LIRR Official’s Son Hired by Railroad Contractor, Says MTA Inspector General
An investigation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Inspector General has revealed troubling ethical violations committed by a former Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) official, who leveraged his position to secure employment for his son with railroad contractors. The official, whose identity remains undisclosed, was an assistant chief program officer and has since retired.
The report, released by the Office of the Inspector General, detailed how the former official sought employment for his son at six different firms associated with the LIRR. Although the investigation did not uncover evidence that the procurement processes had been compromised, it highlighted a breach of ethical standards during his tenure.
The report indicated that when his son eventually secured a position with one of the contractors—whose name has not been made public—the official did not take steps to recuse himself from any oversight related to the contractor’s work, despite the clear conflict of interest. This oversight raises questions about the integrity of the hiring processes within the agency.
MTA Inspector General Daniel Cort emphasized the serious nature of the violation, stating that officials within the MTA are tasked with acting in the public interest and not exploiting their positions for personal benefit. The inspector criticized the behavior displayed by the LIRR official, which he deemed a significant abuse of trust and a violation of MTA’s ethical standards. He also urged vendors associated with the MTA to report any unethical requests, reinforcing the importance of accountability in all dealings with the agency.
The investigation began as part of a broader inquiry into allegations of potential misconduct regarding the procurement operations tied to the LIRR’s positive train control system. Although the procurement process itself was found to be intact, the investigation unveiled the former official’s attempts to actively promote his son’s resume to several bidders, including reaching out to former LIRR employees who had transitioned to private sector roles.
The hiring of the official’s son ultimately led to repercussions for both him and the contractor involved, as reports indicate that the firm took swift action to terminate his employment once the situation came to light. An MTA spokesperson reiterated the agency’s commitment to uphold ethical standards and expected the same from all employees and vendors, underscoring the necessity of reporting any behavior that might raise concerns about integrity within the organization.
This incident casts a shadow over the MTA’s ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and ethical conduct within its operations, illustrating the need for stricter adherence to ethical guidelines by all personnel associated with the agency. As investigations continue, the MTA aims to fortify its ethical practices to restore public confidence in its governance.
