NEW YORK — Eight New York-based federal air marshals — including a supervisor — were fired Friday by the Transportation Security Administration for allegedly drinking at a restaurant while on duty.

Six others were also suspended for not reporting the incident, which occurred in February, TSA officials said.

All 14 — one of whom admitted he asked the unnamed restaurant for a discount — were assigned to the TSA’s New York field office.

The move came a day after eight TSA screeners at Newark Liberty International Airport were terminated following accusations of sleeping on duty, in an ongoing investigation of security operations at the airport. In that case, the security officers were videotaped by surveillance cameras sleeping or violating other screening standards in a bag room inside Terminal B in December.

The Federal Air Marshals Service, which is part of the TSA, was greatly expanded after the 9/11 terror attacks, using armed undercover officers who regularly fly as passengers to serve as an added defense against potential hijackings. Expected to blend in with passengers, their presence is never announced and the number of marshals — who are law enforcement officers — has never been revealed.

TSA officials said none of the marshals fired Friday was on mission status when the drinking occurred, had not been scheduled to fly, and were involved in training that day. But federal air marshals are armed and consumption of alcohol is forbidden anytime they are on the job. An official said all have been relieved of their weapons.

"TSA holds all of its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards and has zero tolerance for misconduct in the workplace," said Nico Melendez, an agency spokesman. "TSA’s decision to remove the individuals involved in the misconduct affirms our strong commitment to the highest standards of conduct and accountability."

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, which represents air service marshals, had no comment.

Related coverage:

• 8 Newark airport screeners fired by TSA for sleeping on duty, other violations