URGENT UPDATE: Calls for criminal charges intensify against 36 Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) employees accused of participating in an elaborate time theft scheme. Despite serious allegations, no legal action has been taken, sparking outrage among MTA board members.
The scandal involves workers allegedly using cloned swipe cards to falsely log their hours. Investigators claim these fake cards were created using a machine bought on Amazon. The lack of charges has prompted criticism from MTA board member James O’Donnell, who is holding Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney accountable for the inaction. “To me, that’s a mistake,” O’Donnell stated, highlighting the urgency of prosecuting those involved.
Last week, Tierney’s office released a statement claiming the evidence provided by the MTA did not meet the standards for criminal prosecution, citing a “lack of controls at the MTA facility.” This included insufficient surveillance and inadequate timekeeping records. O’Donnell expressed his disappointment, stating, “I’m extremely disappointed in the Suffolk County DA — that he threw the IG’s office under the bus.”
In response to the growing scandal, MTA officials have taken significant steps to enhance security, including installing additional cameras and reinstating fingerprint-based punch clocks, which had been removed during the COVID-19 pandemic. LIRR President Rob Free confirmed that all implicated employees faced serious penalties, with nearly all suspended without pay for periods ranging from two to nine months. Six workers are currently undergoing internal disciplinary hearings, facing potential termination.
The urgency of this situation extends beyond the legal implications. The alleged time theft highlights severe vulnerabilities in the oversight of public transportation operations, raising questions about accountability and transparency. As the MTA works to restore public trust, officials are under pressure to ensure that such breaches do not reoccur.
As this story develops, the focus will be on whether any legal action will be taken against the implicated employees and how the MTA will address the systemic issues that allowed this scheme to flourish. Public outrage continues to rise, and many are watching closely for updates on potential prosecutions.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent matter as it unfolds.
