MBTA audit finds 'severe' security lapses at T's 'money room'

BOSTON — The building where the MBTA counts nearly $200 million a year in cash is full of "severe" security lapses, according to a new audit report.

The "Money Room Security Assessment" found broken locks, disabled security cameras and doors held together by duct-tape at the agency's money room in Charlestown.

The money room is where the T counts cash fares paid on buses, trains and at parking lots.

The private consultant conducting the review made site visits, did walkthroughs, interviewed MBTA personnel and evaluated the agency's processes and procedures.

In 2012, another audit found a $100 million accounting discrepancy at the facility.

FOX25 has requested the full security audit, but so far the MBTA has only provided a summary which states the "employees and assets were inadequately protected, risking: intrusion; coercion; physical danger; and theft."

“These employees are in harm’s way,” said consultant Shellie Crandall. “We’re not carrying around loaves of bread. It’s cash.”

One door, marked "this door to remain shut at

," was reportedly propped open with a door stop. A number of makeshift door stops were found on site.

Crandall's firm has been paid about $50,000 so far and the MBTA says it's retaining the firm's services "until all issues are resolved and the operation has been stabilized."

Some of the security flaws have been fixed.

Tuesday morning, the MBTA sent a statement to FOX25 from Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve:

A recent assessment of the MBTA money room revealed some very serious and immediate security threats that posed risks to the seventy employees who work there. These issues included security doors that were bypassed, including propped open, a vault room door was duct taped, alarm contacts were not functional, vault room access was unrestricted, doors with no alarms, cameras missing or removed at guard stations, an unsecured freight elevator, a lack of interlocking doors staggering access to the vault, keys not securely managed and inventoried, and no inspections of people entering/exiting the facility. In coordination with Transit Police, the MBTA took immediate actions to secure the facility.  The MBTA has also changed management – four top managers are no longer in their positions. Enhanced security is now provided by a widely respected international security firm with assistance from Transit Police. Standard security industry procedures and practices have been re-established and are now being enforced.  While the MBTA believes it has addressed any significant threats to security, a major investment would still be necessary to correct all of the problems identified in the audit. I will continue to talk with the Fiscal and Management Control Board about whether handling cash is a business the T should even be in. Other transit systems and public and private operations across the country have procured the services of cash management professionals.

The Carmen’s Union, which opposes outsourcing operations at the money room, also sent FOX25 a statement in response to the new audit:

"The recent reports and audits commissioned by MBTA leadership continue to show that insufficient oversight, a complete lack of investment, and inefficient management practices have led to the problems facing the MBTA, not the hardworking men and women who keep the system running. Transit workers are being unfairly blamed for management's failures. The fact that MBTA leadership remains committed to moving forward with outsourcing without first addressing these problems is proof that they will seek privatization at any cost.

It's disappointing that MBTA management is attempting to disparage money room workers so they can embolden an effort to privatize the operation. Money room workers -- like all transit workers -- have contractual provisions that allow for disciplinary action when appropriate. It is expected that management would take disciplinary action if needed, rather than using allegations to support attempts to outsource jobs.

Transit workers have demonstrated a commitment to the MBTA and a willingness to be part of the solution. This week, transit workers from the Boston Carmen's Union presented a cost savings plan to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board in an effort to work with MBTA leadership because workers believe that the MBTA – and our riders – are best served when we work together. It's disheartening that management does not seem willing to work with us. It's clear that investments in the system are needed, and that investments into the current workforce will ultimately be more beneficial to the MBTA - both in terms of cost efficiency and overall improvement of the system."

Cox Media Group