A Long Island Rail Road employee with two decades of service has been dismissed, and at least five more face termination after a significant MTA investigation revealed extensive employee fraud within the organization.
A detailed 65-page report from MTA Inspector General Daniel Cote uncovered that 36 employees were using cloned identification cards to falsely report hours worked or simply to avoid coming in. Richard Bovell, identified as a road vehicle inspector, has lost his job due to these findings.
Before the investigation results were made public, eight employees had already left the LIRR. In total, 28 individuals are under scrutiny, facing potential disciplinary measures such as suspension, demotion, or other actions.
Bovell, referred to as “Employee 2” in the findings, is the first to be officially terminated.
“This employee continually violated public trust by collecting pay for hours he didn’t actually work and aiding colleagues in similar fraudulent practices,” remarked Cote. “His firing demonstrates that such misconduct will not be tolerated.”
The report outlined how cloned cards, which are photocopies of employee IDs, were sold to coworkers, allowing them to check in and out while being absent. These cards sold for up to $40, according to the Inspector General’s office.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the LIRR had altered its entry process by discontinuing fingerprint scans, which unintentionally permitted some workers to exploit the system, particularly at locations like Ronkonkoma, Richmond Hill, and Westside Yard.
Several employees admitted to swiping in for colleagues who were not present.
Bovell, who began his tenure in November 2005, worked the late shift until early last year. Investigators noted his admission to purchasing cloned cards and frequently swiping them for absent colleagues, doing this as often as three times a week.
In interviews, workers highlighted that Bovell would often be missing during work hours, taking long meal breaks. The report even stated that he was regularly seen leaving the premises for extensive periods.
Bovell has not publicly commented on the disciplinary actions but expressed in a conversation with Newsday that he felt unfairly treated compared to others and claimed he missed his hearing due to starting a new job. He denied defrauding LIRR, acknowledging ownership of the cloned cards but suggesting they were frequently used by others.
LIRR Chairman Rob Free emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for corruption within the railroad, stating, “Employees who steal from taxpayers will not be allowed to hold public office.”
