SeaWorld admits PETA Rose Parade protester worked as a spy

Seaworld’s CEO Joel Manby admitted Thursday moing that a man allegedly detained during protests at the 2014 Rose Parade worked as a spy embedded with animal rights activists.

During an eaings call, Manby said the company would end its practice of using undercover employees.

“We recognize the need to ensure that all of our security and other activities align with our core values and ethical standards,” Manby said in a statement. “As always, the security and well-being of our employees, customers and animals remain at the forefront of our business practices.”

SeaWorld placed employee Paul McComb on administrative leave in July and hired an investigator to look into claims that McComb spied on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protesters during the Rose Parade. On Thursday, the company said McComb remains an employee of SeaWorld following his administrative leave and has been retued to work in a different department.

The company has hired Freeh Group Inteational Solutions, LLC, a company run by former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, to review its security practices.

PETA alleges that McComb attempted to incite them to take more drastic and illegal actions. Posts on Twitter by McComb’s alleged alias “Thomas Jones” called for protesters to drain SeaWorld’s new tanks in 2018 and referenced buing SeaWorld down.

“SeaWorld’s latest report confirms not only the company has employed more than one spy to infiltrate and agitate at PETA but also that it values its spies more highly than the executives who have had their heads chopped off in droves, as at least one spy is still working at the company,” said Tracy Reiman, PETA’s Executive Vice President. “SeaWorld’s finances continue to flop as animals continue to be found dead in its tiny tanks, with one death every single month since November.”

McComb, who appears in an image being handcuffed by Pasadena Police, disappeared as PETA protesters got processed at the Pasadena Police Department, according to PETA.

The department said it has no arrest records for McComb, or his alias.

PETA believes McComb tipped off the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Pasadena Police Department ahead of the parade, then was released during booking.

“I don’t have anything that confirms or denies that,” said Lt. Tracey Ibarra. She said the department is researching whether officers have ever had any contact with McComb.

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The Pasadena Police Department arrested 16 protesters. PETA in its search to find out what happen to “Thomas Jones” discovered he worked for SeaWorld as “Paul McComb.”

PETA sued the Pasadena Police Department in July after the department refused to provide records related to McComb’s detainment and release. The department claims those records fall under an exemption for investigatory records. That lawsuit is still pending, with a trial scheduled for July, according to a PETA spokeswoman.

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