Ever thought about a job where you could embezzle millions from a publicly funded employer and keep on working? Well, working for Amtrak might just fit the bill.
In a scenario reminiscent of a Scorsese film, over 119 Amtrak employees participated in a complicated insurance fuel fraud that spanned three years.
Last week, the Amtrak Inspector’s Office revealed the details. Employees enlisted dubious healthcare providers for fictitious treatments, filed fraudulent insurance claims, and then skimmed off the payouts.
Some even allegedly resorted to mob-like pressure, threatening their providers if they hesitated to hand over their share of the money.
This scheme ended up costing around $12 million between 2019 and 2022.
What’s even more troubling is Amtrak’s lax response—half of these employees are still on the payroll.
While many fraudsters face criminal charges, 28 either left or resigned, and 30 departed for vague reasons.
Shockingly, 61 individuals remain on taxpayer-funded salaries.
An Amtrak spokesperson stated that the company is now taking “swift action”—four years after the investigation began and two years after the key players, Devon Burt and Hallum Gelzer, pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges.
Honestly, the only acceptable response is to terminate these individuals and clean house immediately.
