MTA Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny announced the findings of an 11-month investigative report which found seven New York City Transit (NYC Transit) Track Inspectors were skipping inspections in addition to falsifying inspection reports and have been suspended. Track Inspectors and especially their supervisors, are among the most vital safety-sensitive members of the MTA who serve as an essential line of defense against dangerous railway conditions, costly repairs, and fatal accidents.
As a result of OIG’s investigation, following arbitration, all seven track inspectors were suspended, and six of the track inspectors received a final warning that similar conduct could result in termination and are prohibited from performing track inspections for five years. The seven track inspectors’ suspensions are worth approximately $145,115 total.
In addition to the investigation, the Office of the MTA Inspector General (OIG) performed an audit to determine how such widespread deception could occur without management’s knowledge. The audit revealed significant, systemic issues with how supervisors and managers at NYC Transit oversee the work of track inspectors. This lack of oversight contributed to exposing riders, MTA employees, and especially people on the street passing below the elevated tracks to significant safety risks.