Former LIRR foreman from East Northport eyed in overtime scandal

The MTA Inspector General released the results of an audit focused on possible overtime fraud by Raymond Murphy.

News 12 Staff

Jul 10, 2019, 4:37 PM

Updated 1,750 days ago

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A former Long Island Rail Road foreman from East Northport is the latest person to come under scrutiny in the overtime scandal rocking the LIRR.
The MTA inspector general released the results of an audit that focused on possible overtime fraud by Raymond Murphy.
The inspector general's report highlights fraud across the MTA, but at the LIRR, the report says investigators began looking at Murphy due to the overtime bills costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Officials say on 12 occasions they conducted surveillance on Murphy at his regular work sites and his home. They say on 10 of those occasions, when Murphy claimed he was working, he was really at home.
Investigators say for one period from April to June 15 in 2018, Murphy reported working 427.5 regular hours and 831.5 overtime hours totaling over $91,000. They say in that same time period, Murphy reported 42 times that he worked more than 20 hours a day, and in one week he clocked 114 hours.
Inspectors say Murphy claimed he worked for all but six hours over five continuous days.
Murphy worked out of the Bethpage LIRR facility, and told investigators he reported the overtime and was at home as part of his union contract. Investigators say that wasn't allowed.
The inspector general's office recommended disciplinary action that included possible termination. The MTA tells News 12 it has revamped its time reporting protocols to try to prevent more alleged overtime abuse.
The New York Post reports that Murphy resigned and collected his full pension before he could be punished.


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