Metro-North Supervisor’s Misuse of Company Vehicles Exposed

Updated on: October 9, 2024 12:05 pm GMT

Metro-North Supervisor Resigns After Misusing Work Vehicle for Personal Errands

Bridgeport, Connecticut – Unethical Use of Company Resources

A supervisor with the Metro-North Railroad in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has resigned following an investigation that uncovered extensive misuse of his work truck. According to an announcement from the MTA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) made public on Monday, the unnamed structures supervisor had repeatedly tampered with the GPS device on his assigned vehicle, using it for personal errands rather than the intended work purposes. The investigation, which began in July 2023, revealed that the supervisor had disconnected the GPS on numerous occasions and used the truck for personal trips at least 111 times over an eight-month period.

Details of Misconduct: GPS Tampering and Personal Use

The OIG’s findings indicated that the supervisor, who managed a team of 30 employees, operated outside the boundaries of MTA policy by utilizing the work vehicle for activities such as shopping at Bass Pro Shops and visiting the Connecticut Post Mall. Some trips included personal visits to family and friends, with records showing he traveled to his co-worker’s home 21 times while off duty.

During the investigation, authorities installed a second hidden GPS device in the supervisor’s work truck, confirming the questionable usage of the vehicle. The timeline of infractions included:

• 18 instances of disconnecting and reconnecting the GPS on the same day
• 60 overnight disconnections
• 31 consecutive days during major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s

The investigation showed a clear violation of Metro-North’s policy, which only permits official use of work vehicles, and disallows personal business usage under typical circumstances.

Consequences and Public Trust Violations

Following the investigation, which revealed a blatant disregard for company protocols, the supervisor was initially suspended without pay and faced disciplinary charges. Ultimately, he chose to resign on August 12, acknowledging his misconduct. The inspector general, Daniel Cort, emphasized the violation went beyond misusing a vehicle, stating that the supervisor’s actions breached ethics and public trust, as governed by New York State Public Officers Law.

According to Cort, the supervisor admitted to both the improper use of the work vehicle and to disconnecting the GPS system to facilitate his unauthorized errands. The inspector general further noted that the supervisor had been dishonest during the inquiry until confronted with evidence, underscoring the severity of tampering with and misusing public resources.

The Importance of Accountability in Public Service

The case highlights the essential need for transparency and accountability within public service roles. Adhering to ethical standards and proper use of resources is crucial in maintaining public trust, especially for entities like the MTA, which serves hundreds of thousands of passengers daily. As seen in this case, negligence in these areas can lead to significant consequences, including loss of employment and damage to reputation.

The MTA issued a statement reinforcing its commitment to uphold ethical standards, stressing that “the use of all MTA vehicles is restricted to the performance of official business,” with personal usage strictly prohibited except under very limited conditions. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for employees about the importance of abiding by policies designed to serve the public efficiently and responsibly.

For Further Information

The full report detailing the findings of the OIG investigation is available for public review, inviting further examination into the practices and policies governing the use of work vehicles within the MTA and similar organizations. As this case demonstrates, vigilance in monitoring and enforcement is necessary to uphold the integrity of public service departments across the board.

If you want to learn more about the Metro-North Railroad and how it works, you can check out the MTA’s official website.