Five MBTA Employees Indicted Over Falsified Inspections

Five current and former MBTA employees, including a supervisor, have been arrested and indicted on federal charges for falsifying Red Line track inspection reports between September and October 2024. Prosecutors allege the employees filed fraudulent inspection records while spending work hours at the Cabot Yard facility in South Boston working on private vehicles, socializing, and using their phones, some of which was captured on surveillance footage. Supervisor Brian Pfaffinger is accused of permitting and benefiting from these actions, as his subordinates serviced his personal car during work hours. The alleged misconduct also involved employees earning significant overtime pay while neglecting critical safety duties. The MBTA stated that the employees involved have been fired or placed on leave and has pledged ongoing improvements to ensure accountability and public safety. If convicted, the accused face up to 20 years in prison, fines, and supervised release.