18.06.2002

TIFGA Addresses False Claims by Former Employee

TIFGA today issued a statement in response to recent public claims made by a former employee, Tamara Lang, regarding the Institute’s Vienna facility.

Ms. Lang, who previously served in an administrative support role, has alleged that a “secret military branch” operates from a restricted roof annex of the Institute and has further claimed to have observed military personnel and unidentified aircraft accessing the structure.

These assertions are categorically false.

“The statements currently circulating are imaginative, unsubstantiated, and inconsistent with reality,” a TIFGA spokesperson said. “They reflect a misinterpretation of routine infrastructure access and a tendency toward sensationalist speculation.”

TIFGA confirms that the roof annex referenced by Ms. Lang is a secured technical area housing communications, climate-control, and safety systems common to modern research facilities. Access is limited to authorized maintenance and security personnel only.

Ms. Lang’s employment with the Institute was terminated several weeks prior to her public statements following multiple documented instances of inappropriate behavior in the workplace. At no time during her employment was she involved in classified research, facility security, or infrastructure planning.

The Institute further noted that Ms. Lang’s claims appear to draw heavily on popular media portrayals of experimental aircraft and covert military operations.

“Excessive consumption of speculative media does not constitute evidence,” the spokesperson added. Dr. Michael Bernsteiger, Co-Director of the Institute, reaffirmed TIFGA’s commitment to lawful and transparent research operations conducted strictly within civilian and academic frameworks.

TIFGA will not comment further on the matter and encourages the public and media to rely on verified information rather than conjecture from disgruntled former staff.