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Commuter Rail workers fired after FOX25 Investigates reports timesheet cheating scandal

BOSTON — One day after FOX25 Investigates first reported a timecard cheating scandal involving the MBTA’s commuter rail contractor, several employees have been fired.

FOX25 first reported that Keolis was investigating the incident on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Keolis told FOX25 they severed ties with six employees, while three others are still under investigation.

Official Statement from Keolis

Keolis Commuter Services recently discovered evidence of irregular attendance and violations of the company's time card practices by a small group of employees within the mechanical department. Following an internal investigation, a total of nine employees were removed from service and subject to a formal disciplinary process. As of today, six employees have been terminated, and final decisions are pending for the remaining three employees. The actions of these individuals not only violated Keolis’ standards of ethics for its employees, but undermines the trust placed in our organization by the MBTA and taxpayers of the Commonwealth and will not be tolerated.  

Statement from Governor Baker's office

“In efforts to reform and improve service at the MBTA, the administration expects the T to hold all of its contractors to the highest standards and is pleased Keolis has taken steps to hold its employees accountable. With taxpayers contributing over $1 billion per year to the MBTA, the administration believes tax dollars must be spent carefully and to improve service for riders."  

Keolis Commuter Services held discipline hearings last week on timesheet discrepancies for laborers and electricians working at the engineer terminal in Somerville, according to Thomas Murray, president of Transport Worker Union Local 2054.

Murray told FOX25 Investigates that none of his union members were involved in the probe.

“I have no comment,” said Andrew Mannion, president of IBEW Local 674 President, which represents Keolis electrical workers. “Those are ongoing investigations.”

The commuter rail probe comes at a time when MBTA officials are seeking to outsource more transportation services to contractors.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo told FOX25 Investigates the transit agency was aware of “an internal personnel matter” at Keolis but declined to give any more details.

Pesaturo referred FOX25 to Keolis for comment. A Keolis spokeswoman would not say how much money the timesheet cheat had cost taxpayers.

In a statement to FOX25 the company said, “As a rule we do not comment on internal company matters, but Keolis has zero tolerance for violations of our standards of ethics or anything that undermines the trust placed in our organization by the MBTA and the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. Should such a violation occur, we would alert the MBTA in accordance with the terms of our contract.”