SeaWorld Admits it Planted Moles in Animal Rights Group

Months after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) revealed that the animal-themed entertainment park SeaWorld had workers infiltrate its activist group, the company has finally admitted to the practice, without acknowledging the illegality of their actions.

Last July, PETA had accused the publicly-owned entertainment company of having their employee, Paul McComb, 28, attempt to incite violence through postings on social media, while posing as an animal rights activist.

McComb had presented himself since 2012 as a California-based activist who went by the name Thomas Jones, but had worked for SeaWorld since at least 2008. According to a resume PETA found online, he held several positions with the company, including human resources representative.

PETA gave evidence that McComb was active in protests, including at the SeaWorld float at New York’s 2013 Macy’s Day parade and protests outside the theme park’s San Diego location, and was arrested by police, along with other activists, at the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

“What is the big surprise for the upcoming protest. Are we going up the gates or something,” he asked an activist in a March 2014 message provided to Bloomberg last year by PETA.

McComb also allegedly actively urged others to take violent physical action against the park.

“Grab your pitchforks and torches. Time to take down SeaWorld,” Jones wrote on Facebook before a July 4, 2014 SeaWorld protest.

On Thursday, SeaWorld Entertainment CEO Joel Manby confirmed Jones was employed by the company and promised to end the practice of false impersonation, infiltration and disruption, but stated that it would be done solely to protect employees and visitors to the facilities — not because it broke that law.

"We recognize the need to ensure that all of our security and other activities align with our core values and ethical standards," Manby said of the corporate spying practices.

Absent from his vow to end the practice were any details on how deep it went. Manby did not disclose who authorized the infiltration, how long they had been doing it, or how many operatives they sent into the many activist groups protesting inhumane animal-husbandry practices at various SeaWorld locations.

McComb is still employed by SeaWorld, but has been moved to a different department.

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., has hired Freeh Group International Solutions, founded by former FBI director Louis Freeh, to review their security practices and shore up their brand.