages billed as an "embarrassment" to one of its most powerful Chinese families.

It turns out that Slighton, the man who posed as a TSA screener, is married to the daughter of Tung Chee Hwa. He's the former head of the government of Hong Kong.

The 53-year-old international investment banker was arrested last week at the international terminal. He had checked in early for his flight to Hong Kong. And after passing security, Slighton reportedly spent time at one of the bars drinking.

Sources tell us he stood behind the row of TSA screeners and lured a female traveler into a small room where the TSA takes passengers who need to be checked more thoroughly. Those same sources believe he patted the woman down in the privacy of the room. He then reportedly brought another woman in.

That's when he caught the eye of a real TSA agent, who confronted him and detained him until police arrived.

Slighton was only charged with being drunk in public and not the more serious charges related to the patdowns because the sheriff's office, which is investigating, can't find the two women. They had already left on their flights.

ABC7 News has learned that investigators have now reviewed security videos from cameras in the TSA checkpoint.

"We do believe that the women involved were probably in their 40s, as far as their age range, and were of Asian descent," said San Mateo County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt.

But they still don't know who they are, and prosecutors say they need the victims to make the stronger case.

In the meantime, Atkis Capital Singapore, where Slighton is a director, says he's decided to take a leave of absence.

Slighton will be arraigned in Redwood City next month.