TB Jetsetter Slips Past DHS, Apologizes Publicly

The globe-trotting groom who could have exposed other travelers to a dangerous form of TB during his peregrinations around Europe and North America apologized publicly today, appearing (video) on ABC's "Good Morning America" to express his remorse for putting other people at risk.

Andrew Speaker, a personal injury attorney (yes, that's right) from Atlanta, not only ignored orders from the CDC to stay put in Europe, where Speaker was honeymooning after getting married in Greece, he also managed to breeze past a border guard, despite the fact his passport had been flagged and triggered an alarm. From the AP:

"The inspector ran Speaker’s passport through a computer, and a warning — including instructions to hold the traveller, don a protective mask in dealing with him, and telephone health authorities — popped up, officials said. About a minute later, Speaker was instead cleared to continue on his journey, according to officials familiar with the records."

To make matters even weirder, Speaker's father-in-law is a CDC microbiologist who works in the "division of tuberculosis elimination." Speaker is now in Denver to receive treatment.

Photo: Max Warren