Long Island Railroad (LIRR) employees have been caught up in a years‑long fraud scheme that let a handful of workers earn over three times what their honest colleagues made in overtime. A recent report from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s inspector‑general office says the scam involved fake work IDs and “widespread culture of fraud and time abuse” at three LIRR stations – Richmond Hill, Ronkonkoma and Manhattan West Side.
The scheme was simple but effective. At least 36 LIRR workers used bogus IDs to swipe themselves and their co‑conspirators in and out of work, even when they were not on the job. Some of those involved reportedly built machines that produced the fake cards and ran a ring, selling them to each other. Others allegedly charged their coworkers who were staying home to “make it look as if they were actually on the clock.”
Research by Newsday found that the 36 employees, on average, earned 1.3 to 2.7 times the overtime pay of their co‑workers in 2024. One of the participants, Craig Murray – a foreman with a base salary of $124,361 – raked in $345,779 last year, which is more than the amount the LIRR president earned in a year.
Murray, who has said he had no idea about the scam, admitted hearing rumors that some workers cheated out extra hours. He has also admitted he had no participation. Other employees who were accused in the probe have taken different positions – at least 24 of the 36 recognized their involvement.
The investigation began in 2022 after a surge of complaints about missing hours and irregular “time clock” entries. The Metro Transit Authority’s inspector‑general report, released Thursday, says the fraud run from 2021 to August 2024. According to the report, even half of the LIRR’s top 10 overtime earners in 2023 were involved in the scheme.
LIRR president Robert Free warned that employees found to have participated will face “severe punishment.” Some have already lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in forfeits, while others have been suspended for months without pay. No criminal charges have yet been filed, though the case has been forwarded to three district attorneys’ offices.
The scandal has come at a time when the LIRR, a key part of the New York–based Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), is under scrutiny for its heavy reliance on taxpayer money. The fraud could strain an already tight budget that supports a busy commuter network linking Long Island to New York City.
The future of the LIRR’s operations and its oversight by the MTA remains uncertain. Investigators continue to sift through time‑clock records and employee statements, while the agency works to restore public trust in the system.
For commuters relying on the LIRR, the fallout from this fraud scandal is a reminder that even everyday services can hide hidden problems. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority now faces a substantial task: ensuring that its railroads run smoothly, fairly, and for the benefit of taxpayers.
Source: New York Post
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