Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) OIG

In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)1 provided $66 billion for passenger and freight rail improvements, the largest investment in rail in generations. Amtrak’s (the company) agreement workforce2—particularly its Electric Traction, Communication and Signals, and Track...

Like other organizations, Amtrak (the company) faces the inherent cybersecurity risk that employees or contractors are “insider threats”—that is, that they could maliciously or unintentionally use information systems or data in a manner that harms the company. Insider threats may cause more harm and...

Jason Chan, a California resident, pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud and Aiding and Abetting on November 27, 2023, in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California. Jamar Rogers, also a resident of California, pleaded guilty to the same charge on October 10, 2023.Our investigation found that Rogers...

Edel Perez Acanda, a resident of Miami, Florida, was sentenced on October 16, 2023, in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, for Theft of Government Funds. Perez Acanda was sentenced to 2 months in prison, 3 years’ probation, and was ordered to pay $81,114 in restitution to Amtrak...

An Amtrak Coach Cleaner based in Miami, Florida, was terminated from employment on October 5, 2023, following her administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the employee violated company policies by engaging in outside employment while on a medical leave of absence.

A Lead Service Attendant based at New York Penn Station violated company policies by engaging in outside employment at two temporary employment agencies and an assisted living facility in Delaware while on medical leave and receiving Railroad Retirement Board benefits. The employee resigned prior to...

I am pleased to submit the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) Semiannual Report to the United States Congress for the six months ending September 30, 2023, which summarizes our independent and objective reviews and investigations related to Amtrak’s programs and operations.The following report...

Five Ticket Accounting Clerks based in Massachusetts violated company policies by using their Smart ID badges to fraudulently swipe one another in and/or out of Amtrak’s time and attendance machines. Four employees admitted to the violations during their interviews with our agents, and we found a...

An Amtrak conductor based in Washington, D.C., violated company policies by failing to report an August 5, 2019, Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction he incurred during his employment. Amtrak removed the employee from service pending his disciplinary hearing. The employee agreed to a Waiver in...