9/7/2021- 8:31 p.m.
A Chicago woman is facing criminal charges after allegedly claiming that she had a bomb in her luggage after she was denied boarding at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.
She made the claim Monday evening.
This is the official advisory from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
“BSO deputies responded to a bomb threat in Terminal 3 at FLL located at 200 Terminal Drive in Fort Lauderdale. On scene, deputies made contact with three employees who advised Marina Verbitsky stated there was a bomb in her checked-in luggage that was aboard a plane.
Preliminary investigation revealed Verbitsky made the statement after being advised that she and her party could not board the plane due to their late arrival at the gate.
Verbitsky was immediately taken into custody.
BSO’s Bomb Squad and Threat Management Unit detectives were notified and responded to investigate.
Agents with the FBI were also contacted.
During the investigation, the plane — which had already begun taxiing the runway — was rerouted, and the passengers were evacuated. A thorough inspection was conducted and the threat was determined to be unfounded.
Verbitsky is currently being held at BSO Main Jail and faces one count of false reporting concerning planting a bomb, explosive or weapon of mass destruction.
The investigation continues.”
