SeaWorld Suspends Worker Called Impostor by PETA

SeaWorld suspended an employee accused of posing for years as an animal-rights activist and trying to incite violence among peaceful protesters. CEO Joel Manby said SeaWorld Entertainment has hired an independent outside counsel to investigate claims made this week by PETA. The group accused SeaWorld of using an employee to infiltrate its organization. The claims were "very concerning," Manby said. "These allegations, if true, are not consistent with the values of the SeaWorld organization and will not be tolerated."

PETA said its own investigation revealed a human-resources worker at SeaWorld San Diego named Paul McComb incited protesters and posted incendiary comments on social media while masquerading as an animal-rights activist since 2012. McComb, who allegedly used the alias Thomas Jones, was arrested along with other animal-rights activists during a 2014 protest at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., said PETA. SeaWorld did not name McComb but said the employee in question was placed on paid administrative leave pending findings of the investigation. (More SeaWorld stories.)