ALEXANDRIA, Va.?Federal authorities have arrested 94 workers at two Washington area airports on charges of fraudulently obtaining airport security badges.

The arrests at Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport are part of an ongoing investigation to ensure “that people who have access to secure areas of our airports are worthy of the trust granted to them by the public,” Attorney General John Ashcroft said.

Three of the 94 workers arrested Tuesday are wanted on state charges, Ashcroft said. All 94 are accused of “widespread fraud” in obtaining the security badges, which allow individuals to enter secure areas where airplanes are loaded.

Ashcroft said the aim of the investigation was to ensure that in a time of terrorist threats airport employees with access to secure areas “are worthy of the trust granted to them.”