URGENT UPDATE: Tensions escalate as the MTA board criticizes Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney for his decision not to pursue criminal charges against 36 Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) employees accused of participating in a widespread time theft scheme. This shocking revelation comes after an investigation uncovered that these workers allegedly used cloned swipe cards to falsely log their hours, raising serious concerns about integrity within the MTA.
Officials at the MTA revealed that these employees created fraudulent cards using a machine purchased on Amazon, allowing them to appear as though they were clocking in and out while actually being absent from work. Despite the gravity of these allegations, no charges have been filed, prompting frustration among MTA board members.
Board member James O’Donnell expressed his discontent, stating, “None of them, it seems, are going to be prosecuted criminally. To me, that’s a mistake.” This sentiment reflects a growing urgency for accountability in light of the scandal.
Last week, DA Tierney’s office defended its decision, citing that the evidence provided by the MTA did not meet the necessary threshold for criminal prosecution. They pointed to a “lack of controls at the MTA facility,” which included insufficient surveillance at employee entrances and inadequate timekeeping records.
In response to the scandal, the MTA has taken swift measures to enhance workplace integrity. They have installed additional cameras and reinstated fingerprint-based punch clocks, which had been discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic. LIRR President Rob Free stated, “We took swift, decisive, strong actions against the employees — significant penalties.” Nearly all involved employees were suspended without pay for periods ranging from two to nine months.
Currently, six workers remain under investigation, facing internal disciplinary hearings that could lead to termination. The lack of criminal charges has left many questioning the MTA’s oversight and the legal system’s response to such misconduct.
The mounting public scrutiny of the DA’s decision highlights the urgent need for reform within the MTA to prevent future incidents. As investigations continue, all eyes are on Suffolk County as the community demands accountability for those implicated in this alarming scheme.
As this situation develops, the MTA and local authorities are under pressure to ensure that similar fraud does not go unchecked. The public awaits further announcements on potential legal actions and the outcomes of ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the MTA and Suffolk County officials navigate the fallout from this scandal.
