If it was a put-up job then it would have required not only a journalist minder but the active cooperation of a number of airport and airline staff. I assume that's what your " I'll also bet money has changed hands" remark was intended to imply.
Presumably in that case the size of the alleged bribe would have been sufficient to compensate the individuals concerned for the likely loss of their jobs in the ensuing investigation.
Happily, I don't share your low opinion of human nature. Clearly some of the individuals involved were less than assiduous in the performance of their duties, but that's a far cry from accusing them of being corrupt.