Metro-North Machinist Resigns Over Rendezvous

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — A Metro-North machinist accused of dalliance with a woman at the Croton-Harmon Yard or off-site overnight or during long lunch breaks resigned after being suspended, MTA officials said.

"Metro-North has zero tolerance for theft of time or appropriation of resources for personal use," said MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan.

MTA officials were watching as the Putnam Valley resident ostensibly working an overtime shift brought a woman into a restricted area of the yard "for a meeting that involved kissing and intimate contact," according to the MTA Inspector General's report.

According to the report, the man, who worked for Metro-North for 25 years, also used the railroad-issued truck meant only for his work commute when he was off-duty, to drive from his home in Putnam Valley to Peekskill where he would park it overnight, leaving with the same woman and being dropped off the next day.

Also, investigators said from March to September 2020 he made an additional stop in Peekskill on his way to and from work to meet her "nearly every single day."

During an interview with investigators from the Inspector General's Office, the machinist said that he had been told repeatedly over the years that it was all right to make stops along his route home, and that he could leave the company truck parked anywhere “on or near” Metro-North property, the report stated.

According to the IG's report, the machinist also said that he had never seen anything in writing stating that he could not have visitors at the yard, that he had never seen anything in writing stating that he could not have visitors on Metro-North property, and that he had never been told that he could not be “intimate” with someone during lunch on MNR property. He also said he had seen family members enter MNR property over the years for retirement parties, the report stated.

After the disciplinary hearing ended with his suspension, the machinist resigned, Donovan said.

"We are reviewing ways to improve accountability," Donovan said.