Yeah I had read the original story and figured the fine part was just BS made up by the TSO as is usually the case. However, according to CNN the TSA seems to be backing this opinion.

This sounds a lot like the same sex screener thing lately. Originally they claimed you were guaranteed a screener that was the same sex as you. There were a couple cases this clearly wasn't happening. Now the TSA backed away from this position and claims it's best effort.

They're clearly trying to cover their asses, but moving further and further into absurdity isn't going to win the public over.