July 22, 2025
WASHINGTON – Amtrak’s oversight of leave granted under the Family Medical Leave Act is not entirely effective because supervisors’ roles are not clearly defined, and company systems do not allow them to effectively track this leave, an Amtrak Office of Inspector General Report released today found.
Our investigation determined that a Clerk based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, violated company policies by using her company-issued computer and other company equipment, such as printers and copiers, to conduct personal business by selling items online on company time. We also confirmed that she was selling company property on Poshmark for personal profit. She was terminated on June 20, 2025, and she is not eligible for rehire.
Our investigation determined that an Amtrak Engineer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, violated company policies by misusing his company-issued computer to conduct personal business on company time and failing to report three outside businesses on his annual Certificates of Compliance. He was terminated on April 16, 2025, and he is not eligible for rehire.
Our investigation determined that a former Lineman Trainee based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, violated company policies by offering company employment under false pretenses in exchange for sexual favors, as well as lying in an OIG interview about his interaction with the complainant. Specifically, the former trainee offered the complainant a job with the company that did not exist and that he did not have the authority to offer, and he lied to our agents about his communications with the complainant. He was terminated on June 13, 2025, and he is not eligible for rehire.
An Amtrak Passenger Conductor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 24, 2025, in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, to one count of wire fraud involving the fraudulent submission and subsequent receipt of $52,500 for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and one Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The employee’s spouse pleaded guilty on May 20, 2025, to one count of wire fraud involving the fraudulent submission of three PPP loans and the subsequent receipt of $53,845.
July 8, 2025
WASHINGTON – Agents from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General supported the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown, announced June 30, 2025, with the arrest of the CEO of a San Diego substance abuse treatment facility and, in a separate case, charges against a New Jersey physical therapist—both charged for their alleged participation in schemes that bilked Amtrak’s health care plan.
July 2, 2025
WASHINGTON – Amtrak has opportunities to better ensure contracts that it awards are in its best interest, an Amtrak Office of Inspector General Report released today found.
The OIG examined the pre-award phase of Amtrak’s procurement process and found that certain contracting activities generally worked well, but it also identified areas where weaknesses place the company at greater risk of paying more than it should for goods and services.
An Electrical Technician based in Washington, D.C., was arrested for driving more than 100 miles per hour while pursued by police and passing vehicles on the shoulder. He was charged with driving under the influence and other driving violations. He was held without bond on December 18, 2024, and remains incarcerated until his jury trial scheduled for March 17, 2025. While incarcerated, he applied for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and failed to report his arrest to the company. The former employee resigned on January 29, 2025. He is ineligible for rehire.