Investigative Reports

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.

Ernesto Ruiz of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Orange County, State of Florida, to fraudulent use of a credit card. The same day, Ruiz was sentenced to one day incarceration and ordered to pay a special assessment of $618. Our investigation found that Ruiz and codefendant Eric Cardenas were part of a sophisticated credit card fraud ring operating throughout central Florida. They used fraudulently obtained credit cards, to include an Amtrak Wright Express Corporation (WEX) card, to purchase fuel.

Cardenas previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in November 2024.

A train director based in Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, in Marion Superior Court, Indiana, to felony theft. The same day, the employee was sentenced to a 545-day suspended sentence and 545 days of probation. The employee was ordered to take an anti-theft class and pay restitution in the amount of $8,978 to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Our investigation found that the employee fraudulently applied for and received pandemic unemployment related funds to which she was not entitled.

An Amtrak passenger engineer based in Miami, Florida, was terminated from employment on January 24, 2025, following an administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the employee violated company policies by engaging in outside employment for another company while on a medical leave of absence from Amtrak. The former employee is not eligible for rehire.

An Amtrak customer service representative based in Tucson, Arizona, was terminated from employment on January 23, 2025, following an administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the employee violated company policies by providing discounts, on two separate occasions, to two individuals who did not appear to be entitled to the discounted train travel. The former employee is not eligible for rehire.

A Train Attendant based in New York City was terminated on January16, 2025, after his administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the employee violated company policy by sexually harassing a woman on an Amtrak train from Albany to Syracuse, New York, on April 26, 2024. During our interview with the employee, he admitted to his actions. He is ineligible for rehire.

We found that an oil and gas company used natural gas from a Federal lease to power cryptocurrency mining operations without authorization. 

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), investigated an allegation of time and attendance fraud involving a GPO employee, including claims that the employee was ineligible for telework.

An Amtrak Director based in New York City used his company-issued computer for personal business on company time. Those activities included visiting clothing, apparel, and design websites, excessively watching non-work related YouTube videos and visiting other personal-use websites. The employee was terminated on December 26, 2024, and he is not eligible for rehire.

An Amtrak customer service representative based in Miami, Florida, signed a civil settlement agreement on December 21, 2024, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida. The employee agreed to pay $48,000 in restitution and penalties related to the fraudulent receipt of two pandemic related loans. The employee applied for and received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan in the amount of $30,500 and a Paycheck Protection Program loan in the amount of $12,522.50. The loan applications contained false statements and information to qualify for the loans. As a result, the employee received Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds to which he was not entitled.

An Amtrak conductor based in Miami, Florida, was terminated from employment on December 13, 2024, following an administrative hearing. Our investigation found that the employee violated company policies by failing to report two domestic violence-related criminal convictions to the company within 72 hours after conviction, as required by company policy. The employee also violated company policy by being dishonest with our agents during his interview.