LIRR Data Subpoenaed
A little under 24 hours ago I wrote an entry about Gov. Patterson giving New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo the power to investigate the Long Island Rail Road for possible manipulation of disability & pension benefits. Since that entry, Mr. Cuomo has decided to get right on the case. Jeremy W. Peters of the New York Times has more in this report:
The state attorney general’s office has issued subpoenas to the Long Island Rail Road seeking personnel records as part of an investigation into whether employees filed questionable disability claims and manipulated work rules so they could retire early and collect generous benefits.
Starting as soon as Tuesday, investigators from the attorney general’s office will meet with officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the railroad to begin sorting out how so many employees apparently took advantage of the system.
In addition, state parks officials have begun a review of the requirements and distribution of Access Passes, which give the disabled — including the railroad’s retirees who receive disability payments — free use of sports facilities in state parks, said Erin Duggan, a spokeswoman for Gov. David A. Paterson.
The subpoenas to the L.I.R.R. went out one day after Mr. Paterson granted Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo broad powers to investigate the matter.
“This begins what will be an aggressive and expeditious investigation into troubling allegations of wrongdoing,” Mr. Cuomo said in a written statement.
Helena E. Williams, president of the railroad, has said it planned to hand over whatever was requested of it.
Click here for the complete report.
More on this as it becomes available.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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